Description
Apparel is the term used to describe the clothes that people wear. Throughout the world, people dress for different reasons. Circumstances that determine how we dress include:
 •  Weather - colder climates may see more sweaters and parkas while warmer areas have more shorts and sun dresses.

 •  Religion (and customs) – Communion dresses and christening gowns, veils that Muslim women wear since they cannot show their hair in public and yarmulkes that Orthodox Jewish men wear on their heads as a reminder of their g-d above them, are examples of religious attire worn.

 •  Status and Position – In ancient times social status heavily dictated the mode of dress. Sumptuary laws were laws that regulated habits of consumption, essentially established for the purpose of curtailing extravagance and lavishness mainly against excessive spending and expenditures.

The laws dictated what type of clothing individuals were permitted to wear that could easily identify their rank and privilege. Medieval clothing put forward information about the social status of the person it adorned beyond the financial situation of that particular individual. Only royalty were allowed clothing trimmed with ermine. Nobles of a lesser status were permitted fox and otter.

These laws date back to the Romans and were prevalent throughout the ages. Only Roman senators were allowed to wear garments dyed with Tyrian (royal) purple.

Before the establishment of the republic in China, only the emperor could wear yellow and under the decree of the Travancore kingdom of India, lower class women had to pay a tax for the right to cover their upper body (some men may view this as a stroke of genius ; )). Modern day India sees common women folk wear saris (a 5-6 yard long piece of cloth) while the more well off will wear jeans. The high cost of status garments limits their purchase by people with limited means.

But in western culture social pressures dictate fashion to a large degree, as well. Although Haute Couture, exclusive custom-fit fashions, are purchased by the wealthy based on their ability to afford it, fear of being ostracized keeps people buying brand names and styles (even those that could ill afford it) giving the world the perception that they belong to that certain class they so crave to be part of.

 •  Availability – different countries have different fabrics and materials available to them. European countries have an assortment of cloth and textile available to them including artificially made fibers like polyester, while places like Indonesia are limited to clothing made from natural materials like cotton.

Yet regardless of their cultures, needs, desires or region, or whether they are male or female, young or old, petite or plus size, decisions on what to wear are made on a daily basis, sometimes more. Generally, the activities of the day determine the attire worn. As we travel through life and muddle through the day to day, for most of us what we look like is usually front and center in our minds (at least at one point during the day). But to get to that place where we look like we want to, we must begin with the search and acquisition of the perfect outfit. From dressy to casual the options are endless, the choices abundant and the venues limitless.

Types
Who, What, Where, and Why - Questions that determine choice of clothes purchase. There are different types of clothing appropriate for each event/occasion in our lives, and those, in addition to considering age and gender, determine our choice of dress, including:
 •  Career – professional looking clothing worn in corporate/work environments 
 •  Casual – refers to everyday clothes – generally associated with more comfort versus the business or formal attire 
 •  Active wear – sportswear – garb worn for sports and activities i.e. gym/exercise clothing 
 •  Swimwear – Apparel worn for swimming, it can extend to coverups and robes 
 •  Outerwear – Apparel for use outdoors 
 •  Formalwear – refers to clothing suitable for formal events i.e. weddings, bar mitzvahs, dinners, balls etc.  
 •  Sleepwear – clothing designed to be worn at night (for sleeping) 
 •  Intimate Apparel – Lingerie – women’s undergarments 
 •  Footwear – everything worn on a foot which includes shoes, boots, sneakers, slippers and socks 

Questions to ask the expert
 •  How much time before the event do I need to begin shopping for that special outfit?
 •  Where do I find the best deals with the most sales?
 •  Are department stores better than small boutiques?
 •  How do I know if I am getting a good deal?
 •  Does the material that the dress/suit/outfit is made of really matter?
 •  How safe is internet shopping?
 •  Are there better deals online than in the stores?
 •  Is there anything that should never be purchased online?

General Tips
 •  Style and color are key elements in your search for the perfect outfit
 •  Not every outfit works for all body types
 •  Dress to flatter your figure
 •  Going trendy doesn’t work for everyone. Classic styles don’t go out of style, reflect timeless elegance and generally flatter a large part of the population
 •  Dress your age. Often clothing designed for someone older or younger will look inappropriate and minimize any redeeming aspects of that particular get-up
 •  If unsure what you’re best asset is ask a friend and/or family member – but be sure they will be honest with you
 •  Be a smart shopper – just because it says “SALE” or “CLEARANCE” – doesn’t mean you are getting the best deal.
 •  Learn the stores return policy, and if it is limited be sure to consider that when making your purchase. All too often we are stuck with items we will never wear because we were too hasty in our purchase
 •  Always keep receipts – many stores will not give you full credit unless you have the receipt and often your particular buy is only worth a small percentage of your purchase price

List of Products & Services

 •  Shoes

 •  Bags and More

 •  Men's Style

 •  Women's Style

 

School Uniforms

Books and Publications