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Taking Fashion Cues from Reality TV

September 23, 2010

Image by Vivianna_love via Flickr

 

With the wide array of reality TV shows exposing you to which fabrics, cuts, fits and colors to avoid, staying fashionable is as simple as turning on your television. Luckily, you don’t have to be scrutinized as your every fashion choice is critiqued. Others who allow themselves to be highlighted as the guinea pigs on reality TV fashion shows give you an opportunity to sit back and learn from their mistakes.

The Fashion Choices of the Unsuspecting

Oprah hosted many episodes related to fashion choices. Unsuspecting women were approached in the malls and on the streets and asked if they could be advised on their fashion choices. Ill fitting bra straps that dug into the breasts, old jeans and outdated fashions were just a few of fashion mistakes made by women who were rushing through their lives without time to heed their clothing choices.

A Fashion Self-Assessment

As you watch reality television, you can ask yourself these same questions in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Do your undergarments fit properly? Are there visible panty lines or bra strap lines? Do your jeans fit properly? Are your jeans a current cut or from decades ago? While you may not choose to buy a pair of skinny jeans as an older woman, you might choose to avoid jean cuts that are pulled too high up on your waist as was the fashion decades ago.

Whether you are watching The Bachelorette, What Not to Wear or another reality TV show, pay close attention to the fashion mistakes and triumphs of show participants to carve your own fashion path.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Fashion, General Tagged With: , ,

Popular Fashion Themed Reality TV Shows

There’s a reality TV show for everything. There’s show for cooking, weddings, losing weight and even how to use coupons. However, despite the popular nature of reality TV shows the most popular theme for reality TV is fashion. There are over a half dozen fashion reality TV shows on the air on any given day.

finale of fashion show

Image via Wikipedia

Here is a look at some of the most popular fashion themed reality TV shows.

America’s Next Top Model

While not directly related to fashion, America’s Next Top Model follows 15 to 20 wannabe models on their journey to become a runway model. The show will often take beginner models in turn them into high-end fashion models by the end of the show. Not only does it show the models but many of the top name designers and fashion labels are also featured on this reality TV show.

Fashion Runway

Fashion Runway follows dozens of wannabe fashion designers. Every week they are given a challenge and made to create an outfit that meets the guidelines for their model. The winner of this reality TV show is given a fashion design contract and many well-known fashion designers have come from this show.

What Not to Wear

What Not To Wear takes an ordinary individual who has terrible fashion sense and treats them to a fashion surprise. They are given fashion advice, have their existing wardrobe trashed and given $5,000 to shop in New York City. By the end of the show this individual is sporting the latest fashion that looks great on them and had their life completely transformed because of the show.

Filed Under: Designers, US Fashions Tagged With: , ,

Living the American Designer’s Dream

Fashion design is an interesting profession. Like other industries that feature creative minds, such as music and the visual and performing arts, it can be difficult to become a successful designer. However, some have found a number of pathways to living the American designer’s dream.

Many people are aware of the major success stories. With the popularity of reality television, it makes perfect sense for reality television shows to translate to an area that is as visually appealing as fashion design. Project Runway is the popular example here, which features a number of successful American designers – win or lose.

Getting started on this goal isn’t as difficult as you might think. The best way to begin is to look at educational prospects. Even if you have a full-time job, you can peruse the accredited online degrees that are offered in regards to fashion. You could pursue a fashion-related degree in design, or management, both representing great opportunities in the industry.

Look into other areas that will bolster your foundation when living the designer’s dream. Maybe you can get a position related to fashion as you study, which is certainly made easier with online education. Even writing a fashion blog that could develop a readership over time – showcasing your insights, and even fashions – could bolster your resume.

Living the American designer’s dream can be accomplished. It might be a difficult journey, but there are many opportunities in the fashion world for a successful career. Perhaps you may find a route to becoming a fashion designer. Get started if you are serious about your career aspirations in fashion.

Filed Under: Designers Tagged With: , ,

Fashion Trends for Children 2011

Though it might not be surprising to those in the know, many of the fashion trends that are hot for adults also tend to trickle down to children’s fashion. Of course, in most cases, it is seen a little differently in children’s clothes than in adults, but the same influences are there.

This year is not different than others in this respect. Bright colors are the go to for this spring, whether you are a man or woman, adult or child. Bright on bright is all the rage for children’s fashions. For example, finding a bright orange shirt with bright blue accenting is going to be a popular option this year. Along with this, the 70′s trend that is permeating the adult fashions is also hot for kids. Peasant shirts and fun designs are in this spring, and when you add the bright colors to this as well, you are sure to show that you are in the fashion know how.

The “prep” look is still in for boys, with a bit of a twist. Again, the brighter colors are making a show. Adding in a little bit of casual is important with this look. In the past, the prep look has been almost uptight in its showing, but this year, it gets a more laid back revision. With brighter colors it is a more fun look for many kids. This is something that the fashion designers have seen as a way to try to get the kids more into the look than in the past.

Making sure that your kids are in style is important for many parents. Many times this is simply as easy as watching the fashion trends for adults. Looking at the children’s fashions this year, this is more obvious than in the past. You can’t go wrong with bright colors and 70′s styles this year, both for kids and adults.

Filed Under: Designers, Fashion Tagged With: , ,

Long Hair Fashion Trends

When talking about fashion, one thing that you must also remember is that the hair trends can change drastically each year, or even each season. Hair fashion is something that some people overlook, but those who consider themselves fashionistas should never pass by. For long hair, there are three major trends coming forward this year.

The Double Hair Knot

The double hair knot has been popular off and on for many years. This hair trend is a great way to put your hair back, simply, and still look great. Many people find it to be almost as easy as just putting your hair in a pony tail, but it has an elegance that is far beyond this. This is a style that can be worn around the house, at the office, or even out on the town for a formal event.

Bird’s Nest Bun

Seen on the catwalk through this years fashion shows already, the bird’s nest bun is a hair trend that many may find fun and funky. For many, the bird’s nest may call back to an era of housewives and tall hair. Adding a little bit of texture to your top knot or bun is a great way to pull off a classic, but fun look.

Braided Top Knot

The braided top knot is a great way to change up your normal bun. This sits higher up on the head, and since it is braided, it has a much different look. The braided top knot works well with elegant looks and evening wear, as well as office wear.

Updos are very popular this year. Those with long hair who follow the fashion trends will want to master these and other updos. Since they work well at home, on the town, or anything in between, you can’t go wrong with a new twist to a classic up do.

Filed Under: Designers, Trends Tagged With: , ,

Motorcycle Chic is In!

When you think of bikers, you may not necessarily think of fashion. That is all about to change, as one of the big fashion trend for 2011 is biker chic. Burberry unveiled their biker chic fashion this year during fashion week in New York City. Though many say that it is just a spin off of the military look that has been popular recently, others feel that it is a fully new trend that will explode this year.

There are a few essentials to the biker chic fashion trend. First and foremost is the motorcycle jacket. The designers that are picking up this trend are coming up with new takes on the traditional motorcycle jacket. First, it doesn’t have to be plain black, as in the past. There are many motorcycle fashion jackets that come in a variety of colors. The style may vary a little bit, as well. Traditionally speaking, a motorcycle jacket is black leather with a variety of buckles and zippers. Some of these may be left off for a fashion motorcycle jacket.

Leather motocycle pants are also a must have for this fashion trend. Some designers have veered off, and instead of leather pants, they have paired leather skirts with the motorcycle jackets to add a more sophisticated look to the motorcycle chic look.

Along with the jacket and pants, motorcycle boots are a must have. As with the other aspects of this look, it has been altered a little in many cases. In fact, there are even stiletto heels that give the impression of motorcycle boots, while other designers have stayed more traditional with leather boots and lots of buckles.

Following the fashion trends this year is going to be a fun experiment for many people. The fashions are fun and crazy, and in some cases, full of leather. The thought is, you can’t go wrong with black leather!

Filed Under: Accessories, Trends Tagged With: , ,

Spring 2011 Hearkens to an Age Gone by

As winter slowly comes to a close, many people are looking toward spring. Not only does spring invoke warmer weather, it also means that new fashions are coming out. Anyone who has any interest in fashion in the United States has been watching New York in February, as with every year. Fashion week is something that all designers, models, and anyone interested in the new fashions look forward to with glee.

This year, many people may be surprised with the fashions that have come down the runway. Harkening to eras gone by, the spring fashions for 2011 are very reminiscent of the 1970′s, as well as the 60′s and even a few things from the 1950′s fashions.

The bohemian look from the 1970′s is in this spring. With bead necklaces layered over vests, jumpsuits and hot pants, and straight hair, many people are taking these trends and applying them today. The housewife look from the 1960′s is back in, as well. Even for those that don’t consider themselves housewives can pull off this look with the styles of Louis Vuitton and Prada. Long, gathered skirts, known as the granny skirt, paired with a cardigan is a fun way to hearken back to the 1960′s.

When you think of days gone by, and admire the fashions of those time periods, don’t dispair. They are in style again, and there are options to pull these looks off. Wether you hit up a vintage shop, pull out the clothes in the attic, or decide to buy new designer option, you will find that pulling off the hot looks of Spring 2011 can be fun and easy. Even though the styles may be old fashioned, you don’t have to feel out of place in these great styles for spring.

Filed Under: Designers, Trends Tagged With: , , , ,

Fashion Models Over 35 — She’s Got the Look

In the fashion industry being over the age of 35 usually means you are retired. However, there is a relatively new reality television show featuring women over the age of 35 who are competing to become the next supermodel 35 or older. This show’s title is She’s Got the Look, and originally aired in 2008 on TV Land network. This show has already run three successful seasons and is scheduled to run a fourth season in 2011.

Throughout the season celebrity judges narrow down the cast from an original 20 until they find the one with just the right look. After the initial interviews of the 20 semi-finalists, which included displaying the contestant’s fashion knowledge and presenting oneself well, the cast is narrowed down to a final ten contestants.

Once the final ten contestants are chosen they then live in a loft together and compete in challenges. These challenges include tests of their fashion sense, photo shoots, and runway competitions. Contestants are then eliminated as time goes on. The final episode leaves two contestants remaining. In the end, one woman is the winner and goes on to become the next supermodel 35 or older.

Some of the past winners have included average women from average lives. The things that set them apart are their beauty and confidence. The first winner in 2008 was 45-year-old married mother of five from Orange County, California. During the second season the winner was 39-year-old Cindy Cohen. Cindy lives in Calabasas, California. With her son heading off to college she decided to give modeling a try and auditioned for the show, and the rest is history! The 2010 third season winner was a 38-year-old bus mechanic and married mother of two from Los Angeles, Marlin Archie.

The winners earn a modeling contract, $100,000, and a photo spread in Self magazine. The goal of this show is to prove that women over 35 are still confident, beautiful, and definitely model material!

Filed Under: Fashion, International Fashions Tagged With: , ,

Fashion in Reality TV — Project Runway

The popular reality television show, Project Runway, just completed its eighth season. This American fashion reality show features 12 or more designers who have to create one or more pieces of clothing that are presented at a final runway show. The designers are presented with many different challenges throughout the run of the show and are eliminated leaving only three designers for the final challenge.

Some of the challenges designers on the show have faced through the seasons have included making designs using non-traditional items. Some of these have included recycled materials, apartment furnishings, grocery store items, edible food items, the clothing that they are currently wearing, plants and flowers, using materials from a party store. They have also been challenged to design for famous people or design a corporate fashion line. Another challenge that designers have faced was to design clothing around a theme such as “cocktail party,” “wedding gown,” “female wrestling outfit,” or “prom dress.”

During these challenges the designers are given a budget which they are to use to choose materials and accessories. They are then given a time limit in which they must complete their designs. Most of the time the designers work alone; although, some challenges require them to work in teams or work as a group. After the deadline is reached the designers have to choose their model’s hair, makeup and accessories and dress them in their design. The models then walk down the runway and the outfits are judged by a panel of judges. At this point the loser of each challenge is then eliminated from the show.

In the end the winner of the final challenge is chosen by the judges and is given $100,000 to start their own design line, are featured in Elle magazine, and have won other prizes throughout the many seasons as well. Winners are also given a chance to sell their designs on bluefly.com.

Filed Under: Designers, Trends Tagged With: , , , ,

TV Fashion Shows Teach the Clueless

With the amazing increase in television shows due to cable and satellite, TV fashion shows are in abundance. For those who live in isolated areas, these TV fashion shows help the clueless get the guidance they need to look great.

One of the most fun TV fashion shows to hit the airwaves was “What Not to Wear.” People could nominate their friends to be on the show. It had to be a friend who was a fashion disaster. If they were chosen, the show’s team of fashion experts would take on a new client and show them the how to dress, wear their hair and do their make-up. It was often a battle of wills as the contestants tried to keep some of their old styles. However, the fashion team was expert at blending some of the old with the new to start to change the contestant’s personal vision. Ultimately, their self esteem was boosted as they saw themselves transform into a fashionable, attractive individual.

The changes were rarely extreme. The TV fashion show team knew they had to make the changes pretty subtle to get the contestant to agree to them. In some cases, the make-over had to be radical, but those were rare. Always, the friends who contacted the show were wowed and very complementary to their friend’s new look.

Other TV fashion shows that started the programming rage are “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” and “Say Yes to the Dress.” Since these shows took off, TV fashion shows are on just about every channel. Even entertainment shows make sure they have a fashion segment. This makes sense because it’s the stars that everyone wants to look like.

Stars may set the trends, but it’s the shows that feature everyday people that viewers really seem to enjoy watching the most.

Filed Under: International Fashions, US Fashions Tagged With: , , ,
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