What to Wear to the Opera
For most minds, the word “opera” conjures up images of corseted women and barrel-chested men belting out glass-shattering notes on a massive stage. The performance of opera has a long and rich history, with music and stories that dazzle and move their audiences to tears. Because the first opera audiences were primarily wealthy European aristocrats, dress at the opera was always lavishly formal and meant to impress. The tendency to dress formally to attend an opera performance continues today, though the attire of opera attendees can vary widely.
If you are attending an opera for the first time, do not be intimidated by the thought of looking out-of-place or clueless. While the attire of most attendees leans toward dressy, attending the opera nowadays is much like attending a movie. Attire can range from jeans to business casual to full-blown formal with tuxedos and ball gowns.
When deciding what to wear to the opera, the first consideration is the date. If you will be attending on the opening night of a particular opera or any special gala event, the dress will tend toward black tie or very nice dress clothes. This will be not only a cultural event, but a social function as well, so expect fellow opera patrons to be stepping out with glitz and glamour. Tuxedos will be common among the men, while women will likewise dress in elegant cocktail dresses or evening gowns. This will be the time to show off the very best your closet has to offer.
Another consideration is whether the opera house you will be attending has a specific dress code for patrons. Most do not, but it is always wise to check prior to the date you will be in attendance. Visit the venue’s website for information, or consult your ticket information. For example, the Royal Opera House in London states, “There is no dress code for visitors to the Royal Opera House. Informal evening wear is the most adopted attire but is not a requirement.”
To get the most enjoyment out of the evening, consider your own preferences. Are you and your spouse wanting to experience an extra-special evening on the town? Dressing up will add extra sparkle to your night out, since most people rarely have the opportunity to dress in formal attire. For a bit more comfort, opt for a semi-formal outfit such as a sports jacket and slacks for a man, and a nice blouse and dress slacks, skirt or dress for ladies. However, if you detest wearing a suit and tie, or high heels and pantyhose, then opt for whatever you are most comfortable in. If you prefer jeans and don’t mind that other audience members might consider you underdressed, then wear whatever you like and enjoy the performance in comfort.
However you choose to dress for the opera, be sure to wear clothing that is comfortable to sit in. Operas can be quite lengthy, and you will be sitting for the majority of the evening.
How to Dress Like Chris Brown
One of the things that Chris Brown is known for is his sense of style. His style is a mixture of new and old hip-hop style. To get his look, make sure that you borrow from old-school hip-hop style from the 80s.
Shoes
Some of the biggest indicators of Chris Brown’s style of dressing are his shoes. The shoes he chooses are often brands and styles that were big with hip hop artists in the mid-80s. White Nike and Adidas were the big shoes among hip-hop artists then and they are making a comeback with them now.
Shirts
One of his favorite types of shirt is the hoodie. A white or black hoodie will go with just about everything, and they are comfortable to move and dance in. When you wear a hoodie Chris Brown style, keep them fastened up and keep the hood down. In addition to the white and black shirts, fill in your wardrobe with lots of hoodies in every color. He wears both bright and dark hoodies, plain and patterned.
Another one of Chris Brown’s styles is to wear an intricately patterned shirt in bright contrasting colors. Choose a shirt that has zigzags or a lot of interesting shapes to get this look.
Baseball Caps
Wearing a baseball cap us a big part of Chris Brown’s style. While he does wear them with the bill facing forward sometimes, he is more often seen with the bill facing backward. Make sure the cap fits tightly to make it look like Chris Brown’s caps. He usually chooses baseball caps that have a logo on them to represent a sports team. Chose your hometown or favorite sports team and wear the logo proudly to dress in Chris Brown’s style.
Jackets
There are several types of jackets that Chris Brown wears regularly. The first is a white jacket that is worn with a black shirt under it. To achieve this look, wear white pants with a white jacket and keep the jacket completely unfastened.
Another style of jacket is the thin leather jacket. These aren’t thick leather motorcycle jackets but are instead plainly-styles jackets in a deep brown that are made from thinner leather. Wear this type of jacket unfastened and wear a patterned shirt under it and pair it with dark pants to get a real Chris Brown look.
Jewelry
Like any R & B or hip hop artist, Chris Brown wears plenty of jewelry. He favors very large necklaces and large, round earrings. Wear one necklace or two to get this look. Keep the necklaces short and don’t put large pendants on them. Make sure the necklaces are gold.
His earrings are often large diamonds, but you can substitute a large crystal when choosing your Chris Brown earrings. If you wear bracelets, keep them to chains instead of bangle or cuff style. Like his necklaces, Chris Brown prefers gold bracelets to any other color. Wear two or three to make sure that your bracelets stand out from your outfit.
How To Remove a Bra While Wearing a Shirt
Most people have a love-hate relationship with bras. If you’re a guy, you love them because of the sex appeal associated with them. There’s nothing sexier than a woman lounging in a lacy bra and panties, and Victoria’s Secret knows it. If you’re a girl, you probably hate wearing a bra because it can be uncomfortable. Not to mention the trouble ladies have finding the right bra size, or the costs associated with buying bras (who knew that a little bit of stretchy material, a clasp and some straps could be so expensive?).
Despite the downsides, nearly every modern woman wears a bra. In fact, most couldn’t imagine life without the contraption. Many wear them because they are large-breasted and need the extra support that a bra provides. Most do it because it’s just something that women are expected to do. Society has set a dress code standard which includes bras for women, and so women must follow it in order to function in certain situations. Just imagine what would happen if a professional woman started going bra-less at the office! Not only would tongues be wagging, but her career track could take a serious downturn.
But there are times when it’s fun to throw caution — and that annoying underwire — to the wind and dare to go bra-less. Perhaps you want to spice up your love life with your significant other, or you want your date to know that you are REALLY having a great time. Or maybe you’re sweating it out at the beach and just can’t stand those trickles of perspiration soaking into your bra anymore. Knowing how to remove a bra while wearing a shirt is a trick that comes in handy in these situations.
Here’s how to remove your bra while wearing a shirt:
1. If you’re planning ahead of time to remove your bra (think the really hot date), the best shirt to wear is a spaghetti-strap tank top. Begin by reaching under your shirt and unclasping the bra behind your back. If your bra snaps closed between the breasts, simply reach a hand up between your body and shirt and unhook it.
2. Next, pull one strap of your bra over your shoulder and down so that it rests on your bicep. While holding your tank top in place, slip your arm up and through the bra strap. Your spaghetti strap should be in the same place, while your bra strap should be hanging down.
3. Perform the same process for the other side of the body. Both bra straps should now be hanging down.
4. Reach up under your shirt and remove the bra. Voila, you’re now au naturel!
Some studies suggest that it is healthier for women to not wear bras, especially tight bras, because they put pressure on the breasts and surrounding areas. This, in turn, prevents the flow of lymph, which flushes toxins and other wastes from the body. Experts have cautioned that women wear bras no more than 12 hours a day, so take off that bra and enjoy the freedom! Your breasts will thank you.
How to Dress Like Sienna Miller
Sienna Miller is a modern-day It girl with a style that is both modern and retro at the same time. Her look is one that lots of girls emulate in order to get the effortless style that she exudes.
Boho Chic
Though Sienna Miller resists the label of Boho Chic, this is a style that fits her tastes perfectly. It consists of pieces that call to mind the hippie look of the 60s with a modern twist. The look requires a lot of loose, flowy pieces that are long and patterned.
To get this look, find shirts that are peasant-style shirts that are loose fitting. The shirts can have an empire waist or they can have no tailored waist at all. Instead of paisley or other 60s-style prints, look for floral prints or stripes. Often, she chooses peasant blouses that are strapless. These give her the carefree, effortless look that she is famous for.
Wear low-rise pants with the flowy tops to complete this look. The pants should be light in color and they should fit loosely. Frayed jeans are the perfect way to set off the Boho Chic look. To finish it, choose jewelry that is simple and not too showy. Wear just one ring and one bracelet and skip the necklace in order to get this look.
Sack dresses are a part of this look and can be worn to formal events. She often wears a simple sack dress with a few small pieces of jewelry. If the sack dress has any crocheting on it, it will make the look even more authentically Sienna Miller.
80s Style
When she isn’t in her Boho Chic outfits, Sienna Miller is sporting a hip 80s style. This style is all about geometric shapes, patterns and bold colors.
To get this look, choose pants that have a natural waist and pair it with a short jacket. Sometimes she wears a short denim jacket that matches her jeans or that is a few shades lighter. Her jackets have straight lines and are simple in style. She likes to wear black and white outfits to present a bold color contrast.
Jeans
When in her 80s –style outfits, Sienna Miller wears a lot of skinny jeans. Her jeans are usually dark and are cuffed at the ankle. Choose designer jeans to get the full Sienna Miller look. In the summer, choose skinny denim capris that are dark blue. Whether you choose jeans or capris wear them as tightly as possible to get Sienna Miller’s style.
Shoes
Platform shoes are a 60s staple that Sienna Miller likes to wear. Choose ones that have a wooden platform to get the right look for most outfits. Other times, Sienna Miller wears wedge heels, often with a wooden wedge. For formal occasions, she wears strappy stiletto heels. Choose neutral colors so that the shoes don’t outshine the rest of the outfit. On casual days, choose dark-colored flats that match the rest of the outfit. A pair of black or dark blue flats complements a pair of jeans well.
How to Dress at 70
When dressing in your 70s, you may be more concerned with comfort than most other issues. You likely already have your own personal style but may wonder whether you are expressing it well. For the most part, as long as you’re comfortable and your colors aren’t too bright, you are generally age appropriate at 70.
Jeans
Jeans are a good, comfortable thing to wear at 70. Because people at 70 tend to carry a lot of weight around their middles, you may find that high-waisted jeans are far more comfortable than many other styles. Generally, dark jeans are considered more age appropriate than lighter colored jeans. But, this is not always the case. If you are wearing a light-colored top on a summer evening, go ahead wear the light jeans.
Quality Accessories
While the rest of your outfit may be for comfort, your accessories can be just for fun. At 70, many people invest in a few very high-quality items that will always look good with anything and that will last a long time. A good quality handbag, even if it very trendy, is a great statement about your own style. Designers like Fendi and Prada make high-quality bags with classic looks that are perfect at any age.
Having one or two very nice pieces of jewelry is also recommended at 70. These show off your taste as being impeccable. They can be worn with anything from a track suit to a business suit.
High-quality shoes are particularly important when you are in your 70s. Shoes that are comfortable and that support your arches are important for staying active. In most cases, a stylish pair of leather shoes that are very high quality can make a lot of difference in how you feel and the way your outfit looks. Even if you are dressed very casually, a stylish pair of shoes can work wonders for your mood and for your outfit.
Flattering the Face
A main principle of dressing in your 70s is to draw attention to your face. This can be done with interesting necklines that are not low-cut but not straight and boring. Some lace at the top or an interesting shape cut into the collar can bring the eye upward to your face. This can also be done by wearing some interesting jewelry. A sparkly necklace with some sparkly earrings will definitely bring everyone’s attention upward to your face.
You may also want to put emphasis on your hands. Having sparkly rings and bracelets and an interesting detail or two on your cuffs will bring the attention to your hands. Pair this with a brightly-colored manicure and you have made your outfit flattering.
At 70, don’t feel badly about spending a lot on your clothes. High quality clothes will look best on you and 70 is the best time to buy those clothes. Stay away from the cheaper clothes that you might have bought before and concentrate on ones that will resist wear and keep looking stylish.
How To Shop Ethically For T-Shirts And Clothing
For years we have been hearing about how much of the clothing that we wear in the Western World is produced in sweat shops around the world in poor countries, where primarily women and children work for next to nothing in horrible conditions. For many people this issue has become a preoccupation in their lives. They have set about striving to shut down sweatshops and create fair working conditions for these workers, and to rally for children’s rights in order to make sure children are not used for such purposes.
The individual who is concerned with the how their T-shirts and other clothing are made can find out more information by doing some research. It is easy enough to decide how to shop ethically if you know that basically all clothing that comes from certain countries is made in sweatshops. By boycotting clothing made under unethical conditions you are refusing to support the owners of such factories in their continued abuse of the available labor in their area.
There are also a variety of companies that specialize in sweatshop free apparel and can be found be doing a simple Internet search. There are also specific brands that have been created which focus on fair trade or things that have been made with a living wage. Many organic lines are made under fair trade conditions.
Another way to ensure that the T-shirts and clothing you buy are made in an environment that treats their employees ethically is by buying only American and Canadian products. The clothing industry in these two countries are free of sweatshop conditions and prove to be good ethical choices for the things you wear. Therefore you can rest assured that you are shopping ethically when you see Made in the USA or Made in Canada.
If you are looking to build a brand new wardrobe of T-shirts that are all made in places that pay their employees a living wage and do not use child labor, a great place to start is with custom-made T-shirts. It is particularly easy to find organic cotton tees to have printed that are made under ethical conditions. When you have selected the tee you want in the style and color you desire you can have it customized to your taste. The choices of things to put on a T-shirt are endless.
You can educate others about shopping ethically by putting a one-liner on your T-shirt like one of the ones below.
• Where was your shirt made?
• Fair trade only
• Kids need fair trade
• A living wage is a family value
• Did a child make your shirt?
You can also put a symbol, a photo or a drawing on a T-shirt that speaks about fair trade. You can even put a paragraph of information if you want. It is the perfect way to spread awareness of the need for more people to buy with a social conscious.
How to Dress Like Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson is known for her cute stage outfits and her interesting sense of style. Much of her look is retro 80’s glamour mixed with the latest in today’s fashions. One of the looks that immediately mark an outfit as something that Kelly Clarkson would wear is a tank top with black fishnet over it. Black fishnet is featured in many of her looks, including fishnet stockings and a black fishnet shirt worn over a black bikini top.
T-Shirts
Camis are one of the many types of shirts that Kelly Clarkson wears regularly. Her camis are always small and tightly fitting. For a stage show, she often opts for a black cami that is dressed up with lots of jewelry and other accessories.
When she’s dressed down for a casual day of errands, Kelly Clarkson often wears t-shirts that are tight fitting along with a casual pair or jeans or khaki pants. Her t-shirts are often in neutral colors such as various shades of beige, white or black. She also loves to wear band t-shirts that promote her favorite groups. To get her look, wear a black t-shirt that has your favorite band’s logo on the front. Pair the t-shirt with a pair of distressed, light blue jeans. Because she sometimes wears ripped jeans, you can tear your jeans across the knees or just above the knee to copy her look.
Gloves
Another of her 80’s retro accessories is her fingerless gloves. She often wears these in black when she is performing, and she has been photographed at dressy events wearing these accessories as well. If these gloves are hard to find, get a pair of black driving gloves and cut off the fingers.
Dresses
Kelly Clarkson is known for her amazing dresses. Though she is more often seen wearing her casual or stage outfits, she always shines in long, formal dresses. To find a dress that looks like Kelly Clarkson’s style, look for a dress in a neutral color. She wears long dresses in beige, light khaki and off-white. Make sure the dress has an interesting shape, such as tiers of fabric or an unusual waistline.
Kelly Clarkson’s dresses are never boring, and the dress you choose should have a simple neckline but a dramatic shape elsewhere. The dress can either have short sleeves or it may be strapless. Wear the strappiest pair of heels you can find with your Kelly Clarkson-style dress. Find a pair with an ankle strap and a strap across the toes if you can. She has worn shoes with this style many times for formal occasions and in promotional photos.
Belts
Kelly Clarkson often wears belts on stage and in her personal life. She prefers wide belts that get attention. Sometimes, she wears a large belt buckle in the front as an extra accessory. The belt itself can be metallic and have a chain pattern, or it may have a basket weave design. Sometimes her belts are plain leather belts with an oval belt buckle to dress them up.
What Are the Best Shirts for Breastfeeding?
For breastfeeding, comfort and ease of access are the key elements that make a shirt one that will make the process of breastfeeding easier. In order to achieve comfort and access, there are several styles that work well while breastfeeding.
The main issue for many breastfeeding mothers is to have something that will allow them quick and easy access without revealing too much to strangers or to other family members. A large t-shirt that fits loosely can be easily pulled up when it’s time to feed without exposing too much. To get the size large enough, aim for at least two sizes larger than you would normally wear.
Other options include shirts that are specially made for breastfeeding mothers. These shirts sometimes have a panel across the front that can be lifted up for easy, direct access. These panel shirts often have a loose panel that covers a slit across the bust to allow the baby’s head and the bust to be covered by the panel, hiding the feeding from view. These shirts are perfect for wearing out in public and in private.
Some breastfeeding shirts have buttons across the front to allow the shirt to be opened when it’s time to feed. Sometimes the buttons are covered by a panel of fabric to hide the opening, and sometimes the buttons function like a sideways version of a button-up shirt. It may be necessary to use two hands to undo these shirts, however, making it harder to get access if you are holding the baby. These shirts also may not be as discrete as shirts that have a flat to hide the baby’s head while feeding.
Other breastfeeding shirts are wrap shirts that can be unwrapped in order to allow feeding. The wrap shirt usually wraps to one side, allowing one side at a time to be opened by pulling back the wrap. These are often good choices for mothers with small busts, but they may not provide sufficient support for other mothers, and they don’t offer a discrete panel that will hide the baby’s feeding.
A tank top is a great type of shirt to wear while breastfeeding because the top is easy to pull down for baby’s feedings. The tank top should fit loosely so that it’s easy to pull down one side of the tank top with one hand, if necessary. These are often comfortable to wear at home for feedings, but they may not be the best items to wear in public for breastfeeding, as they will reveal the bust during feedings.
Another style is the tie-front breastfeeding shirt. These shirts have a slit across the bust that is hidden by two panels that are tied together in the front of the shirt. When the shirt is ties, it looks like a fashionable shirt with an interesting waistline. But when the panels are untied, the mother has easy access for breastfeeding. These are good for feeding either in private or in public because the feeding can be hidden by the panels.
How to Dress Like Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere is a trendsetting young star with a fun, youthful style that is fun to wear for any occasion. While she wears clothes that give her look a feeling of sophistication, she isn’t afraid to pair her outfits with fun accessories or shoes that keep the outfit fun and age appropriate.
Dresses
Hayden Panettiere wears a lot of dresses. She wears them almost exclusively to her events and photo opportunities, rarely opting for slacks for those occasions. To get her dressy look, wear a brightly colored dress with a wide belt. Hayden Panettiere knows how great she looks in red, and it has become a signature color for the young star. To get her look, try a dress in bright red and use dark accessories to set off the brightness of the red.
One of Hayden Panettiere’s favorite ways to do this is to make everything else in her outfit black to make the red that much more eye-catching. Wear a pair of black shoes with a black belt and small black earrings to really set off the color of your dress.
When you choose your Hayden Panettiere dress, keep it simple. Choose one that has a low-cut neckline but that is simple in style and shape. Let the color do all the talking for your dress. Choose a dress that is about knee length of slightly longer to get the full Hayden Panettiere look.
Shoes
Hayden Panettiere loves the high heeled, pointy-toe shoe look that is so popular in shoes right now. To get this look, choose a plain pair of high heels in a dark color, especially in black. Make sure the shoes have the pointiest toes that you can in order to capture the look. Her shoes are usually one color and free from any sparkles or other adornments.
Sometimes, Hayden Panettiere wears peep-toe high heels in metallic colors. Some of these shoes have an ankle strap. If you’re wearing a light colored-dress, try a pair of gold, strappy high heels with a pep-toe front to get this look.
Roman-style sandals are also a favorite of Hayden Panettiere. They can be worn in either brown or in gold to get her casual look. She has been seen several times in a pair of Miu Miu gold gladiator sandals. She often wears this style of sandal along with a long skirt or a pair of dark pants.
Accessories
The place where Hayden Panettiere really shows her fun side is in her accessories. If you want to get her look, try jewelry with a lot of color and personality. A bracelet with lots of charms or one that has large, colorful spots on it are something that Hayden Panettiere would feel right at home in. When you wear earrings, wear something fun that fits well into your outfit. No matter what Hayden Panettiere wears, she always keeps everything together in one cohesive look. Your earrings can be big and full of color, but make sure they are the same colors that are found in your outfit.
Not Your Mama’s Beauty Pageant: A History of the Wet T-Shirt Contest
Moms and dads enter their adorable tykes in those baby beauty contests everyday. Darling little girls with bouncing curls and frilly dresses are a beauty pageant staple. And who hasn’t spent a few hours in front of the TV, watching regal, tanned goddesses stroll across the stage at the Miss America Pageant or the Miss Universe Pageant? There’s something irresistible about watching lots of beautiful people, young or old, compete to decide who is the MOST beautiful. It’s just one of those quirks of human nature, even as we try to teach our kids that “it’s what’s on the inside that really matters” or “everyone is beautiful in their own way.”
The wet t-shirt contest has all the makings of a beauty pageant, combined with a heavy dose of sex appeal. Sex, in fact, is the number one draw here, with classic beauty and poise taking a back seat to plain old big boobs. No one knows exactly where the first wet t-shirt contest took place, or whose idea it was (though we can logically assume the genius was of the male gender). Some claim that the wet t-shirt contest was inspired by the opening scenes of the 1977 movie “The Deep,” in which Jacqueline Bisset swam in a t-shirt. Today the competitions are the domain of bars, nightclubs, resorts and similar establishments that are looking to draw a big crowd with the lure of sneak-a-peeks.
Wet t-shirt contests are a staple of spring break celebrations at locations such as Daytona Beach and Cancun, and typically involve lots of big-breasted young women (though male versions of the contest do exist). Participants wear white or light-colored t-shirts, tank tops or crop tops, sans bras or other undergarments. At the height of the contest, water is sprayed or poured onto the contestant (we’re pretty sure that job is one that’s not hard to fill among the men), making the material see-through and revealing the breasts. Each girl may dance or pose for the crowd, with the ultimate winner determined by crowd reaction or a panel of judges.
Wet t-shirt contests have always been viewed as risqué, and occasionally become the subject of controversy locally and nationally. In 1998, an airplane flight carrying a group of Portland, Ore., high school students to Mexico following graduation became notorious for a wet t-shirt contest held en route. Flight attendants encouraged the contest, and airline pilots supposedly acted as judges, disobeying FAA regulations that prohibited passengers in the cockpit. An investigation followed, and the pilots were disciplined for sexual misconduct.
In 2005, a 17-year-old Florida teenager brought a federal suit against Playboy, Anheuser-Busch and other companies regarding video of her appearance in a Daytona Beach wet t-shirt contest the previous year. While the girl admitted that she had lied about her age to participate, her suit claimed that as a minor she was unable to give consent to participate or be taped while performing. The suit was later settled. A similar suit was brought against Deslin Hotels, “Girls Gone Wild” and various websites in 2007, by two girls who participated in a 2001 Daytona Beach wet t-shirt contest.