Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of "Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows women how to transform their unruly closets into workable, wearable wardrobes. You can learn more at http://www.wardrobemagic.com The Clothing Chronicles  December 22, 2005 #209 FashionForRealWomen.com ================================================ In This Issue: Message From Diana Feature Article: The 5 Worst Fashion Looks of 2005 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >> MESSAGE FROM DIANA Happy Holidays! Since a lot of people will be off for the holidays next week (including me!), this will be the last issue of The Clothing Chronicles for 2005. Thanks again to everyone who has written in the last few weeks to say how much they're enjoying the ezine and what a difference it has made to their closets, their clothing budgets, and their self-confidence. You're welcome! If my words echoed in your head and prevented you from making even one impulse buy this year, then it was worth my time and effort to write them. I may not be able to reach the millions of wardrobe-challenged souls walking around these days, but if I can touch a few and make them think twice about their clothing choices, I'll take it. So what should you do with your week off once the presents are open and the kids are bored? Arrange a few sleepovers with their friends, and then clean out your closet and get ready for 2006! If you live in the Unites States and donate your unwanted items to a charitable organization before December 31st, you can write that donation off on your 2005 return. Here's how: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/Edit/News/stories/news_20000107a.asp So what's on tap for today's article? A look at the WORST fashion blunders of the year. Enjoy! Diana diana@fashionforrealwomen.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Makeup Secrets Revealed Want color of foundation should you wear? What's the best haircut for your face shape? How can you make pimples look virtually invisible? These are just SOME of the answers you'll find in MAKEUP SECRETS REVEALED, a detailed, no-holds-barred look at makeup, skin care, and beauty routines. See for yourself why this book is so popular, http://www.dianaprefers.com/books/makeupsecrets.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >> FEATURE ARTICLE The 5 Worst Fashion Looks of 2005 What were the worst fashion looks of the year? In the growing tidal wave of sloppy casual wear devotees, where laziness and impropriety are reaching unparalleled levels, it's hard to narrow it down to just five. But here are the worst offenses of the year, in my opinion: 1. Pajamas As Daywear The first time I saw some college students strolling to class in their pajamas and slippers, I thought they must be heading for a "pajama day" event like my kids sometimes have at their preschool. When I kept seeing this look again and again and then read an article that some high schools were trying to ban their students from wearing pajamas to school, I knew we had a problem. Those who follow this trend think they're fashionable and "in the know." What they don't realize is that to those who don't follow trends - like their teachers, guidance counselors, and potential employers -- they're walking around shouting "I'M LAZY" with their apparel. Just the look you want to get ahead. NOT!   OldNavy.com 2. Flip-flops with Everything Once upon a time, flip flops were a summer staple that people wore with their shorts or swimsuits. These days, they're worn all year long with everything from jeans to eveningwear. I've seen them worn in the snow, at the ballet, even to job interviews. HEL-LO. Sometimes, flip flops are actually inappropriate. Like all the places I just mentioned, for example. 3. The "Skin" Belt The crop top/low rise waistband trend looks really cute on toned high school and college-aged girls. On just about everyone else, it looks ridiculous. Obscene, even. Remember, sometimes it's what you DON'T show that's important - like stretch marks, a flabby midsection, or lots and lots of cellulite. Whatever happened to mystery? Amazon.com 4. Sweats + Designer Bag Remember when sweats were something you wore to the gym? Now, like flip flops, they've found their way to just about everywhere. Sometimes, the look is chic, like when a gal pairs her well-fitting designer sweats with her designer handbag. Sometimes, the look is cheap, like when a gal pairs her ill-fitting discount sweats with her designer handbag. Remember: while it's true that well-chosen accessories can upgrade inexpensive apparel, it's also true that poorly-chosen apparel can downgrade expensive accessories. Choose wisely.   Juicy Couture at Amazon.com 5. Paris Hilton Look-Alikes One Paris Hilton is too much most days. But when I started noticing a slew of clones popping up around me on the streets this year, I groaned to realize just how desperate some people really are for a little attention. Not only is Paris one of the worst role models EVER for young women (do a s*x tape, get famous), her hedonistic behavior is a perfect example of that old adage, "Money doesn't buy class." I know several people who have stopped staying at or working at Hilton hotels because of her antics, and I sometimes wonder what her great-grandfather, Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotel chain and a generous philanthropist, would think of her. Of course, since he himself was once married to and has a child with Zsa Zsa Gabor, it's hard to say -- So those are my top picks of the year. Yours may be different, depending on whom you know or with whom you interact. But for many, it boils down to one thing: the casual trend has gone too far. Sloppy clothing has lead to sloppy behavior and a complete lack of knowledge of basic wardrobe tenets. Let's see how we can counteract that in 2006. Until then, Happy Holidays! ********** Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of "Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows women how to transform their unruly closets into workable, wearable wardrobes. You can learn more at http://www.wardrobemagic.com ------------------------ Published by: Top Drawer Publications, LLC 256 S. College Ave. Newark, DE 19711 USA Copyright © 2005 by Diana Pemberton-Sikes All rights reserved. Want to get your wardrobe together in a flash? Try our best-selling ebook,  Wardrobe Magic Archives index   Terms of Use | Privacy Policy © 2005 Top Drawer Publications, LLC All rights reserved. 256 S. College Avenue • Newark, DE 19711 Phone/Fax 302-266-0156 • Email: sales@topdrawerpublications.com