Tip Of The Day: Matching Colors

If you’re looking in the mirror and you know that there’s something off about your outfit, but can’t figure out what, consider the colors. Often, if the colors match too closely your outfit just doesn’t look right.

[Consider your colors when getting dressed. Photo courtesy Yiping Lim/Flickr.]

Also, check to make sure your blacks match. Mismatched black pieces make an outfit look off.

Are you color-conscious? Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to matching? Tell me your tips in the comments section!

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Want more (often quirky) fashion tips of the day from everyday threads? Get your fix here:

• Sometimes it’s best not to wear high heels. Find out when you shouldn’t wear stilettos.
• Ever wonder about the wearing black with brown rule? Find out when it’s acceptable.
• Sometimes we sacrifice comfort in the name of fashion. Find out when the determination to be fashionable has gone too far.

The Perfect Bag: What Are The Qualities Of Your Favorite Purse?

I consider myself a shoe person, not a purse person. Unlike shoes, which I buy too often, I usually find a purse that I love and use it until the handle falls off or it gets too dirty to wear in public.

[This houndstooth purse from Target has all of my “essential” elements for a bag. Photo by Kirsten Hudson.]

My favorite purse that I’ve been using lately is this large, houndstooth tote I bought at Target a while ago. This purse fulfills all of the qualities that I like in an everyday bag and then some!

Essential quality number one: Size

None of those little clutch purses that only hold a wallet and a phone for me; I need a large bag. My guy friends refer to this bag as my “camping bag” because they say it’s large enough to hold everything needed for a camping trip. Well, almost. Usually I cram books, several tupperware containers holding my lunch, a water bottle, a scarf or light sweater depending on the weather and other essentials when I head to class. I’ve even put groceries in it before when I forgot my reusable bags. This bag is big enough to hold whatever I may need without looking like a duffle bag.

Essential quality number two: Adaptability

I need a bag that can adapt to lots of different situations. This bag is very versatile. It works as both my backpack and gym bag, but looks nice enough that I can carry it to interviews and when going out to eat.

Essential quality number three: Look

When shopping for a bag though, it really just comes down to one factor. Do you spot it and say “Oh that’s cute,” or not. Because if not, all of the other qualities don’t matter. I love the classic look of this bag.

A little extra

The hands down best quality about this purse though, is the narrow pouch on the front. I use it as a cup holder almost every day to hold my water bottle. My little secret is that I often hide cups of coffee and other drinks that you’re not supposed to bring into movie theatres and other places in that pouch. It’s exactly the right size to hold drinks without spilling. The pouch is also great to hold keys or a phone because digging for keys at the bottom of a purse this size can get frustrating.

If you love purses that multitask like me, check out the slideshow below. I found several cute purses with those convenient front pouches!

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What are the qualities of your favorite purse? Tell me about them in the comments section.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Love purses? Then check out these other posts from everyday threads:

• This Kayu clutch, made from natural and sustainable straw, features a funky turquoise clasp and works well for day or night.
• Are purses your favorite fashion accessories? Let the world know your opinion in our poll on the best fashion accessory.

Green Fashion: Five Reasons Why It Matters

Long before I knew about reducing my own carbon footprint beyond turning off the water while brushing my teeth or switching off the lights when I wasn’t in the room, I was already dressing myself in sustainable clothes without even realizing it. Through my middle school and high school years (and today!) I loved visiting Goodwill, the D.A.V. and thrift stores to find unique clothes.

[Green your wardrobe for a healthier planet and a more personalized style. Photo courtesy jodigreen/Flickr.]

The idea of reusing an old fashion in a new way always appealed to me. Plus I always love a good bargain! Not only does buying others’ unwanted clothes create a personal wardrobe unlike any other, but it exemplifies living a sustainable lifestyle. And that’s just one of the reasons you’ll see listed here about why sustainable fashion matters.

1) It’s environmentally-friendly

To get that perfect outfit onto the racks, the fashion industry creates a huge carbon footprint. The energy, toxic dyes and pesticides used to produce the clothes plus the landfill waste after they get tossed all have a negative impact on the environment.

Choosing sustainable fabrics is an important first step to creating an eco-chic wardrobe. Twenty-five percent of all pesticides in the U.S. are applied to conventional cotton. But certified-organic cotton requires that no pesticides or chemicals be used to grow the plant. Choosing green fabrics such as those made from hemp and bamboo is also an eco-friendly choice. Both hemp and bamboo are renewable resources because they grow so quickly. They also are resistant to weeds and pests, which allows them to grow well chemical-free.

2) It’s people-friendly

Buying sustainable clothing also contributes to making sure the workers creating the clothing are treated fairly with safe working conditions and reasonable wages. Although clothing doesn’t have Fair Trade certification yet, you can check to see if the company you’re purchasing clothes from is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

3) It’s animal-friendly

Even though that cute pair of leather boots may be tempting, cruelty-free clothing makes a better statement. Cruelty-free clothing means wearing no leather or fur, and for some, no wool or silk. This “vegan” clothing may seem difficult to find, but there are options out there. Jade Planet sells vegan accessories including leather-like purses and bags made from rubber-tree sap and The Vegan Store offers winter wear, shoes and belts. Feel better about what you’re wearing when you pull on cruelty-free clothes.

4) It’s local

Carry that “go local” methodology you use for shopping for food over into your clothes. Search for local designers or boutiques to minimize the impact of buying clothes that get shipped all over the country.

5) It gives you a unique, personal style

Make your own eco-fashion statement with vintage clothes. Great thrift store or Goodwill finds create a personal and sustainable wardrobe. Or if you’re a savvy sewer, break out the sewing machine and repurpose old clothes into new fashions.

How do you make your wardrobe eco-friendly? Leave me a comment and tell me about it.

This blog post was originally published on Natural Home magazine’s blog, Leafy Greens. View the original post.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Want to know more about sustainable fashion?

• Discover these three sustainable and ethically-minded brands.

The Vest: Can It Ever Look Good?

Maybe it was the trauma of being forced to wear homemade vest/dress combinations sewn by my grandma (sorry Mimi!) when I was young, but I’ve always felt anti-vest.

The concept of the vest has always eluded me. Is it an accessory? Is it a layering piece, meant to keep you warmer? (And if so, it doesn’t seem to help a whole lot.) Is it just something to throw on when you don’t know what else to do with an outfit? These questions about the purpose of the vest have made me wonder if my assumptions are wrong and if a vest really can ever look good.

As it is now spring, I decided to focus on lightweight vests. Below is a slideshow of vests that aren’t too awful (ok they’re kinda cute.) If worn with the right outfit these could be a lot of fun.

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What do you think about vests? Do you like the ones in the slideshow? Leave me a comment and tell me all your vest-related thoughts!

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Check out these other posts on fashion accessories from everyday threads:

• What’s your favorite fashion accessory? Let the world know your opinion in our poll.
• Keep your face shaded in style. These three types of hats are perfect for summer.
• Can you guess these four questionably fashionable summer accessories?