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New York - The birthday boy was turning 6, and my own young son and I arrived at the celebration in our somewhat loose definition of party clothes: Timothy in his best bluejeans and a tiny button-down shirt with stripes the colors of popsicles. The party room was filled with balloons; parents drinking coffee; a stray baby sister or two; and a dozen little boys, more than half of whom were dressed in various pieces of camouflage sportswear. Together, they suggested a small army squad. For a moment, I thought I must have missed something in the invitation – that...

The first pics of the much anticipated Jimmy Choo for H&M collaboration have leaked out. As it was announced, the menswear and men’s accessories will also hit the stores when the whole collection launches on November 14, 2009. The folks over at mencloset.com have a sneak preview of the men’s clothes, belts, shoes and bags which look so surprisingly cool, we’ll probably grab something for ourselves.

NAJAF — The Iraqi provincial government recently received three pallets of humanitarian relief supplies from organizations in the United States, which they will distribute to the local populace here. "Helping people who are less fortunate is always a good thing whether in your home town or across the world," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Fred Harmon, project coordinator. "It is important because it is a capacity-building effort," added U.S. Army Lt. Col. Roberto L. Garcia, a civil affairs officer with the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade in Homewood, Ill., and project coordinator back in the States. "It not only helps one...

The resort collections have previously been regarded as a luxurious collection created for those who spend Christmas in Buenos Aires or the French Riviera. More and more, the resort and pre-fall collections have become increasingly more important. They act as a bridge for collections from fall to spring, and these collections tend to be less expensive (gasp!) and often more wearable! With the future of runway uncertain in these tough economic times the spotlight is on resort. Below are the top 5 resort/cruise collections. CHANELThe Kaiser Karl always knows how to make an impact and this collection was no exception....

While companies across the country are downsizing, some in the fashion world have decided that it's time for a bit of upsizing. This spring, the cheap chic emporiums, Target and Forever 21, will launch plus-size lines for teenagers. Forever 21's line, Faith 21, will have sizes ranging from XL-2X, while Target's Pure Energy line will go up to a size 30. It's about time, said several shoppers scouring the crowded racks of a Forever 21 branch in downtown Manhattan, New York, one recent afternoon. "I would love to be able to shop in one store with my friends that are...

A glove that works as a cell phone, a vest that senses danger and a tank top that measures heart rate. It seems that the hi-tech textiles by Swedish School of Textiles researcher Lena Berglin could turn anyone into a superhero.

The Fashion Police at thefashiontime.com’s headquarters are reporting that you won’t survive this new season without some funny dots on your clothing. Pollini, Loewe, Fendi, Dries Van Noten, Wunderkind, Giles, House of Holland and Dolce&Gabbana all share the same opinion. We tend to believe it’s time to go “dotty!”

Another season, another slew of fashionistas strutting through Bryant Park. This season the topic du jour is the foreboding recession. In New York we have seen those designers clearly affected by it in their work, and those that remain either optimistic or oblivious to it if business is good! Here are the top 5 New York Autumn Winter fashion shows: Marc JacobsThe recession seemed to be looming over Bryant Park this season and although it was apparent in the Marc Jacobs logistics (he downgraded his runway show by about 1000 people!) it was absolutely a different case on the runway....

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2009 – A troop-support group that provides clothing specially adapted for wounded troops recovering in military hospitals, will roll out a new line of garments later this year. Wounded soldiers show off their Sew Much Comfort adaptive T-shirts while recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The troop-support group provides adaptive clothing free of charge to support the unique needs of injured servicemembers. Courtesy photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “We are working on wheelchair garments and halo shirts,” Michele Cuppy, president of Sew Much Comfort, said. “We are also working...

Barring a reprieve, regulations set to take effect next month could force thousands of clothing retailers and thrift stores to throw away trunkloads of children's clothing. The law, aimed at keeping lead-filled merchandise away from children, mandates that all products sold for those age 12 and younger -- including clothing -- be tested for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable. Those that haven't been tested will be considered hazardous, regardless of whether they actually contain lead.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission gives a preliminary OK to exempt some items from testing after complaints of hardship to thrift stores and sellers of handmade toys. By Alana Semuels January 7, 2009 The Consumer Product Safety Commission has given preliminary approval to changes in new lead-testing rules after complaints that the measures could have forced thrift stores and sellers of handmade toys to dispose of merchandise or even go out of business.

Trent Hamm at thesimpledollar.com writes in his January 3 entry (excerpted) : "For those of you who haven’t heard the news yet, on February 10, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act comes into effect. One of the major changes that this program will bring into play is a mandate that everything sold for children 12 and younger will have to be tested for lead and phthalates, and anything that isn’t tested (or that fails) will be considered hazardous and cannot be sold. Read more about the CPSIA at the L.A. Times and some interesting blog commentary from the fashion...

New taxes, deep cuts to education and health care, and a restructuring of the state's economic development programs will be hallmarks of Gov. David Paterson's first budget plan to be released in two days, according to interviews of people briefed on components. The plan will come with a host of revenue raisers — increased taxes on hospitals and insurance policies, for instance — and at least one new assessment, a so-called obesity tax on non-diet soda to raise $404 million. The governor also is contemplating requiring new license plates to raise cash, reviving sales tax on clothing purchases, removing the...

Who said men’s pajamas and underwear belong only to men? For Spring 2009, designers delivered these intimate pieces specially for women. You have Dolce & Gabbana, Kris Van Assche, Yves Saint Laurent, and Etro to blame for this new trend. Dolce & Gabbana, Kris Van Assche, Etro, Yves Saint Laurent

Hi Bill, In your recent Townhall piece you posit that there are Republicans who feel that Governor Palin is too unqualified to lead, so it's better for them if they maginalize her now so they won't have to deal with her again in 2012. You couldn't be more wrong. Her assailants, from the Right and the Left (and the media..., ahem) have seen what she has done in Alaska as Governor. Huge Oil Company lobbies shut down. Oil revenues going into the hands of the voters. Powerful, entrenched "old boy network" mavens gone, castrated, or in jail... Democrats and Republicans....

From military inspired to A-lined, fur trimmed to cocoon, find your perfect winter coat. The Fashion Time Magazine editors select the 20 best coats from the Fall/Winter ’09 runways. Ruffian Dsquared²

Video here. Classic line when she refers to the flag pin, an "accessory" Obama dislikes. Anyone who has pictures of Sarah Palin, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Laura Ingraham, and other both principled and attractive conservative women, please post them all here. Who can post the most? Let the contest begin.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Republican John McCain said Sunday that one-third of the $150,000 that the GOP spent on clothing and accessories for his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and her family, "is given back."

Video here. Who agrees that she looks very very good in it? Perhaps they should call it a smoking jacket, because she looks smoking hot in it!

About that $150,000 that the RNC spent for campaign appearances sake on Clan Palin... The liberals and their captive media outlets, MSDNC in particular, have been howling like lonesome coyotes over it. They don't seem to think that the $5 Million and change that was spent to move Barack Obama's acceptance speech from Denver's Pepsi Center to Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium is in any way as audacious as dropping a mere $150K on Gov. Palin and her family. Okay, we can play that game. Forget the Night of The Greek Columns. By the strangest of political coincidences, $150,000...

After putting it on Thursday's front page, the New York Times was still harping on Gov. Palin's wardrobe and who picked it out in three I.Q. melting stories in Friday's edition: "Wardrobe Mysteries Linger..." by Michael Luo and Eric Wilson, "...And a Whiff of Clarity" by Luo alone, plus a Metro section story. In "Clarity," Luo tried to nail down the role in this grand conspiracy of one "Lisa A. Kine." The F.E.C. records showed a "Lisa L. Kine" was reimbursed for more than $2,000 in charges, including those made at Pacifier, as well as others at Macy's, the Gap,...

Hilarity is the operative term whenever liberals try to make an issue out of spending, either personally or by government. The latest example is the comical reaction of the left to the upgrade of Governor Palin's wardrobe, reportedly costing the Republican party $150,000. To begin with, of course, is the fact that the tab for this wardrobe enhancement is not, we repeat not, a taxpayer funded expenditure. The second point is that Governor Palin is such a drop-dead beauty that crowing her with the most pricey and luxurious clothing available is not only appropriate, but it is actually also mandatory...

So now we learn that the RNC shelled out $150,000 for clothing, hair, and make-up for Sarah Palin since her surprise nomination. Scandal! Gotcha! Such hypocrisy! If she wants the Joe Six-pack vote, the "logic" goes, why isn't she wearing clothes from Target? Huh? While everyone seems to get that Palin had to have an emergency make-over for prime time, this particular number offends — as does the fact that she didn't pay for it herself. Was a new wardrobe neccessary? Clearly. Last winter, when she posed for Vogue, Governor Palin wore a big, army green parka, (partly to hide...

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the Republican Party decided to coordinate expenses with John McCain's presidential campaign, who knew it would be color coordinated. The Republican National Committee spent about $150,000 on clothing, hair styling, makeup and other "campaign accessories" in September for the McCain campaign after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin joined the ticket as his running mate. The McCain campaign now says the clothing will go to a "charitable purpose" after the campaign. The expenses include $75,062 spent at Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis and $41,850 in St. Louis in early September. The committee also reported spending $4,100 for makeup and...

The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August. According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74. The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September. The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August. The...

The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August. According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74. The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September. The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August. The...

Yes, the Republican Party spent a fair chunk of change to spruce up Sarah Palin's wardrobe as she made her entree onto the national political scene. But after the campaign ends, the new clothes purchased for her and some family members are headed to charities. "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign," said Tracey Schmitt of John McCain's campaign.

The Republican National Committee appears to have spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August. According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74. The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September. The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in...

Structured jackets and coats are not easy to put on, but they give your silhouette an edgy shape and a sculptured look. Architectural shoulders and asymmetrical dresses are du jour (think of Balenciaga, Jil Sander and Calvin Klein). Giambattista Valli, Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs, Jiles Fall/Winter ‘09>

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 7, 2008 – Donations of school supplies and children’s clothing from military families and friends at home are helping deployed New York Army National Guard soldiers in their mission to mentor and train the Afghan national security forces and support the Afghan people. Army Master Sgt. Michael Molgaard helps to unload boxes of donated clothing and school supplies with an Afghan policeman at the Afshar School. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Robert Romano, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Members of the Afghan National Police delivered hundreds of pounds of schools...

Channel your inner bad girl with these statement making leggings by hot new brand Les Chiffoniers. Aqua Women’s Latex Leggings Alice + Olivia Latex Leggings

Victoria Beckham’s fashion adventures continued, as she styled a white dress with oversized buttons that worked as a big blazer. She complimented her outfit with a Birkin bag and matching white pumps.

Elie Tahari, Karen Walker, Marc Jacobs, Dolce and Gabbana Fall/Winter ‘09Stealing your boyfriend's blazer is not a crime, since Yves Saint Laurent popularized androgyny in women’s fashion decades ago. Every season, designers bring us vests, beenie hats, baggy pants, and tuxedo jackets in new shapes and combinations. This season’s mix of masculinity and feminine sexiness is more funky and edgy than the femme fatale look. Our favorite looks (cropped trousers, sharp shoulders, oversized vests, and long blazers) were delivered to the catwalk by Alexander Wang, Chriz Benz, and Marc Jacobs.

Pringle, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter ‘09It wasn’t hard to notice that the fall runways were trail blazed with cocoon silhouettes and bug-like shapes, seen especially in evidence among the coats. With their simplicity and minimalism they captured our hearts, but we are unconvinced that these coats will fit every woman, and they are not the easiest ones to put on.

Giorgio Armani, Etro, MaxAzria, Preen F/W 08It was obvious at the Fall/Winter fashion shows that peplum was trendy once more, as well as a ladylike attitude towards fall styles. The echo of the Victorian era, when ladies wore peplum jackets with full long skirts, was very apparent at the Prada, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, YSL and Chanel shows.

Connecting Shoes, the Poor, and China by: Daniel Smith, August 06, 2008 A small, unknown congressional bill, currently committee-stalled in both houses of Congress, illustrates the difficulty in passing any legislation, even if it is supported by both sides of the aisle. Case in point— Affordable Footwear Act of 2007 (AFA), a “bipartisan effort” also known as H.R. 3934. It’s companion bill in the Senate is S. 2372. Notable Republicans, an Independent, and Democrats have signed on: Representatives Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Henry Waxman (D-CA), as well as Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Joe Lieberman(ID-CT), and John Sununu (R-NH). A Democrat...

Plunging necklines blamed for plunging sales by female M&S shareholders Last updated at 19:42pm on 09.07.08  Plunging necklines have been blamed for plunging sales as Marks & Spencer chiefs today came under fire from lady shareholders.Executives faced complaints from some that its fashions are too young, offering too much cleavage for its loyal older customers.Investors have been getting worried because the value of M&S shares has slumped in recent days after the iconic high street chain revealed a fall in sales.And today at the company's AGM at London's Royal Festival Hall, shareholders lined up to offer a diagnosis of...

In S/S ‘08 many designers told us a bedtime story and dressed up their models in sheer seductive fabrics. As part of the chic boudoir trend, it became clear that lace is not the old fashioned fabric from your grandmother’s wardrobe anymore. The good news is that this trend will continue to invade our closets even in Fall ‘08. Traditional white, ecru, and muted lace is undisputedly romantic, while black makes edgy silhouettes and reminds one of gothic chic.

Sweet beach cover-ups are always in fashion. From sheer ikat-print tunics and caftans, to sarongs and pareo, cover-ups are the perfect versatile vacation piece. The Fashion Time Magazine Editors present the season’s must have cover-ups for every budget.

What a wonderful summer you can have with layers of soft tiered ruffles on your skirt! These above-the-knee skirts are called Ra-Ra, because they were derived from the skirts cheerleaders wore, and we know the fashionistas of 80s, certainly loved them to pieces.

Goldy Gopher has gone sexy on us. Next month, the University of Minnesota mascot will appear in Victoria's Secret stores, adorning hoodies, T-shirts (pictured) and panties (not pictured) in the chain's Pink collection of lounge wear for young women. The lingerie chain, which has been trying to broaden its appeal as it struggles with declining sales, will carry merchandise from 33 universities as part of a licensing deal announced this week. Big Ten rivals Wisconsin, Michigan and Penn State also made the cut --

We live in times when blatant immodesty is rampant. Everywhere we are bombarded with intimate sexual details of the lives of strangers.... It is human nature to oscillate from one extreme to another. Lady-like clothes have been replaced by either scanty attire or boyish sportswear, as Genevieve Kineke ponders in her book The Authentic Catholic Woman: The everyday dress of women should work to their advantage and call to mind the inherent dignity of a child of God. There is tremendous latitude in style today, but few current fashions really flatter women. From the nearly indecent clothing once restricted...

Be Super Chic down to your feet. Out suave the competition and make a bold fashion statement with this season’s trendiest socks. They look good, they feel good on you, and they tell the world, “Damn it, I’m Glam, and proud of it.” The Fashion Time editors present the Trendiest Socks of the Season… To read more...

In the summer, slip on chic wide leg pants, which are a key for spring’s relaxed tailored trend. They cut a sinuous silhouette which is reminiscent of ’40s glamour. Wide leg pants can transition from the office to dinner out easily, so pick up a pair and wear them wherever you go. To read more

With eco-fashion trending so quickly into people’s wardrobes, Fur Fashion Week looks like a controversy to be sure. This year’s Fur Fashion Week, organized by FICA (Fur Information Council of America) will take place over the next two days, May 13 – 14, at which time, there will be 17 presentations, including those by Michael Kors, Bill Blass, Ralph Rucci, Isaac Mizrahi, Peter Som, Zandra Rhodes, Zac Posen, Angel Sanchez, Carmen Mark Valvo, and Kati Stern for Venexiana.

Bamboo undergarments: How climate change is beginning to alter our apparel. TagsClimate Change, Environment, Fashion, Green It’s hard to imagine a shiny Mary Jane slipper or a faded cotton hoodie having grave impact on the planet. But experts insist that what we wear — from the way it’s made to the way it’s cleaned — can be a factor in global warming. “People think of fashion as the stuff you buy and wear,” said Jo Paoletti, a University of Maryland professor who studies clothing trends. “But it’s an entire process from the raw material to the making of fibers into...

  Jail break-in to give lag knickers   Policed briefs ... Everthorpe jail   By JOHN KAY Published: Today     A JAIL was broken into to supply a transvestite lag with women’s clothes, it was revealed yesterday. Officers found knickers, ball gowns and denim skirts in a burglary convict’s cell, along with drugs and mobile phones. An accomplice on the outside used a ladder to scale the 20ft perimeter wall, making regular break-ins. The hauls were sold to fellow cons at £600 a time – but the contraband was found last Friday after officers were tipped off. A...

RICHMOND, Va. - As an Army surgeon in the Middle East, Dr. Keith Rose watched a colleague bleed to death when a truck in his convoy was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade. Rose could not get his comrade a tourniquet, which could have helped control the bleeding on his wounded leg, and sat along the mangled wreckage and talked with him as he took his last breath. "It really kind of frustrated me," Rose said. Once he returned to the U.S., Rose approached BlackHawk, a provider of military and law enforcement gear, with an idea to create clothes with built-in...

A seemingly small-time drug ring busted this week in Los Angeles was actually targeted for funding the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, the Daily News has learned. Prosecutors left out the terror tie when they announced Tuesday that federal agents and local cops had arrested a dozen people for allegedly peddling cocaine and counterfeit clothing in Bell, Calif. But several sources familiar with the investigation said the predominantly Arab-American gang was believed to have smuggled its crime cash to the Iranian-backed terror group. "This was a classic case of terrorism financing, and it was pretty sophisticated how they did it," a...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand‘s government is investigating clothing imports from China after some were found to contain dangerously high levels of the chemical formaldehyde, officials said Monday. Formaldehyde — a preservative that is used to give a permanent press effect to clothes and also as an embalming fluid — can cause problems ranging from skin rashes to cancer. "Target" producer Simon Roy said scientists from government agency AgriQuality had tested a variety of new children‘s and adult‘s clothes. Ministry of Consumer Affairs general manager Liz MacPherson said it had launched an investigation into the nature and size of...