When I decide that I will treat myself to something new to wear (which is not that often), I suddenly realise that I have to go shopping. A strange sense of foreboding creeps over me as I realise I have to wade through ‘new trends’ and ‘current fashion’ to find what I would actually like to wear and what will actually fit me.

The horror of changing rooms with bad lighting, and snotty sales staff trying to push store cards on to me, I’d rather just go home and attempt to sew myself something new. Alas, I have no dressmaking skills and although the allure of internet shopping is very tempting, you have to face your fears.

I cannot tell you the amount of times I have picked up something that is ‘apparently’ my dress size to find I can barely get an arm in, or that it fits me everywhere but the bust. The frustration is immense as you realise you have spent ten minutes wrestling into a top that, once on, you realise it makes you look like an Amish person.

If you are anything like me then you need to hit the shops with an open mind as to what you want, and a cheery optimism that you’ll be able find something. Whether you’re looking for new work wear, some holiday clothes or going out dresses, make sure you put the effort in and make a day of it. Remember, every bad changing room experience takes you closer to the perfect outfit. Well, that’s what I like to tell myself.

On the positive side, though, there is nothing like the feeling of squeezing into something you picked up on a whim and finding it actually looks good. When you have a big night out you normally have to try on a great deal of party dresses to find the one that actually accentuates everything you like about your body, and hides the bits you’re not so hot on, but when you do it erases all bad shopping memories, for a little while.

Katherine Weir is an avid blogger of all things food, travel, entertainment and health and well-being. Follow her on Twitter @KatherineWeir

The two and three-piece suits are a favourite among many and can be worn to fit all manner of occasions. They can be used for very formal situations like a uniform for work, going for a job interview or attending a conference. As the evening dawns you can find some very attractive gear for attending dinner parties or premium nightclubs.

But what about those times when you don’t want the complete set? Ever had those periods where you walk into a store, see a suit and like the waistcoat and blazer but don’t like the trousers? What if you’d rather just a piece of it to add something extra to your existing look?

There are wide ranges of smart individual garments that can give your outfit an edge.

Tailored blazers or jackets can be paired with jeans or a skirt as well as trousers.

A nice alternative to a ladies suit, this dark grey two button T Tahari Petite jacket is slim fitted and can be worn to match formal or casual wear. It’s very crucial to choose one that fits your frame and accentuates your waist i.e. you don’t want to look like you’re drowning in it!

This velvet two button tailored jacket clearly shows that you don’t always need the ‘straight off the rack’ suits to achieve a stylish, smart image that works for you. It’s perfect to wear with jeans and open collared white or coloured shirts. This is a fine casual change from a men’s suit.

This Camel swing jacket goes well with wide legged trousers or dark coloured jeans.

It can be part of a women’s suit also.

This Lima tailored shirt is great to wear for many occasions including working environments with a more conservative dress code. Shirts can be tailoured to your liking including designs (plain, striped or other decorations), short or long sleeve and other customisations such as cufflinks.

Leather handbags are evergreen. They can never go out of fashion. What changes is their style, design, the embellishments on them and such other finer details. But, with everyone becoming more aware and environment friendly nowadays, leather handbags are facing a huge threat. But luckily for all you leather look lovers out there, there is a pretty good substitute for real leather which is faux leather! Faux leather, as the name suggests, is fake leather. It is an artificially synthesized substitute for animal hide (real leather).

The advantage of this synthetic substitute is that it can be fashioned according to our needs. It can be made as thick or thin or even firm or soft as we need. Another great thing about faux leather is that it requires very less effort to maintain, unlike real leather. As it is artificial leather, moisture doesn’t have the kind of adverse effect on it that it does on real leather.

They are also easily available in different colours, shapes and sizes and are much cheaper than leather bangs. Handbags made of faux leather are also much softer and lighter to carry. So, keeping these points in mind, make the wise decision of buying faux leather bags over leather bags and pat yourself on the back on having saved an animal’s life.

Diane Von Furstenberg once said- if you want to feel like a woman then wear a dress. This simple adage inspired this designer to create dresses after dresses that bring out the femininity and the natural beauty of every woman. Her designs embody 40’s glamour and the 70’s hip chic in such a very spectacular manner. This famed designer graced the cover of Newsweek in 1976 and was tagged as one of the new icon of the fashion industry and female liberation. She was even compared to the late Coco Chanel.

One of Diane Von Furstenberg’s trademarks is the wrap dress that fits a woman perfectly. Other notable creations from DVF include iconic floral prints on tops and dresses and cinched skirt suits. On top of designer clothes, the brand also creates sportswear, handbags, beauty products and fragrances. She has also done collaborations with Gap Kids.

Celebrities who love wearing DVF designer clothes are Uma Thurman, Mary Tyler, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez and Betty Ford, among others. Paris Hilton is a big fan of DVF maxi dresses and floral prints. Kate Middleton is also seen sporting a nice green colored ‘maja’ dress.

DVF designer clothes can be bought at its official retail stores, Barneys New York, Bloomingdale’s, Intermix, Bergdorf Goodman, Scoop, Intermix, Tango, ShopBop and Zoe.

The usage of lingerie costumes has become very popular from 19^th century. Lingerie’s are especially designed for women’s. In the recent years there is big growth for lingerie costumes because they are playing a vital role in women’s accessories. Some of the women’s feel very uncomfortable to wear these modern lingerie costumes, because they want to wear traditional costumes which feel them very happy and comfortable. But almost all the women’s are looking forward to wear these lingerie costumes, because they look very attractive and feel them to wear. Wearing modern lingerie keeps them very happy and feel very comfortable. In the present trend most of the women’s want to come outside from homes to do jobs or to go some where. They are giving much priority toward lingerie and underwear garments which keeps them very comfort. Some of them feel very shy in wearing lingerie costumes because they cant manage them when they are going outside. Wearing lingerie costumes keeps your body to look very sexy. Many designers are coming forward for designing women’s lingerie such as bras, panties, hosiery and slips. Wearing lingerie costumes not only relates your personality, these garments are worn for being comfort, self-assurance, self- pride and for creating a positive body image. Wearing large size costumes feel a women very uncomfortable and sex appearance of women is completely damaged so, lingerie costumes are suggested one to maintain a good personality and to fell very comfortable.