Monday, March 30, 2009

Spring Walking Footwear - Escape the Treadmill and Get Outside

At the time of writing this article it is late March and spring is right around the corner for most of us. Time to put away the boots and gloves, snow shovels and crack open the windows a bit to get some fresh air into our winter hideaway. It's also time to lace up those walking shoes and say goodbye to the treadmill and go outside for your fitness walking routine. It might also be time to reevaluate your wardrobe, including your walking footwear. If it is an opportunity to buy a new pair of shoes, there is a very effective brand of walking footwear to look at purchasing this spring called MBT.

MBT is an acronym for Masai Barefoot Technology. It is described as an anti-shoe. First successfully launched in Europe, this footwear has become increasingly popular in the United States.The reason for its popularity is all the benefits they provide. MBT has been shown to help improve posture, lower the amount of back pain, is friendlier on the feet and joints, reduces the amount of muscle recovery needed between workouts and helps burn more calories by working muscles more than conventional footwear.

The secret to MBT lies in the sole design. They utilize a multiple layered curved sole. This concept employs a strategy of working core leg muscles more as you take steps. But they also provide benefits while standing. The curved sole makes your posture much improved and the constant instability makes circulation better so you actually feel better when wearing them.

MBT is an excellent choice of walking footwear this spring. So when you are folding up the treadmill and taking inventory of your wardrobe, keep MBT's in mind. Your body will thank you for it.

Need information about MBT footwear? Find detailed information on shoes, sandals and more. See articles, videos and other resources about MBT Shoes and other shoes.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

IZOD Polo Shirts

Polo shirts are premium products of IZOD, which is renowned for supreme quality and high comfort. Their designs are captivating and trendy and enhance the personality of those who wear them. The shirts have unique charm that is inspired by sports. They come in bright colors that delight and represent the youthful, adventurous spirit. They have a clean cut design and good fitting.

The performance golf pique polo is one such fine one. It is available in different colors like basil, chrome blue, cobalt, and lava and white. It is available for the sizes S, M, L, XL, and 2 XL. The fabric used is has antibacterial properties and is made from 100% polyester. It weighs 6 oz. It has a technology, which wicks away any moisture and helps to stay cool even on hot days. Its placket has three buttons, has a matching collar and seamed sides. The shirt does not give odor due to the antibacterial nature of the fabric. IZOD polo shirts like the micro/pima are made from 30% micro polyester and 70% Peruvian Pima cotton. They weigh around 5.5 oz. The logo is embroidered onto the right sleeve. The collar and cuffs have a bird's eye knit. Its hem is vented and tail is extended. The colors available are blue smoke, evening blue, soft green and stone dust. The sizes available are S, up to two XL.

The Micro/Pima golf shirt with tipped collar is a classy one. It has been made from 40% micro polyester and 60% Pima cotton from Peru. It has a sleek and shiny appearance and has vents on the sides. It has logo buttons and drop tail. The collar and cuffs are birds eye knit. The right sleeve has the logo embroidered on it. It is available in the evening blue, gunmetal, soft green and soft dust colors and for sizes S through 2 XL.

The adult Pima cool interlock polo shirt from IZOD weighs around 5.5 oz. It is a mixture of 42% polyester and 58% cotton. The logo has been embroidered onto the right sleeve. The collar is knit and has an ottoman stitch that is raised. The cuffs are hemmed and it has a split tail. It is available in sunbeam, sage, off white and midnight navy. Sizes are available for S up to two XL.

The Adult cool FX performance pinstripe is one that combines style and comfort. It is available in four colors, brown, oyster, Chianti and midnight. It weighs 6 oz and is made from 100% polyester. The shirt is tagless and it has moisture wicking technology, which helps in cooling off.

An IZOD polo shirt meant for the women is the Micro/Pima shirts. It is available in stone dust, soft green, evening blue and blue smoke colors. It weighs 5.5 oz. and is made from 30% micro-polyester and 70% Pima cotton. It is available in sizes S, M, L, XL, and 2 XL.

I am John James from greatcustomshirt.com and I am an expert on Clothing. I hope this article gives you a good start at your search for a Shirt, I have written a lot more free advice on IZOD Polo Shirts and tips on how to dress

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Thrift Store Fashionistas - Your Guide to Shopping Secondhand

The secret is out: there are jaw-dropping deals to be had at the thrift store! Even women who previously shunned the idea of wearing "someone else's clothing" are scouring their local Salvation Armies and Goodwills for designer bargains. But while thrift stores have piles of high quality used clothing at rock-bottom prices, there are also plenty of pitfalls to be found.

"Grant me the wisdom to change what I can, the serenity to accept what I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference." Whoever said that must have been a thrift-store fashionista! Here are some things to bear in mind when searching for secondhand steals, to avoid making someone else's headache your own:

Know your fabrics. There are two kinds of fiber: natural and synthetic. Many garments include both, in proportions stated on the label.

Natural fibers are, well, natural in origin: cotton, wool, silk, and linen are among the more commonly found ones. Their porous nature makes them absorbent, so they retain stains but also accept dye well. Natural fabrics tend to be wrinkly and are prone to shrink when washed or dried with heat.

Synthetic fibers are made of extruded plastic (!) and include fleece, acrylic, nylon, and polyester. These nonporous fibers usually need little or no ironing and do not shrink. With wear, synthetic knits (acrylic, for example) often develop those insidious little fuzzy balls called "pills" - an effective lint remover (or "pill shaver," as I like to call it) is an excellent investment to prolong the life of your knits.

Beware of the insidious "Dry clean only" tag unless you're okay with paying more to clean your clothes than you did to purchase them. Coats and jackets are an exception to this rule if your savings exceed the cost of dry cleaning. These items are almost always "Dry clean only," but shouldn't require frequent cleaning anyway.

Know the signs. When you find an item you like, examine it carefully for flaws and signs of wear. Some of can be fixed and some cannot. It's a good idea to know the return policy anywhere you shop.

Stains are the #1 reason for good clothes gone bad. Sometimes they can be cut off, i.e. pantlegs can be cut into shorts, long sleeves can be cut to mid- or short-sleeve length. (If you plan to do this, fold the item while trying it on, to get an idea of how it will look. Make sure it covers all of your assets, so to speak.)

Stains can also be disguised with an applique, patch pocket, or other creative additions. Check your local craft or fabric store for iron-ons, or use your computer to print your own personalized iron-on designs.

Some things gain character as they soften with age and wear; denim and leather come to mind. Pair them with newer pieces for wearability. For example, a crisp button-up or T-shirt is right at home under a vintage jacket or sweater. The latest skinny-leg jeans are perfect with a hot pair of vintage boots. How about a great-fitting pair of vintage jeans topped with an elegant wool or tweed jacket? Any thrift-store fashionista would be well-served to cultivate an appreciation for the vintage/distressed look.

Know when to hold 'em. Check zippers, snap snaps. Broken zippers, snaps, and grommets are tough fixes. Check wool for moth holes by holding it up to the light. Fabric that is ripped or worn away offers little foundation for lasting repair. And if clothing could be un-shrunk...well, a dime for every teensy cotton shirt or miniature wool sweater would be quite a fortune!

Buttons, on the other hand, are easy to remove and replace, so long as the fabric and buttonholes are in good shape. Check inside seams for extra buttons included by the manufacturer, or stop by the craft/sewing store on your way home and pick up some fancy ones. Tip: when you wear out clothing with attractive buttons, cut the buttons off and reuse them to dress up secondhand finds.

Be creative with your fixes! Replace a missing snap with a bow, bead or pin. Check out the jewelry case for interesting brooches or beads that can be reused. Ribbons and trims are inexpensive and available in a wide variety of colors and textures at fabric and craft stores. Use your imagination and work with the character of the piece to make it reflect your unique style!