Thursday, June 19, 2008

Cravat

Cravat

Classic Clothing Styles That Are Always In Fashion
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Patrick_McMurray]Patrick McMurray

If you ever considered how the dark business suit, the trench coat, school tie, sporting tie, gabardine, and tweed evolved. Plus the commercialisation of madder print, then you may be quite surprised to find that they all originated in England and have become the hallmark of classicism. They have been included in designer brands collections year after year. I hear the Converse All Star is back in fashion, this did not originate in England, but it's just a good example highlighting the difference between what is fashionable (short term) and what is style (long term)

Here are just a few historic examples of the evolution of style and the progress of fashion.

Thomas Burberry opened his own business in 1856 in Basingstoake, Hampshire. His commitment to both form and function in apparel design has been significant throughout the development of the company and its products. Noticing how local shepherds and farmers wore linen smocks, which were cool in summer and warm in the winter, he attempted to apply the same principles to other clothing. In 1879 he developed a fabric which was weatherproofed in the yarn before weaving, using a secret process and then proofed again in the piece, using the same undisclosed formula. The new material was untearable and weatherproof, whilst cool and breathable. He called the cloth 'gabardine' and registered the word as a trademark.

The English Madder silk tie is recognised worldwide as an icon of British style. It's a home grown classic with a proud heritage and a distinct provenance. The "madder" part of this lovely phrase refers to a natural dye from a Eurasian herbaceous plant, Rubia tinctoria.

Its continuing success through decades of rise and fall owe much too scientific intervention. The colouring agent in madder root called alizarin was in fact first chemically extracted and then synthesized in 1869 by two English chemists. Although the dyeing process, even today, requires a variety of painstaking steps, synthesized alizarin brought the price within the reach of commercial producers. Testimony to the significant part science plays ensuring the longevity of styles and textiles. Silk dyed in this manner is characterized by a dusty-looking finish and a feel (referred to as a chalk hand by the experts) very much like fine suede, and a matte finish.

'The well-dressed man about town should wear clothes that are simple, functional and discreet', George Bryan "Beau" Brummell commanded in the early 19th century. By advocating well-cut, tailored clothes, Brummell essentially invented what has come to be known as the "British look."

Brummell rejected 18th century frills (dandy man). His mandate, a dark blue coat, buff-coloured pantaloons and waistcoat, black boots and a clean white neck cloth, survives today asthedark business suit, white shirt and silk tie

He was particularly adamant about the whiteness of his cravats. As he made his daily rounds from the park, various gentleman's clubs and fashionable homes, Brummell would stop and change his cravat as often as three times a day. He preferred neck cloths that were lightly starched and carefully folded.

The simplicity of Brummell's uniform was adopted by everyone from many working men to his friend, the Prince Regent, later King George IV. For the first time, poorer men hoping to make their way in the world could easily imitate upper class fashion.

And now to the origination of most enduring fashion accessories for men: In 1880, the rowing club at Oxford Universities Exeter College, invented the first school ties. After an emotional win over their rivals, they celebrated by removing their ribbon hat bands from their boater hats and tying them, four in hand around their necks. When they ordered a set of ties, with the colours from their hatbands, they had accidentally created the modern school tie. Schools, clubs, and athletic ties appeared in abundance. Some schools had different ties for various grades, levels of achievement, and for graduates. Thanks to historians and their method of accurate documentation all the original college colours are still available from archived samples and replicate ties can be made to order.

But let's not forget the perfect companion for your tie? Cufflinks of course.

Just a hint of how styles evolved and fashion has progressed throughout the ages.

If you would like to learn some interesting historic anecdotes about the evolution of style and fashion follow this link http://patrickmcmurraysfashionaccessories.blogspot.com if you would like to see some stunning silk ties, cufflinks, belts and wallets, follow this link http://www.patrickmcmurray.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_McMurray http://EzineArticles.com/?Classic-Clothing-Styles-That-Are-Always-In-Fashion&id=1069002

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Bandanas

Bandanas

Bandanas: Trivia, History, and Fashion

By Gail Leino
Bandanas are piece of cloth that are either cut to be a square or a triangle, then folded to wear on the body. They come in many colors, mainly one bright color like red, blue, green, yellow, black combined with white. The cloth is tied around the neck or head. Modern uses include more decorative purposes, while historical uses were actually more for protection than fashion. The word Bandana comes from a Hindi term, meaning to tie.

Bandanas were made the most famous by cowboys wearing them in old Western movies. However, they are commonly seen as being used by pirates, farmers, and railroad engineers as well. The main purpose was to use them to wipe sweat from the face area and keep dust out of the collars.

In modern times, bandanas are symbols of identity. One well known example is the bandanas used by gangs. The Bloods wear red, while the Crips wear blue bandanas. The colors represent affiliation without requiring any personal interaction with members of either gang. However, just because someone might wear a bandana doesn’t mean that they are hoodlums or gang members. In fact, many people wear them, just because they are fun, and useful.

Individuals who wear lots of helmets find them as useful as well as the bandana acts as a barrier to protect the skin and hair. Bandanas come in all sorts of styles and colors. There are some that have built in water bladders that can be pre-cooled in the refrigerator in order to ensure the wearer is kept cool on hot summer days. Pets, most often dogs, are frequently dressed in bandanas that match those worn by their owner, making it easy to tell which dog belongs to which owner at the dog park.

When it comes to costumes and uniforms, bandanas are one of the most common accessories. From western cowboys to hip hop stars, bandana use crosses not only generations of time, but generations of people.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies ( http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Fun colorful target=_new red bandanas and in many other colors (yellow, blue, black, orange, green, and other pattern styles. Plus, costume masks, sunglasses, wigs and Hats.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino http://EzineArticles.com/?Bandanas:-Trivia,-History,-and-Fashion&id=335695

Monday, May 05, 2008

Sari

Sari

How to Wrap a Sari?

By Hayi Mansoor
A sari is a traditional dress worn by women in the south Asian countries. The approximate length of the sari is about 6 meters. There are many different kinds of saris. At the same time there are many ways of how you can wrap a sari around you. Depending on the type of occasion and the area that you live in you can decide on how you want to wrap the sari.

The most common way to wrap a sari is easy but still needs a practice to master the art of wearing and carrying them around. To start with to wear a sari there are few accessories which are a must. You need a blouse to go with the sari. A matching in skirt or petticoat to tuck the sari into is also required. The sari should have a fall stitched on the inside at the start of the sari. This is stitched as that is the part which rubs against the floor and with a fall you will reduce the incidence of tearing.

Now take the sari with the fall side facing you start tucking the sari from your belly button going anti clockwise. The sari should be draped from center going towards the left. Wrap the sari for a full circle and tuck the excess height into your petticoat. After that take the sari around for another circle around your body but don't tuck it this time. Now go to the end of the sari which will be the heavy side. This side will have a different design which is also called as the pallu. After holding the pallu start making pleats from left to right. Depending on the width you want you can make the pleats. Making four even size pleats is good for those women who are on the thinner side. For those who have broad chests or are on the heavier side three even pleats will suffice.

Hold the pleats tight and take it around your body once more and pin them evenly on your left shoulder. Now you will find that there is some part of the sari which is lying loose. Adjust your pleats in front i.e. on your chest and then hold the other as tight as you can and pin it on the right side of your belly button. The loose part of the sari has to be pleated now. Start making the pleats from left to right and then when all the pleats are made tuck all the pleats together right under your belly button.

The pleats should be even and the creases should be visible. These pleats at the bottom are essential as they give your legs the space they need to walk freely. The pleats on top when made will give you a very professional look. Many women like to wrap the sari without the pleats on top. This gives the sari a flowy look.

How you want to wrap the sari is your choice. You can tie the sari in many other ways like bringing the pallu frontward from the right shoulder. You can start the sari by making the pleats first and then wrapping the sari around you twice later.

For further Reading, Please visit [http://www.asian-women-magazine.com/]Asian Women Magazine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hayi_Mansoor http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Wrap-a-Sari?&id=869946

Friday, May 02, 2008

Bandanas

Bandanas

Bandana Folding: Look Cool, Feel Cool, and Be Cool

By Gail Leino
There are several methods of bandana folding and many different uses for them. In the past, these handy handkerchiefs were folded into common workers’ squares, and tucked into pockets for the more traditional uses, but they have also been used as bandages, compresses to stop bleeding, and folded into triangles, to be worn around the neck as slings.

Now, bandanas have many new uses, and are in style as head coverings, folded and worn in different ways. Whether for functionality or adornment, bandana folding can help you look cool, feel cool, and be cool!

1. Bandana Folding to look cool: Bandanas now come in billed versions, larger than average sizes, and in all colors, patterns, and materials. Three point bandanas, rarely seen in your regulation red or blue bandana print, are made of various fabrics such as nylon, mesh, or cotton, and are placed on the forehead, just above the eyebrows, wrapped around the head, and tied at the back of the head, over the dangling triangle point in the back.

2. Bandana folding to feel cool: These bandanas are often your regular, cotton bandanas in regulation sizes, but are available in a multitude of patterns and colors. These bandanas, being square, are folded into a triangle, placed low on the forehead, just above the eyebrows, and tied in a manner to secure the back triangle to the head. These are often worn by motorcycle enthusiasts underneath their helmets. Bandana folding can also make bandanas into a type of head scarf, where they are folded into a triangle, placed on the top of the head, brought behind the ears, and tied to leave the back triangle point free.

3. Bandana folding to be cool: These bandanas are very functional, and are often wet before being folded into a long band, which is worn tied around the forehead. This type of bandana folding serves two purposes. It keeps the head a bit cooler, and keeps sweat out of your eyes when playing or working in the heat.

The use of these colorful squares is on the rise! However you choose to use them, bandana folding is the key to their functionality.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Fun colorful target=_new bandanas in many styles, plus sunglasses, wigs and Hats.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino http://EzineArticles.com/?Bandana-Folding:-Look-Cool,-Feel-Cool,-and-Be-Cool&id=270847

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Neck Ties

Neck Ties

Holographic Neck Ties

By Lance Winslow

Well it is hard to stay in style in the world of neckties. Too stuffy and you look silly. Too silly and you look like you are a fool or former class clown. If you are a salesman you need many ties in your car so that you can change them to fit the mood and ambiance of your clientele. If you are selling to an industrial firm and you look too slick, they are liable to kick your rear end out the door. If you walk into a large corporation with a tie, which mocks the dress code you will certainly not get the sale. What a dilemma indeed. But there is a better way, a new technology, which will change all this. You ask how?

The “Holographic Neck Tie” will solve all your problems. How does it work? Well, glad you are interested. The Windsor knot is standard, but the knot is a projector device, which clips onto your shirt at the top, like those clip-on ties. A fishing line sized string hangs down and is fastened to a lower level button. The line is made of carbon nanotech fiber material and will not break and it guides the Holographic tie replica image to enlarge or contract as needed while walking, sitting or standing up. Each Holographic tie has 24 images to choose from and you can also purchase other theme cartridges to put in the back if you wish to purchase them from the HNT Corporation. Think on this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; www.WorldThinkTank.net/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow http://EzineArticles.com/?Holographic-Neck-Ties&id=129537

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Poncho

Poncho

How To Make A Ghillie Poncho

By Bryan Gillis
Ghillie suits are jackets and trousers made out of jute or cloth and netting with foliage attached to help you hide and help you blend in with your surroundings during activities such as hunting, paintball, landscape an wildlife photography sessions and military exercises. You can buy a whole suit but if you are only using your camouflage wear every now and then a ghillie poncho might be the thing for you.

You can buy ghillie poncho making kits and, of course, it is possible to order a ready made one on the Internet. Have you ever tried making one yourself? Constructing ghillie wear is quite time consuming but can also be a rewarding job. Make sure to get your hands on some cheap netting, plastic foliage (that can be ordered from specialized shops online), jute and cloth.

The Description Of A Typical Ghillie Poncho:

A typical ghillie poncho is made out of a square of fabric depending on your height and size with the front of the poncho covering the chest area. The best way to measure the exact height for you is by measuring from your neck down to your waist (unless, of course, you want the garment to be longer or shorter). Take this length and cut it out as a square of fabric such as jute.

Cut the same shape out of some netting and attach the two squares and seam off the edges. The netting will be used to hold foliage and it will be easy to add vegetation to the netting to blend in with your surroundings. After attaching the two squares together it is important to secure any faux foliage (leaves, etc.) that you are adding. You can also add strips or lightweight fabric in camouflage colors and attach it to the netting. Make sure to spray the fabrics used with a fire retardant spray.

Ghillie poncho kits are the easy way to build a poncho of course. You will receive every single necessary item with your kit which is great as hunting for jute and netting as well as strips of fabric may prove to be a time consuming task. Make sure to check if the items that are included with your ghillie poncho kit are already fire retardant or not. In some cases a spray is included. Ghillie poncho making kits are often a lot cheaper than ready made ponchos and still supply you the satisfaction of making it yourself.

Bryan Gillis is the owner of GhillieSniperSuit.com, an online store providing Ghillie Suits and Ghillie Ponchos for hunters, military personnel, paintball enthusiasts and others looking for top quality ghillie gear.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Gillis http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Make-A-Ghillie-Poncho&id=738628

Friday, April 25, 2008

How To Tie A Scarf

How To Tie A Scarf

Ultimate Fishing Knots And Rigs Part I

By Wayne Gilbert
Mastering the art of tying fishing knots and rigs requires experimentation, practice, patience, and perseverance. If one technique doesn’t work, the individual should willingly try another: some fish like deep water while others like shallow water; some fish don’t like sunlight, while other species may be found in sunny areas; and even their feeding habits may affect the types of fishing knots and rigs the fisher will require. Basically, practicing different techniques will help the fisher to determine the best technique to use, when to use it, and where to use it.

There are many types of rigs, probably too many to list, but there are some primary fishing knots and rigs that most individuals use. First, the jig is a knot and a lure. The lure can be of the individual’s choice and the knot also varies from one individual to the next. Some individuals prefer using the square knot and other individuals might lean toward using what is referred to as “the hangman’s noose” or “a basic slip knot.” A basic slip knot has fewer tendencies to snap the line or pull the knot loose. Regardless of the knot chosen, when tying any knot, always wet the line in order to prevent the line from creating too much friction and rubbing too tightly together. By wetting the line, this prevents premature breakage of the line.

To simplify the term rigs: basically the way the individual chooses to tie his bait or lure to the line. Some people prefer the hook above the sinker, while others prefer it just below the sinker. Some individuals prefer to have the hook on the bottom with a sinker about 18 inches above the hook, as well as a stop, so the sinker will drag the bottom, making the bait or lure bounce off the bottom of the body of water. In doing so, a variety of fish are attracted to the bouncing movement of the bait.

There are numerous books on the art of tying fishing knots and rigs, as well as fishing flies which can be purchased for a nominal fee through popular fishing magazines. Further, flying knots and ties can be purchased via websites focusing on sporting goods, as well as on Internet auction sites. In the end, mastering the art of fishing knots and rigs is all about trial an error—experimentation will ultimately help the individual discover what works best for them.

Wayne Gilbert is a Florida native with over 30 years of fishing experience. His website about Flats Fishing, [http://www.FishFloridaBay.com]Florida Keys Fishing, has been providing its viewers with extensive coverage of the Florida backcountry fishing scene for a long time. Other topics include backcountry fishing, Florida Keys fishing, and individual gamefish habitats,statistics, and locations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Gilbert http://EzineArticles.com/?Ultimate-Fishing-Knots-And-Rigs-Part-I&id=311047