Urban Code Magazine

Archive for November, 2011

High school is a time of growing up. It is a time of socialization. It is a time of declaring who you are. All these and more are reflected on high school fashion today. There are various looks that high school students have. Here are some of them:

1) The Rocker – this high school fashion is very popular among fans of rock bands. This may include shirts that make statements or shirts featuring their favorite band. This high school fashion also often includes a lot of trinkets including studded bracelets, a tribal necklace. Of course, taking on this high school fashion needs the appropriate attitude to go with it. You need to be truly passionate about the music. It helps if you have an ipod with huge headphones to go with the look. Other optional accessories include a musical instrument used in rock such as a pair of drumsticks or a guitar case.

2) The Jock – Just wearing the varsity team jacket will transform any outfit into “jock mode”. Some people who wear this fashion often try to hide their poor fashion sense behind the huge letters and colors of the high school. The jock look is easily accomplished by trying out for a school team and actually earning the right to wear a jacket. The school varsity chess team does not count, though.

3) The Goth – Goth fashion can be defined using one word: black. This high school fashion is often used by people who wish to make statements of angst. Weird looking accessories are a must, as is black eyeliner and black lipstick. Although students who make use of this fashion claim to do so to show their individuality, it is more commonly caused by wanting to belong to a group of people who want to show that they do not belong.

4) The computer geek – in the past, geeks and nerds were distinguished because of their not-so-cool-clothing. The thing is, they are too busy with other projects to be too much concerned with what they are wearing. Today, though, having geeky clothing is not necessarily such a bad thing. This is because of the fact that geeks today are thriving because of computers. Even role playing gamers have risen from the status of suspected Satan worshippers to world class cyber athletes. Isn’t that a big improvement? In order to achieve the look of this high school fashion, you need to really be preoccupied with solving the problems of the universe to actually care about what you are wearing. A shirt with a witty saying or technological jargon would help complete this look for you.

5) The Fashionista – this is the hardest look to maintain since it requires that you always be updated on the latest high school fashions. You need to research thoroughly on the subject of what’s hot and what’s not. You need to constantly scout out malls in order to be the first one to have the best outfit ever. You need to have the instincts of Carson from “Queer eye” in finding the perfect outfit. Your duty does not end here. As a fashionista, you will have to establish the highest standard of high school fashion.

Of course, these are just some of the high school fashions in circulation today. In order to learn more, just look around at your local high school.

If there were one thing that you could change about your body, what would it be? There are actually a large number of individuals out there who would like to change more than just one thing.

There are many who say that they are too skinny, others who claim that they are too large, some claim that their cleavage is too big or too small, and others who would change the size of their butts. Unfortunately, not everyone has the money needed to get cosmetic surgery and not everyone has the time needed to devote to an exercise plan. That is what results in many feeling hopeless, like things are never going to change. However, there is good news, while you may not necessarily be able to change the way that your body is, you may be able to “change,” the way that it looks. You can do this with fashion.

Unfortunately, when it comes to fashion and fashion trends, there are many individuals who only believe that fashion trends are only for those who are “perfect,” like models. The truth is that nobody is perfect and that is why fashion trends are more than just for those who are models. What you may not necessarily realize is that fashion comes in all different sizes, shapes, and styles. There are fashion trends that exist for individuals of all different sizes and shapes. A few of those fashions are briefly touched on below.

If you are small in size, height wise, you may be considered petite. When it comes to petite clothing, there is a whole line of clothing that is designed for those with petite body frames. The clothes are often designed so that pants to do not drag on the floor and so forth. Petite clothing comes in all different formats from swimwear to work wear.

If you are athletic or active, you may have an athletic body frame or appearance. This is often one that is muscular in nature or toned and fit. Unfortunately, not all women’s clothing is designed for individuals like you. That is why there are clothing lines that are designed especially for active women and women built like you. In addition to traditional exercise clothing and casual clothing, it is more than possible to find elegant eveningwear that is designed to complement your fit and athletic body frame.

If you are considered a plus sized individual, you will also find a line of clothing designed just for you. What is nice about plus sized fashions is that they have changed for the better over the years. It once seemed as if plus sized clothing was designed more for comfort than appearance. While many plus size clothing pieces still have comfort in mind, you may be surprised with the beautiful clothing pieces and accessories that are now available for plus sized women, as well as men.

The above mentioned fashions for petite, athletic, and plus sized women are just a few of the many that exist. No matter what your size or your body build, you should be able to find beautiful and attractive clothing to fit you and your needs. If you are looking for more than just beautiful and attractive clothing, but clothing that is considered trendy at the moment, you may want to think about shopping at one of your local shopping malls. Window shopping is one of the best ways to review the latest trends in fashions, for all different body types. Another approach that you may want to take is buying fashion magazines or using the internet to help you research new, popular fashion trends for those with your body frame or body size.

In short, no matter how big or small you are, you should still be able to dress, look, and feel like a model. Fashion isn’t just for skinny models anymore; it is for men and women of all different sizes and shapes.

If you have an ample budget for your wedding day and would want to opt for designer wedding dresses, you might want to have your gowns made earlier on before the date when you would need it because the names on the list are among the most sought after designers in the world.

Badgley Mischka
This is the fashion arm of Mark Badgley and James Mischka. Badgley Mischka was launched as a label in 1988 and their lineup of bridal gowns was introduced in 1988. Known for its easy-to-wear yet elegant gowns, Badgley Mischka becomes a favorite among celebrities including Oprah Winfrey.

To add to its buzz, Badgley Mischka designed the second wedding dress for actress Kristin Davis who plays the character Charlotte York in the hit TV series “Sex and the City.”

This line can be found in Beverly Hills and Boston, at boutiques in the Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

Giorgio Armani
It might be hard for one to get his personal service especially if you are not Tom Cruise or Katie Holmes. But you can still opt to buy from his haute couture line, the Armani Prive but, of course, for a very pretty price. This can be ordered and made to wear but is not available in stores.

Armani Prive made history when its Paris fashion show was the first ever of its kind to be streamed online and live.

Vera Wang
This former US figure skater became more known for her line of wedding dresses among many others. If you can’t afford to go straight to her boutiques in New York, Beverly Hills, Boston or Waikiki, you can derive ideas from her book, “Vera Wang on Weddings,” that was released in 2001 by Harper Collins.

The Vera Wang China and Crystal collection that was started in 2002 has been the source of three among the top ten best-selling models at the bridal registries in all the United States at a period of six months being in the business.

Vera Wang, aside from the line of gowns and clothes, has also come up with her own line of fragrance, eyewear, even jewelries, shoes and house ware products.

Monique Lhuillier
Diane Monique Lhuillier rose to fame as a celebrity fashion designer for wedding dresses when she did Christine Baumgartner’s dress when she married Kevin Costner in 2004, then shortly after, she also did Britney Spears when she exchanged vows with Kevin Federline. Among her other prominent customers are Sarah G. Lee, Al and Tipper Gore’s daughter, Giuliana DePandi who married Bill Rancic, “The Apprentice” winner and actor Scott Holroyd’s bride, Allison Munn.

With this portfolio, this Philippine-born fashion designer that is now based in the United States is now one of the most sought after among her field. Aside from wedding gowns, she is also now known for evening wear. Some of her works were even showcased on the red carpet being worn by famous Hollywood stars.

If designer wedding dresses are your thing and if this is what you want to see yourself wearing on your special day, you must be prepared to allot a hefty sum to be able to acquire one. But not minding the price, this surely will make your day memorable because, for sure, wedding gowns of this caliber would make you feel and look good.

There are several ways to cut a polished rock and turn it into a gemstone. Below is a list of the most common cuts and how to know what to look for. This won’t make you an expert but you will be able to tell a round from an oval. Usually the number of cuts, called facets, determines the price. A few definitions are in order:

Facet: the cut portion of the gem.
Girdle: the sides of the gem
Pavilion: the part of the gem above the setting
Crown: the top of the gem

The various cuts:

Round: The most expensive cut stone. This is often used for engagement rings.

Princess: This cut may have 50 facets, 21 crown, four girdle and 25 pavilion or 58 facets, 21 crown, four girdle, 33 pavilion. This is the smallest of the shapes of the same carat weight and tends to be the most delicate.

Oval: The more cost efficient cut because you get more stone by carat weight than the round and still maintain the normal 58 facets.

Emerald: This form of design allows for less brilliance but larger facets. These are called step cuts and reveal mirror like qualities.

Marquise: The name is derived from the legend of the Marquise of Pompadour and it is said the sun king wanted a stone cut into the shape of the mouth of the Marquise. This provides a much larger stone at a normally lower cost.

Trillion: This is a relatively new type of cut. It is designed as a triangle with equilateral sides.

Baguette: Most stones cut in this step fashion are used as side stones. The corners are not beveled as in the emerald cut.

There are other cuts but these are the most common ones you will find in ring settings.