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Beauty Resources Beauty, as I am sure you know, is a lot of work, and the effort it takes to keep yourself attractive never ends. Moreover, because your skin, your hair, and your body -- not to mention fashion trends -- are always changing, your habits and beauty aids must also change over the years. These resources will keep you up-to-date on the newest beauty happenings, as well as help you ground yourself in the rudiments of basic beauty techniques. Web:
Beauty Shoppe Archive Contrary to the song, everything old is not new again, and with good reason. Most of the retro hairdo looks seem to be strange concoctions from another galaxy. See for yourself by visiting the Beauty Shoppe Archive. Just a few moments will convince you that whatever happens to be in style now is going to look odd later. Web:
Bra FAQs A brassiere (or bra) is a women's undergarment whose principal purpose is to lend support to the breasts. As simple as this sounds, choosing the right bra can be a complex and frustrating task. There are many variations of people and by no means does one size fit all. The first modern bra, the Maidenform, was designed in 1922 by Ina Rosenthal and Enid Bissett. (If you are in New York, you can see the original bra on display at the Maidenform Museum.) Here is a series of FAQs devoted to bras, where you can read about coverings, designs, sizes and fitting, health issues, fabrics, fashion, history, trivia and suppliers. There is also a FAQ for underwire bras (bras that provide extra support by having wires underneath the cup or along the rib cage). Helpful Hint: Bra specialists will tell you that most women -- especially large-busted women -- are wearing the wrong size bra. When you look for a bra, pay attention to fit and comfort, not style and construction. (In other words, evaluate a bra with your eyes closed.) Web:
Bridal Fashion Regrets Doesn't she look beautiful? Well, not always. Just take a look at these fashion catastrophes: well-meaning people who, rather unwisely, decided to do it their way. Web:
Business Fashion Are you a writer? If your answer is yes, you can dress any way you want, and no one is allowed to say anything. However, if you are not a writer, you need to dress in a way that is appropriate for your job. It is well-known that, when office workers start to dress informally, their working habits and work etiquette begin to degenerate. For this reason, a lot of companies regulate how their employees must dress. Unfortunately, many of the so-called dress codes are vague. ("All employees must dress in a business-like manner.") As always, the antidote for ignorance is information and experience. The idea is to dress in a way that (1) reflects how you want people to think of you, and (2) makes it clear that you are in a business setting, not a social setting. (But if dressing according to the rules is too much for you, you can always become a writer.) Web:
Clogs Originally, a "clog" was any shoe made from wood. Such shoes -- constructed from a single piece of wood -- were developed by the Dutch, who needed footwear that would keep their feet dry while working in wet fields. Today's clogs are made from a variety of materials, and the word "clog" has come to refer to a large, backless shoe with a thick, elevated sole. Even the most clog-enamored fanatic can't pretend that these shoes are anything but ugly. However, they do make a satisfying clunk-clunk sound as you lumber from one place to another like an elephant at a Sixties dress-up party. (Indeed, some people feel that the name "clog" comes from the sound they make as you walk.) In the Sixties, clogs were practical because they allowed you to walk wherever you wanted while still retaining the freedom to slip off your shoes at a moment's notice. (You had to be there.) Web:
Clothing for Big Folks Here are the FAQs discussing oversized clothing for the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Europe. You'll find out how to convert sizes internationally, where to find clothing and shoes for everyday as well as where to shop for wedding and maternity clothing. This information will help women, men and children. Web:
Corsets Do not confuse corsets with girdles. Girdles are a modern undergarment made out of elastic material. Corsets have been used from time immemorial and are more extreme. Corsets incorporate a series of reinforcements called "stays" in order to bind the breasts, waist and hips into a particular desired shape. At one time, corsets were extremely popular, and the image of a Victorian woman needing help to lace up and tighten her corset is one that does little to make us nostalgic. However, corsets were an important fashion accoutrement that, even today, have their admirers. Web:
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Cosmetics and Makeup I used to have a friend who said that makeup was war paint. I think she was on to something. Certainly there's a lot more to makeup than meets the eye (or the cheeks or the lips). Using makeup and other cosmetics well calls for a lot of know-how, and how are you supposed to know all the know-how? The Net can help. Web:
Fashion Resources I know what you are thinking. Harley, I hear you ask, you are a man and you spend most of your time at home, writing. Do you really care about fashion trends? Of course I do. For one thing, every year or so, I get my cat a new collar, and I have to make sure that whatever I get for him is tout à la mode. Moreover, as a respected social commentator, I need to be able to appreciate the fashion display of all the women who wait outside my door to get their books autographed. So, when I say I have some great fashion-related resources for you, you can trust I am leading you in the right direction. Web:
Fashion Talk and General Discussion It's a nice feeling when you're dressed in a spiffy new outfit with all the right accessories and people turn to look as you walk down the street. Impress your friends, family and total strangers with your fashion sense and the clothing tips you've learned while hanging out on the Internet. Clothing pros, trendsetters and the hopelessly unfashionable find their way to these discussion groups to share ideas or get answers to questions. Usenet:
Gothic Fashion You feel, deep inside, that you are goth. So you need to develop your own sense of style and personal creativity in matters gothic. How to start? Read the FAQ (frequently asked question list) for the alt.gothic.fashion Usenet discussion group. You'll find hints and tips on buying clothes and accessories, caring for your clothes, making your own gothic wardrobe, goth decor for your home, and those two all-important fashion foci: hair and makeup. Then start reading the alt.gothic.fashion group. You may be goth and your mother may not understand, but on the Net, you are definitely, divinely, not alone. Web:
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Hair Care How can you make sure your hair always looks as good as possible? Consult the Net and learn how to banish bad hair days to the dustbin of fashion. While you're at it, check out the latest tonsorial styles, and before you can say "I got anti-frizz liquid all over my barrette," you'll be the envy of everyone in your social set. Web:
Historical Costuming There's nothing I like more than dressing up in an authentic historical costume -- bell bottoms, love beads and a tie-dyed T-shirt -- and walking around the house affecting an attitude as cool as a Canadian winter. However, this is nothing compared to what real historical costume buffs do to relax. On the Net you can find information about historical costuming. Just the place to look when you need to find a Renaissance-style crossbow or complete your research into what type of underwear women wore in the fifteenth century. Web:
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Lipstick Lipstick is something we are all used to. However, like many areas of the fashion world, the more you think about it, the more strange the idea seems. The best solution, then, is not to think about it. Just use lipstick and enjoy. One way to enjoy is to look at this lipstick-oriented Web site. Read about tips and consumer issues, explore other links to cosmetic-related resources, look in the lipstick library of color choices, and much, much more. If you would like to know which lipstick shades and brands are used by famous models and movie stars, this is the place for you. Web:
Lycra Yes, it's true. There is a discussion group for fans of lycra and spandex. If you have something to contribute or are just curious about the lycra culture, check out the Usenet group. For some lycra-oriented exploration, try the Web site. Web:
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Models and Supermodels Maybe you can never be too rich or too thin, but why not check it out on the Net first? See photos and learn what being a supermodel is all about. If you still think you've got what it takes, remember, no dinner for you tonight. Web:
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Nail Care When I was young, my father taught me that when you meet someone, they always notice your nails and your shoes. If you are a woman, this is especially true. Although fake fingernails are popular, they are not nearly as attractive as having your own healthy, well-groomed nails. Are you ready to spend a small amount of time taking care of your nails? Fifteen to twenty minutes a week is all it should take. Don't let yourself get discouraged. Your nails grow about 1/8 of an inch per month, so if you start to take care of them today, it won't be that long before they are beautiful and strong (just like you). Web:
Neckties Men's ties are confining and awkward (although not nearly so much as certain traditional women's clothing), and, except for covering the shirt buttons, they have no practical value. So why are they so popular? Wearing a tie is one of those traditions passed down from older, powerful men to their younger brethren. Moreover, although most male wardrobe is stultifyingly dull and conventional, choosing a tie is the one area in which a man can express his sartorial personality, at least to the extent of selecting the color and pattern. Women of the world, don't you feel sorry for us? Web:
Shoes Why do so many women love shoes (and why do so many men love women who love shoes)? There are a variety of reasons, ranging from fashion to sex and back again. I have a friend who has a teenage daughter who shall remain nameless (Amanda) who simply loves shoes. She has more shoes in her closet than you would think she would ever wear, but somehow she manages to wear them all. Moreover, she is always ready to buy a new pair; she never gets tired of shoe shopping at the local mall. I wonder what she knows that the rest of us don't understand? Web:
Skin Care Some years ago, a friend of mine was visiting me. Shannon has always been beautiful, and, more to the point, she has always had a beautiful complexion. I asked her to give me some tips and she very kindly taught me the rudiments of good skin care. (Well, the male version, anyway. I have a feeling that the female regimen is a lot more sophisticated.) To this day, I still use a moisturizer with sun screen each morning and a nighttime moisturizer before I go to sleep. I can tell you, it makes a big difference. So if you can get Shannon to come over and give you personal skin advice, do so today. If not, you can always turn to the Net. Web:
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Sneakers When you've run out of useful things to do, check out the Internet resources on sneakers. You'll find dialog on different brands of running shoes, what sneaker to buy and how to deal with stinky feet. Web: Usenet:
Victorian Fashion The Victorian Age is named after England's Queen Victoria, who ruled for sixty-four years, from 1837-1901. During these sixty-four years, a collection of style and behavior patterns developed that we refer to as Victorian culture. Along with the culture came a definite set of guidelines as to what proper people should wear and not wear. Even today, Victorian fashion has its admirers. By the way, within the royal household, the champion of taste was not Queen Victoria, but her consort Prince Albert -- the Camilla Parker Bowles of his time. Web:
Wigs In every society, at all times, beautiful hair has been prized on both men and women. In general, there are two reasons for using a wig: for fashion (to effect a particular look) and to replace lost hair (because of either natural thinning or during chemotherapy). Before you think about getting a wig, especially if you are preparing for chemotherapy, you'll find it helpful to check the Net for advice. And now, a quick joke. A woman is walking down the street and she runs into a friend she hasn't seen for a long time. "Sophie," she says "whatever did you do with your hair? It looks like a wig." "To tell you the truth," says her friend, "it is a wig." "Well," says the first woman, "you'd never know." Web:
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