Sunday 13 April 2003

10 Ways Fashion Affects Your Health


From skyscraper heels to skin tight jeans, many of us repeatedly choose style over comfort. However, this could be bad news for your health. Here are the top 10 items of clothing which can put your health at risk.
Fashion health hazard 1: Skinny jeans
Skinny jeans may be fashionable, but wearing skin-tight denim and other close-fitting trousers can have health repercussions for both women and men. For men, wearing tight trousers can cause overheating of the testes, lowering sperm count and causing fertility problems. For women, wearing skinny jeans can increase your chances of developing thrush. Furthermore, squeezing into skin-tight trousers can cause nerve compression, leading to tingling or numb thighs.
Fashion health hazard 2: High heels
Once reserved for special occasions, women are now increasingly opting to wear heels on a daily basis, which could lead to a whole host of health problems. Regularly wearing high heels can cause poor posture, put pressure on your joints, and lead to a range of conditions including arthritis, hammer toes, back pain and tendon injuries – and that’s before you take into account any heel-related accidents! Minimise damage by limiting your heels to 1.5 inches for daily wear and wearing insoles to help reduce the pressure on joints. Swapping to wedges will also give you more support.
Fashion health hazard 3: Flip-flops
While they may look more comfortable – and less dangerous – than high heels, flip-flops can also generate their fair share of health problems. In fact, in Britain the NHS reportedly spends £40 million a year treating injuries caused by wearing flip-flops. As wearing flip-flops offers no arch support or heel cushioning and forces you to adapt how you walk, the casual footwear can lead to joint pain, shin splints and orthopaedic problems. As with heels, flip-flops have their place, but they are better reserved for the beach and replaced with more supportive shoes for everyday wear.
Fashion health hazard 4: Sexy underwear
Ladies, we all like to look our best in our underwear, but donning synthetic fabrics and thongs could leave you feeling far from sexy. Not only can rough materials cause chafing and infections to delicate skin, but wearing synthetic materials can encourage yeast organisms to multiply, increasing risk of thrush. Furthermore, wearing thongs can easily contribute to the spread of bacteria, leading to urinary tract infections. To help prevent any nasty itches, swap skimpy, synthetic underwear for pretty cotton briefs for daily wear.
Fashion health hazard 5: Y-fronts
Guys, you may not have lacy underwear or thongs to contend with, but your underwear could still be causing you problems. Just as with tight trousers, wearing tight-fitting Y-fronts can cause overheating and lead to reduced sperm production and fertility for up to 11 weeks. While these effects are temporary, if you are trying for a baby it is important to keep things cool by swapping tight briefs for boxer shorts at all times.
Fashion health hazard 6: Piercings
According to survey results published in the British Medical Journal, 25 per cent of body piercings lead to complications including swelling, bleeding and infection. Furthermore, even if you avoid infection, jewellery can lead to rashes and itching for those with nickel allergies, while dangly earrings can damage the ear tissue as it is stretched and pulled down by their weight. To accessorize your look without putting your health at risk, always go to a reputable piercer for new piercings, opt for hypoallergenic jewellery where possible and reserve heavy earrings for special occasions.
Fashion health hazard 7: Slimming underwear
Slimming underwear (or control pants) are a big seller, endorsed by many a celeb and loved by ladies everywhere. However, while they may pull in all your lumps and bumps and help you look streamlined and leaner in your favourite dress, Bridget Jones style tummy-control underwear could also affect your health. Similar to a corset, control underwear puts increased pressure on the stomach, often leading to heartburn, breathing problems and digestive problems. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome can also be worsened by such restrictive underwear.
Fashion health hazard 8: Handbags
With the rising number of gadgets and accessories many women haul around, you could be carrying around several pounds of weight on your shoulders every day. While you may not feel the effects of this right now, lugging around a heavy handbag can eventually lead to serious back problems and neck pain as well as poor posture. Don’t wait until the damage is done – do your health a favour and try clearing out all non-essential items and switching to a smaller bag.
Fashion health hazard 9: Tight shirt collars and ties
If you often suffer from headaches, tingly ears or blurred vision at work, it may be that your shirt and tie are to blame. Wearing tight shirt collars and ties can reduce blood flow to the brain and increase intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye), causing these symptoms. The restrictive items of clothing can also limit neck movement and lead to muscle tension in the back and shoulders. To reduce these symptoms, make sure you buy shirts with the correct collar size and loosen your tie. Also, wash your ties regularly to avoid bacterial infection.
Fashion health hazard 10: Bras
While we are not suggesting you need to ditch your bra entirely, it’s important to make sure that, if you are wearing one, you are wearing one that fits. It is thought that more than 70 per cent of women are wearing the wrong bra size, and this can lead to a range of health problems including back, neck and breast pain, breathing difficulties, poor posture, skin irritation, circulation problems and even irritable bowel syndrome. Breast size can change over time so, rather than guessing your size, make sure you get measured to ensure you are getting the support you need.
Visit the realbuzz for more lifestyle tips.

Saturday 12 April 2003

Steal Her Look: Beyoncé’s Caviar Kaspia DSquared2 Red Smoking Blazer

Beyoncé and Jay-Z were spotted at Caviar Kaspia in Paris, grabbing some dinner. B looked quite rocker chic in a slew of high-fashion pieces including an $868 DSquared2 Red Smoking Blazer, $895 J Brand Super Skinny Leather Leggings, a $525 Alexander McQueen De-Manta Tiger Print Clutch, and $1,290 Tom Ford Black Leather Wedges.

Her red single-breasted blazer features a black notched lapel collar and trim, vertical darts at the front, padded shoulders, and faux pockets.
Her lambskin leather leggings boast a super skinny silhouette.
Her fold-detailed, hexagonal-shaped clutch features an exotic tiger print, a two-way zip top, snap-over front corners, and an arced bottom.
Last, but not least are her leather wedges which boast chain ankle straps and measure at 5″ high.

Get Beyoncé’s full look here.

Work B! She’s definitely back in a groove and I’m digging her looks of late.
What do you think?

Shoe Lust: Del Toro Fall 2012 Loafers, Oxfords, and Sneakers



I’m a woman who loves her heels and platforms, but every now and then a pair of fun flats or sneakers is necessary. Let’s face it: walking the mean, crowded, and not always level streets of New York City in 5″ stilts is not an everyday possibility unless you’re lucky enough to have a driver. Del Toro has come to the rescue for all of us in need of relief with their Fall 2012 collection full of their signature velvet loafers in fun prints, as well as menswear-inspired wingtips and oxfords and even on-trend high-top sneakers.




Autumn is all about texture and the brand gives us all of the season’s classics in standout ways including a bright tweed, cheetah print pony hair, and metallic lizard.




Dare to wear camo? Del Toro offers a loafer and a high-top sneaker for anyone who loves the military-inspired print. The former isn’t my cup of tea, but I would definitely rock the latter with a pair of cut-offs and a tee to let them shine.


The Prince Albert Neon Slipper Loafers and Red Orange Alto Chukkas are two of my favorite styles from the collection. You can get your dose of brights with both and they really are perfect for year-round wear.


Styles in the collection are a splurge, retailing for $325 – $950. If you decide to make a purchase,
Visit www.modaoperandi.com to pick out your favorite pair now.
What do you think?

Check Out Naomi Campbell's Full Spread For Antidote Magazine

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Supermodel Naomi Campbell is angelic in white for a spread in the Spring/Summer ’12 issue of Antidote magazine shot by Jan Welters with styling by Yann Weber.

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Antidote Naomi Campbell 03 Antidote Magazine | Naomi Campbell
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Hair: Daniel Dyer
Make-up: Alex Babsky

Casting: Sibylle de Saint Phalle

Thursday 10 April 2003

Who Wore it Best? Monica vs. Alicia Keys vs. Mel B in A Colorblock Dress

Mel B was spied headed to “X Factor” auditions in Manchester, England earlier today sporting the same $795 Stella McCartney black and white colorblock Evening 2012 dress worn by Alicia Keys and Monica.





While all three ladies opted for black heels, with Mel in Versace, Alicia in Stella McCartney, and Monica in Giuseppe Zanotti, Monica was the only celeb to break up the monotone white and black with a bright green Birkin bag.
The two-tone dress features a form-fitting, knee-length silhouette, and sleeves that measure right above the elbow.

Alicia won the last Who Wore it Better in a landslide, I love how Monica added a bit of color with her bag. And as for Mel B, those shoes seems way to chunky for such a sleek look. What do you think?

*Can’t decide? Get the dress, plus versions of each of their heels here:
Images: Zimbio

Fashion Critics’ 2012 CFDA Fashion Awards Round Up


Credit: Getty

Bag Lust: Salvatore Ferragamo Resort 2013



The Resort 2013 collections are here and though seasons ahead, they align perfectly with the warm weather we are currently experiencing. Salvatore Ferragamo is a brand known for luxury and elegance and its bags for Resort are right in line with the fashion house’s aesthetic, given a fresh vibe for the season with vibrant hues, color blocking, and rich textures for fun spins on the classics.



Ferragamo is not a luxury brand built on eccentric design, but one that values functionality coupled with standout detailing and these bags reflect that. Over sized clutches in eye-popping shades, roomy color block totes for your everyday needs, leather top-handle bags boasting the fashion house’s signature hardware: these styles work for the Ferragamo woman who has always been a jetsetter and a “lady who lunches”, but they work just as well for a young fashionista starting her collection who cherishes durability.


A Resort collection would be nothing without hints of the exotic and those are offered for the season in stingray and snakeskin.


Ferragamo handbags are timeless and if you get your hands on one, you will surely have a lifelong wardrobe staple. You will have to splurge a bit, but there’s no question when it comes to their quality. Celebrities including Cassie, Eva Longoria, Freida Pinto, and a slew of others are fans of the brand so let’s see if they try this arm candy on for size.
Visit www.modaoperandi.com to pre-order your favorite pieces now.
What do you think?

When Did She Wear It Best?: Michelle Obama’s Color Block Chequered Dress

Mrs. Michelle Obama knows what she likes and has no problem wearing it as much as she likes. Love that about her!
She first wore the dress to the 2012 Warrior Games Opening Ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado on April 2, 2012.
Mrs. O embraced color with bright blue pointy toe kitten heels and pink drop earrings. Lovely!

FLOTUS wore the dress again on Tuesday, June 5th in Washington D.C. to announce her food initiative with Disney Theme Parks.
This time, she styled the vibrant multicolor dress with a pale yellow blazer and a pearl necklace. She wore her beloved blue kitten heels again as well.
I love how she styled the dress both times! Instead of pairing the dress with neutrals, she went for vibrant colored accessories that really make the look pop. If I have to choose a favorite, I’d go with her first look because I live for those pink earrings and I think the dress is so bold it should stand alone.
What’s your verdict, When did Michelle Obama wear her Preen Spring 2012 color block dress best? Tell us in the comments!

Wednesday 9 April 2003

Solange Knowles Loves…Yellow



Following Solange Knowles’ yellow Marni dress which she wore to the CFDA Fashion Awards we noticed something. Solange loves to wear yellow on the red carpet.
It takes a brave woman to wear head-to-toe yellow, and Solange is just that woman.
The DJ knows how to stand out in a crowd, infusing the vibrant colour into her signature style.
Solange has been lighting up the red carpet with her bright yellow sartorial choices, whether it’s a perfectly tailored blazer or a dramatic peplum gown.
The bright colour perfectly offsets the star’s gorgeous features, making her almond eyes pop and smooth skin glow.
To make yellow as versatile as basic black, takes cues from the fashion-forward DJ by incorporating the sunny hue with your favourite wardrobe staples.
If you’re not quite ready to don a floor-length gown quite yet, steal a look from Solange and try a tailored blazer or a summery cocktail dress.
Giving any outfit a fun pop of colour, Solange always manages to also incorporate her signature colour with some bright accessories.
Try a chic belt to offset a colour-blocked ensemble, or add brilliant pumps to an otherwise conservative outfit.

Credit: Getty