Men are in abject terror of trying to delve into the unknown territory of a woman’s mind when it comes to deciding to purchase a fashion item, be it a dress, handbag or even a pair of cowboy boots!

What is the logic that prompts a woman to buy a particular fashion item, is it price, is it looks, or is it something right out of left field?

The year was 1981 – my 10 year old daughter & I lived with my parents and youngest brother.  During the Christmas holidays, I came home from work, said hello to my parents, when my father bellowed at me:  “You had better teach your daughter the value of a dollar”.  Stunned by this sudden attack, I meekly asked “Why?”  My daughter had wanted a pair of cowboy boots (they were all the rage that year) and I had quite blatantly refused to buy them for either Christmas or otherwise.  As my brother & I really didn’t get along, he, I am sure for spite, gave her $50 so she could buy a pair.  My parents took my daughter to buy these cowboy boots at the nearest mall.  When they entered the Zellers (Canada’s answer to Wal-Mart), there were a pair of boots for about $30.00.  No, she didn’t want those boots; she wanted a very specific pair of boots that cost the total $50.00.  She and her grandfather apparently had a heated discussion on what pair to buy.  She ended up buying the pair she wanted which my father thought was ridiculous.  As far as he was concerned, the two pair of boots were similar and he saw no reason why she couldn’t buy the cheaper pair and have $20.00 in her pocket.  As far as she was concerned, she wanted the $50 pair and that was that.

She hasn’t changed much since that time.  There are times she will choose a more inexpensive version of an item, but the majority of times; she will choose exactly what she wants regardless of the cost.

There are probably numerous articles on the psychology of a woman’s purchasing decision, but I couldn’t find any, so I shan’t bore you with  details, other than to say, in my opinion,  there is simply no mystery of why women decides to buy any article of fashion especially a handbag.  There are of course many variables that do enter that decision and here are just some that enter my decision to purchase:

My Mood – there are times when I decide that I want to go shopping, it is then I can never find what I want, or nothing appeals to me.  It is when my goal is not shopping that I find that special piece of fashion that shouts – BUY ME NOW!

The available coins in the wallet – this is a dangerous variable because sometimes the desire to want that handbag is greater than the available budget to purchase.  However, my desire not to extend myself to the point of bankruptcy is usually much stronger than the desire.

The colour and/or design.  While most fashion designs are appealing, if it isn’t the right colour, there would be no way in God’s Green Earth would I purchase the item.  For example, brown or orange are not shades in my colour palette.  Even when I had my colours “done” in the 80’s craze, they are not included – Thank God!

Storage – for many years I was a pack rat, however, my daughter is not.  She has since brought me to the light, so I do not purchase something of I have limited storage.  I can only store so many handbags.

Sheer Laziness – mainly when it comes to handbags & shoes.  I am a gal that really can’t be bothered to change my handbag on a frequent basis (monthly changes see far too frequent for me).  As to shoes, well, I have problem feet which restrict the number of shoes that I purchase as well as the cost.

It only takes nano seconds to have all the variables run through my head when deciding to purchase.  However, never let it be said, that I do throw caution to the wind and say, YES, YES, YES I want it.

So Men, all I can say, is that whatever motivation a woman has to buy that fashion item, you might as well grin and bear it, then go buy that tool or golf club that you want!    Isn’t it the same thing?

1. I was thinking about avoiding your car but I ran out of time.

 

2. My shoe got stuck on the accelerator and then I hit it again thinking it was the brake.

 

3. I feel like such a heel. Don’t worry, I don’t have insurance either.

 

4. This just isn’t my day.

 

5. I had a feeling something like this was going to happen.

 

6. Do you think the police will have designer handcuffs?

 

7. How do you feel about lying?

 

8. I’m a doctor. I’m sorry but I have to go and you don’t look hurt.

 

9. I knew I shouldn’t have had those last two drinks.

 

10. Wow, that was fun.

 

Here are ten useful tips of advice from a personal injury lawyer to follow if you have been in an accident. You can also learn more about how to handle a personal injury in Yorba Linda, or any city, by calling the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson at any of the numbers which can be found on our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learning how we can assist you.

 

Obviously, if you have had an accident, and you are reading all of this advice, it’s probably been at least a few days since the accident. However, if it’s only been a few hours or if you ever have another accident, here’s what you should do the next time from the start.

 

First, take a look around and determine if you or anyone, are hurt. If so, taking steps like trying to prevent further injury or loss of blood are the most important thing you can do. Even if some other driver caused you to be injured, it’s just good manners to help the other driver if they are hurt. They may even be so thankful that they admit their fault to you. The worst thing you can do is get angry or start a fight.

 

Second, make sure everyone is safe from being injured further. If you are in the middle of traffic, and you are dizzy, sit down away from traffic. If your vehicle is a traffic hazard and you have accident warning devices like flares or triangles, put them out on the road to warn other drivers and get away from the car. Let the police an other emergency personnel investigate the scene with the vehicles in place and move them more safely at a later point.

 

Third, call the police. Accident reports are extremely helpful if the police will do such a report. Let the police know you are injured immediately. Answer the police questions honestly. But if you are dazed or confused, let them know you need medical treatment and answer only what you feel sure about. Remember, your statements can and will be used against you if you admit fault, and it will be too late and too fishy to later say you didn’t know what you were saying at the scene. Police know that your best recollection is immediately after an accident.

 

Fourth, get the other driver’s information including their names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, make and model of their vehicles, license plate numbers, and their insurance company name and policy number. If there are witnesses, get their names, addresses and telephone numbers as well. If the other driver makes any admissions of fault, write those down as well.

 

Fifth, if you have a camera on your cell phone or in the car and you aren’t too injured, take some photos of the vehicles and the scene. If you can’t do it right away, do it after you are released from the hospital.

Sixth, if you are hurt, obtain medical treatment. Don’t decline the ambulance or hospital examination to save your insurance company money or to be stoic. Take your valuables out of your car if you can and get checked out at the hospital. If you are not hurt, don’t get treatment you don’t need. However, remember, after an accident, you may feel a rush of adrenaline that causes you to only start feeling symptoms of pain a few hours later. If you have a health plan that requires you to obtain permission first, call them and find out where you are allowed to seek treatment.

 

Seventh, call a good personal injury lawyer as soon as you have had your initial treatment, so the attorney can gather other important evidence and prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you and obtaining such things as recorded statements that you feel fine, when many of your symptoms have yet to manifest themselves. A good personal injury lawyer can save you from making a great deal of mistakes and can shoulder much of the hassle of knowing what to do about car repairs, car rentals, medical treatment, witness statements and the like. If you think you will save money by not having an attorney, think again. A good personal injury lawyer can almost always obtain much higher settlements, obtain reductions of medical bills and insurance liens and prevent you from making costly mistakes. Also, most personal injury attorneys advance costs of obtaining police reports, medical records and the like and are paid and reimbursed for these costs only out of any settlement.

 

Eight, you will need to report the accident to your insurance company, but since they will want to take a recorded statement from you, just like any other driver’s insurance company, it’s good advice to retain an attorney first. And if the other driver did not have insurance, remember that it is your own insurance company that will be your adversary. You will also need to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles and your lawyer can give you the form for this.

 

Ninth, do not agree to settle your claim privately with the person at fault for the accident. This almost never works out to your advantage. Don’t agree not to call the police. Police reports that determine the fault for an accident are golden. Your agreement to not involve the police only affords an opportunity for the other driver to change his story and blame you when the police will no longer investigate the accident.

 

Tenth, don’t pay a traffic ticket without a fight if you weren’t at fault or agree to accept a small payment for your vehicle repairs without knowing that the amount will in fact cover the cost of all the repairs.

 

If you’ve had a personal injury in Yorba Linda, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Anaheim Fullerton, Orange County, Tustin, Lake Forest, Fountain Valley, Rancho Santa Margarita, Newport Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Santa Ana, Orange, Costa Mesa, or anywhere in Southern California, we have the knowledge and resources to be your Yorba Linda Personal Injury Lawyer and your Orange County Personal Injury Attorney. Be sure to hire a California law firm with auto, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, car, bus, train, boat and airplane accident experience, wrongful death experience and insurance law expertise who can ensure you are properly represented and get the compensation you deserve.

 

If you have a personal injury legal matter, a dog bite or if you’ve lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident, call the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson, or visit our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learn how we can assist you.

 here !
In MapleStory you can create a role of islander for yourself and your Islander can have whatever looks, of course, and even though you’re permanently on Maple Island, your statistics are still an important factor. These are the recommended stats.

STR: Any amount (Preferly 8 or higher)

DEX: 4/5 (Preferly 4)

INT: 4/5 (Preferly 4)

LCK: Any amount

Basically right here, you’re looking for a x/4/4/x roll.

Super powers!?

Without strength, you’ll be a weakling that will take 10 hits to kill an Orange Mushroom. Try to get as much as possible here in the beginning! I would normally prefer anything 10 or up.

Why am I inaccurate?

Even with four DEX, your accuracy will still be enough to hit an Orange Mushroom at all times. The rest of the points in DEX are pointless. The only useful factors of DEX are mildly increasing your avoidability, which you can use Luck for, and your damage is slightly more stabled. As discovered while writing this guide, your DEX can possibly be increased by 10 percent Shoe Jump scrolls.

Are you calling me an idiot because I have no intelligence!?

You are actually smart. You are not in need for intelligence. Think of this as a Permanent Beginner or a Warrior. Actually, think of it as ANY character but a Magician. You’d be better off wasting points into even DEX… But don’t.

Can I be lucky?

If you don’t know already, Luck does not help you find items. However, once you start easily getting One-Hit KOs on Orange Mushrooms, this is your best bet to dump points into. The reason why is so you can have an easier time avoiding the creatures on the island. This can make you nearly invincible! Well… not really, but you’ll be pretty quick for them.

Don’t I need intelligence for the skills?

No intelligence is needed for any of the three beginner skills. Three Snails has a set damage, so even if you have level 1 on the skill, but 100 INT put into the points, you’ll still do 10 damage! Recovery heals your HP, but again, it has a set recovery rate. As for Nimble Body, that has a set speed added on temporarily, regardless of INT. The only useful thing about INT is very mildly increasing your recovery rate. Overall, it’s useful for magicians only! See the skills list for information on skill distribution.

After you read this articles you must have a basic knowledge of Maple Islander , try to create it online and experience this wonderful game . Anyone that need to buy MapleStory Mesos or MapleStory Powerleveling can click the links into our website for shopping cheap maplestory mesos and Maplestory Powerleveling , we promise our service is the best . Come and have a look !

article from: http://www.maplestory4mesos.com

There is a very good reason why the “lady in red” has made such an important impact on our culture. A lady in red is someone who stands out, who commands the attention of all the people in the room, and if you are someone who loves attention, who loves having a sultry edge of mystery and danger, you will find that a red evening dress is the way to get it.

Many people say that nothing beats a little black evening dress, but even if the black dress is a classic, the red dress is going to be the one that turns heads! Finding the right red evening dress and looking into how it can suit you, you will find that there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

A red evening dress sounds like it would be a simple enough prospect, but the truth is that it is anything but. With red, you have what can be a very tricky color to match, and if you are ready to do something this dramatic, you should know what your options out there. When you think about red, think about all the different shades that you need to think about. For instance, you will find that there are a number of different shades of a more orange red.

Orange red is a very vibrant color and it associates very well with fire. On the other hand, there is a deeper red, a color that might be called crimson, that is perfect for people who have a more dramatic color in mind. Finally, do not forget that there is also a very lovely red that is inclined more towards the purple end of the spectrum.

When you are looking into purchasing a red evening dress for yourself, remember to find a shade of red that really suits you. For instance, if you have a complexion that has a lot of yellow in it, you may find that looking for a red that has more orange in the color can be a great idea. On the other hand, if your complexion is a little cooler, why not take a moment and learn more about looking for a dress that has a deep crimson color?

Also remember that you should take a moment and consider what kind of accessories will go well with a red evening dress. One thing that you might want to avoid is silver or gold that is too shiny. This can give you a look that is reminiscent of Christmas tinsel, and that is not what you are going for!

Instead, remember that a dress in this style is going to be fairly dramatic on its own, and only minimal decorations are needed. A narrow gold bracelet might be appropriate, or you may find that the perfect pair of shoes to go with your dress are going to be a pair of crocodile skin pumps.

Take some time and learn more about the red evening dress and how it might look in your closet and on your body. Whether you want something absolutely stunning for a particular party or you are looking for something that is perfect whenever you are feeling dramatic, this might be the piece of clothing for you.

How to Choose a Dress

There are many things to consider when you are trying to select a dress for your special occasion. Some of the more important considerations for choosing the right dress include the color, dress style, and comfort.

The color of your dress should flatter your skin tone. If you have an olive skin tone, you’ll want to avoid dresses in pink or yellow, while a peach colored skin tone will want to avoid orange and red dresses. Some people say black is flattering on everyone, but people with pale skin tend to look very washed out when they wear black clothing. Grey seems to look nice on all skin tones.

The style of dress is important in your mission to choose your best look, and should be determined by your body shape. Petite ladies are flattered when wearing A-line style dresses, and avoid the old-fashioned bell-shaped ball gowns, as they appear to “swallow” you up. If you have a larger than desired bottom section, you should select a dress with thin straps or no straps; and/or a dress with a draping bustle in order to bring the eyes upward and away from your trouble spot. Ladies who are insecure about their stomachs should consider dress styles with empire waists or corset style tops, while ladies who are insecure about their arms should avoid strapless or sleeveless dresses and select short sleeved or pretty see-through sleeves in lace.

Maybe the most important consideration when selecting a dress to wear, is how comfortable you feel while wearing it. If the dress is too restricting or you just aren’t comfortable when you put it on, you aren’t going to have as nice a time as you would in a dress that makes you comfortable!

Cheap Dress VS. Fancy Dress

Budget is usually a concern when deciding what dress to purchase. It’s very rare that you’ll find a fancy dress with a cheap price tag- unless you happen to hit a great clearance sale with all fancy dresses being placed on the cheap dress racks!

If money is a major concern for you, then you’ll probably want to select the nicest dress you can find from the cheap dress section. Cheap doesn’t mean ugly- you will have less selection in lower priced dresses, however, if you look long enough you will find one that works with your budget as well as for your appearance.

On the other hand, if money isn’t as much of a concern, you may want to go right to the fancy dress section of your favorite store and see what you can find!

Choosing a Dress at the Dress Store

There are many ways to shop for your dress- online, at the dress store or from friend’s closets! If you decide to go the traditional route and choose a dress at the dress store, make sure you are prepared to try on several before making a purchase. You’d be surprised at how different dresses can fit even if they’re all the same size.

How to Choose Shoes that Match Your Dress

The best way to choose shoes that match your dress is to try them on together! You do not have to match the color exactly, but you want to make sure the colors don’t clash. Also, consider the fabric of your dress when selecting shoes to match, and whether or not your dress has embellishments like jewels- if so, you could make a fashion statement by selecting shoes with jewels as well!

The first thing that is generally thought of when “maintenance” is mentioned for a boat or automobile, engine work comes to mind. Engine maintenance is a clear cut, well known issue of most boat owners and those considering to become one. The less thought about, but equally important, maintenance to consider in keeping up the value of your boat is the cosmetic maintenance. Your boat could run perfectly, but if it has little dings and scratches throughout it, its value severely decreases. This fact is especially true to the owners of fiberglass boats, as the look of these boats should be pristine.

Preventative maintenance will certainly save you a headache later on. One thing to remember is that those who will be passengers on your boat must wear deck shoes. This is not merely a facade that they will need to seem like they’re getting the full experience, but the deck will scratch quite easily from street shoes, and is very difficult to polish out. Softer sole tennis shoes without any dirt on them would also work, as it’s the dirt from the street shoes that get ground into the deck that causes the scratches. It might be advantageous to have a few extra pairs handy for those who might not own their own, yet still want to enjoy the boat.

Regular maintenance on the exterior of your boat is something that is inevitable. At some point discoloration will occur from sun damage. This is easily remedied by using a good marine polish, and making sure that you get all of the polish off after you’re done. Sun damage can be held to a minimum if you dock your boat in a shady area or some sort of covered storage. The occasional coating of a marine wax will also be helpful in preventing sun damage.

Repairing scratches can either be simple or so severe that a professional fiberglass boat repair shop will have to be used. The easiest way to tell if a scratch is simple enough for you to be able to repair it yourself is if it’s the same color as the boat. This will mean that it is a scratch in the gelcoat, which is the exterior finish put on fiberglass boats. In that case, a rubbing compound or a polish will need to be used to fill it in. Remember when rubbing not to use excessive force, as that can push further into the gelcoat and cause more damage than was originally there. Instead, use a slow, light motion when applying the polish to be sure that you don’t go any deeper than necessary. If the scratch is white and has the texture of an orange or lemon peel, contact a professional repair shop immediately.

On top of the regular maintenance of the engine and mechanical parts of your fiberglass boat, be sure to take preventative measures to also maintain the beauty of it. Just a little regular cosmetic maintenance will insure the resale value of your boat, and make your boating experience the best that it can be.

For more information on fiberglass boats, visit http://www.fiberglassboats.com.

Nowadays, more women expect men to look dashing on dates. Why not? How a guy dresses says a lot about his qualities. But guys, it is not hard to pass this fashion test. The following tips should help you catch your date’s eyes (and even heart) easily.

Tip 1: Whatever you wear, don’t be too casual
Whatever you wear, don’t be too casual. A business suit for a date after work is classy. A pair of jeans for a relaxing weekend date is sexy (caution: don’t wear the suit and the jeans together, please. It’s not classy or sexy). But a baggy t-shirt or a pair of shorts screams “casual” and that you can care less about the date. Unless your date has the same mindset, don’t count on a second date.

Tip 2: Pick a shirt that’s not ordinary
A striped dress shirt used to be very effective at impressing a woman, but now it is getting mundane. Look around at a bar or restaurant. Aren’t stripes everywhere? That’s why you’ll be much better off with a shirt with a subtler pattern. For example, wear a dress shirt but lose the tire. Or a nice polo shirt underneath a sport jacket.

Tip 3: A little color goes a long way
Black and beige are boring. Pink, blue, yellow and orange with LIGHT shades can stand out. A jewel tone (maroon, forest green, cobalt blue) sweater over a white dress shirt will make an attractive statement. You don’t need to be a fashion icon to dress wisely for your date. Just add a little color and be aware that a little will do the job. Too much will be too flashy.

Tip 4: Keep your footwear clean and neat
Footwear completes the whole fashion presence. Pretty much any types of shoes would be fine as long as they go with the outfit. Sneakers work with jeans; formals are fine with the suits. The key is: make your shoes look clean and neat. Shining would be a plus. Polish them, remove any scuffmarks or crud on the sides and bottom. A man who maintains his shoes can be trusted to be detail-oriented in other areas of his life.

Tip 5: Reveal your individuality through the particulars
Between, shirts, pants and shoes, also pay attention to the particulars that can speak to your individuality. If you are wearing a shirt, don’t wear one with a logo. Instead, accessorize with something of your signature, for example, cuff links. Or some unique watch. This way, you are communicating your own unique features.

It’s back to school time, and we all know what that means, back to school shopping. Often times for parents, that means battling with your child or teenager about their clothes and clothes choices. So for all of us parents out there, here’s a set of tips to help make your shopping experience a much more pleasant one.

Tip #1: You don’t have to battle with your kids over fashion and decency. Every kid wants to be fashionable, but sometimes, what they like may not agree with your personal taste. The best way to handle this situation is to compromise with your child on their clothes. You can do this by setting guidelines before you go out to shop, that way, there are no surprises on either group’s side. For ladies, set guidelines on things like skirt length, tightness, etc. For young men, think about bagginess, and anything that can be deemed obscene.

Tip #2: Find out what your kids like. Take some time before you go out to shop and find out what your children like. For younger children, it may be their favorite cartoon character or television star. For older children, it could be a band, or perhaps a particular style of dress.

Tip #3: Take your children with you. I know it may seem like a lot of trouble, but taking your children with you will save you a lot of time in the return line. Let them pick out their clothes. That way, as long as they follow the guidelines that you agreed upon, then you can glide through the mall with little or no trouble at all.

Tip #4: Buy accessories that will go with everything that you have. This is especially important with shoes, but also for other accessories as well. Buy shoes that will go with the bulk of your outfits. For example, if their outfits are predominantly black, then buy a pair black shoes. If the outfits are mostly lighter colors, blues, oranges, yellows, etc., then buy a pair of white shoes. Purses work the same way as well.

Tip #5: For Outwear, look for classic, long-lasting styles rather than trendy fads. This is especially important for outerwear, because coats and jackets usually worn for longer than a year. If you go out and buy a jacket from a fad, then when the fad is over, you’ll have a jacket that your child won’t want to wear anywhere.

Tip #6: Shop for clothes in the stores, and then buy them online to save. This is a great idea for saving money that many people haven’t applied yet. Take your children out to the mall and let them pick out their clothes. Then, do some searching online for the exact same styles, and see if you can find them for a cheaper price. In our economy, we all could use every dollar that we can get our hands on. Often times, there are online discounts, promotion codes, and other incentives to encourage you to shop online instead of the mall.

Bargains are matters of such simple importance that even the slightest thought that it could remotely contain any myth is unbelievable. Or so we think! The TRUTH of the matter, however, is that the ‘art’ of bargaining has mythical elements woven so finely into it that even it’s subjects – the everyday bargain hunters – are unable to tell if it’s the real thing or not! This might sound like a lot of mish-mash right now but hear me out for one moment and you’ll see what i mean.

Bargaining is a longstanding art that has been finely honed over many hundreds of years of trade ever since the days of barter. Bargaining, interestingly, though seemingly superficial has it’s roots deeply embedded into the human psyche. Yes, it involves some degree on psychology!

From the dawn of humanity, humans have been hardwired with the need to FEEL secure in some way or another. Prevailing over others around us, therefore, feeds this need to feel secure and has been an innate tenet of human nature. The economist Adam Smith called this the ‘invisible hand’ of self, the hand of self-preservation. While it isn’t necessarily bad – as he goes on to propose – it is also our prevailing weakness, especially with regard to bargaining and as a result, in ages gone this weakness has always shown through.

What makes satisfying the sense of security through bargaining a weakness? A lot of things, actually. We have all met a friend or two from time to time who can’t help it but rave about the bargain he/she got on a pair of black shoes that cost more elsewhere. I have truck loads of friends like these and till this day i still wonder why! Interestingly enough, I have found through the years that digging deeper into their their bargaining stories reveals some startling information that led me to believe that there is an element of Myth to bargaining that was actually so simple and intuitive i couldn’t believe i didn’t realise it sooner! Just try this neat trick out. Quiz your friend with this simple question: ‘Why was the other _________ (fill in the blanks with a product or service) more expensive?’. The answers somehow vary from ‘i don’t know’ to ‘their ripping folks off over there’ to ‘who cares?’ but then another question will mostly solve the problem, and that is: ‘what were they offering different?’. To most folks, this is NEVER a consideration, but it makes ALL the difference and somehow bursts the bargain bubble existing in your friend’s mind!

The fact of the matter is that most of what people consider to be bargains are merely lesser buys! A black shoe made of rubber as opposed to a black leather pair. A diesel powered red car and a petrol powered red car. A pair of Levi’s and a brand X denim jeans. They all bear their own pros and cons, but the differences, as well as the value of their pros & cons, are in completely different leagues, therefore the price difference. In fact, apart from price, they are worlds apart! ‘Bargains’ as most people see them, therefore, are nothing more than lesser buys of lesser value and worth.

In the light of these facts the true bargains available now become something more tangible. In fact, true bargains can be sought out and seen for what they are and the first step toward doing this is comparing apples for apples and not apples for oranges! Comparing a black leather shoe to a black leather shoe and the other services a business offers as a part of the buy and then considering price is the real bargain hunting trump card. That is something i refer to as ‘power bargaining’, because the leverage to choose what is REALLY better is in YOUR hands! Some folks reading this right now might think that my argument postulates that the more expensive a buy the better it is. Wrong! My proposal is simply that price can ONLY be compared when the value or quality of every other aspect of the buy is equal, in other words, the WORTH of the buy. But then how do you find equally weighted products around you? Traditional media does NOT offer you such an option. My answer? The Internet.

The internet today brings scores of products side-by-side on mere pages, tearing down the walls of geographical, physical and psychological limitations. The days of being baited into a ripoff are slowly and surely ending and power is finally entering the hands of the everyday consumer! But why is all this so important? In my opinion, it isn’t JUST important but it ALL important, and i tell you why in my next article, ‘Does price REALLY matter’. Watch out for it!

Till then!

With a new fashion season fast approaching, we look back at the runway trends that easily transitioned into everyday, high street fashion.

Spring/Summer 2009 was a happy mishmash of style contradictions: comfortable but tasteful dressing, structured and architectural pieces, fluid and draping dresses, bohemian dressing, and an undeniable ’80s flashback that saw fashion reviving some of the trends from this “decade of excess”, which we never thought will ever see the light of day again.

There are so many interpretations of the different looks that designers sent down the runways, and this list doesn’t even capture half of all of these looks.

However, these are the looks that were deemed most wearable—meaning they suited even us mere mortals who don’t have the gams and sizes of those ladies who walked the runways. Here, in no particular order, are the top ten looks from spring/summer 2009.

1. Fringe

The fringe is most always associated with the wild, wild West, but this season, designers showed the versatility—and glamour—of fringe.

There were still allusions to the Western world and the cowgirl, as seen in Hermes, but other designers, like Alberta Ferretti and Aquilano e Rimondi, resurrected the swinging 1920s with flapper dresses. The “glamour fringe” in jewel-tone and metallic frocks gave us the perfect look for a night out on the town.

2. Goddess dresses

Another look that’s great for a night out is the goddess dress. These Grecian-inspired frocks never really go out of style. Season after season, they come back; thanks in big part to designers who have made this look their “own”.

Marchesa is one brand that constantly gives us to-die-for, gorgeous goddess dresses. Monique Lhuillier glammed them up with jewel embellishments in her trademark light and airy creations. The ethereal, lovely and always elegant appeal of goddess dresses will survive any season.

3. Statement shoes

Pair your party frocks with statement-making shoes. (Or better yet, wear these with your most basic outfit and see the magic these shoes can weave.) The season’s most provocative footwear showed cut-outs and peekaboo details, usually in platform booties or towering gladiator sandals.

Yves Saint Laurent’s collection was the jump-off point for this shoe design trend, when his collection showed his now famous Caged Heel bootie. Also scoring high were Balmain’s jewel-encrusted gladiator-style stilettos by Giuseppe Zanotti. Other designers, like Nicholas Kirkwood, showed off sculptural, covetable pieces, too.

4. Trashed jeans

Classic denims were a no-show this season as the runway showed us the many ways we can “trash” our jeans. Another ’80s staple, acid wash and faded (bleached) jeans were seen in the high-end brands and most especially in the high-street labels, like Topshop Unique.

This London it brand took this denim treatment everywhere: on denim jackets, vests, and miniskirts, and even made wearing denim over denim acceptable, even cool.

5. Power shoulders

Who knew that shoulder pads—those made famous by Dynasty TV royals—would be back in fine form? Balmain made the most impact with his padded shoulders that jutted out prominently on his one-shoulder dresses and his now so-famous band jackets.

This flashback to the eighties was also seen in the shows of Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs (for his own label and for Louis Vuitton). This trend is not for everyone; those who hated shoulder pads in the ’80s shuddered at the thought of having to wear them again. But there were also those who more than happily—and fiercely—wore these architectural pieces.

6. Cover-ups

It was not really expected for summer, but people covered up this season. Their cover-ups of choice? Band jackets and boyfriend blazers. Band jackets, reminiscent of those worn by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, were on the spotlight once again, most notably in Balmain.

Fashion’s latest it boy, the wunderkind Alexander Wang, meanwhile, made us grab our boyfriend’s jackets and blazers and pair them with the loosest cotton shirts and the shortest shorts—with sky-high platforms, of course.

7. Prints

This year is the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, and it was only timely that fashion also paid homage to this decade of freewheeling love, fun and fashion. Diane Von Furstenberg gave us boho luxe, with her models going down the runway in dresses in bold colors and vibrant prints.

Prints were not restricted to hippie florals (also seen in Fendi, Oscar dela Renta, and Dolce & Gabbana); there were also exotic tribal prints, as seen in Matthew Williamson and Anna Sui, watercolour splashes on pieces by Marni and Rodarte, and of course, fierce and fabulous animal prints (zebra, leopards, tigers, etc.) in the Christian Dior, Gucci, and Prada catwalks.

8. Sportswear

It really is the season for practicality as even the usually frivolous fashion world made an attempt to look comfortable via sports-inspired pieces. Erin Fetherston continued with her laid-back yet ultra-chic pieces; this time, the young designer looked to seventies sportswear for inspiration.

Lacoste, of course, was the frontrunner for this look, but even other designers not really inclined to doing sportswear, like BCBG, showed us their athleticism when it came to fashion.

9. Muted tones

Maybe the big recession has really caught up with fashion, because even in the summer, colors were primarily muted. Gray was ubiquitous, and so were really soft pastels.

But there are always rebels in fashion (which make it fun), and at the other end of the spectrum were day-glo, neon, and punchy colors—like the orange crush in Etro, Luella and Pucci. This really just goes to show that, in fashion, you always have an option.

10. Pants

Marrakesh was closely alluded to by designers like Paul Smith and Dries Van Noten, who had glorious turbans to show off. But it is more important to note that this Moroccan fantasy brought forth Ralph Lauren’s Ali Baba harem pants that literally stole the spotlight (they were very shiny, to say the least).

Yes, pants were strong this season, with everything from dhoti, harem and the simple act of rolling up your jeans dominating catwalks and high streets.