Saturday, March 17, 2007

Are more women than ever going commando?

Are you going commando?

My mother always told me never leave the house without clean underwear.  In case you got into an accident and they had to take you to the hospital, you didn't want anyone to see you in dirty drawers.

Boy, would my mother be shocked  today when about 15% of the population (both male and female) have chosen to "go commando" and leave their underwear at home.

What started as a fad among the young hotties of Hollywood who always need some publicity gimmick for the competitive edge, has caught on like wildfire in a dry forest for the rest of the country. And while it might be something  the twenty-somethings have embraced, there are  plenty of women "over 40" who have abandoned their thongs for the pleasures of having nothing come between them and their Calvins.

So, are underpants a thing of the past? have some women and men decided that underwear is overkill when it comes to get dressed? Well one theory I have about the subject is that many women spend a lot of time, money and yes, some discomfort waxing their private parts. Ok, so if I am doing this so I can be smooth, silky and hairless why not take advantage of showing it off. It's not just that they are not wearing anything they want you to KNOW they are not wearing anything.

Of course, the world of fashion also has to take some responsibility for this trend since jeans are getting tighter and tighter and sweats and leggings have become part of a woman's basic everyday wardrobe. The very thought of a visible panty line caused women to give up the panty for the bikini, and the bikini for the for the thong.

While thongs may be considered sexy and have thousands  of women flocking  to Victoria Secrets, they are not  flattering to most  bodies and feel, like actress Joan Collins once said "Dental Floss for Your Ass."

The one thing that drives me nuts is seeing the "whale tail" on every other woman and girl on any given Saturday at the Mall. When the thong rides up over the top of your jeans it has all the fashion appeal  of dirty laundry.

But what about the medical ramifications of commando dressing? I remember in the 1970's when my good friend Maureen bought a pair of Sasson jeans and wore them with no underwear she wound up at the GYN's office with a major (and very uncomfortable) yeast infection. The doctor also told her that by putting the fabric right into the most intimate area of her vagina caused the dye from the material to rub off as she perspired causing a whole other set of problems.

I thought she was cool and a very forward thinker until I saw the antibiotics and creams she used for nearly a month. So the real issue here is that dispensing with your underwear is not so much the health hazard for infections but that it makes wearing very tight jeans easier and thereby causing major irritation.

One solution is to get some of those patches that go right onto your clothes and afford you protection while not sacrificing style and comfort. 

Try www.gocommando.com

Then if you want it to all hang out you can do so knowing that some part  of you is covered.

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Thursday, March 08, 2007

How Good Are Your Shoes?

I would rather buy shoes than anything else in this world including food.

Ever since I was growing up in New York, my mother and her sisters used to lecture me on the importance of a great shoe in every woman's life.

My Mother , who grew up during the Roaring 20's and as a young girl was a Flapper, always said people will know if you wear cheap shoes. So I always bought "good shoes". But how do you know, beyond the price tag, if a shoe is good. By that I mean, well made and worth the money you paid. Of course, a well made shoe is far more comfortable than a cheap one. It doesn't need to be "broken in."

Here is a simple test:

- Place a pair of a flat surface. If it is a high heel is it well balanced? Does it wobble? They should be perfectly balanced.

- Put two sizes next to each other. A size 7 and a size 9. The proportions should be the identical. To give this the acid test, put the two sizes next to each other. The heel of the larger size should be slightly higher.

- They should fit to the shape of your foot. When wearing a flat or a pump the sides should be flush with the foot. If you can get your finger in the back or side, the shoe is not made well.

And yes, how many pairs of shoes should any red blooded woman have? I have a friend who has 5 , she calls them her basic wardrobe. Well good for her. As for me, if this was the 18th century I would probably be in debter's prison for my shoe habit. So how much is enough or what does any one woman really need?

This is my latest version of your basic shoe wardrobe, given the current styles:

• One pair of a black leather slight round toe high heel pump. The heel height is whatever you can handle. From 1 1/2" to 4".
• A simple flat- I like a ballerina style or you can do one with a peep toe.
• One pair of open toe high heels.
• A loafer or moc style for casual wear
• Short boot
• Dressy sneakers

Of course, I have over 100 pairs but then again, I'm really into shoes:-)

Shopping tip: Buy shoes later in the day when your feet are slightly swollen not first thing in the morning. This is ultra important when you are buying boots.

Right now for Spring 2007 patent leather is so hot as is anything metallic. Yes, you can wear a silver or gold or copper flat for day. Same for velvet in the fall/winter. There is very little out there that is strictly day or night.

So go ahead and be nice to your feet and they will definitely take you where you want to go!

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