fashion

Scott Schuman is often described as a fashion photographer, but he sees what he does as more social commentary than trend-reliant. While he clearly gravitates toward the high-fashion scenes of Paris, Milan and New York, Schuman is more interested in the way people he passes on the street choose to combine, accessorize and adapt pieces of clothing to their own particular tastes.

So much trauma is associated with swimsuits, starting with you appearing in public with large expanses of your body uncovered.
Beyond that, what if you actually want to move around in your suit? How do you find one that works for lap swimming versus one that's good for a day at the water park versus another you'll be comfortable in for a day of kayaking?

I used to think blush was stupid. My cheeks flush when I get embarrassed or excited, encounter a mild climate change, breathe, drink a Diet Coke, blink, etc. ... Who needs more pink?
Then one day, I realized I have no cheekbones or skin pigment. These days, I'm a blush convert. Seriously, it's the quickest, easiest way to bring your face alive.

American women are cutting back on a lot these days, but for women over 35, professional hair care is a hard habit to break, according to a recent survey for the National Retail Federation.

Beauty is pain. An expensive pain.
Never mind plucking and waxing and scraping and buffing. What about all the pricey decisions? MAC or Maybelline? Chanel or Cover Girl? And for the love of Pete, WHAT to do with all those powder compacts you dropped on the pavement and shattered to oblivion?

The mirror doesn't lie to you. But who says you can't lie to the mirror?
Knowing how to tell a believable fashion fib -- with color, cut, pattern and accessories -- allows you to dress in a way that emphasizes what's good about your figure and minimizes what's not.

THE FIVE TYPES

BOYISH

Meaning: Not much curve; basically a straight figure
Famous example: Cameron Diaz
Your clothing should: Create the illusion of curves

APPLE

Meaning: Your weight is carried through your midsection
Famous example: Jennifer Hudson
Your clothing should: Slim your torso and create a long vertical line

PEAR

Barack Obama, fashion icon.

Barbie is fashion, daaaaahhhling!
Clothes are largely, though not entirely, the point of Barbie.
She's such a trend-setter that 50 designers paid tribute to her last month during New York Fashion Week. She has been model or muse to more than 70 famed designers including Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabbana, Vera Wang and Versace.

At noon, she sparkled in daisy yellow -- or was it gold? -- while after dark, she was flirty in a cream one-shoulder gown that showed off her most famous feature, those strong shoulders and fabulously toned bare arms.