Trend Report: PREHISTORIC PRINCESS

WOMEN'S FALL 2010 TREND REPORT

Furs, faux and fabulous! That's the trend for women's fall 2010 forecast. Earthtone colors such as rust, browns, tans, olive greens and deep rustic reds. One thing that will be apparent in retail stores are the abundant amounts of fur. Fur jackets, fur scarves, muffs, hats, everything accessorized with furs! Furs date back to thousands of years ago, perhaps even BC when hunters killed animals for food and used their fur for survival to keep warm. This fall, we took staying warm to a new level. Warm and fashionable is the key to this trend.

Don't know what to wear??

Do you ever stare at your closet and think to yourself that you have nothing to wear?? Here are a few tips that I have acquired to make sure you never have that problem again.

TIPS

1. Buying clothes with similar color tones makes it easier to mix and match items. ie. black and whites or natural color clothing.

2. When buying an item, make sure you can wear it with something, otherwise it will sit in the back of your closet.

3. Don't buy an item just because you like it. Make sure you LOVE it and truly want it as part of your wardrobe.

4. Buying classic pieces is better in the long run than buying fashion pieces. A black dress will last longer than hot pink polka dot dress, and a plain white cardigan will last longer than patterned crop cardigan.

5. Don't be an obsessive trend follower. This will result in your wardrobe having only fashion pieces, which will most likely not be in style next season.

6. Closet organization is key when locating items.

7. When you created an outfit from your wardrobe you love, take a picture of it! This will help you remember what pieces you used so you can recreate it.

Are Your Skinny Jeans Affecting Your Health?

Everyone wants to stay on top of the latest trends, and one of them has been skinny jeans. Skinny jeans are on almost everyones must have list, however are there health risks involved. One of the health risks are meralgia paresthetica, also known as the tingling thigh syndrome. This happens when constant pressure cuts off the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, causing a numb, tingling or buring senstation along the thigh. (Dahl) Over the past few years, more and more women are getting meralgia paresthetica due to their jeans being too tight. My best suggestion is to get jeans that fit appropriatly. DOn't buy jeans that are too small because you think they are cute and you think you can squeeze into them. THese studies have showed that squeezing into your jeans can make you uncomfortable as long as carry health risks.

Sources
Dahl, Melissa. "Skinny Jeans Give Thigh Nerve a Painful Pinch."25 May 2009. 2 July 2010
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/health/skinny_jeans_give_thigh_nerve_a_painful_pinch.html

Sketchers Shape Ups vs. Reebok EasyTones

Everyone seems to be going on a heath kick these days and the healthy lifestyle is a big trend. However, people are looking for products to help them lose weight faster. One marketing strategy I noticed had been from both Sketchers and Reebok who promote their new shoes that help you lose weight or tone your body down. These shoes are the Sketchers Shape Ups and the Reebok EasyTones. Maybe you have heard about them or seen them on commercials or in magazine advertisements...and since they are all over the media they must work! But do they or is it just a marketing scam?

Sketchers Shape Ups:

According to Sketchers.com, they claimed to have done clinical studies that proves that Shape Ups "increase muscle activity and energy consumption compared to standard fitness shoes." Researchers state that by wearing these Shape Ups you will reduce body fat, improve circulation, aerobic conditioning, improved exercise tolerance, improved posture, relieving muscle tension, toning leg, back, buttock and abdominal muscles and improving back/joint problems. (Sketchers)

Reebok EasyTones:

Reebok has created a shoe that they also believe will make muscles more toned. According to Reebok.com, they use unique balance pods with moving air built into the shoe that provides natural instability with every step, which forces you muscles to adapt and work harder. Their researchers also claimed to have done testing and their lab results show improvements in muscle tone compared to a typical foam based walking shoe. (Reebok)

My question is are these shoes really cut out to do what they are suppose to? Do they really work or is all this 'research' and 'clinical lab testing' just a sales gimmick to purchase the shoes? Or are the results showing because people wear these shoes being a 'trend item' more therefore exercising more? Let me know what you think, or if you have tried either of these before.

Sources:

http://www.sketchers.com/info/shape_ups_clinical_case_study.com

htpp://www.reebok.com/US/womens/easytone-shoes.com

IS BAMBOO REALLY ORGANIC??

The Federal Trade Commission charged four companies with violating the Textile Act and Rules by making false claims about their products being 'green.' Jonano, Mad Mod, Pure Bamboo and Bamboosa claimed that their products were manufactured using environmentally friendly fabrics such as bamboo, "by retaining the natural antimicrobial properties of the bamboo plant that they're biodegradable."
According to the FTC, bamboo fabric is no different than rayon. The companies claimed that their products were "100% bamboo fiber marketing them under names as 'ecoKashmere,' 'pure bamboo,' 'Bamboo Comfort,' and BanbooBaby.'" In reality, the bamboo fibers were really rayon which is manufactured and far from actually organic.

Notes the Commission:
Rayon is a man-made fiber created from the cellulose found in plants and trees and processed with a harsh chemical that releases hazardous air pollutants. Any plant or tree could be used as the cellulose source- including bamboo- but the fiber that is created is rayon.

For all you organic apparel buyers, BEWARE of false claims stating they are all '100% organic' because in reality, even if the plant is organic, the way they manufacture it for final use contains chemicals and causes air pollutants.


Source:
Chua, Jasmin Malik. "Bamboozled? Bamboo Fabric Far From Eco-Friendly, says FTC. " 13 August 2009. 29 June 2010.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/bamboo-ftc.php

Fall Forecast for Little Girls

Little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. That is the type of enchanted, angelic theme that the fall trend is going towards. The colors focused for the upcoming season are pastels. Not only are pastels going to be popular in spring time easter dresses for girls, but now are becoming popular throughout the year.

Desginers are incorporting pastel colors such as lilacs, peach tones, jades, and light pinks. The clothing is very loose fitting where it gives off a whimsicle feeling. Materials such as furs, feathers and light wools are the perfect blend for going into the winter season.