I thought I'd share a few of my favorite fashion haunts with you guys......

Dress:

-Men's Wearhouse: higher quality, expensive, the best dress shirts ever

-TJ Maxx: Higher quality clearance, best clearance style store 

-Marshalls and Ross: not as good as TJ Maxx

-Thrift stores: hit and miss, sometimes the getting is good.... and sometimes not

-Dillards, Macy's, etc: only once in awhile do I venture here, too expensive, not the best sales   

Casual:

-Buckle: one word... awesome

-Marshalls and Ross: clearance attire, good selection ($100 jeans=$20)

-TJ Maxx: not quite as good as the other clearance stores 

-Thrift stores: rock the vintage stuff ;)

Shoes:

-D&W Shoes: best clearance shoe store I've been in

-Tom's: not a store rather it's a movement.....  http://www.tomsshoes.com/shoes.aspx

Notes:

-don't spend just to spend, shop long and hard 

-look in your friends closets for stuff they're not wearing or they grew out of 

Have fun!

Logically Smashing! in *cute* shoes

Unfortunately, there is no real definition of... :cue dramatic music: ...cute shoes. And being as there is no definition, I aim to make one up...Shoes are defined as - an external covering for the human foot.* Cute is defined as - attractive, especially in a dainty way; pleasingly pretty.* Combine the two together and you get the definition of cute shoes which is - an amazingly fantastic shoe that includes various colors, various heels (usually more than three inches), and various designs that all together combine a powerful combination of power and femininity...Is there anything more I need to say? 

Let me make a quick summary of what cute shoes means to those of you who are pondering about applying the name "cute shoes" to your own shoes. Cute shoes are as follows... 
First, they are the final touch to a person's appearance (usually a woman). 
Secondly, they are the individuals expression on how they want to define themselves whether through plaid converse or hot pink stilettos. 
Finally, they are a symbol to women around the world that you can pull off funky, crazy, outlandishly high heeled shoes and make yourself look...for lack of a better word, cute.  

In closing, someone wise once said, "If the [cute] shoe fits, wear it." 

* all definitions with one star are from dictionary.com 

Katie/Region 3 

Logically Smashing! in a flash of color

Calvin Seerveld (The Aesthetic Philosopher) said in an interview:

I think that Christianly-sensitive clothes would have a flash of colour.  They would be 

 quite diverse because the different personalities of the people, but it would be something 

that would make the passer-by or your neighbour get a jump of joy or a little surprise.  In 

the old days a gentleman would have a little brightly coloured feather in his derby hat.  I'm 

not saying that feather is the "Christian mark", but it has part of that allusive delight by 

saying this is clothing that has some kind of redemptive dimension, because it shows love 

for one's neighbour. 

...

I would say that simple, natural products—whether it's clothes or furniture—crafted 

well by people who have given their lifetime to it, is something that shows through also in 

the very kind of character that the furniture has. 

...a pause for Oscar Wilde

What for?

A question might be posed to just why we consider the precision of our outward appearance of any great import. Why we spend our time in contemplation of the pursuits and interests of fashion and dress. Is it to flatter ourselves? To further our standing in society? To express a personality, or a desire for better self grooming? Or... is it merely to display a bit of beauty? An infinitesimal shard of the lovely stained glass that is real fashion. But why for beauty's sake? What has it done to achieve such a wondrous deserving of definition and exposition? The words of Ralph Waldo Emerson mark out this truth with a delight in his poem The Rhodora: "Beauty is its own excuse for being." And thus... we dress.

Live true, dress right.

-Devon

...in purple Logically Smashing!

Purple is:

A shade of royalty.

A colour that pops.

Simply Dashing.

But above all? Purple communicates a bold statement - nonverbally, of course.

 "I'm not a fad-hopper, trendsetter, or wanna-be. 

  I'm classy, stylish, and not afraid of the colour spectrum."

It's rare to find such a colour that's brilliantly lovely...but yet still has a touch of masculinity at the same time. Stand in awe of Purple.

PS: Gray pinstripe suit/purple combo is my favorite

 Pink, on the other hand, is passe. True, once it was a colour that showcased courage and daring among men! In fact, the "Pink is Masculine" mindset soon overtook many a susceptible fellow. There was indeed an era in which pink stated individuality and transformed a normal guy into a vigilante of sorts, braving the shade known as 'girls territory only'. Thus, pink became cool. Thus, pink died. 

The overload of try-hards turned the formerly unique color into a logo.  

This isn't to say pink is hereby and forever banned. Nay, not in the least! There are always exceptions. Ties are perfectly welcome. An entirely black suit with a bright pink tie is charming, for instance. But if you're looking for the best option available, Welcome To:

 A Purple State of Mind

(ms.mary.claire.)

Logically Smashing! in a pencil skirt

Resolved: “When in doubt, the pencil skirt ought to be more highly valued then any other skirt” 

Or for the policy buffs out there ;)

Resolved: “The female participants of the NCFCA ought to significantly reform, their policy toward pencil skirts”

Weather taking over the world or just taking over the debate round, pencil skirts are the only option! Yes, I know it can be very difficult to part with our hot pink wavy skirts, but believe me pencil skirts will make you feel just as special and standoutish as you lumpy flair skirt, for a few reasons.

• First of all they are much more professional then any other skirt out there. When you look at great female leaders, politicians, ambassadors, and businesswomen, what do they wear? The answer is either a pencil skirt or slacks. Over all when you wear a pencil skirt they make you just look more professional and in control!
• They are the most flattering shape of skirt! Pencil skirts are the best skirt because they align and follow the natural shape of your body; they accent your waist, and flatter your legs because of the sleek design.
• They beat slacks any day!
• And the best reason of all… They are on the list as one of the “Must haves” of the winter/spring 2008/2009-fashion season! Weather you chose to dress your pencil skirt down with a boy friend cardigan and flats, or dress it up with a silk blouse and pumps, pencil skirts are a must have and are very versatile.

I would recommend all black or pin stripe when choosing suits, however I do realize there are those of us that are flamboyant by nature. So I can condone a red, purple, or yes even pink suit, however the skirt must be pencil! If not you run the risk of looking silly. 

*WARNING* I would caution you all though, pencil skirts are not for the interper! The pencil skirt should be worn by the die, hard NCFCAer, meaning those of us who debate, do platforms and limited prep. Do not! Wear a pencil skirt while doing and interp; they can be prone to ripping while doing exaggerated choreography. 

Nonetheless, when choosing skirts, chose pencil! For their professional connotations, they’re of so attractive style, and for their versatileness. Pencil skirts are the only way to go this up coming NCFCA season!

Christy/Region4

Logically Smashing! the world with boots

Throughout great literature you'll find an article mentioned that most are not aware of. Riding boots. Characters of Dickens, Wilde, and their contemporaries wore these mysterious things called the riding boots. Fortunately for us, riding boots are not a thing of the past, in fact, they are quiet the opposite. Riding boots are coming back both in casual dress and business dress circles. You may ask, "Why the heck would I buy a boot? I mean everyone else wears shoes, right?"

 Here's why: 

1-Exclusiveness 

Based on the small number of people who wear boots, if you do you're automatically in a very fashionable minority. 

2-Line 

Since the throat of the boot is much higher than that of a shoe, when you're walking your pant cuff is kept from catching on the tongue. This results in a proper break being maintained at the ankle even after aerobatic duo movements. 

3-Comfort 

The lack of a sharp edge biting in to your ankle is a definite benefit. 

So, if you want to look like you stepped out of the Importance of Being Ernest, or if you just want to win duo, bust out the boots!

:whisper: I LOVED a pair of Calvin Klein's I tried on today, check them out. 

Ian/Region4

A Preface For All

In the end, the endless struggle against the mundanity and farce-ish-nism of modern fashion, in the attempt of modesty and propriety, must be as one fought without hope, yet with the greatest courage and resolution none the less. In the words of Saint Francis of Assisi, "Preach the gospel at all times -- If necessary, use words." Our stand for Christ is not merely with our words, but also with our actions and lives. We must present ourselves in a way becoming of Him we represent.

Live true, dress right.

-Devon

Some of the things Googlism.com had to say about fashion

fashion is communication 
fashion is their passion
fashion is our passion
fashion is still not popular outside jpan
fashion is not just to be admired
fashion is a bargain
fashion is not pretty
fashion is made by people on the street
fashion is my passion
fashion is fun
fashion is an ever changing thing
fashion is art' 05/25/01
fashion is communication
fashion is in
fashion is not a victimless crime

Googlism.com works by cross referencing google searches and comes up with some amazingly ironic statements. This is just food for thought, 'cause I didn't have anything to post =)