Modern Glam

Lingerie Workshop: Body Shapers Part 1

Last week I did something that I rarely do these days. I dragged myself to my favorite mall in order to research my next few posts. You see, I have little experience with shaper garments, and I wanted to be sure that I was giving you good info/advice.

To that end, I also prevailed upon my friend, Ann, to go with me. I am 5'6" and 106 pounds. Ann is 5'4" and 152 pounds. Between the two of us, we tried on reams of shaper garments, from the luxury brands down to the common utilitarian types. Ugh.....gotta say, I hate trying things on(thank God for online shopping), but it did enable me to acquire more info than I would have otherwise had. Fortunately we took a small tape recorder, and made extensive verbal notes throughout our try-ons. I did have to buy Ann an expensive dinner, drat the ungrateful wench, lol. :)

Another Award for Modern Glam

I'm sure you've seen this beautiful graphic floating around the net before today. I know that I had, and I was always a little envious of the recipients. Today, it's my turn to incite envy, as I was given the Arte y Pico award by  è¿éspi20, aka Margaret the author of è¿éspi20.com, one of my fav blogs, and one of the few that I almost always make time to read on a daily basis. Take a minute and do visit her.......she will teach you, inspire you, and cheer you up - - - not a bad deal for a few minutes of your time!

I also must admit that a large part of what I really love about this whole incident, is what Margaret wrote about this blog, and I can't even tell you how good it made me feel. She is very kind, and this is what she had to say (okay, I'm bragging........just a little, lol): 

“My second choice goes to a blog that has given me much pleasure to read and follow. Nicole at Modern Glam has brought me to the brink of fashion. I haven’t actually fallen in yet (much to my husband’s relief), but I’m getting pretty close. Nicole’s sense of fashion is impeccable. She’s doesn’t let trends get in her way of creating a solid, fashionable look that is never garish or uncomplimentary. You end up looking totally glamorous when she gets through with you.”

Okay, now I only hope I can live up to those very kind remarks. If I slip, y'all be sure to tell me now, please!

Lingerie Workshop: Look Fabulous With Your Clothes On

Measuring yourself for the proper bra size is the essential first step in looking great with your clothes on. It isn't rocket science, but if you have access to a fitter, go there and have them fit you instead.

Why should you do this? As I said in a previous post, Lingerie Workshop: What's Your Bra Style?,  the type of bra that you wear will, to some degree, determine how pulled together you look, and whether you look seductive, elegant, etc. So, go grab a measuring tape, and we'll do this thing!

How to Measure Yourself for a Bra

1. Put on a bra, preferably your most comfortable, unpadded bra, and not a minimizer bra.

2. Using a flexible measuring tape, bring the tape around your upper back, to the front going under your arms, and cross the top of your breasts. The measuring tape should hit you at approximately the place where your bra cups meet the straps. If your measurement is an even number, that is the measurement you need for the band size. If it is an odd number, add an inch to determine the correct band size.

     An Example:

>Myself-my measurement was 32", so my proper band size  is  32".
>Ann(my friend)-Ann's measurement was 37, so her proper band size is 38".

3. Now measure by bringing the tape around your back, and across the fullest part of your bust, making sure to keep the tape at the appropriate place in the back. Do not pull it tight! It really is much easier when doing this yourself, to ask a friend to help you, even if just to check, and/or hold the tape to your back.

4. Now subtract the band measurement from your bust measurement. Your cup size is determined by the difference between the two measurements.

EXAMPLE
Bust Measurement	_37.00"
Band Measurement	.-32.00"
Difference	__5.00"

1" = 1 cup size, therefore the proper cup size is a DD.
The correct bra size is thus  a 32DD.

Red Leather: Modern Glam Weekly Shopping Find

I went looking through the online sales at some of the major retailers for summer sale  handbags that you could carry all year. This gorgeous red bag by Etienne Aigner at Macys.com was my absolute fav of the handbags that both met my other criterion, and were also under $100 USD.

This luscious red leather is muted, and should go well with all of the beautiful greyed reds that will be in the stores for Fall. In fact, it could be the one accessory that makes last year's look appear up to date by virtue of it's color alone! The price is a very reasonable  $88 USD.

If you love it, grab it before it's gone --- I did.


xxo

 

Image copyright © macys.com

Related Posts: Shopping Finds

Technorati Tags: fashion, women's fashion, handbags, accessories, modern glam, shoppiing finds, shopping

Women's Fashion Trends 2008: Custom Design Online - Part One

Do you ever have a problem finding just the dress you want? I sometimes do, but up until now, my only options were to make it myself (which I have done many times, including the drafting of my own pattern....argh....), or have a seamstress make it for me. Now we have another option - - custom design available online.

In a previous post about custom fit jeans, I told you about Adwa jeans, available both online and in their shop. In another post, I profiled Treehouse 28, an Etsy shop which specializes in custom women's casual clothing.  In the past year or so, a number of other custom design options have cropped up on the net, and in this post I'll tell you about one of them, Studio 28 Couture.

Men's Fashion Trends 2008: The ManBag

I Owe This Post to the Monkey

Yesterday, I was reading the current post on a blog that I read daily, Monkey Fables and Tales. Now, prior to yesterday, it would never have occurred to me that I might be linking to one of the posts on his blog from this blog. After all, he isn't exactly all about fashion.

Now to the heart of the matter. The man needs a manbag. We just can't have him walking around with bulging pockets and looking all misshapen. Are you with me so far, ladies? Knowing the habits of the average male as well as I do, it was no feat of psychic prowess that led me to realize that most men will not bother to search for, much less buy this kind  of thing by themselves. Maybe the Monkey is different.....but, er, I have my deep and abiding doubts, so I am making it so easy for him, it will only require a few minutes to choose the manbag, click on the link and order it.

Oh, and Monkey, you are very welcome. ;)

The Manbag NOT to Choose

The manbags featured below, while very chic and fashionable, are NOT the bags you should choose if you are a straight man. If you choose one of these, you will look......like your mother.

 
And Monkey, If you allow some woman to talk you in to one of these babies, don't say I didn't warn you....I am not responsible!

The Nicest and Most Expensive Manbags

Très chic, and lots of $. Possibly a week's salary. 

 
In case you wondered, my fav is the one on the top left; next fav would be the one with the red stripe. Very sexy.

The Least Expensive, Quite Nice Manbags

Sourced from The Gap, and Banana Republic, these manbags are very handsome, sexy, and a good value.



And finally, Monkey, an image of what your bulging pants, er, pockets, could look like. 


Bulge-free man with a manbag.


ps.....I am really proud of myself right now, because I resisted the use of emoticons in writing this post, particularly the loling emoticons. And trust me, it was hard.

Copyright and resource info on the Menswear Resources page by the end of the week now. What if Monkey wants to click and buy right now? That's another thing I know.....not gonna happen.

xxo

Related Posts: ManStyle
 

Technorati Tags: men, fashion, manstyle, men's fashion 2008, manbags, modern glam, monkey fables and tales

Blog Award - A First For Modern Glam

Yesterday I learned that I have received my very first blog award, an award presented for "spreading love, beauty, and joy". WOW. I am very honored, and only hope that I can live up to those standards! Bestowed upon me by the very kind, Heather, of Azure Islands Designs.

Now, I have to pass on this award to five other deserving blogs, and honestly, I have no clue where to start, because of course, I know of many deserving blogs. Will post my choices this coming weekend, after pondering this grueling decision. ;)

Thank you so much, Heather! Please do visit Heather's blog.....you won't be disappointed!

xxo

EDIT: June 30|Will be posting my choices for further recipients of this award later this week. Have been struggling to keep up with my blogs, and maintain my sanity, lol. :)

Technorati Tags: blog award, azure islands designs, modern glam

She's Got the Look - Summer to Fall Fashion

A great, casual and classic summer look moves in to Fall. In other words, a way to dress when the weather is not quite cold, not quite hot, it's a little in between......

It's Summer

Start with a great black dress; the dress pictured may be worn for casual occasions, and work, a double duty sort of thing.
Add sandals for a casual look, pumps or flats for work, and you are ready to go all summer.

Go in to Fall fashionably

Well look, it's September now, and it's still hot outside, but you want to look like a truly fashionable woman, and finding something to wear can be so trying at this time of year.

The solution? Re-invent (Madonna it.:)) a summer dress by adding a fab blazer or cardigan, some great pumps, stockings or tights, and a silk scarf for color.
Don't forget to use common sense......choose a dress that is not really "summery" looking, like the black dress depicted.


Glam Hint: Remove the belt when wearing the blazer, and wrap and tuck the scarf in to the neckline. Pssst.....don't forget the stockings!

One more thing. Please ladies, don't take things too literally. I sometimes find more expensive items, okay, very expensive items, because it is easier. You can always duplicate the look to a surprising degree, for far less money. It just requires a little shopping around, and some ingenuity!

Collages © Modern Glam 2008.

Please see the resource page for product/image information after June 22.

xxo

Technorati Tags: She's Got the Look, modern glam looks, modern glam, fashion, fashion trends, women, Fall 2008, fashion tips

DKNY Fashion Fall 2008 Preview

A really good look at the DKNY Fashion Fall Collections for both men and women.
I really like some of the looks for men.....the women, not so much. Please do let me know what you think!  I'll be taking a couple of days off, and will resume posting on Saturday, June 21. Have a great week!

xxo

 

Technorati Tags: video, fashion, fashion trends, fall 2008 Collections, DKNY Fashion, men and women

Fashion Victims: The Modern Glam Guide to Fashion Do's and Don'ts

In last week's post about fashion victims, Why Are Celebrities So Often Fashion Victims?, I talked about  the possible reasons that people become fashion victims. Now, we're ready to talk about how to avoid being a fashion victim ourselves.

Don't go overboard on the trends of the moment.
You love the zebra print, but you don't need to buy it in multiples. One piece can make you appear in sync with current trends, and will prevent you from looking like a fashion victim.

The Little Black Dress: Modern Glam Weekly Shopping Find

This week's shopping find is that little black dress that we all find so indispensable! In my search for the perfect little black dress, I kept a few things in mind:

1. That it be a dress that the average woman would look elegant in;
2. Under $200;
3. Wearable year-round;
4. Elegant, simple, easy to dress up or down;
5. Classic---this dress will never go out of style.

All that said, here it is; a simple, elegant, classic cut black sheath dress by Calvin Klein. *Bonus:the cutaway sleeveline is designed to visually slim your upper arms. It is sold in a wide range of sizes, from sizes 2-16, and sizes 14W-24W. The price? $158, and a bargain at twice that.

Dress it up by adding jewelry, and an evening jacket or shrug. Take it down for work by adding a silk scarf at the neckline, simple earrings, and a blazer. Perfect. Available at Macys.com.

 

xxo

 

Technorati Tags: weekly shopping find, modern glam, black dresses, little black dress