Items Every Woman Should Have in her Closet

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1.       LBD

A little black dress is perhaps the most versatile piece of clothing you will ever own. You can dress it up for a cocktail, put a blazer over it for work, or wear it with flats for a day running errands. It’s sophisticated yet so understated, you’ll need to have more than one design.

2.       Black and White Suits

Yves Saint Laurent is credited for deconstructing suits and making them wearable for women. You can wear them sexy by choosing to wear a top with a low neckline (or absolutely nothing) under the jacket. You can also dress it down by wearing a plain shirt underneath. For business meetings, wear a crisp white polo under the jacket. You can wear all the pieces together or pair individual pieces with other items in your closet.

3.       Dress Pants

Dress pants are best worn with high heels, so get them two or more inches longer than your actual height. You can wear these for work or for a night around town. They should be loose and wide-legged with a fit waist so they fall nicely to the floor.

4.       White Dress Shirt

A white dress shirt is the LBD of tops. You can pair it with shorts, jeans, a full skirt, a mini, and just about anything. It’s simple but sophisticated that they look best when worn crisp. They’re neat and look put-together without even trying.

5.       Full skirt

A full skirt can be worn both with heels or flats. Make sure that it hits right at the knee to give you the right proportions. The best fit has a tight, high waist that gradually balloons towards the hemline.

6.       Clean Shorts

Khakis and white shorts work well to give you that prim and proper feel. Any fabric other than jeans or cotton is a sure way to get that preppy look without the stiffness of denim.

7.       Jeans

Denims are everybody’s best friend. They’re as sturdy as steel yet gentle on the skin. Get ones in dark washes and minimal embellishments if you wish to wear them to a variety of events from dinners to a day at the park.

8.       Boots

Rainy day boots, snow boots, and even leather keep your feet warm and fuzzy in cold weather. Invest in ones that are sturdy enough to last you years or even decades. Choose neutrals  or earthy colors such as black, gray, brown, tan, and nude so that you can wear them with almost any item in your closet.

9.       High heels

Heels are great for work as well as evening parties. There are plenty of styles to choose from, such as peep-toes, pumps, platforms or strappy sandals. They’re great with both skirts and pumps, so invest in pairs that don’t wear and tear that easily.

11.   Ballet Flats

Audrey Hepburn loved ballet flats. Need I say more?

11.   Wedges

Wedges are your heels’ casual counterparts. Wear them with shorts, jeans, skirts, and dresses. They make your legs look longer and also give you the added height when you need it.

12.   Lingerie

You’ll never know when you’re going to need to show off some skin, but you’ll be needing a sexy number in your underwear closet. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a spicy relationship or not. Lingerie will make you feel like a vixen. Here’s a tip: wear corsets with suits.

13.   Sexy Swimsuit

Choosing a swimsuit is a tricky endeavor for most women. One the one hand, we want to show some skin. On the other, we want to hide our flaws. There are different styles that would compliment different body types, so be sure to look in the mirror before purchasing your pick.

14.   Cover-up

What’s a swimsuit without a cover-up? You will want to put a little cloth over that bikini when the wind gets too cold or the sun too hot.

15.   Pearls

Forget diamonds. Pearls are more versatile and more affordable. They’re also such an understatement, so you can wear tons of strands without looking tacky. Look at Coco Chanel if you don’t want to believe me.

16.  Dress Watch

Watches are pieces of jewelry. Reserve one for special occasions, and choose silver and gold over leather.

The key to having a closet that never runs out of outfits is having items that are versatile enough to wear with each other. Toss out dated items and go for ones that are simple, elegant, yet comfortable. Yes, this is your perfect excuse to go shopping.

Replica or Boutique?

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If you live in countries like the Philippines, you’ll be seeing plenty of stores and shops that carry replicas at dirt cheap prices that are difficult to distinguish from the authentic. One question you would always ask yourself is whether or not to get that Louis Vuitton imitation.

Designer items with logos in plain sight are status symbols. You have them, and people think you’re filthy rich. In contrast, if people see they’re fake, well, that’s a different story. That brings us back to the question of whether or not you should buy imitations.

First off, buying knock-off hurts the economy. The people you buy from do not pay taxes. You also hurt the sales of the fashion house that your purchase is ripping off. Believe it or not, knock-offs bring down sales and profit. Second, you might not be aware of it, but experts know how to tell fakes from authentic. It hurts your reputation if people find out you’re donning a fake.

Come to think of it, buying boutique items are pretty much more practical than knock-offs. One reason is that knock-offs still fetch a hefty price. You pay for the brand name that you are imitating. Moreover, since they are very affordable, you are sure to find other people with the same item that you purchased. You lose your uniqueness in fashion. Boutique items, on the other hand, come in a dime a dozen. Due to the budget restrictions, products are not mass produced. What’s best is that more and more items look thousands of dollars more expensive than they actually are. 

So the next time you think about purchasing that imitation (or what we FiIlipinos call “Class A”), think again. There are plenty of alternatives that you could buy at a cheaper price instead of that expensive knock-off that screams “FAKE.” 

Simple Joys: Remembering Childhood Days

When I was watching the Back to the Future Trilogy, I felt a little nostalgic. Not because I was born in the 80's (the time the trilogy was made) but because if I have a DeLorean time machine, I'll go back in time and revisit my childhood days all over again.

I consider myself blessed since I had the best childhood experiences. I managed to make the most out of being a child, seeing the world in my own little eyes, finding joy in the simplest things, and having fun in every possible way.

Toys are child's best friends. And every child is entitled to them. Lucky for me, I had plenty of "best friends" to keep me company during the days when I was forced to stay home. Mostly bought by my parents, some given by my Titos and Titas and Ninongs and Ninangs. I remember me and my brother being envied by most kids our age because of our vast and latest toy collection. And being a proud kid that I was, I used to show them off whenever possible. But I don't keep them only to myself. I loved sharing them with my friends just as my brother loved sharing them with his own set of friends. I would invite friends over to play when the school was over. Or bring the toys over to my friends' houses. Unfortunately, as I grew up, the number of my toys began to diminish. Not because I threw them away or failed to maintain them. My mother loves giving away used stuff- my toys included. So before I knew it, I was already saying goodbye to the last toy I had.

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Out of the school premises, my brother and I hanged out and played with our neighbors' kids. And aside from the toys, we also share our bicycles with them. We would take turns riding the bike around the neighborhood. We would wait for our turns patiently while we talk about kids' stuff and eat our favorite chichiriyas. I even remember that, little kids as we are, we loved bragging about material things to each other. Sometimes we would even talk about serious things like what we wanted to be when we grow up or what we wanted to achieve in the future. I think it's safe to say that it was the time when we started building our dreams and thinking about our goals in life, in a child's perspective.

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When I was in grade school, we lived in Mabayo, a small barrio in Morong, Bataan. Back in the day, the only means of transportation between Mabayo and Olongapo was a bangka. And the duration of the journey was one hour to one hour and a half. It was a little scary especially when the weather was rainy or when the waves were bigger than usual, but it was fun. My brother and I loved staying at both ends of the boat. I remember feeling the ocean breeze in my skin and how relaxing it was. Then, on my last year in elementary school, SBMA allowed us to pass. Till then, every single folk from Mabayo traveled by land to reach Olongapo.

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Every weekend afternoon, during playtime, we would sneak to our palaisdaan and thread the "dangerous" path to reach it. Since it looked a little bushy and we had to pass through a short narrow bridge where you have to walk sideways in order to reach the end safely, we made ourselves believe that we were embarking on an adventure. We would tour the whole palaisdaan singing, laughing at our own jokes, and goofing around. So much so that we sometimes ended up in small accidents and little bruises.

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Ah, aratilis! That sweet-flavored fruit of my childhood days. My playmates and I would go places just to get a taste of this sweet succulent fruit. Yum, yum!

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Sometimes, we also play with Gumamelas, use them as "cooking oils" for our luto-lutoan then drink their sweet nectar.

And my childhood won't be complete without my favorite street games:


Hide and Seek

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 Role Playing

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Patintero

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Jack Stones

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Piko

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Indeed, my childhood days were the best days of my life. The days when my big worry is the assignment/project the following day. The days when all I did was study, play, eat, and sleep. The days when all I had to do was to become a good girl and I could easily get the toy that I wanted. Ah, the golden years.

Now, if I could only borrow that DeLorean time machine, that would be wicked!:)

Top 10 Most Stylish TV Shows

Admit it. You've downloaded series every now and then and noticed a few stunning shoes every now and then during an episode. I salute you, my lady, for having a keen eye for fashion. Since we're on the topics of TV and fashion, I thought it would be apt to list down a few of the most stylish TV shows of the 21st century. My criteria: a good following and a multitude of pretty ensembles (and of course a great on-set stylist).

Disclaimer: I'm writing on the TV shows that I was able to watch growing up. So feel free to add more shows that you think deserve to be in this list in the comments below.

Mad Men

 

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I do not even know where to begin. Mad Men is period clothing at its finest. We all know pretty much how difficult it is to dress and entire cast for a full season in period clothing. There's the research that goes with all the fabrics and tailors. Of course, it all turns out well because Christina Hendricks is a bombshell in all her work clothes.

Sex and the City

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One name: Patricia Field. She's made high fashion so popular and wearable that the ultimate result of the series was a huge jump in name recall and sales of the heavyweights of fashion. The characters are credited for wearing names such as Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenburg, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and many others whose names we find difficult to pronounce.

Gossip Girl

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This is Sex and the City for the younger generation. Same romance, same high fashion, but on an age group that's young enough to be the daughters of Carrie Bradshaw. Two characters fight it out when it comes to the title of most fashionable in the series: Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen. Blair's headbands, tights, ballet flats, and feminine ensembles have charmed their way to the hearts of teenagers, but Serena's bohemian and rugged city look takes the votes of the more adventurous types.

America's Next Top Model

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This reality show may very well be every fashion-savvy Cinderella's ticket to the runway and the cover of Vogue. Cycle after cycle we've seen the girls transformed from nymphs into sultry sirens. Guest judges, photographers, mentors, and of course stylists and hair and makeup artists connive to bring out the beauty of both the item endorsed and the model during photo shoots. Personally, I think the drama is unnecessary, but oh well. It keeps the viewers curious.

True Jackson VP

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This show is as unrealistic as it gets, but hey, it's a kid's series. What I like about it is the fact that the clothes are colorful, fun, and age appropriate. Amanda has simple yet fashion forward work clothes, that I must say, but True trumps her in terms of flair and quirks. 

That's So Raven

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I like that Raven makes her own clothes and her room/attic is her studio. She was an inspiration and the reason I got into sewing. Her trademark jean suit is symbolic of the trend of the late 90's where jeans suddenly became everything (literally). 

Alley McBeal

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I find law boring. However, it became a little more fun for me after watching Alley McBeal. No, it's not just because of the hallucinations and the her humor. Pinstripes in the courtroom might be boring, but not with the mile high slit she has.

CSI Miami

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Sun, surf, sand, and dead bodies. This is what the characters of CSI Miami deal with on every episode. The outfits for the cast consist of pastels, whites, and bright colors in light fabrics. Office attire at the crime lab never looked so good.

Project Runway

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If there's a high end avenue for creativity, it's at Project Runway. You get a backstage pass during the conceptualization, the fitting, and the finishing touch-ups that a piece of clothing has to undergo before it is set free on the runway. There's plenty of drama (seriously, what reality TV show doesn't have it), but the show makes up for it by giving us fashionistas plenty of eye candy.

Will and Grace

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This is perhaps one of the most candid sitcoms in the late 90's apart from F.R.I.E.N.D.S. One interesting thing about the show is that Karen, Grace's assistant who always has to have a martini, is the more affluent one. Well, that' what you get  for marrying money twice over (or more). The cast's shallow humor yet sophisticated costumes are what attracted me the most. Seriously, wouldn't you love to be surrounded by fun people in fab adult clothes?

What other TV shows do you have in mind that deserves a spot in this list? Sound off in the comments below!

Monique Lhuillier: Perfection and Grace in a Filipina

So what do celebrities like Taylor Swift, Gwyneth Paltrow, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jennifer Lopez, and Reese Witherspoon have in common? Besides being the IT girls of Hollywood, because of their talent and success, they’re also icons of fashion on and off the red carpet. So back to the question, what do they have in common besides being awesome and beautiful at the same time?

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Behind their impeccable taste in fashion, they have someone who dresses them for the red carpet, and that someone is none other than Cebuana native from the Philippines, Monique Lhuillier.
Monique’s rise to fame and success as a fashion designer was nothing short of meteoric, being able to set up her own fashion house in just a little over a year. 

Initially doing only bridal gowns and wedding dresses, Monique Lhuillier’s vision for fashion broadly expanded quickly as demands for her designs reached even the A-list fashionistas and celebrities in Hollywood. It was during her bridal days when she expanded her A-list clientele. Everyone from Sarah Michelle Gellar to Kirsten Stewart was clamoring for her dresses, which obviously did no harm to her reputation as one of the top gown and dress designers not only in California, but in the country.

Since breaking out from her mold as a bridal gown designer, Monique Lhuillier’s designs have been seen more on the red carpet and other formal events that both wowed the wearer and the crowd. This only served her growing reputation even more and on 2003, she was invited to become a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Three years later on 2006, she would be awarded by the Philippine president herself, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with a medal of honor for her distinguished contributions to fashion not only in the US but also in the Philippines.

Growing up in Cebu, Philippines, people really can’t mistake the unique dash of Filipino influence on Monique’s designs. Her designs incorporate small details of Filipino culture into the designe itself. This gives most of her dresses unique qualities only found in her label. From the material used to the design in which the material is indeed used, she can achieve a level of comfort and ventilation that was previously absent in most dresses, which leaves the wearer with more confidence while wearing the gown or dress itself.

It would seem that success follows everywhere Monique Lhuillier goes. An overachiever from her younger days up until her professional career, Monique seems to be always at her very best. From an early age, she dreamt of becoming a designer. From being an outstanding student in the Lausanne, Switzerland, she pursued her dream in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for which she was successful.



Now she’s even releasing her very own line of fragrances, dinnerware, and wedding party favors. It seems there’s really no stopping this Cebuana from being one of the most influential designers in Hollywood. Like her dresses and most of her clothing designs, these too will incorporate tiny facets of Filipino culture that’ll surprise you.

That's Queen Bitch To You!

I - for all intents and purposes- am a self-admitted BITCH. I bitch at home, I bitch at my friends, I bitch at people who need to be put in their place, I bitch at attention whores who don't have what it takes to get attention, I bitch at strangers or at any other person whom I can bitch at, mostly boys. And I think that's one of the reason why I find it hard to land myself a boyfriend.

Why? Because men these days find assertive and feisty women too intimidating for their taste. They favor girls who are "sugar and everything nice" -- without the spice. These are your typical girls - meek, submissive, fragile. In short, a damsel in distress. These are the very women who would rather cry than fight back when they're being bullied. The type that you always see in Pinoy Teleseryes -- the api-apihan type that always need to be saved. Hah! A bunch of wussies, if you ask me.

Anyway, this post is not intended to showcase my bitchiness but that of famous bitches who ruled the screens - big and small. So let's see what these bitches have to offer.


1. Blair Waldorf

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My favorite bitch of all, Blair Waldorf (portrayed by Leighton Meester) is the queen bitch bee of Manhattan's social scene. Everyone who reads and watches Gossip Girl loves her. She is known for wanting to be always on top of everything and the center of attention. What I love most about her? She may be a bitch but she does it with style.


2. Georgina Sparks

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Still on Gossip Girl, Georgina is my second favorite Bitch next to Blair. But unlike Blair who bitches to uphold her social status, Georgina bitches just for the fun of it. She loves scheming and making people's lives miserable. Most often than not, she uses blackmail to get what she wants. Isn't that fun or what?


3. Regina George

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Quoting Janis from Mean Girls "How do I even begin to explain Regina George? Evil takes a human form in Regina George. Don't be fooled because she may seem like your typical selfish, back-stabbing slut faced ho-bag, but in reality, she's so much more than that."


4. Faye Chamberlain

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I have only watched a couple of episodes of The Secret Circle and I'm already liking Faye Chamberlain. She's a selfish and free-spirited bitch who doesn't seem to give a damn about anything and is bent to using her powers to personal gain. The girl got an attitude!


5. Rachel Witchburn

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Loosely based on Snow White's Evil Queen, Rachel Witchburn is the president of sorority and student council. Like the stereotype evil queen, she rules her "kingdom" with iron fist and ruthless ways. The only difference between her and the evil queen, she's a lot younger and prettier.


6. Cordelia Chase

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I spent most of my childhood days watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And one of the show's characters that I grew to love was Cordelia Chase. Like all the mentioned bitches above, she's stuck-up and self-centered as well. But her superficial personality is what makes her funny and entertaining to watch.


7. Courtney Alice Shayne

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Of all the list, Courtney of the 90's movie Jawbreaker, described as "Satan in Heels," is the worst since she resorted to intentionally murdering her best friend out of jealousy of popularity. She is not just a self-absorbed high school senior, but a cruel and sociopathic bitch at that. Pretty scary chick, huh?


Being a bitch is a tough act to follow, though I find it really easier to achieve than being nice. While it requires a lot of effort and patience to play nice, it only takes a little provocation and an annoying person to be a bitch. So let's all be a BITCH! LOL

Nail Art: Fancy Schmancy Fingers

I'm assuming here that you fashionistas are also into nail trends. This assumption basically comes from the passion for colors, design, patterns, and everything else that catches the eye. Am I right? Let me hear a yes on that one.

There are actually plenty of things that you can do with your nails. The simplest thing to do is to paint them in just one color. Well, that's obvious enough, right? You might want to try something different, bold, artsy, and daring every once in a while. That being said, you might want to try nail art. It might look intimidating at first because of the intricate designs, but once you get a hold of the tools you need (and of course tons of nail polish and a steady, practiced hand), you'll be doing it like a pro.

One of the more popular forms of nail art is the stick-on and adhesive designs. Think of them as stickers that you can put onto the surface of your nails when the nail polish dries. It's popular because it's easily and quickly done, and it's affordable too. A pack of 10 adhesives won't cost you more than $10.00.

Moving on to the more complicated ones, your ideal tools would be a toothpick or a very tiny paintbrush. Some nail polishes come with different types of applicators and templates to support your creative needs. This should be helpful for you in your quest in designing your nails.

Some ladies prefer to match the nail art to the season or holiday. If this is your thing, by all means, go for it. It’s a fun way to play with your character. You’ll never run out of compliments for this one.

Other more complicated designs involve using multiple colors. These are fairly easy to do as well once you get yourself educated in the technique. These techniques involve color marbling, swirling, and other psychedelic patterns.

You’ll need a big container that can hold about a gallon of cold water. Using the paintbrush that comes with your nail polish, place one drop of one color. You’ll notice that the drop will expand after a second or two. Put another drop of a different color of nail polish at the center and allow it to expand as well. Do this until you get all the colors you want. Then, using a toothpick, draw the pattern onto the collection of colors. The easiest is to draw a flower by pushing the toothpick from the outer circle to the center from different points. Once you’re done, dip your nails onto the tub and push the nail polish towards your fingers so that the pattern sticks to your nails. Remove your fingers from the tub, let the nail polish dry, and peel off the ones on your skin. Voila!

Who says you need to go to a salon to get your nails done? All you need is a creative mind and an arsenal of nail polishes.

Spring and Summer Collections at the 2012 NYFW

Without a doubt, many people would be wondering about spring fashion as well as how to dress for spring. Let’s start with the colors. Fashion for 2012 will be about spring colors, patterns, and color blocking. Trends 2012 will be focusing more on the brighter and happier side of fashion for 2012 in its creative use of patterns and color blocks. Here’s the Pantone fashion color report for spring 2012.

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A typical dress that will employ spring trends 2012 would either be made with bold colors such as margarita, cabaret, tangerine tango, or sweet lilac in a backdrop of neutral ones such as driftwood and starfish. Narciso Rodriguez successfully incorporated this in his collection for spring fashion for 2012. Take a look at how he pulled off these colors by making one pantone color the focal point of the outfit.

 

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Ralph Lauren, the classic American fashion house approached trends 2012 with a clean slate. He focused more on whites and pastels. A spring dress for Ralph Lauren would normally be white with a slender silhouette and clean lines, bringing to the table something sweet, sultry, feminine, yet simple. Another thing you will notice about Ralph Lauren’s trend 2012 is that it was inspired by the 1920’s. Think The Great Gatsby with a little bit more life and color.

 

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Another designer to look out for is Oscar dela Renta. His take on spring fashion for 2012 bordered on joyful colors such as citrine yellow, lime green, and coral. His period dresses were absolutely worth looking into for formal wear. That is, if you need them.

 

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Marchesa, on the other hand, kept her collection intricate and delicate. Her use of fringes, metallic colors, lace, and chiffon. One thing  that you would notice from this collection is that the fabrics are all light and dainty.

 

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Trends 2012 will also employ a mix and match of things. Fabrics such as silk matched with corduroys and patterns such as paisley and floral would be dominating the streets of New York, Milan, and Paris. The more popular patterns you will be seeing are stripes, polka dots, and of course, floral, that come in all sorts of bright shades and hues. Here are a few examples.

Accessories are also as colorful this season, with belts, shoes, and bags sporting the same Pantone shades. Spring fashion will make more room for going back in time, or going retro, as we all say. You noticed that Ralph Lauren took on the 1920’s for his spring fashion collection. What you’ll be seeing in the streets of the most fashionable cities will be 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1930’s fashion. Simply put, the fashion forward is keen on going back in time, fabulously. Denims will have wider legs and longer cuts, dresses will have tulles and art deco themes, and caftans and tunics will be coming back to women’s closets. As far as the authorities in fashion is concerned, spring fashion for this year will be as sweet and dainty as the season it emulates.