The Dresses...

Casual or Dressy ?? Casual means attire that is comfortable, not contrived, a look that does not say “Dressed Up”. It does not mean sloppy, nonchalant or unattractive. You can be casual in a good pair of trousers, a silk blouse, and a leather jacket or in a cotton dress with sandles and a straw hat.

Simplicity is as much a sign of a well dressed woman as appropriateness. It even has an added value: it spells elegance. But looking elegant is not the only advantage of simplicity, especially in a dress. There are several extremely practical reasons too:

1: The look of a simple dress can be easily changed with accessories
2: You will not get bored with a simple style as quickly as you will with an unusual one.
3: A simple dress is versatile, for it can be worn on many different types of occasions.

Different Styles of a Dress:

1: The Shirt Waist Dress:
Also called shirt-dress, shirtwaist dress, shirt waister. A dress with a bodice and a front opening tailored like those of a dress shirt. A shirtwaist dress is meant to mimic the lines and design of men's shirts, with a crisp collar and a button down front. The sleeves may be long or short, and the dress itself tends to be at least knee length, if not longer. The dresses can be very practical and subdued, or they may be more ornamental, and a range of materials and sewing styles are used for an assortment of desired looks, from matronly and professional to more sultry.

2: The Long Waisted Dress:
It was originally described as "Girls Long-Waisted Dress, with body and sleeve in one; with or without the bertha or upper skirt; equally desirable for flouncings, bordered materials and other fabrics. Suggested fabrics: Silk flat crepe, velveteen, serge, wool, and flannel. The colors were blue, tan, brown, black, bisque tan, French blue, navy blue and mahogany.

3: The Wraparound Dress:
Our new Fair Trade Wraparound Dresses are flying out, they are very versatile they look really good over a pair of trousers or equally good over a swimsuit or bikini when you are on your holidays.

4: The Chemise:

Paired with slinky skirts as evening tops and tailored with woven fabrics, silky slips or satin camisoles were worn under suits. Elegant short slips and embroidered long camisoles were all in abundance. The camisole-also referred to as the chemise, tanks, vests or cami-top is still a popular and sexy lingerie item today. Together with slips and half-slips it remains an essential part of any woman's wardrobe. Essentially the camisole is a sleeveless and sheer undergarment, also worn as an alternative to a blouse. The cami-top on the other hand is a look-alike shape wear piece that gives a seamless and toned look to tight fitting outer garments. The Slip, by contrast is a full-length undergarment for dresses that is suspended from the shoulders by straps and often worn under sheer dresses to reduce transparency.

5: The T- Shirt Dress:
A T-Shirt dress is the ultimate in cool; wear over woollen tights with platform ankle boots and a heavy belt slung around the waist for shape. The extra long length and slightly fitted waist complements most figures and is an extra suitable for Mums with post baby tummies!

6: The Empire Style:
Perfect for skinny minnies and voluptuous girls alike, the empire waist dress is universally flattering. It adds curves to the right places, while disguising the wrong. The feminine prom dress features a waistline that hits between the upper-waist to just below the bust, creating a long, lean figure. Glamazons can emphasize the sleek shape and plunging neckline with a sleek color and tip-toe heels, while girlie girls can play up the flowy prom dress with ruffles and bows.

7: The Sun Dress:
We love the dresses of summer. Endless designs offered in lightweight fabrics that are colorful, fun, flirty and sexy. So easy to slip into and so comfortable, they're an effortless way to look fabulous. It's time to enjoy the warm breezes of summer in these skin baring designs.You can't think of anything you can't do in these dresses, from casual summer barbecues to attending the wedding of the season.

8: Cocktail Dress:
A short knee length dress shape of the 1920s, lightweight wool, satin, silk and velvet fabrics are usual and often cut to reveal the shoulders and arms. The length of cocktail dresses varies depending on fashion and local custom. The length ranges from just above the knee to touching the ankle. When it is about 5 cm (2 inches) above the ankle it is called tea length and when it is almost touching the ankle it is called ballerina length, although ballerina length dresses usually fall into the evening gown category.

At semi-formal occasions, less elaborate, shorter-length cocktail dresses may be worn, when gentlemen are in dark suits. Prior to the mid 20th century this type of dress was known as 'late afternoon'. When gentlemen are in business suits, ladies also wear dress suits or "good" afternoon skirt and dresses.

By the 1980s a dress was considered to be cocktail less by where the hem fell, but more by the level of sumptuousness the garment attained.

9: The Little Black Dress:
A little black dress is an evening or cocktail dress, cut simply and often with a short skirt, originally made popular in the 1920s by the fashion designer Coco Chanel. Intended by Chanel to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, and accessible to the widest market possible and in a neutral color. Its continued ubiquity is such that many refer to it by its abbreviation, LBD.

The "little black dress" is considered essential to a complete wardrobe by many women and fashion observers, who believe it a "rule of fashion" that every woman should own a simple, elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion: for example, worn with a jacket and pumps for daytime business wear or with more ornate jewellery and accessories for evening. Because it is meant to be a staple of the wardrobe for a number of years, the style of the little black dress ideally should be as simple as possible: a short black dress that is too clearly part of a trend would not qualify because it would soon appear dated.