
Self-esteem is a constant struggle, one that you deal with regardless of your size. Being plus-size should not be a hindrance for being confident with yourself, setting your own fashion trends and being the supermodel you always dream of.



Arvin Jon B. Cobarrubias
C31
MARIE CLAIRE/MARCH 2010/P.116





You look gorgeous lady! This is one of the many words that a guy will say to a girl if the latter looks trendy and fashionable. In the world of showbiz, fashion basically pertains to the way a certain person expresses herself by the way she looks or she dresses with style. For the past decades, the word fashion usually pertains to women and the way they dress. But now, the word fashion can already be adopted by men not only by the way they dress, but also the way they look. In short, we can say that fashion is not only about the way we dress, but is also about the way we want to live, and to be recognized by the people. Indeed, fashion can change the way you look if you know how to mix up with different styles and designs. But of course, not all people, who are fashionable, can look good because it still depends whether he or she has the guts to carry the looks. People who engage in showbiz are usually the ones tagged as fashion icon among the youth. This is because these types of people are usually the ones who have the money and resources to change the way they look by buying stylish clothes, and by engaging in different cosmetic treatments that can change the way they look. But we should also know that there are a lot of showbiz people who are simple yet still being loved and idolized by the people.
As what I have read from Elle magazine, Twilight lead actress, Kristen Stewart, said that being nominated in Oscars for best actress award, and having won a couple of recognition on her stint in Twilight and New Moon doesn’t involve any fashion at all. We all know that Kristen Stewart is a tough, serious and shy-type girl. She used these personalities in her movie because these traits are already known to her. She did not change the way she dress or the way she behave in any of the events that she had attended. She boldly said that she just acted the way she is in her stint in Twilight and New Moon, and at the same time she is happy because people still idolize and like her despite of her a bit boring performance in both of her movies. She even said that she wants people to remember her not the way she looks in Twilight or any of her movies, but by something more important to her, which is to be remembered as the real Kristen Stewart outside showbiz.
In line with my example in the previous paragraph, I believe that fashion indeed can change the way we look, but we should still keep it mind that dressing the way we want to be is still the best way to express ourselves. We should avoid mimicking or copying how other people dress or how other people look if we don’t like them at all. Of course, there’s nothing bad in being trendy and fashionable, but we should know our limitations because transforming from an old look to a new look might also change the way we behave and at the same time might change the way other people look to us. Other people might misinterpret us if we change our looks all of a sudden. In short, what I wanted to say is that our personality should not be carried away by the way we dress. Our personality should still remain intact despite having different looks. Though at the end of the day, being natural and simple is still the best way to express yourself. This is because people have already get used by the way you dress. Changing the way we look might have a negative effect on our part especially if our personality also changes too. Keep in mind that fashion is there to guide us on how the way we dress, but our personality must not be carried away by the new way we dress.
- Jackyson B. Sze
11009357
C31 - BSA
Source: "The Big Idea." Elle Magazine. June 2010, p. 34

It’s amazing how a mere collection of smooth, glossy, printed paper could control a person—better yet; a whole community. At the start of the entry, I wrote a common comment going around the lips of naturally ‘in’ people. The fashion world is nasty-comment, after nasty comment—or so those at the end of the nasty-comment would say, but being a person that follows the trends closely, I’ve realized that the ‘in’ crowds don’t just say those ‘nasty’ comments because they want to—they just can’t help themselves. In a world lead by The Word of the recently considered ‘hot designer’, it is inevitable for those into fashion to not be so meticulous about the world around them. But of course it is unfair to see this as the only down side of the problem; the eyes to which those who don’t care about the latest fads have to be heard as well. I, myself don’t really give a second thought to what I wear before, and when I view those that would constantly watch the Lifestyle Network and subscribe to the Preview magazine as zombies. ‘Have they no consideration for comfort?’ I had thought then. Back then I had the notion that being in-style means to be in-uncomfortable clothing. I had thought that watching eagerly at the appearing fads is something only a ‘no-brainer’ could do, but after picking one (magazine) up and reading through it, I found out that being in-style does have its perks. Having the proper outfit at some events would score you credibility points, and being conscious about the way you dress means having others stop being conscious about it.

ELLE magazine had broken one of the most scared rules of the fashion industry and that was ‘Size Matters’. In a new issue they had proposed to use plus size women at the cover front of their new release. Things like this, had earned an earful applause from the stands and other enthusiasts, and I say why not? Fashion is for everyone—no matter the size, as long as they use the basics of mix’n’match, walk with confidence and strut their stuff, people would realize that definitely ‘size’ is just a fallacy in fashion. Plus or not, everyone can afford to look great and feel great.
"Fashion lapses, but Style is eternal" - Nina Garcia
FASHION! (It’s effect to society can only be written in capitalized letters and an exclamation point) It’s a blind spot and a source of power at the same time. Those that could manipulate and stick with the trends would benefit a lot from it. It does not imply that being ‘in the trends’ would automatically sell your soul to the mindless world of simply following trends, because a) everyone has their own fashion to follow and b) being updated with the trends brings along a lot of positive effects. Learning ‘How to’s, and ‘What goes together’ can also be taken as a suggestion—not an absolute order—some people would take it, piece it together, and make it their own. Fashion is merely an ingredient of a person’s expression of self, and once it’s use to its fullest capabilities and mixed with the personality of the dresser then it becomes Style.
Watch the change, and see how manipulating trends can move to your advantage!
April Santiago, C31- ENGLCOM
Source: McVeigh, Tracy. " Elle magazine breaks fashion's last taboo: plus-size models on the cover | Life and style | The Observer ." Latest news, comment and reviews from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk . N.p., n.d. Web. 4 June 2010.

Strappy heels may be sexy, but they can pose serious health risks, according to research. If giving up high heels is too much to ask for, take steps (excuse the pun) towards choosing a better fit. Trevor Prior, consultant podiatric surgeon with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, doesn’t recommend that women should wear high heel shoes, but he does offer these tips for making a smarter purchase:

Simple but elegant heels
1. Make sure the toe box is the shape of your foot (and not any narrower) and is 1cm longer than your big toe.
2. The more padding the better - consider inserts.
3. A strong strap over the arch of the foot can help stop the foot slipping and better provide support.
4. How low can you go? Don’t choose heels higher than an inch.
5. Stilletos do not provide enough support, so go for a wide or thick heel.

There are lots of new Fashion trends as years go by. Of course, we ladies have the tendency to follow the latest fashion trends. No matter how uncomfortable or uneasy they are in their outfit, the important thing is that they are “IN” with the new.
Wearing strappy high heels tops the latest trends nowadays. Sex and the city stars, actress Gwyneth Paltrowand other Hollywood actresses popularized these kind of fashion style. But behind your really cool and attractive fashion statement with matching high heels costs you risksthat can give you a long-term damage to your feet – which decreases your chances of wearing high heels again. Women who wear high heels suffer permanent body problems that were proven by many studies and researches. The higher the heels of your shoes, the higher the pressure is given to your muscles. Your muscles at your feet usually contracts when you walk in high heels. This can damage your whole body particularly your hips, shoulders, knees and toes. Eventually, you’ll lose your balance and your body posture. So if you think you have the perfect body posture when wearing high heels, well then think twice ladies. =) I’m not saying that you can NEVER use high heels. The tips offered at the article above can help you get in the latest trends without hurting yourself. You can wear high heels occasionally. Besides, there are heels that can give you comfort even if you’re at work such as heels less than an inch or those wide heels that provides support.

For public information, seriously, you might end up like this when you wear high heels everyday.

Talking about fashion in shoes, this is a big “NO”. Who would want to wear these high heels?
So, why take these risks just to fit in? Don’t be deceived by the commercial or advertisements. Choose those that you’re comfortable with. Pain should not be the price of fashion. Comfort is the priority. Besides, you can still be in style even if you don’t wear high heels. The important thing is you’re confident and you can bring what you wear.
So ladies, girls and gals, just be true to yourself, choose your own creative style and go for it! That's what fashion is all about.J


Trivia: Catherine Zeta Jones - hailed as one of the most beautiful women on the planet. With her simplicity and charm, she truly knows how to bring her own style with confidence.
Melissa Angelyn R. Pascual
CBE/BSA C31
Blog entry # 1
Source: Rethinking the Height of Fashion. (2008, February). Reader’s Digest, p. 135












