Repair And Maintenance of Your Designer Shoes

Let's face it, you love your shoes. But maybe you haven't treated them right. You've worn them down and haven't given them the attention they deserve. Inevitably, a cuter, newer pair has come along, and you feel like tossing the old ones away. Well, the abuse has to stop! The shoes you purchase are an investment, and they need to be treated that way. Expensive footwear, if properly cared for, will last a lot longer than you realize. So fall in love all over again with the shoes you already have and get them repaired. And when your next love comes along, treat 'em right.

Stain and waterproof your shoes. Applying a protective spray is the best way to shield your shoes from spills, rain, snow and mud. This can be done at a shoe repair shop, but it can also be done at home for a minimal cost. Leather and suede sprays and lotions should be applied before the first time shoes are worn and then on a regular basis afterward ‑- approximately every six to eight weeks. Meltonian Water and Suede Protector is one brand that comes highly recommended by shoe repair experts. The advantages of using a spray over a cream are that the spray takes less time to apply, and excessive use of a cream will result in a dull finish on the shoe surface. Another good option for weatherproofing your shoes is Kiwi Premier Shine. This is a water-resistant wax formula with a controlled-flow applicator. A telltale sign that you need to reapply your repellant is when water stops beading up on your shoe's surface. For these and other maintenance products, check out

Prevent wear and tear. There's nothing more exciting than wearing a fabulous pair of new shoes for the first time. But there's one good reason to control yourself, and we assure you it's worth the wait: having rubber tips and heels applied. Yes, you may feel some separation anxiety leaving your brand-new shoes at a repair shop, but it's in your best interest to add the rubber soles before any wear and tear takes place. This will extend by months the time you have with your shoes before you need to bring them in again.

Repair shoes at a shop. If you currently have damaged or worn-in shoes that you've written off as dead, think twice, because it might not be time to pull the plug. You can bring those babies back to life by having tips and rubber soles applied even after the shoes have been worn. Pamper your footwear the way you would pamper yourself. Bring them in for a quick polish or cleaning on a regular basis, and keep shoe trees in them when you're not wearing them, to help maintain their shape. Cedar shoe trees also absorb moisture, acid and salt, thereby reducing cracking and the deterioration of leather. Suede shoes should be brushed (on a clean and dry surface) up the nap using a rubber or stiff-bristled suede brush.

Broke your heel off while fighting for a taxi in the rain? No problem. Any reputable shoe repair shop can fix this in addition to many other woes. One of our biggest problems is that we often tear the leather on our heels when climbing stairs. The repair shop can fix that in no time, and your shoes will often look like new when you get them back. Repair experts can also buff out scratches and shine dull leather. In New York City, we love Shoe Service Plus (212-262-4823), which has never met a shoe it couldn't fix. Every fashionista in town goes there to get her designer shoes fixed. Ask at high-end shoe stores for good repair people in your city, or you can ship your shoes to Shoe Service Plus and they'll send them back once they're fixed. Think of it like sending your shoes on a spa vacation!

At-home repair tips. If you're looking to save some money or you simply don't have the time to make a trip to the repair shop, here are some great home-maintenance tips:

 Rinse off white salt marks with a 50/50 mixture of white distilled vinegar and water (make sure you apply this to dry shoes and boots only)

 White shoe polish won't smear if you spray the shoe with hairspray after it's dry

 To keep canvas shoes clean longer, apply spray starch on the surface of a dry, clean shoe

 Use baby wipes to clean and shine patent leather shoes

 Clean white leather shoes with non-gel toothpaste, rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover

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Dark Circles Under The Eyes

Most dark circles are caused by the veins beneath the thin skin under the eye. As we age and receive more sun damage to our facial skin, the thin skin under the eye can become thinner and wrinkled, which allows the veins in the fat pad under the eye to become more prominent. These veins also become more congested in people with allergies, and people with a history ofeczema, hay fever or asthma often develop dark circles referred to as "allergic shiners." Of course, dark circles often become more apparent with a lack of sleep as well. In some people with dark skin and certain conditions, the dark circles under the eye may actually be due to superficial pigmentation of the skin, and not the veins under the skin.

Common sense measures such as getting plenty of sleep and treating allergies can often help. Short-term tricks used by some models, such as applying cool cucumber slices or cool tea bags to the undereye area, reduce swelling in the short term. For those in whom the dark circles are due to true skin pigmentation, lightening agents -- used with care in this sensitive area -- can help. However, be sure to check with your dermatologist first, to determine whether your circles are due to superficial pigment or veins beneath the thin lower eyelid skin.

The definitive treatment for those with sagging undereye skin and dark circles is blepharoplasty. This surgery removes the excess skin and fat pads under the eyes. It is one of the most common aesthetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons. Blepharoplasty is often combined with laser resurfacing, depending on the amount of wrinkling around the eyes. This surgery does not actually remove dark circles, but once the bags are gone there will be less shadowing and the circles will be less noticeable. Your overall appearance will be more youthful and rested. The recovery time is one to two weeks.

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Fahion That Flatters Your Breasts

It's tiring, isn't it? Constantly comparing your body to others'? How many times have you wished you were taller, shorter, thinner, curvier? Women are on a constant quest to change themselves. Breast size in particular is a sensitive subject for many of us. We either curse that we were born with more or wish that we had more. But consider this: Many of us don't realize that the clothes we wear can make all the difference in the way we feel about our bodies. It's time we embraced and appreciated our bodies the way they are. Here's how to flatter your figure, not fight it!

• T-Shirts
• Blouses & Shirts
• Sweaters
• Dresses
• Jackets

T-Shirts

Isn't it amazing how hard it is to find a great fitting T-shirt? Such a basic item should a breeze to find. But with so many necklines, sleeve lengths and styles out there, this can be a tough task to accomplish. Needless to say, your first step is finding a great fitting bra. Here's what else you need to know:

Full Bust

• Best necklines are scoop necks and V-necks. They break up the expanse of the chest area and draw attention away from your bust. Stick with solid colors.
• Best sleeve lengths are cap sleeve, long sleeve and three-quarter sleeve. They camouflage larger arms that sometimes accompany larger chests.
• Avoid high, round neck and square neck T-shirts. They make full busts look like one bulky mass. Also avoid sleeveless and oversized T-shirts.

Small Bust

• Best necklines are high necks and asymmetrical necklines. They broaden the shoulders and create the illusion of a larger bust. Printed tees are also flattering for small chests.
• Best sleeve lengths are sleeveless. Women with small chests tend to have slimmer arms so the goal is to draw attention to them and away from the chest.
• Avoid low scoop-neck tops or deep V-neck tops with three-quarter sleeves. They accentuate bony chests and draw attention to the fact that you have a small bust. The V acts as an arrow to the bust and the sleeves accentuate small arms.

Blouses & Shirts

A blouse is a blouse, right? Wrong. There are many more cuts and styles out there than you may realize, and you just might be wearing the wrong one for your bust size. Even the size of your collar can make a difference. Here's the lowdown:

Full Bust

• Look for tops that are fitted, with deep, vertical V-necks. Wear styles that have small, vertical lapels and collars, with a bare minimum of detail. Styles with bust darts often fit better.
• Avoid pockets at all costs and stay away from styles with horizontal detailing, big lapels or collars and large prints.

Small Bust

• Look for fitted tops with narrow V-necks. Create fullness with breast pockets, ruffles, smocking and gathering. Try wide lapels and collars.
• Avoid voluminous or structured tops that you don't completely fill out.

Sweaters

For the most part, the rules about which T-shirt styles to wear should also be applied to which sweater styles to wear. There are obviously additional rules for sweater styles, such as turtlenecks, wrap styles, etc. Here's what else you need to know:

Full Bust

• Wrap cardigans are your best bet. They are the perfect solution to the "mono-boob" problem that certain styles cause, and they define your waist at the same time. Cardigans and deep V-necks are also flattering options. Stick with lightweight yarns.
• Avoid chunky knits that will add bulk to your figure, and anything too tight.

Small Bust

• Turtlenecks are elegant and flattering on flat-chested women. Chunky knits give the illusion of a larger chest as do fitted long-sleeve sweaters. As with T-shirts, look for styles with detailed fronts to cover the chest area. Halter styles show off shoulders and accentuate your small bust.
• Avoid ultra fine yarns that cling and draw attention to the bust area.

Dresses

Finding the right fit for your body is essential. Years ago, women had many different dresses for different occasions. But today, most women have just a few good dresses in their closets that they use for many different events. Follow these simple rules to ensure the dress you buy is appropriate for your body:

Full Bust

• Your best bets are wrap dresses, which hide the tummy area and separate the bust, or sweetheart and open necklines, which elongate the neckline and draw the eye up. Look for dresses with a slight flare to balance the lower and upper body.
• Avoid high necklines, which unify the breasts, and halter styles, which may cause breasts to pour out on the sides. Other shapes to avoid are boxy or baggy styles.

Small Bust

• Opt for high neck styles that emphasize arms or deep V-neck styles that only those with small busts can pull off. Look for smartly placed gathering and shirring or trim over the bust to create fullness. Backless dresses draw attention away from the front and can be very sexy.
• Avoid voluminous shapes that you can't fill out or skintight tops that draw attention to the bust area.

Jackets

A well fitted jacket is tough to find. The smallest of detail can determine whether a specific style is suitable for your body type or not. But once you figure out what to look for, it will save you endless amounts of time and money. The purpose of a jacket is to add polish to an outfit. Here's how to find one that fits and flatters:

Full Bust

• Choose a shorter style that is fitted, somewhat nipped at the waist and has a deep V-neck. Shorter jackets lengthen legs and the deep V divides the chest. Always buy single-breasted styles with narrow lapels for maximum flattery.
• Avoid boxy styles like double-breasted jackets that make you look square and top heavy. And never buy styles that have patch pockets.

Small Bust

• Best styles include fitted jackets that feature breast pockets, seaming and shirring. Belted styles and styles with scoop necklines are also good options.
• Avoid jackets with dropped sleeves, deep armholes or with too much shaping at the bust.

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Dress To Make Your Leg Look Longer

Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine are known around the world as the hosts of the hit British television series What Not to Wear. The two have become stars by offering up no-nonsense (and brutally honest) advice on how women can dress to best suit their figures. Here, we've excerpted from their book What Not to Wear (Riverhead Books). See what they say about how to dress around short legs.

If you've got or don't want perfect breasts, then it will be long legs you're after. These, like lovely breasts, are a reason to hate anyone who owns them, especially as cosmetic surgery is yet to perfect a method of increasing the inside leg measurement. Trinny sympathizes wholly with stump owners. She's had them all her life. Rather than live with them, though, she has learned how to hide them, quite brilliantly. No one would guess that lurking beneath those long-line jackets and fully flared trousers are pins better attached to one of Snow White's small friends. If she can give the illusion of legs to rival Elle Macpherson's, anyone can. And like all easily solved problems, it frustrates us immensely to see women who have given in to the fact that they are Corgis rather than Great Danes.

Golden Rules for Short Legs

• Cropped trousers will only accentuate your lack of leg.
• Never wear tight trousers ‑- they will only draw attention to where your butt ends and your legs begin.
• Always wear your hem to the ground when wearing trousers with high heels.
• Never wear a skirt that has a second dropped waistband; your already short legs will halve again in size.
• Dresses over trousers cover up where legs begin.
• Keep the color flowing ‑- same on shoe, sock and trouser.
• If you can't walk in your high heels, they won't give you confidence.

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Looks That Slim Your Hips

Hips happen. That's life. Many of us have tried every diet and exercise in the world to try and get rid of our pesky protrusions to no avail. Here are some tips to disguise big hips.

• Pants
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Coats and Jackets

Pants

Finding a properly fitting pair of pants is essential to flattering your hips. Once you know which style suits your shape you'll be able to avoid confronting a closet full of trousers that don't suit your body type. Here's what you should look for:

• The most flattering style is flat front trousers with wide legs. They should sit slightly below the natural waist. If there are side pockets, have them removed or sewn shut.
• Your best-bet jean is a style with a slightly lower rise, but not too low. Look for boot-cut legs to help balance out the body.
• Avoid high-waisted or tapered styles and pants with too much back detailing at all costs. These styles are your worst enemy. Also avoid styles with small back pockets because they will make the hips and rear look bigger.

Skirts

Skirts can be tricky. Factors such as length, shape and color can dramatically effect how they look on you. Women with big hips in particular need to be careful about what skirts they should and should not wear. Here are some pointers:

• Choose a moderate A-line skirt in any length. Easy wraps, softly draped styles and knee-length straight skirts are also good choices. Wear them with shoes and mules that have slight heels.
• In terms of detailing, choose dark or muted colors on the bottom and look for styles that incorporate center pleats or stitching to elongate your silhouette.
• Avoid bias-cut skirts like the plague. The cross cut of the material makes them cling to big hips like nobody's business. Also avoid severely tapered skirts and styles with patch pockets, all around pleating and horizontal details.

Dresses

A well fitted dress can be an extremely practical purchase. There are many styles these days that will take you from one occasion to the next. The key is to find one that fits correctly. Here's how:

• Show off your top half with strapless or halter styles, empire waist styles or anything that is tight around the bust or waist and flares slightly. Look for dresses with beading or any other details on the top to distract from your bottom half.
• For formal occasions, full-skirted ball-gown styles are great because they will hide big hips.
• Avoid dresses with pleats or bunches of fabric gathered at the waistline. Stay away from anything with detailing near the waist, hips or rear.

Coats and Jackets

A coat is an investment piece. And most women normally own more than one per season. That's why it's important that you spend your money wisely ‑- on something that flatters your figure. Here's how to buy one:

• Look for three-quarter-length styles with a slight flare. Like A-line skirts, they will disguise the hip area.
• Large lapels and shawl collars balance out big hips by widening the chest and shoulders while minimizing your problem area. Use other above-the-waist details such as shoulder pads and prints as distraction techniques.
• Avoid short styles that hit your hips at their widest part. This is like a neon sign for that area. Also, funnel-style coats will be snug around the rear and loose everywhere else.

source from http://makeovers.ivillage.com