I am in my mid 20's as many of my friends who have asked for my advice on the topic of basic etiquette are. I felt it would be a great idea to start a blog about about basic etiquette, proper dress, makeup techniques and other related items, to help those of us just starting out in the world ease into adult life a little smoother. I generally am an awkward individual, and I like to be prepared as much as possible, so I seem just a little less clumsy or uncertain. So, really, this will be a two part venture for me.
Please feel free to comment things you wish to see covered either about basic etiquette, basic dress, make-up, or other such related items. I have and will take the time to research each item I will be writing about, and will experiment in life to make sure the suggestions I am making work in the real world. Nothing is more annoying that being told that something will work, then finding that it only works in a perfect suburban world.
I really hope you find this bit of information that I post here helpful and are able to use some of it in your life.
Love & Light
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Taking Pride in your Appearance.
The first step to knowing how to use proper etiquette is confidence; taking pride in yourself.
There is no point in learning proper etiquette if you do not take pride in yourself, your appearance and your lifestyle.
Taking pride in your appearance is very important when mixing into daily society. You may have what ever unique style you choose, however, making sure bra straps or underwear are not showing, is just a first step to basic etiquette. No one wants to see that you have not purchased a new pair of boxers since the Simpsons' first came on to television. It's just not polite.
Making sure that your face is clean, your shirt is lacking in major stains, and that your jeans are not completely tattered, (I, myself have fallen into this trap, so I am speaking from experience, not hypocrisy,) is a simple step. One you do not have to go out of your way to complete. It's really just common sense.
For women, making sure you do not have too much cleavage or that your pants are too low cut, can at times be a task for you. I personally have a larger sized chest, and have a difficulty finding that line between too much and just enough, since most shirts are made for medium "B" or small "C" cup size busts. However, the popularity of the under shirt, or lacy cami, make this a easy fix.
Please purchase pants that are flattering on your body, yet still allow you to bend/stoop/sit with out revealing your choice undergarment of the day. The lack of panty-lines are defeated if we see your underwear hanging grotesquely out of the top of your pant. Conquering the "muffin-top" is also quite the challenge, one I face on a daily basis myself. Investing in a simple, classic, leather belt will help alleviate this issue, though not necessarily solve it completely.
Men. It became a tragically popular style in the 1990's to allow your underwear to be exposed outside of your pants. This is no longer an accepted style (Thank Heaven!). Please invest in a belt or 2. If you purchase a simple leather belt that has a handi reversible buckle, this will save you some money, as one side is usually black, and the other, brown leather. And regardless or what you are used to, if you purchase boxer briefs, they will work with any number or pants, from the tighter jean, to the classic linen pant. Please make a purchase or 2or 3 immediately. (Beside the lack of the "boxer wrinkle" and constant adjustment, you will find that, depending on your body shape, 4.5 out of 5 women prefer these over boxers and definitely better than the simple brief,).
Making sure your clothing is lacking in tatters and stains is also a quick way to spruce up your appearance. This is an easy thing to keep up on as well. Make sure you have enough clothing that you are able to cycle through your pants regularly, so that the possibility of ripping the bottom hem is lessened. And, though stains can be trickier, please be sure you attempt to rid the stains as soon as you are able. If you do not have a special stain remover, you can use a mixture of Dawn dish soap and a bit of laundry detergent (the granule type) and rub it in to the fabric, then rinse and repeat as often as necessary. I swear by this for grease stains, marker/pen stains (not Sharpe pens, however,) and some simple grass stains. Grass stains may need a little tougher scrubbing, perhaps with an old toothbrush and this mixture of dish soap and detergent.
Making sure that your clothing is the proper fit, can be problematic. It is difficult to tell sometimes, whether you are wearing your pants correctly, or, whether your bra, for instance, is the correct cup size; especially if you have been wearing the incorrect sizes for some time. When purchasing new pants/skirts/shirts/jackets, do not be afraid or ashamed to bring 3 sizes into the dressing room with you. It is good to bring the size you think you are, one size above, and one size down. It is easier than bringing one or two sizes in, then realizing neither or correct and not having a helpful dressing room attendant to fetch the next size you need. Wearing the proper size is a small price to pay for wearing something that is ill-fitting for the sake of a smaller size.
I hope this is some helpful, basic appearance standards to go by.
Please feel free to comment things you wish to see covered either about basic etiquette, basic dress, make-up, or other such related items. I have and will take the time to research each item I will be writing about, and will experiment in life to make sure the suggestions I am making work in the real world. Nothing is more annoying that being told that something will work, then finding that it only works in a perfect suburban world.
Love and Light!
There is no point in learning proper etiquette if you do not take pride in yourself, your appearance and your lifestyle.
Taking pride in your appearance is very important when mixing into daily society. You may have what ever unique style you choose, however, making sure bra straps or underwear are not showing, is just a first step to basic etiquette. No one wants to see that you have not purchased a new pair of boxers since the Simpsons' first came on to television. It's just not polite.
Making sure that your face is clean, your shirt is lacking in major stains, and that your jeans are not completely tattered, (I, myself have fallen into this trap, so I am speaking from experience, not hypocrisy,) is a simple step. One you do not have to go out of your way to complete. It's really just common sense.
For women, making sure you do not have too much cleavage or that your pants are too low cut, can at times be a task for you. I personally have a larger sized chest, and have a difficulty finding that line between too much and just enough, since most shirts are made for medium "B" or small "C" cup size busts. However, the popularity of the under shirt, or lacy cami, make this a easy fix.
Please purchase pants that are flattering on your body, yet still allow you to bend/stoop/sit with out revealing your choice undergarment of the day. The lack of panty-lines are defeated if we see your underwear hanging grotesquely out of the top of your pant. Conquering the "muffin-top" is also quite the challenge, one I face on a daily basis myself. Investing in a simple, classic, leather belt will help alleviate this issue, though not necessarily solve it completely.
Men. It became a tragically popular style in the 1990's to allow your underwear to be exposed outside of your pants. This is no longer an accepted style (Thank Heaven!). Please invest in a belt or 2. If you purchase a simple leather belt that has a handi reversible buckle, this will save you some money, as one side is usually black, and the other, brown leather. And regardless or what you are used to, if you purchase boxer briefs, they will work with any number or pants, from the tighter jean, to the classic linen pant. Please make a purchase or 2or 3 immediately. (Beside the lack of the "boxer wrinkle" and constant adjustment, you will find that, depending on your body shape, 4.5 out of 5 women prefer these over boxers and definitely better than the simple brief,).
Making sure your clothing is lacking in tatters and stains is also a quick way to spruce up your appearance. This is an easy thing to keep up on as well. Make sure you have enough clothing that you are able to cycle through your pants regularly, so that the possibility of ripping the bottom hem is lessened. And, though stains can be trickier, please be sure you attempt to rid the stains as soon as you are able. If you do not have a special stain remover, you can use a mixture of Dawn dish soap and a bit of laundry detergent (the granule type) and rub it in to the fabric, then rinse and repeat as often as necessary. I swear by this for grease stains, marker/pen stains (not Sharpe pens, however,) and some simple grass stains. Grass stains may need a little tougher scrubbing, perhaps with an old toothbrush and this mixture of dish soap and detergent.
Making sure that your clothing is the proper fit, can be problematic. It is difficult to tell sometimes, whether you are wearing your pants correctly, or, whether your bra, for instance, is the correct cup size; especially if you have been wearing the incorrect sizes for some time. When purchasing new pants/skirts/shirts/jackets, do not be afraid or ashamed to bring 3 sizes into the dressing room with you. It is good to bring the size you think you are, one size above, and one size down. It is easier than bringing one or two sizes in, then realizing neither or correct and not having a helpful dressing room attendant to fetch the next size you need. Wearing the proper size is a small price to pay for wearing something that is ill-fitting for the sake of a smaller size.
I hope this is some helpful, basic appearance standards to go by.
Please feel free to comment things you wish to see covered either about basic etiquette, basic dress, make-up, or other such related items. I have and will take the time to research each item I will be writing about, and will experiment in life to make sure the suggestions I am making work in the real world. Nothing is more annoying that being told that something will work, then finding that it only works in a perfect suburban world.
Love and Light!
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