Evolution of the Dress?

Lately I’ve had dresses on my mind (yes, dresses on my mind, it’s almost NYE, give me a break), so I thought it’d be fun to showcase the trends in dresses from the past few decades, to see how our fashion has evolved (or has it?),  been recycled, and in some cases, been discarded.

Definition of evolution: “The gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex or better form”. So according to this, if dresses have evolved, they have become “better” as the years have gone by. Let’s have a look if this is really true:

The 80’s and 90’s: Dresses from these years are categorized by bright colors, floral prints, big accessories, ruffles, rouching shoulders and draping material. In the 90’s baby doll dresses became popular, along with high waists and interestingly enough, the vintage/bohemian look.

2000 to 2011: What really defines this decade and a year of dresses, let alone fashion? Many claim that it’s a “mish mash” of the earlier years, with so many styles and trends from the 60’s to the 90’s recycled and reoccurring. I agree that there is no defining characteristic of style from this time period, but I think that it’s because we girls just want to feel comfortable in whatever we wear, whether it’s vintage, bohemian, glam chick, rocker, sophisticated, or casual. We’ve learned to take styles from different eras and time periods and adapt and integrate them into our own unique styles, much like what Eudostyle represents :)

If you have a closer look at dresses from 1980’s and 1990’s, their styles have been replicated—with slight alterations of course—by dresses in the 2000’s all the way until today. Let’s go through some examples:

• There have been so many variations of the little black dress, a prominent one being the one shouldered dress, with straps being more complicated than the traditional Tarzan and Jane attire.
• The bright colors that were big in the 1980’s are still, to some extent, popular today, but more so in a solid color than multi-colored (although color blocking is totally in).
• The cute polka dot girl-next-door type of dress still exists, and again, so do many other variations of it, including all lace dresses, with cute cuts that are reminiscent of the 1960’s.
• Floral prints are still worn today, and I’m not sure if they existed back then, but tribal prints seemed to be huge the last couple of summers.
• Long draping material in front of dresses that were once so popular have been minimized on wrap dresses today, so they are more body-hugging and flattering (empire waists especially).
• In my opinion, vintage style will always come and go, with the exception of …the velvet turtle neck dresses, which I do not think fares well in today’s fashion environment.
• The mod style back in the day has made reappearance, especially in shapes of dresses, as well as the whole color blocking scheme. Today, lace dresses, lace tops, and lace tanks are all very popular, and I seriously don’t doubt that this lace-all-over look comes from an earlier era of fashion.
• Finally, I would say that the once popular petticoats underneath dresses are no longer worn—except under the short skirts we girls wear for costumes during Halloween…! In today’s fashion scene, it ain’t better if it’s puffier. 

In conclusion, we can confirm that fashion does indeed recycle itself, as exemplified by comparing the styles from 1980’s and 1990’s to today’s. At the same time, we have picked and chosen certain styles that we liked, and abandoned those styles that we don’t, to create what we know as stylish fashion today. I will leave you with these thoughts: Have our dresses really “evolved” according to the definition stated earlier? Will our fashion keep on “evolving”, as in will there be any new breakthrough fashion or styles, just like there were back in the day, or will fashion keep recycling itself, with alterations and variations here and there? Worth thinking about!

Secret Santa Shopping made Easy

Are you part of a Secret Santa gift exchange and are having difficulty thinking of gift ideas for your chosen person, or are having difficulty thinking of what to put on your own wish list (if you are part of something like an Elfster that allows you to create your own wish list)? If so, here are some great websites you might want to check out to generate ideas for what gifts to get others, as well as what you might want to include in your wish list..especially for those who are in a Secret Santa  with a $50 or lower limit. This list is for the reasonably priced Secret Santas because let’s face it, no one wants to be putting designer purses, watches, shoes, and fancy winter jackets on your wish list..

This is Why I’m Broke- This is an online magazine compiled of gift ideas from many different websites. They are usually fun, unique, and types of gifts you would not normally think of or consider. As a warning, some items on this website are totally ridiculous! There are many knick knack patty wacks on this website, but it’s a great starting point!

Yanko Design Gift Guide - There are a wide selection of gifts on here, some of which you will probably never ever find a need for, but some that you might think would be cool to just have. The focus of this website is, as its name suggest, the design of the product. So expect to pay higher prices for more minimalistic and contemporary products.

Photojojo Store - This is more for your friend who loves photography, because everything on this website is somehow camera or photograph related. It’s pretty awesome, even if you are not a photographer.

Kate Spade Under $100 - I don’t know if your Secret Santa will be willing to order from this New York website, but browsing through this page gives you an idea of what you want, and then you will be able to adapt it to what your Secret Santa would be able to get here in Vancouver. Kate Spade stuff is so adorable!

CNET’s Gift Guide - There are tonnes of $50 or less gift ideas for your techy friends as well as for you to put on your own wish list. I didn’t know that I could get an ipod shuffle for only $46!

Sephora - Every girl’s fantasyland (or at least mine) to browse through for gift ideas. Though the bigger makeup sets are going to be $100+, you can still find some smaller items like eyeliners, eyeshadows, blushes, lip sticks, and mascaras for under $50.

These boots are made for walkin’

One of the things I love most about the cold season is (don’t laugh) that I get to wear boots. I prefer wearing long boots as opposed to ankle boots, but a boot is a boot is a boot! (or is it about..haha) There’s nothing more exciting—with a few exceptions—than buying the boots you’ve been eyeing for so long, and finally wearing them for the first time! But with such a large selection out there, how do you choose the right boot for you, or what matches with what you’ve got in your closet?

Here are some things worth considering when buying boots:

Color: Go for the boots that will match most of your denims and that you won’t try on with an outfit just to take them off. For example, if you are buying tall grey suede boots, be prepared to put a little more effort into finding an outfit that will match with them. On the other hand, browns, blacks, even shades of tan are the colors that will most likely be easiest to match.

Material: I’m a stickler for what type of material my boots are. I personally do not like wearing any suede boots, so I stay away from them. Case in point: About five or six years ago, I bought a pair of purple suede booties from Aldo….guess how much fun I had trying to match them with anything.

But if you’ve found a pair of suede boots that you adore, then kudos to you for making it work and working them into your unique eudostyle ;) I think that leather boots are the best, but I can live with boots that are made of synthetic materials, all of which I cannot name. 

Style: For someone with more of a casual style (shopping, going to school, for some of us, work haha)the cowboy boots, the boots with the buckles, or the plain solid color black, brown, or [insert colour here] boots would be a solid choice. For a dressier look (dinner with your friends, going out, special events), I imagine a heeled or wedged boot would be more appropriate. I used to always associate rounded-toe boots with being more causal, and pointed-toe boots with being more formal…but I threw that theory out the window when I realized that so many of my casual boots are pointed toe. My preference? Pointier toe boots for sure…not elf shoe pointy of course.

Length: Like I said, I prefer longer boots, knee-high’s especially. Ankle boots are not the most flattering on me and they are by far my least favorite boot. That said, if you like ankle boots, some ideas on what to wear them with are: long skits, leggings, tights, or any tight pants that are easy to tuck into the boot.

Height of heel: This attribute of the boot is totally up to your personal preference, but I am a bit resistant to buying heeled boots, as I find that I do not wear them too often. If I want to wear something with a heel when I go out at night, it’s usually a pair of heels rather than boots with heels.

Having said that…here are three pairs of my sister’s boots (two of which are heeled/wedged) that I borrowed to showcase. Thanks eunipoo!

All this writing about boots has got me wanting to buy a new pair of boots. Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin’ everywhere!

(Source: boots-are-made-for-walkin)

OMEGA Unveils New Boutique and The Planet Ocean Collection

I had the chance attend the unveiling event earlier tonight for the newly designed and expanded boutique right in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Though it was in a smaller space that was the new boutique, it was indeed a lavish affair. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served in the brightly lit boutique that is home to so many exquisite Omega watches. Many of the watches in store cost a small fortune but what else would you expect from such a world-renowned brand that is as highly recognized as it is. 

I talked to a customer sales representative there who informed me that a watchmaker himself (or herself) builds an Omega watch from start to finish and this usually takes 6-9 months for each…No wonder these watches cost an arm and a leg! During the evening, guests had the chance to have a preview of the new Seamaster Plant Ocean collection  which was “oohed” and “ahhed” over, and was a definite highlight of the night.  

Other highlights of the night included:

• A watch I was introduced to as a “masterpiece of work”, which was from the Constellation collection and which costs a mere $150,000
• Being introduced to the manager of the Omega boutique and thanking her personally for the lovely event
• The imported beers that were served…along with your wines, cocktails, Perrier, etc.
• Definitely the sweet swag bags that were given to guests when they left!!

I peeked inside the swag bag while walking out of the event, but waited until I was home to see what goodies were inside: a Lindt tube of chocolates, a travel bag for toiletries and makeup, the latest edition of Lifetime magazine, an Omega Seamaster ball point pen, and a pack of sugar-free candy :)