Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Winter fashion shoe styles for women

It may be warm and sunny now, but before we know it the bitter winds of winter are going to be howling. It's the season of red cheeks, thick coats, and soft, warm sweaters. As summer draws to a close, we'll be tossing those strappy sandals to the back of our closets, but what can we replace them with that will be fabulous with thicker knits and those rosy cheeks? Shoes for winter can be tricky because of the weather, but here is a guide with a few suggestions for some essential winter footwear and when to wear it
Boots: Of course, the most obvious winter staple is a pair of boots. But just the term "boots" is awfully broad. As a matter of fact, I would break this into three subcategories.
1. Snow Boots. If you live in a climate that dumps inches of frozen precipitation down every year, a good pair of snow boots are essential. Walk to work in them or wear them for some snowy fun; either way you'll be glad you had them when your feet are warm and dry after trekking about out in the snow. There are more options than just the plastic-looking kids' snow boots, though. Look for sleek designs in fabrics and colors that you like. Last year, many styles came with fur trim.
2. Rain Boots. You might think of these more for spring than winter, but they can be invaluable when that pleasant winter snow of today turns into the grimy slush of tomorrow. Rain boots often come in a variety of cute colors and patterns, so even when the weather's not cooperating you can feel bright and sunny.
3. Casual Boots: These are the kind of nice boots that you will wear with an indoor outfit. Try looking for quality materials like leather or suede, and choose a style that's going to be versatile. If you can wear them with both skirts and jeans, you'll get your money's worth. They're great for winter, just be careful that you don't ruin nice suede or leather boots in the snowy streets.
Tennies: Yes, sneakers are still allowed at the front of your closet once the winter winds start blowing. Look for fun colors for your tennies so that they don't just look like an "I give up" shoe. In winter, they're probably best to wear on days that are cold but not snowy. They provide good traction for ice, but many tennies don't have very good wet protection, and if they get wet your socks will too.
Flats: Flats in more muted tones and heavier constructions can be great casual wear for winter. They have the same rules as tennies though - avoid wearing them in snow or slush!
Pumps: Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't dress up. If you walk to work or school, carry a pair of pumps in your bag to change into when you get there. Thick, supportive styles that aren't too strappy are going to work best with the thicker fabrics of your wardrobe. If your favorite pair has a peep-toe, you can revive them for winter by wearing tights.
One important thing to remember for all winter footwear is that when the weather's brutal outside, it's brutal on your footwear as well. Slush and snow can cause water damage to shoes, and many counties salt the sidewalks to avoid icy buildup. Anytime that you're going to be walking anywhere outside, it's a good idea to be wearing high-traction, water proof boots that are going to be resilient to stains from salt. Then, on sunnier days when the sidewalks are clear you can rock whatever shoes you want without worrying about ruining them. In the right pair of shoes, not even the bitter howls of winter wind will be able to bring you down

Monday, November 9, 2009

The Goth Rundown

You might think that being goth means that you worship the devil and drink blood for breakfast, but that isn't the case. In fact, there are several types of goths - from the cyber goth to the punk goth - each has a style all of their own. Traditionally, goth style involved a lot of black clothing, make-up and even hair. Today, peeps are re-inventing the goth look though, with some of your fave celebs (like the boys of Good Charlotte) sporting their very own goth fashions.

Top Five Goth Essentials

  • Black Nail Polis h - whether you're a boy or a girl a good bottle of black nail polish is a must-have for the a spiring goth.
  • Black Boo ts - search out a pair of boots that you know you'll wear a lot. If you're a girl, make sure they look good with skirts and pants. Versatility is key.
  • Hair dye- this can either be black hair dye or some exotic, bright color used to highlight your dark hair. T ry something like Manic Panic.
  • Studs and/or Zippers - if you don't have anything with studs or zippers, add some onto an old bag or grab a cool, old leather jacket from a thrift store that you can alter.
  • Black Eyeliner - again, it doesn't matter if you're a guy or a girl, you gotta have the black eyeliner. Great for lining lips, eyes or drawing stuff on your face.

    Goth Make-Up Tips

    Avoid slathering on too much make-up, cuz excessive make-up is not attractive - it doesn't work for aging country music stars, and definitely won't work for you. Stick to basics like lipstick, eyeshadow, mascara and some eyeliner. If you want to be a bit more daring, draw some sort of funky shape around one eye with some liquid eyeliner (you'll probably be able track that down at your local drugstore).