a Parker Coat

A parker coat, also commonly referred to as a parka,is an outer wear jacket with a thick lining designed specifically for cold weather wear. The traditional form of the jacket comes to knee length and does not have a drawstring waist, as the anorak jacket to which is it often likened. Originally, parker coats where lined with a heavy wool material, close to a blanket weight.


Often with a fur lined detachable collar, the parker coat proved to keep not only the majority of the body insulated from frigid temperatures, but it also can keep the face safe from the elements. The hood can be pulled tightly around the face leaving a small tunnel through which those wearing it have a limited range of site.

Government and tactical forces have long employed the parker coat as part of standard winter wear. These coats prove to be good for withstanding the elements as well as durable. The only major flaws of this design are the limited visibility and decreased hearing range. As time progressed, thinner lining, which still provided extreme protection from the cold, was developed making maneuverability much more manageable instead of limited as it had once been. These extreme-weather jackets remain common military apparel.

In the 1970s, this style became very popular when it was marketed to the public. Similar to their military counterparts, they were lined with a plaid wool and had a number of handy pockets throughout the inside and outside of the jacket. The most common colors were dark blue or olive drab. Most did not have real fur collars but instead had a faux fur that was often detachable.

Though originally made for men, the parker coat or parka became a popular jacket for women toward the end of the 1970s. The style of the parker coat became somewhat modified to be more consistent with modern fashion. Shoulder pads were added in the 1980s and sateen became a popular fabric. In the 1990s the style again evolved, with these jackets becoming more fitted and figure flattering. Though the length was also commonly shortened, the jacket still maintained much of its original identity. Through the years the parker coat has been adapted and changed to fit the style and the times.

 

 

Wardrobe Consultant

                                                 

Wardrobe consultants are fashion professionals who provide guidance on the type of colors, patterns, designs, and clothing styles that are best for a given client. Consultants often work one on one with a single client, or provide services for ongoing projects such as fashions for theater productions or electronic media, as well as general consulting for larger groups that want to learn the rudiments of choosing clothing and accessories. The typical wardrobe consultant tends to specialize in a limited area of expertise, based either on the gender, age, or other circumstances relevant to the client.


There are several different names given to professionals who function as a wardrobe consultant. Often, these titles reflect something of the scope of the services offered. For example, an image consultant that specializes in working with business professionals will often address not only clothing options, but also general grooming, selection of accessories, and possibly even work with the client on issues of business decorum.
Another form of the wardrobe consultant is known as the corporate image consultant. This type of fashion consultant can often help companies develop dress codes that are appropriate for the workplace, and assist employees in how to make proper selections for office attire. Consultants may work with executives, salespeople, or anyone else in the company who comes in contact with the general public.



 

A personal image consultant is another common example of a wardrobe consultant. In this capacity, the consultant will work with an individual to make changes in dressing styles, grooming, and the general physical presentation. Unlike some other forms of wardrobe consulting, this approach often involves helping the client to learn how to dress for all sorts of settings, ranging from casual attire for the weekend, to choosing proper work attire, to developing a sense of how to dress at formal affairs. The personal consultant often helps the client go through his or her existing wardrobe, purge it of any inappropriate or unflattering garments, and then shops with the client to select the right clothing for his or her lifestyle.


Wardrobe consultants often have degrees in fashion design, or have some experience working in the garment industry. However, formal training is not necessary to be successful in this field. Anyone with a highly developed sense of style and the background necessary to understand what is considered proper dress in different situations can make a living as a wardrobe consultant. Whether working as part of a firm or as a freelance consultant, this line of work can be very lucrative, as well as provide a high degree of personal satisfaction.

Cable Knit Sweater women

                                         

                                       
A cable knit sweater is a sweater that is knitted in a cable pattern. The patterns typically resemble twisted or braided ropes, and range in style from quite simple to the complicated. Originating in Ireland where they traditionally were created by hand, the sweaters are now mostly made by knitting machines.


The sweater as first made in the Aran Islands of Ireland. Aran sweaters are a subtype of cable knit sweaters, and they are also known fisherman's sweaters. The Aran sweaters were originally made from unwashed wool, which gave them a waterproof quality due to the lanolin oils present in the wool. Although most of these types of sweaters are not made from unwashed wool, those made from wool are still quite water resistant and help the wearer to remain warm even when wet. The majority of the sweaters still are made from wool, but they may also be made from cotton and other fabrics, as well.

A cable knit sweater is considered to be a classic item of apparel. The sweaters may be worn by men, women, and children alike. They come in a variety of styles, from crew necks to cardigans. Although the classic cable knit is cream colored, they are now produced in a huge range of hues, from fuchsia to black.

To create a cable knit sweater, several knitting techniques are utilized. In knitting, a wale is a series of stitches that are each suspended from the next. To make a cable knit, several wales are made to cross over each other. Cables then may be made into braids and other patterns, with some patterns utilizing up to seven braids.
A six cable braid is known as a Saxon braid, while a five cable braid is known as a Celtic Princess braid. Cable knit sweater patterns may also incorporate knots, double helixes, and lattices. Another popular pattern is the honeycomb. The cable knit is not just used to create sweaters. Other cable knit items include socks, scarves, and hats.

Generally, a certain amount of myth surrounds cable knit sweaters. Some people believe that different clans in Ireland each have their own cable knit sweater patterns. This is not the case; however, some cable knit patterns do have regional or local affiliations.


Most modern cable knit sweaters are no longer made by hand; instead, they are machine knit. While some knitters do still produce cable knits by hand, the sweaters are quite expensive due to the length of production time. Since it is difficult for machines to weave the more intricate cable knit patterns, most machine-made cable knits tend to be simpler in design than handmade ones.

Waterproof boots

                                        

Waterproof boots are typically made with materials such as Gore-Tex®, rubber, plastic, or heavily treated leather and are made to withstand rain and snow. Varieties of waterproof boots include snow boots,rainboots and all-weather shoes. They are available in myriad styles, shapes, and colors for men, women, and children. Non-waterproof boots can be treated with special waxes or chemicals that make them water-resistant, but not waterproof.


Styles of waterproof boots range from ones worn directly on the foot to galoshes  that are worn over shoes. They can be used for numerous activities, including hiking, hunting, motorcycling, or trudging through snow. Liners can be used for extra warmth during cold weather or for wicking away sweat during hot weather. Waterproof boot lengths range from ankle to thigh-high.

 
There is a difference between waterproof boots, water-resistant boots, and water-repellent boots. According to the United States (US) Federal Trade Commission (FTC), products that claim to be waterproof must prevent water from touching the feet. Water-resistant boots are designed to resist the entry of water to some extent. Generally, water-repellent products are coated with a substance that repels water from entering.

Waterproofing materials used in boots include Gore-Tex®, rubber, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. Gore-Tex® is a patented membrane that makes footwear and other garments 100 percent waterproof. Waterproof boots can also be partially or fully covered in rubber. PVC boots include, wellington boots, which are decorated calf-length rain boots. Some waterproof boots keep feet dry and warm, as those lined with fur or faux fur, while others are not insulated at all.
Boots that are not waterproof can be coated or treated with chemicals or special waxes that will help them endure most inclement weather. Waterproofing boots can be a do-it-yourself project, or completed by a professional. It is recommended that an inconspicuous spot be tested before the entire boot is treated to assure colorfastness. Special care should be taken when waterproofing suede  leather as waterproofing agents may permanently stain.

Half-Cup Bra Lady fashion

                                           

                              
A half-cup bra's cups offer less coverage than traditional bra cups, making the bra suitable for wearing with low-cut dresses, sweaters, and blouses. When wearing a half-cup bra, women will be able to to display more cleavage, and there is less risk of bra material peaking out from their garment's neckline. Also known as a demi-cup bra, this type of cup is incorporated into many different bra styles.

Many women are concerned about their undergarments being visible under their clothing. While a bra's color and construction have a huge impact on its visibility under a woman's apparel, the size of the cup also matters. Women who wear low cup or square necklines may find that the tops of their bra cups peek out from the neckline, creating a sloppy look. By creating a half-cup bra, manufacturers eliminate or at least reduce the problem of bra cup tops peeking out from clothing. The half-cup bra style can be used in a variety of bras, including push-up bras and t-shirt bras. The demi-cup can be particularly suited to the push-up bra, as it can doubly enhance the enlarging effect of the push-up bra and allow its wearer to show off more decolletage.

Underwear companies make half-cup bras available as both a practical underwear choice as well as lingerie. Women should be sure to select a half-cup bra that meets their needs. While bras with a lot of lace or embroidery may look really nice on their own, they are better suited to bedroom wear than as a regular undergarment. Plain, seamless nude bras are better suited to being worn under clothing and helping women create the look they want.

The demi-cup may not be a good choice for very large-breasted women, as it may not provide the type of support and control that she needs. It is also extremely important that women who choose half-cup bras ensure that the bra fits properly. This is because a woman's breast tissue can easily spill over the top of a too-small half-cup bra, creating unattractive bulges right below her neckline. Women who are concerned about control and fit may want to look into a full-cup balconette bra which has wide-set straps to provide a lot of neckline and chest space appropriate to low-cut necklines. Other options include 3/4-cup bras, which are less revealing than a half-cup but provide a bit more leeway than a full-cup bra.

a Periwig fashion

                     

A periwig is a style of wig popular between the 17th and 19th centuries, particularly in men’s fashions. The word is believed to be a corruption of the French term perruque, commonly called the peruke. The periwig was a vital fashion piece of upper-class French and British households, and played a part in maintaining some sort of hygienic standard. The modern term for a hairpiece, wig, is believed to have developed from periwigs.

Wigs were popular in the ancient cultures of Egypt and Greece for the protection they offered from the sun and as a status symbol. After the fall of Rome, they fell out of popularity for centuries for a variety of reasons. Many experts credit the prematurely bald King Louis XIII of France for popularizing wigs with the French court, in particular the long, curly style called the periwig.

The periwig is often seen in portraits as a long, flowing mane of curls. The styling of the wig varied with time and trend. Later fashions often dictated that the wigs be powdered with a mixture of starch to make them appear white. For the best wigs, human hair was used, although less expensive versions substituted animal hair or blended the two together. Due to the unfortunate odors associated with only bathing once a year, wigs were often scented with flowers or heavily perfumed.

Wigs were used not only to disguise baldness, but to protect from lice. Throughout the middle ages, most European countries disdained bathing as unhealthy. It was not uncommon for nobles to bathe only once a year. As a result, people often shaved their heads, as their bathing habits did nothing to prevent infestation from insects in their hair. Wigs were also often infested with lice, but were removable for comfort. The periwig became the most popular style of the 17th century for men, and many famous portraits of the era contain noble or royal men resplendent in their periwig.
After the restoration of King Charles II to the throne in England, the trend became popular among the British. Charles spent much of his exiled youth in the French court, and gained much appreciation for French styles. Between the King of England and King Louis XIV of France, periwigs became a necessity for the courts of both nations.
Wigmakers received considerable attention during this period, and were allowed many privileges as artisans. Some sources say that King Louis XIV employed more than 40 wigmakers at his palace at Versailles. By the late 17th century, guilds for wigmakers were established in both England and France.
In America, the early colonial government used the periwig as part of their uniform, to show social status in imitation of the British. By the mid-19th century, anti-British sentiment had pushed this fashion trend away, and wigs are no longer worn by American judges or US Congress members. British members of parliament and many judges still wear a variation of the periwig for official sessions. In 2007, the state of New South Wales Australia voted to discontinue use of wigs in government activity.

a Fichu

                                         

A fichu is a type of scarf that is usually made of lightweight fabric. Fichus are often square but folded in half to create a triangular shape before wearing. Fichus are worn over the shoulders and may be tied in a loose knot in front, held closed with a pin, brooch or pick, or else the ends might be tucked into the wearer's other garments. Alternatively, the fichu's points might extend past the wearer's front to their back, where they are then fastened with a knot or pin.

Both historically and in modern times, most fichus are made of linen fabric, although they are often edged in lace and are sometimes made entirely of lace. The term "fichu" is derived from the past participle of the French word "ficher," which means "to fix." The English word "fichu" should not be confused with the French word "fichu," which is a curse word roughly approximate to the English "damn."
Before the 1700s, the fichu was generally worn by servants, ladies who were poor, and elderly ladies, all of whom often received upper class ladies' hand-me-down dresses with the fashionably low-cut necks of the period. While the ladies needed clothes and sometimes required those donations of clothing to satisfy their needs, they were unwilling to sacrifice modesty for the sake of fashion. To solve this problem, they wore fichus to cover the exposed areas around their necks.


At first, the rich and fashionable ladies scoffed at the poorer ladies' use of the fichu as a cover-up. However, the fichu gradually became more popular among the upper classes as an accent to other clothing and finally became a standard article of clothing. This occurred during the first half of the eighteenth century, and fichus were worn until the late 1800s or early 1900s. Ironically, as fichus became popular among the upper classes, more and more women of limited means — even those who did not receive hand-me-down dresses — took to wearing fichus in order to imitate the styles of the richer ladies. Today, fichus are sometimes worn by women who seek a bit of warmth or an accent to their other clothing but do not want to wear a larger scarf.