Saturday, September 10, 2016

Another look at eight fashions that hurt someones health.

"   When we get dressed in the morning, our main focus tends to be on what makes us look good. However, we may need to start thinking about how our style affects our bodies, as there are certain fashion choices that can hurt our health. Many of us enjoy picking out cool outfits, but for those of us concerned with the long term effects of what we wear, that awesome look probably isn't worth it, especially when there are less harmful options out there that can still have us looking fabulous.
"It's great to be fashionable, but not when it risks your health," dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From A Top New York Dermatologist," tells me over email. But it's not uncommon for women to dress in outfits that are uncomfortable in order to look good — we've all heard the saying "Beauty Is Pain," but it turns out this pain can have some long term effects that most of us likely don't want.
No one's saying you need to wear sweatpants and baggy T-shirts every single day, but knowing what fashion statements have long-term effects can help you make more healthy choices and help you cut down on how frequently you wear these items. Wearing high heels once won't kill you, but wearing them daily might leave you with some serious foot damage.
If you think your outfits might be causing some issues with your well being, consider these eight fashion choices that could be hurting your health.

1. Skinny Jeans



Wearing tight pants may look cute, but they can also cause abdominal discomfort and swelling. One incident studied in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry involved a woman who experienced nerve damage severe enough to cause numbness after a day of wearing skinny jeans. "Tight pants can also cause yeast infections," says Jaliman. Good thing boyfriend jeans are still in style.


2. High Heels



When you think of painful accessories, high heels may be the first on your list, and that discomfort is a sign that you're doing damage to your ankles. A study from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte found that long term wear of high heels leads to instability and weakening of the ankle muscles, and over time, this ligament and nerve damage in the ankle leads to complications in the legs and back.

3. Corsets



Waist training is trendy these days, but is it really worth it? Wearing a corset for too long can weaken abdominal muscles, cause issues with breathing, and even create acid reflux, according to Health Magazine. There's also no evidence that these corsets can shrink your waist, so you're better off going without them.

4. Heavy Dangly Earrings



Heavy, dangly earrings can cause damage to the earlobes. Not only can they be easily caught or tugged on, but the weight of the earring can stretch the earlobe and thin it out, according to the Huffington Post. "Cheap metal earrings can also cause allergic reactions from the nickel," says Jaliman.

5. Flats



You might think wearing flats is a better option than wearing heels, but they can be just as bad for your feet. "Ballet flats are no better than high heels, as they offer no cushioning or support, which can lead to heel pain," says Jaliman. Take advantage of the athleisure trend as an opportunity to wear some supportive sneakers on the daily.

6. Thong Underwear



It's hard to imagine that underwear could be dangerous, but according to Medical Daily, people who are predisposed to vaginal infections have an increased susceptibility to infections when wearing a thong. These types of underwear typically aren't made of cotton, so when they rub up on your skin in the areas between your backside and your front side, it's causing tiny tears, inviting bacteria into the skin.
PROSPER WHILE LEARNING A SECOND INCOME

7. Heavy Bags



Large, heavy bags are convenient if you've got a lot to carry around — and they can be super stylish — but they aren't the best for your posture. "The increased weight to one side of the body can wreak havoc, causing muscle imbalances, pain, and loss of balance," Dr. Scott Schreiber tells me over email.

8. High-Waisted Pants



"High waisted pants are known for putting pressure on the abdomen, causing heartburn," says Schreiber. "They will also cause you to breathe irregular, weakening your core muscles."
Experimenting with different outfits can be fun, but just make sure you're looking out for your own health, and try to make choices that not only make you look good, but feel good as well."

Monday, September 5, 2016

What does a man's clothing say about him?

1.  Follow "fashion" less and personal style more. Style is what makes you an individual and it's WHO you are that makes you attractive to other people. Following "fashion" simply makes you one of the herd and one-dimensional. It doesn't matter if your style is boho, conservative, clean cut, or way, way casual. Whatever it is, own it and know yourself.

2.  Remember that your style is what you are actively saying to other people. How you present yourself to others matters, no matter how many times you hear "it's what's on the inside that counts." That may be true (I certainly believe so), but who you are on the outside also gets a say, especially to people you aren't familiar with.

3.  Dress appropriately for the occasion. No jeans at a wedding and no shorts in the middle of winter. And please, no black socks at the beach (European guys: index and middle fingers pointed at my eyes, now pointed at you).

4.  On the subject of socks, most guys have WAY too many pairs of white tube socks. You need 2 pair. Get rid of the rest and invest in some black, brown, beige, and, if you can rock it, red socks. Never wear white socks with sandals/flip flops unless you are in a traditional Japanese kimono.

5.  White jeans can be worn, but not with white shoes, not on a cold day, not on a rainy day, and not with colored underwear. And for the sake of baby Jesus, never go commando with white jeans/pants.

6.  Matching is a basic element of style. Sophisticated men know when to match and when not to. Every man should know that matching everything makes you look like a pimp. In general, belts should match shoes and ties should match pocketsquares. However, rules are made to be broken - just do so consciously. Stripes on stripes is only for experts, and even then I'm not 100% sold. To see men who are breaking such rules, with varying levels of success, check out the book "Gentlemen of Bacongo":
http://www.trolleybooks.com/book...

The Yellow Man of North Beach gets a pass.


7.  It's better to make sure the clothes you buy fit first, before you buy them. Alterations are expensive, so avoid them if you can. All suit jackets and pants must be altered. For jackets, cuffs should end at the wrist, not below it. Ask your tailor to bring in the sides of the jacket so that there is a V shape to your torso. Pant hems or cuffs should end anywhere between the middle of the back of the shoe to the top -- not higher or lower. Please, either roll up those jeans or have them hemmed. The torn and ragged hem you've created by walking around town with the back of your jeans below your shoe makes you look like you still live at home.

8.  Less is more.

9.  Accessorize. Most guys fail at properly accesorizing, but often accessories define a man of sophistication. Cuff links, a milan straw hat, ties, a tasteful ring (or a wedding band), a nice watch, a nice pair of glasses all add a nice touch to whatever you're wearing. Bling is good. However, refer to number 8. And on the subject of hats: hats often signal to other people that the wearer is ashamed of his thinning hair. Wear a hat if it's cold and misty or if you are out in the sun (or if you're at a baseball game - Go Giants!!) But don't wear a hat if your intention is to fool someone. They are not fooled. Unless they are completely shallow, if they are being nice to you it's because they don't care what's under the hat. So take it off.

10.  Shoes matter. Big time. For what a nice pair of shoes look like, Google "Allen Edmonds." Square toes will make you look shorter, rounded toes will make you look the size you are or taller.  

11.  By all means, flaunt whatever sex appeal you have. Don't be afraid to unbutton that top button or wear shirts that actually fit your body (most men's dress shirts are way too baggy). Just remember, it's a fine line between a little sex appeal and a lot of "Chester the Molester."

12.  Although rule number 8 is golden, layering can add sophistication and individuality to an outfit. Layering clothes says to others that not only are you creative, but you are warm. Cold guys are putzes.

13.  Guys -- a touchy subject: hair. The subject is unavoidable. Yes, it matters.  It matters even to men who are losing their hair. My feeling is that it's not how much hair you have, but what you do with it and if it looks right on you. A lot of guys are bypassing a little hair loss with the Mr. Clean look. Okay, that's cool. But balding men with clean and neatly cut hair can also look mature, which is how a man should look. Unless it's an essential part of your overall style, an adult male should not be walking around with a faux-hawk, nor should a balding man grow out the sides so that he looks like Riff-Raff from Rocky Horror Picture Show.  

Beware of the product!! Product is meant to hold, not to be seen. The exception to this is the sculpted Don Draper/Mad Men look. In that case, invest in a good pomade that washes out easily and use a strong hair spray sparingly to keep it all in place. The other exception is if you are currently one of the cast members of Jersey Shore, and you are getting paid to look like a douche. Otherwise, don't get pwned by hair gel gone wild.

Take care of your hair. Unless you are using a lot of product, you don't need to wash it every day, especially if all you ever do is sit at a desk. Even if you work out, a good rinse with warm water is sufficient. Your hair stays healthy and soft when the protective oils coat the hair strands. Excessive washing strips your hair and skin of your natural oils -- especially considering most shampoos are made of heavy-duty detergents.

14.  You don't have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks. A pair of polished black shoes, basic blue jeans, a basic, white, button down dress shirt rolled up slightly at the sleeves and a subdued wristwatch is plenty. "Fast Fashion" stores like H&M, Old Navy, Zara, and Gap are great for some things, but they are often cheap because of the quality of the materials and the clothes are made for current trends, rather than longevity. A decent dress shirt will cost you anywhere between $85 (Macys) - $200 (Thomas Pink). But only suckers pay full retail, right? So, know what you want/need and keep your eyes open for sales. Better yet: Nordstrom's Rack.

15.  Relax. No matter how well you're put together, an angry or uptight man is never an attractive man. Confidence is not being overly assertive, but rather kindness to and respect for others are the true signs of a confident man. Your clothes may look like a million bucks, but your attitude may be saying "trailer fabulous."

16.  Finally, dress nice because you want to. Yes, it's important to have a dignified presence to others, but in the end it's your life. Clothes won't change what you are, but they can help communicate who you are and how you wish to be perceived."

A woman's style of dress may include these!

My five essentials:

1. A white t-shirt. There's still nothing I feel sexier or more comfortable in than a plain, white t-shirt. It was that way when I was 16 and it still that way now at 30. I like the t-shirts from Everlane.

2. A black leather jacket. A good black leather jacket is a staple that will never go out of style, and adds an instant dash of cool and toughness to whatever you're wearing underneath. 

3. A good pair of jeans. I've been faithful to J. Brand jeans for five years now; I love their cuts and washes. I like when they produce their jeans in stiffer fabrics. The fabrics forcefully suck your thighs in. What woman doesn't like that?

4. A good, structured black bag. My current bag for the last three years has mainly been a Rebecca Minkoff "Morning After", and it's holding up reasonably well. Classic enough for every day, with enough detail in the gold hardware accents to add interest.

5. Leather leggings. I never thought I would like leather leggings, but I broke down and bought a pair recently and now wear them constantly (three times a week). They add more interest to my daily look than plain leggings, are warm enough for winter, and the black keeps them classic looking enough to pair with pretty much anything; a silky button-down, a boxy sweater, a t-shirt, you name it. 

My ideal outfit is a blazer (sometimes a leather blazer, sometimes a wool blend), a silky blouse (or sweater now that it's winter), well-tailored jeans or leggings, and ankle boots with a walkable heel, 2.5" or under. This pretty much the uniform of 90% of the women in New York City. 

I love fashion and enjoy trends, but I am NOT willing to suffer for fashion like I was at 18. If it isn't comfortable, I won't wear it; I don't care how trendy/sexy/chic it is. 

I'm also currently in the midst of a career transition and am now interning in the fashion industry. So, looking chic is pretty much a work requirement. 

It's tiresome sometimes to always wonder if your outfit is 'cool' enough, but at the same time, I know if I was left to my own devices I'd be in sweat pants every day. So, it's probably good that I'm working in an industry where I'm required to look at least somewhat presentable."