Can you ever own too many handmade quality bags?
March 24, 2009 by Johanne
Filed under Handbags, Style Accessories
You can never really own too many handmade quality bags because they are the ultimate way of displaying your own personal fashion style statement.
Today there are an amazing variety of superior quality handmade handbags to choose from that are designed and manufactured in countries around the world and sold internationally. There are many types of bags on sale these days from cross body bags, sleek briefcases, Italian Hunter bags and also the very popular leather messenger bag, very cool and formal at the same time. They all make ideal corporate gifts giving you workplace visibility as well a lot of good will points.
Most designers offering these handmade bags will have their individual designer bag ranges of styles, shapes and types which will allow you to also to choose the specific materials, accents and extras to compliment your bag. Many places will even take your ideas and specifications and make your personalized designer bag. Ladies leather bags are available in an assortment of colours and shades such as the classical black and brown with the brighter shades such as navy, red and pink. You can really make a style statement with these bags. They also are complemented with high quality, handmade, genuine leather accessories made from soft leather in a wide range of colours.
Here are just a few quick pointers and tips to bear in mind when buying your homemade bag.
- When choosing your handbag you really need to think of the occasion that you would need it for and this will then determine its size and whether the colour would be suitable. Handmade bags will always look absolutely fantastic, but you really must know if it has enough space within it to be functional as it’s no good having a stylish top of the range handbag if you can’t actually put anything practical in it.
- If you have a designer in mind remember that certain designers only specialize in a narrow specific type of handbag so do your homework on your designer’s creations.
- You really need to know to what use the handbag that you are contemplating buying. Everyday handbag of something for those special occasions?
- Look for unique patterns from the designers this promotes the style that you which to portray.
- Always check the stitching of the handbag. The workmanship should be done with great care which is to be expected on a high quality handmade handbag.
- If made from leather then check that it is made of a tough and durable scuff resistant leather.
- Is the wrapping done with care? Manufactures of superior hand crafted handbags take satisfaction and trouble in their work, and view their “creations” as high art. Careless packaging could be a sign of inferior work.
- Is the price in the right range for you? For a simple casual fabric bag from a small designer, the price will probably be around the $60 to $80 mark. For a “cream of the crop”, handmade designer label name like Hermes, you can literally pay thousands of dollars.
Handmade bags need to be functional for all your needs, from everyday use through to the big events such as a wedding anniversary or someone’s birthday. They can be used to carry various everyday minor items like sunglasses, lip glass and cell phones to name but a few. Although handmade handbags are typically more expensive than factory-produced handbags, what they offer in quality and style is really worth the price. These days there are many bargains to be found that can be purchased from the internet boutiques crying out for your business, so you really must both identify the handbag that you looking for and also your price range.
Designer Trainers
Of all the trainer shoe companies that are marketing men’s trainers today one of the most famous and prolific has to be Nike. Nike started out life as Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) in 1964 initially operating as a distributor for Japanese sports shoe maker Onitsuka Tiger and selling mostly at track events.
In 1971 the BRS and Onitsuka Tiger relationship was coming to an end and BRS was started to go it alone with its own line of trainers bearing the now famous “Swooch” trademark. In 1978 BRS officially became Nike which was the line of shoes it had marketed since 1972. With the now iconic “Waffle trainer” introduced in 1974, Nike had reached 50% of the USA market in 1980 when it finally became a public company.
Sportswear Company Lacoste, another iconic label in the sports fashion industry, finally entered the fashion shoe market in 1985 when they introduced their designer label launching the new line of Lacoste tennis shoes. Once established in the fashion footwear market they followed shortly afterwards in 1986 with their “deck shoes” and then in 1988 with their “walking shoes”.
Now with the latest explosion in the fashion trainer market the number of designer labels such as Armani, Diesel and Pierre Cardin, have also grown exponentially to an extent where there are now designer labels that only make fashion trainers with no connection to either the sports or fitness world at all. However, many sports companies having now seen the marketing potential have now adopted these designer features into their own trainers moving the fashion elements back into the sports and fitness world.
Buying trainers can now get really confusing especially when you wade through all the different varieties now sold on the Internet or your local store. With so many different styles and types of trainers to choose from, making that right choice can take a lot of speculation. For a starting point you really need to decide what you need the new trainers for.
- If you’re just looking for a pair of trainers to wear with your casual jeans to over the weekend then you won’t be too concerned about the fit and comfort of the trainer.
- But if you’re looking for running shoes for sports then you’ll have to be more careful about what you’re buying.
If you’re an enthusiastic jogger you’ll need to make sure you have the right running shoes for your feet so that you don’t injure your bearing or your feet while you run. For tennis, you’ll need to have a trainer that’s completely unlike the running trainer recommended for jogging.
With so many diverse functions for sneakers and trainers it’s imperative that you to buy the right shoe for the right purpose.
Fashion trainers these days easily make up the vast majority of the entire trainer range. They have now become so far most removed from their classical sports trainer ancestors in terms of look and function, they’re absolutely useless for any sport other than the dash from bar to dance floor – but that’s part of the appeal. With so many variations in these fashion trainers it has now become impossible today to give a definitive description of a generic fashion trainer, however with this vast variation in styles and type one will always find a fashion trainer to suit one’s inner personality and tastes. In our modern leisure lifestyle, designer trainers perfectly finish off today’s casual fashion look that is the mainstay of many of our wardrobes. By being very innovative in their designs and creations, they have often created the demand for a particular style where none previously existed and then by releasing a limited number of such styles, a customer can truly buy something exclusive and show them off to friends knowing full well that it is not ordinary shoes that can be bought by everybody.
A certain vintage charm for Nurses with Fob Watches
Within the huge range of watches, the Fob Watch has always been thought of wistfully and with some nostalgia. These fob watches exude an attraction that takes you back in time and their utility links them not only to a more genteel age but also is the icon of the nursing profession. However, they are now re-emerging in the fashion world not only as fashion art but also a useful timepiece. Fob watches it would seem are even today preferred to wrist watches by nurses due to the hygiene factor.
Traditionally, nurses Fob Watches are to be seen predominantly attached to a coat or uniform lapel of the nurse. It’s historic capacity of accurate time measurement dates from the mid 19th century Crimea nurses of Florence Nightingale through to present times. The fact that these nurses Fob Watches are once again riding the crest of popularity shows that fashions and trends go through their own cycles.
Nurses Fob Watches are in fact an offshoot in the long history of the “pocket” watch which were first referred to in correspondence between craftsmen and members of the upper class in the fifteenth century, and it is believed that an early prototype of the pocket watch was worn in this era around the neck. Historical figures such as the Duke of Modena were offered a “pocket clock” which was superior to that owned by the Marchese di Manta by the Italian clockmaker Bartholomew Manfredi in 1462. These early pocket clocks were likely very heavy and rather inaccurate and certainly would only have included an hour-hand. In the years that followed many craftspeople, particularly blacksmiths, began to develop pocket-watch designs. 16th century watches were incredibly big inaccurate and were generally worn around the neck because of their girth. It is rumored that the medallion in the famous painting of Henry VIII was in fact a pocket watch around his neck. The watch was far from accurate but it was pretty, so it was worn more as jewelry than for timekeeping.
In 1675 Charles II of England introduced waistcoats and pockets were specifically introduced to house the “pocket watch” which led to the now common typical pocket watch shape, rounded and flattened with no sharp edges. Watch fobs began to be used to assist in locating and removing the watch from the waistcoat pocket, the name originating from the German word fuppe, a small pocket.
A variety of craftsmen, such as watchmakers, casemakers, enamelers, jewelers, and engravers, came up with elaborate cases and dials. French watches, in particular, were quite decorative and expensive. It became the fashion among the aristocracy to wear and show off their pocket watches, their accuracy being of secondary importance.
In 1868, Patek Philippe produced the first wristwatch which was originally marketed as a “lady’s bracelet watch”, intended as jewelry. Then in 1904, Alberto Santos-Dumont, an early aviator, asked his friend, a French watchmaker called Louis Cartier, to design a watch that could be useful during his flights. The first man’s wristwatch was born. The greater flexibility and utilitarian uses afforded to the new wristwatch in the First World War saw it overtaking the pocket watch in daily fashion. Over the next 50 years the wristwatch, initially created as woman’s jewelry, became the universal timepiece for all. However, the sheer historical artistry and magic of the “Fob Watch” still continues to keep them high in the wish-lists of most fashion conscious people.
An incomplete wardrobe without Ugg Boots
February 26, 2009 by theone
Filed under Featured Articles, Footwear
A celebrity’s wardrobe or a fashion freak’s wardrobe is incomplete without the UGG boots. The inner covering of the UGG boots is made from genuine sheep skin which gives the wearer a cozy and comfortable feel combined with explicit style and elegance.
UGG has managed to maintain its charm and magnetism over the years despite the fact that the sheep skinned boots are not considered as a pro fashion statement. UGG has still managed to be a hot favorite amongst most fashion stylists and designers. Fashion journalists believe UGG won’t be affected by any economic slump in the global market. The raw material which goes into styling these boots is sheep skin, which are pricey. But even here, it has stood tall under all circumstances in the fashion globe, maintaining its top position in the fashion industry.
Beats Economic Downturn
This unlikely sweetheart of the fashion world started activity in the Australia. UGG has had a strong presence in the Australian continent, but of late it has made its presence strongly felt in the UK. UGG was not welcomed warmly earlier by fashion houses since they had doubts on its practicality especially when it came to the chilly British weather. The fashion experts have defined UGG as recession proof. UGG has recorded a 130% increase in the sales inspite of the global recession. It is uniquely accepted amongst hi class fashion houses and celebrities. Inspite of the fact that owning a pair of UGG boots would mean a potful of money, one cannot term it as unaffordable. People who love shoes would still purchase them inspite of the downtrend in the business world.
Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey have rated UGG as her favorite discovery. Male celebrities like Brad Pitt have been ranked as UGG fans. UGG would not have even dreamt that it would attract so much of celebrity endorsements. UGG boots are specially designed for both the warm and cool climates. UGG boots ensure that your feet remain warm during the cooler months and impart a cooling effect in the summer months. UGG boots have expanded its color range other than its standard brown and offers colors like snow peak white, grey and shades of gold. They also offer the entire range of flip flops at attractive bargains.
Chic and trendy protective Ray ban sunglasses
February 26, 2009 by McMann
Filed under Featured Articles, Style Accessories
Bausch & Lomb founded the Ray Ban brand of sunglasses in the year 1937. They made a huge deal of about 1.2 billion dollars when the entire brand was sold to Lucottica Group.
After successfully returning from a balloon adventure, John MacCready realized that the sun had done irreparable damage to his eyes. This is when he felt the need to introduce sun glasses which not only gave eye protection but which also looked chic and trendy.
Among the famous brands of sunglasses which they produced are the Aviator Large metal sunglasses and New Wayfarer sunglasses.
Ray Ban introduced their range of anti glare glasses which were quite light in weight; the frames weighed about 150 gms. These frames were made of gold plated metals, and the glasses were such that they could prevent infrared and ultraviolet rays, thereby giving enough protection to the eyes,. These glasses were highly appreciated by the pilots of the United States Army.
The Aviator gained popularity when General Douglas MacArthur donned them and they became an absolute rage amongst the public, when photographers clicked his photograph with the sunglasses.
Ray Ban is a full and full American brand. It personifies the quintessence of American fashion and style. Ray Ban depicts not only panache and elegance, but also coolness. It was originally introduced in the year 1937 for the military troops to prevent their eyes from the severe ultraviolet rays and infrared rays. But with the latest trends in the fashion world, it has become a fashion statement and a must have accessory for the fashion freaks.
The Ray Ban brand is not only cool with regards to its style and look, but it also has utility and functional value. It shields the eyes. Many Hollywood hunks have donned them in movies, to name a few “Men in Black” and “Blues Brothers”. They have also been a fashion statement in the 60s in some movies like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and the Ray Ban range of sunglasses is still popular amongst the young crowd.
Their brand “Wayfarers” offer an inimitable style and boasts of a retro look.
Amongst the celebrities and political figures, Barrack Obama is one such great fan of Ray Ban as is Paris Hilton. It caters to both the sexes. They look unbelievably stylish on both men and women. With such a long history of style and finesse, exquisite designs and styles, Ray Bank is surely going to remain at the peak of the fashion industry for many years to come.
Fashion world today editors chose the website ShadeStation.co.uk, which is neatly designed to include all the major brands under different product types, and is a virtual treasure house of information about each brand. They have a fantastic range of Ray Ban sunglasses on offer and there is a 20% discount offer currently on. You are sure to get your pick.


