A WOMAN SHOULD SHOP LIKE A MAN

To Dress Well, a Woman Should Shop Like a Man

When it comes to shopping for fashion, women usually dominate, buying clothing for their men as well as themselves. But ladies, I have a gauntlet to throw down: Women have a lot to learn from the way men shop.

I first sensed this when menswear designer Thom Browne told me that he couldn't use a fabric unless it felt good "to the hand," because men won't buy uncomfortable clothing.

Come again? If comfort were the top criterion for selling womenswear, Jimmy Choo would be out of business. Unlike men, women frequently settle for garments that don't fit well and don't feel good.

Sometimes, women have little choice. It has long been an irritating truth that men are offered better-quality clothes for lower prices. Many fashionable women's clothes—including plenty sold at luxury prices—are made relatively cheaply. "Women do get shortchanged in the market," says Patrick Gigliotti, a menswear salesman at the venerable Boyd's Philadelphia department store. Some women who value well-made clothing have even resorted to shopping in menswear departments.

One reason for the quality difference is trendiness: Because womenswear is more faddish, there's a perception in the fashion industry that the clothes will be thrown away more quickly. Indeed, fast fashion has trained a generation to seek out throwaway styles.

Yet tailoring should matter. Women are always looking for clothes that will lift their bottoms and smooth their bulges. That's exactly the kind of magic that tailoring works. Luckily, with a little education about the way sophisticated men shop, it is possible to buy good-quality womenswear.

What does it mean to think like a man? Consider the way Jay Kos bought himself a pair of pants in New York last Sunday. Mr. Kos, himself a clothier and the owner of the Jay Kos store on Park Avenue, found a pair of olive wool pants at Soho's Blue in Green shop. But the pants had to pass a few tests before he took them to the dressing room. First, he felt the wool with his hand to ascertain its weight and softness. He checked the seams for clean stitching—no loose threads. In the dressing room, he squatted to be sure they fit comfortably. Only then did he step out to take a careful look in the store's biggest mirror and ask the salesman if the pants fit well.

This isn't the way most women shop. But it can be.

A first step is to put less focus on the brand. Logos don't guarantee fine craftsmanship. Dozens of luxury womenswear brands make high-quality fashions—Dolce & Gabbana and Akris among them. But I've found excellently sewn clothes at Zara (though not universally so). Some brands, like Ralph Lauren, have varying quality levels among a dizzying array of sub-brands. Akris offers well-made but lower-quality clothes under the "Akris punto" label. Rather than being blinded by branding, use it only as a starting point.

When you like a garment, grab the fabric and crunch it up—ignoring any gasps you hear from the womenswear sales staff, who are not accustomed to these maneuvers. If the cloth stays wrinkled or feels scratchy, consider moving on.

"You should start from the inside out," says Debi Greenberg, owner of Louis, a high-end store in Boston that caters to both men and women. Loose threads and ragged seams are signs of poor construction. Look for seams that have been carefully rolled and folded before being stitched down or have been "taped," or sewn over with a narrow strip of fabric.

In pants, the waistband is particularly important, as it provides structure and must hold up to sweat, pressure and twisting. In well-tailored pants, the waistband will have two layers of lining, with some structural seams in between. When it comes to pants, Ms. Greenberg recommends Proenza Schouler and Marni at the high end of the price range and Jil Sander for Uniqlo at the more affordable end.

A good jacket starts with a shoulder that permits comfortable movement and isn't so stuffed with foam padding that it looks awkward with the arm raised.

While you're peering inside the garment, check out the width of the fabric in the seams. Is there enough to allow the garment to be let out, if necessary? While good men's clothing is manufactured to be altered, women often have to buy a size larger and then cut the garment down—which can be more costly and difficult.

It's a good idea to ask where the garment—and sometimes the fabric—were manufactured. "Men love the story," says Mr. Kos. "If you're going to spend the money, then it should come from a place with a respect for quality."

The country of origin can be an indicator of quality, and it's certainly a fair indicator of price. Italy, France and Japan are famous for their high manufacturing standards, but their prices are higher than those of lower-labor-cost nations.

Still, "made in Italy" is no guarantee, and it's possible to buy well-made clothes from many parts of the world. The 3.1 Phillip Lim brand makes some high-quality clothing in China with taped inner seams and alterable waistbands. J. Crew buys many quality shirting fabrics and cashmere yarns from Italian factories and then cuts and sews the clothes in less expensive countries.

Mr. Kos believes that garments and accessories that use a logo as the dominant design feature are more likely to take short cuts with materials or manufacturing.

Only after a garment has passed all these tests is it time to try it on. Be sure you can raise your arm in a shirt or jacket and that you can squat (without making the knees baggy) in pants. See if you can breathe easily. There should be no stretch marks across the torso and no gaping buttons.

When in doubt, remember what Mr. Gigliotti of Boyd's says about men's priorities: "Comfort is paramount."
—Email Christina.Binkley@wsj.com or twitter.com/BinkleyOnStyle.

MY THOUGHTS

this is a revelation! i thought men shop without fuss? or maybe they're not fussing. they're just being sensible. after all, as the article suggests, men's fashion doesn't change as much as women's does. i don't remember ever squatting inside the fitting room to test the seams. maybe i should. especially because i have ceased being fashion conscious. i prefer classic styles that would last longer.

How to Spot a Fake Designer Handbag

How to Spot a Fake Designer Handbag
Make Sure You are Buying an Authentic Bag
From Kori Ellis, former About.com Guide

If you are looking to invest in a designer handbag, make sure you are getting the real thing. By following these simple tips, you can easily spot a fake bag. If you are still tempted to buy replicas, be sure to check out these reasons why you shouldn't buy a fake designer bag.

Know your bags.
The easiest way to spot a fake bag is to familiarize yourself with what the real thing should look like. Head to the department store, boutique or the designer's website where they sell the authentic bags. Make notes about the logo placement, hardware, size, materials and other important details about the bag that you want. By doing your research, you should be able to easily spot a replica.

Pay attention to detail.
When shopping, inspect the bag closely and pay attention to the detailing. Authentic designer handbags are made from quality leather with topnotch construction. The bags are normally hand-stitched. Look at the labels, where you will find the brand names and possibly serial numbers stamped, etched or stitched. Make sure the logos or monograms are the right shape and aligned properly.

Look for documentation.
When you buy an authentic designer bag, it will normally come with a certificate of authenticity or some kind of documentation. These can be faked too but falsified certificates are usually obvious. Many designer bags also come with dust bags as well.

Is it to good to be true?
If the price is pennies on the dollar of the MSRP, it's probably fake. Deals that seem too good to be true usually are. If you spot a Louis Vuitton bag for twenty bucks on eBay -- it's not real. Instead of purchasing a counterfeit designer bag, save your money for an authentic one and buy a couple less expensive bags in the meantime.

Be careful where you shop.
Designer handbags are sold in boutiques and department stores, as well as on department store and manufacturer websites. They generally aren't sold in kiosks, flea markets, street stands or out of the trunk of cars. Online, go to the designer's website and find out where their bags are sold. Also avoid online auction sites. Portero.com may be one exception -- they are known as a trusted resource for pre-owned authentic designer bags.

MY THOUGHTS

imagine that! fake authentications. there's no logic to it, is there. thing is- fake designer bags are evrywhere. they are even online.

Why You Shouldn't Buy a Fake Designer Handbag

Reasons Why You Shouldn't Buy a Fake Designer Handbag
Avoid Knockoffs and Replica Handbags

From Kori Ellis, former About.com Guide

Many times you may covet a designer handbag that is out of your price range, but don't run off to the flea market to get a replica. Instead, save your pennies and look for an authentic bag on sale from a reputable retailer. Let's take a look at some of the reasons that you shouldn't buy a fake designer handbag.

Legality
Selling fake designer handbags is illegal. Counterfeit bags infringe on the copyright and trademarks of the designer and brand. By purchasing these bags, you are supporting these illegal acts. Instead, put away some money each month into your handbag fund and buy yourself the real thing for Christmas.

Child Labor
Most designer replicas are produced by organized crime and illegal enterprises. They are made by young children in very poor working conditions. By supporting organized crime, you aren't just supporting and contributing to child labor, but also to their other crimes including human trafficking, child abuse and prostitution.

Appearance
Most fake bags look cheap. They are made from low quality leather. The colors and dyes are oftentimes uneven. The stitching and general construction are poor. Authentic designers take pride in their workmanship. Sweatshops don't. Who wants to look like a poser anyway? If you can't afford the real thing, don't buy it.

Designers
By purchasing fake bags, you are hurting the designers and the manufacturers. The time, effort and creativity put into producing a bag is extensive, from the initial sketches through the time it goes on the shelves. Additionally, if designers and brands are constantly having to spend money in court protecting their designs, the cost of their bags will rise too.

MY THOUGHTS

something to think about. most definitely. that is,if you still have sound values and try to live your life based on principles. what's in bag anyway. nothing maybe. just leather and zipper and buttons. and the lives of the people who mada that bag possible. so, why think about it?

How to Accessorize a Little Black Dress

How to Accessorize a Little Black Dress
Accessories for a Little Black Dress

From Kori Ellis, former About.com Guide

An essential in every woman's wardrobe, the little black dress is a stylish choice for many occasions. If you are wearing your little black dress to a cocktail party or evening event, these accessories will finish off your look perfectly.

Drop Earrings
You don't have to spend a fortune to look stylish and chic. These Eliot Danori earrings feature vintage-inspired Swarovski crystals for an elegant yet affordable appeal. These earrings are just $40.

Tennis Bracelet
A diamond tennis bracelet is a classic choice with a little black dress. It's sophisticated and classy. You don't need to splurge on diamonds. Sparkling cubic zirconia or other diamond alternatives are almost as good as the real deal.

Metallic Evening Bag
A small metallic evening clutch is a great complement to a little black dress. Metallic fabrics will add just a touch of shine for evening. Bags with sequins, beads and other embellishments are also terrific options.

Slingback Pumps
Select a pair of slingback pumps with a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2-inch heel to complement your little black dress. Black pumps are the obvious choice but silver is also a favorite. If you'd like a classic Audrey Hepburn style look, choose pumps with a round toe.

Dramatic Wrap
When it's chilly outside, add a wrap instead of an overcoat. You can choose from sheer silk wraps, fur-lined options, or something a little more dramatic like this leopard wrap from Harlequin Feltworks.

MY THOUGHTS

thing is, i do not have a little black dress. i have maybe a couple of black dresses. they are certainly not little. no problem with drop earrings and metallic evening bag. can't remember what happened to the tennis bracelet. i think i threw it in the face of the &*#$ who gave it to me. i've come to hate pumps and i certainly don't like wraps. dramatic or not. in other words, my lifestyle has changed so much the past years, i have no need to accessorize the little black because i don't have the need for it.