The origin of macrame

Macrame is a craft form that has made a spectacular comeback over the last few years. More and more items are being sold that are crafted using this texture material, knotting technique. Whilst to many it might seem like a relatively new craft that has exploded in popularity, it does actually have its roots in an ancient past. In order to get started in this craft form it is worth getting a Macrame Kit like the ones from woolcouturecompany.com/collections/macrame-kits so you can access the materials and learn the techniques you need for your chosen project.

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It is thought that Macrame actually originated in the 13th Century with Arab weavers. The knots that they used on hand looms create beautifully decorative veils, shawls and towels. The knots were used to add a decorative fringe to these items. Following on from this the craft form was taken to Spain and then on to Italy which is where it gained a lot of popularity. From here it then spread across Europe and was introduced into the UK in the late 17th Century. It was introduced into Mary II’s court and it is believed that Queen Mary actually taught her ladies-in-waiting how to craft using Macrame.

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During the 19th Century, sailors would use Macrame as a way to make items that they could then sell when they entered port. It was also used to make hammocks and belts. There are many pictures of sailors during this era wearing items that would have been created using macrame knots.

In the UK, macrame became increasingly popular during the Victorian era and lots of beach items, clothing and tablecloths and bedspreads were made or finished off using macrame knots. Following on from this era the popularity of the craft dwindled, until it saw a resurgence in the 1970s when bohemian stylings were incredibly popular. This popularity would only last into the early 1980s and since then there hasn’t been much call for the techniques. That was until 2019 when it appeared back in fashion and in home decorations and it has once again exploded in popularity. There are many crafters that sell their macrame items on various online channels and on social media. It is a technique that is very accessible and can be learnt fairly easily.

How to look after your Aran sweaters

Aran Sweaters like the ones from shamrockgift.com are great items of clothing that only look stylish and fashionable but they are also incredibly comfortable and long lasting. Whilst you can wash most modern clothing in your washing machine, although not all are suitable for tumble drying, there are a number of people who prefer to wash their aran sweater by hand to help preserve them for as long as possible and to prevent them from being pulled out of shape in the machine.

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Here are some steps to follow if you want to hand wash your jumpers.

  • Pre-soaking – this is one of the best ways to get stains and dirt out of your jumpers. It is best done in lukewarm water that contains a small amount of detergent. You can buy some that are purposely designed for woollen items. You can presoak for anything from an hour through to an overnight soaking. After this time you should rinse out your jumper a couple of times to get all the detergent out.

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  • Washing – now you can hand wash your jumper one last time to really give it a freshen up. Follow the same steps as for pre-soaking but don’t leave your jumper in the water for longer than half an hour. Rinse off and pay particular attention to the collar and cuff areas.
  • Drying – carefully squeeze out any water and then lay your jumper out flat to dry. You will need to ensure that it gets a lot of fresh air in order for it to dry effectively.

How to Choose Shoes to Go with Jeans

Coming out of lockdown is fantastic news for most people, but many of us have been slobbing around the house in tracksuit bottoms for eighteen months. For a lot of us, the furthest we have ventured is the supermarket or the local parks for a dog walk. We all know that anything goes in terms of fashion whilst taking part in these activities!

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Getting Back out There

Now that restrictions are lifting, we are able to take advantage of the last of the summer weather and meet friends in the local beer gardens or take the other half out for a meal. If, like most of us, you have also piled on more than a couple of pounds, you may wish to update your wardrobe a little bit. Something like mens ETO jeans could be a brilliant place to start looking for some new bits to update your wardrobe.

Shop Online

Internet shopping was always going to become much more popular over the last eighteen months because of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions. It is now easier than ever before to browse and order items to try on in the comfort of your own home. Taking a look at https://onpointfresh.com/building-basic-wardrobe-scratch/ should give you a place to start.

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How to Pair Shoes with Jeans

Figuring out what goes with what isn’t an exact science. It is all down to your personal taste and what you are most comfortable in. Generally speaking, the more casual jeans would probably look better with trainers than with a pair of polished winklepickers.

Looking at websites such as EJ Menswear, who have a wide range of clothing available, is a great place to get some inspiration. Well-fitted jeans in a solid colour are your best bet, as they are endlessly versatile. They will look fantastic with a crisp shirt and smarter shoes or with a casual t-shirt and trainers.

If you are much more about grungy boots, then keep the leg of the jeans slim so that you can accentuate your footwear.

Whatever your style, wear your clothes with confidence and you’ll look great!

Flairs are back? Seriously?

Let me start by saying, No, flares are not back. That’s ok, panic over. Flared jeans and trousers were a strange fashion item that seemed to take hold of western society in the 1970’s and refused to let go. They were also called bell bottoms. What was the point of them? Who knows. For men they started normally then just splayed out at the feet. Womens versions were strange. They did the same at the feet but the waist was small and they seemed to extenuate the buttocks. I’ve not found any logical reason for this.  By the Eighties, and I do mean 1981, they had gone and anyone in them was roundly ridiculed should they dare step out in them. The Punks never embraced them and they became the mainstay of hippies (who were pretty much gone by the mid Nineties).

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However, this headline was being uttered with a sense of some disbelief in 1989 up to 1992. What was the sudden reason for the, unwanted for the most part, flair jean trousers coming back?

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It was Madchester. Despite providing us with some great music and an underground scene that is still buzzing and providing inspiration even today some 30 years later  it also hit us with this. It’s not clear why. Shaun Ryder can barely recall anything  about the period without swearing and Bez wore shorts for most of it. Whilst The Happy Mondays were the main stars, other Manc bands were wearing them and being seen in the scene. Luckily they soon stopped and went back to decent Levi Jeans like EJ Menswear provide today.

Farah Menswear – Leaders in Men’s Fashion Clothing

Farah Menswear has emerged as a leader in the fashion industry with its wide range of men’s clothing that caters to all age groups and tastes. The brand started back in 1992 with the launch of its line of jeans, which were met with great success. This was then followed by the popular ‘Chinos’ series which Farah quickly became famous for, and then launched their line of ‘skinny jeans’ in the late nineties. Fast forward to present day and Farah Menswear still has it all, from tailored shirts, cardigans, jackets, jeans, boots, belts and cuffs, which can all be purchased online. Try EJ Menswear for example.

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The Farah Menswear brand uses the traditional methods of production such as hand stitching, and this results in garments that are both stylish, and affordable for most consumers. Although the clothing line incorporates modern fashion trends, it also retains much of the traditional appeal that makes it so popular with men who prefer quality, yet casual clothing. Being able to purchase any item from Farah Menswear at budget prices is a real bonus for consumers, and the brand is noted for offering excellent value for money, along with a vast selection of styles and colours.

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Farah Menswear also specialises in some unique fashion items that not only cater to men, but came in a variety of sizes, from X-L, through to XX-L. ‘. One of Farah Menswear’s newer designs is the ‘Slim Sleeve Jacket’, which is tailor made to measure and styled to perfection. For those men who like to stand out from the crowd, Farah Menswear now offers an extensive collection of fashion coats and jackets to complement any style.

Men’s Aran Sweaters – A Stylish Look

Have you ever wondered why there are so many people who prefer to wear Mens Aran sweaters? Well, apart from the fact that these sweaters are really comfortable to wear, it is also because of their unique designs and colors. You might wonder why this is so since wool is known to be very heavy and when you compare it with other sweaters, you will surely find that the Aran sweaters are lighter than any other type of wool sweaters. Well, besides this, these sweaters also have another important quality that is their durability. The reason behind this is that because of the unique design and style of the Aran wool sweaters, they cannot be easily damaged. Unlike other types of sweaters which are bulky and take away much of your warmth, the woolen type of aran sweaters really help you maintain your warm without being heavy on your pocket. Some of the best Mens Aran Sweaters are available from Shamrock Gift.

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When you are looking for woolen sweaters, one of the first things that you would notice are the different designs that come in different colors. Some people may find wool and aran very attractive; therefore, if you are thinking about buying any kind of woolen sweater, look for aran wool sweaters. You can also find aran sweater sets but if you are looking for something that has a very fashionable look and feel, you should try shopping online where you will surely find a wider variety of designs as compared to retail stores. In addition to this, shopping online will allow you to take advantage of coupons and discounts so if you are planning on buying these sweaters, make sure that you look for deals and good prices so that you won’t have to spend too much money when you are getting them.

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If you want to buy a good quality wool sweater, it is very important that you choose to shop only from reputable stores so that you can get high quality materials and workmanship. This will ensure that you will be getting something that is worth the price that you are paying. If you are going to buy a pair of aran or wool sweaters, it is important that you know how to care for them because wool is a natural fiber and you cannot avoid having to maintain it once you have bought it. So, always remember that you should be very careful with choosing your wool products especially if you are going to buy online.

Review of Levi Menswear

Levi Menswear is known to bring new styles, designs and colors to the market. These are known as the originals and one can buy only original pieces from them. There is a huge collection of menswear from this brand and one can buy the best quality clothing items like hoodies, jeans, jackets, blazers and so on. The prices are also quite reasonable that makes it a perfect option for all those who want to buy quality clothing at reasonable rates. Levi Menswear is available from EJ Menswear

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Being a top maker of men’s wear, Levi Menswear always comes up with new ideas keeping in mind the latest fashion trends. There are different kinds of cuts, designs, colors and so on. These are made keeping in mind the needs of the buyers. So if someone wants to buy something for himself or for his friends then these are the perfect options. The designs are also unique and different, which means that they will surely be a hit with everyone.

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One of the most common designs of these clothes is the classic shirt which has always remained as a favorite among men. These shirts come up in various colors such as blue, gray, white and so on. Another very popular design is the sport shirt which is preferred by those who love sports and also by those who are into beach parties. Other than these, there are also different kinds of casual and professional wear designed by this brand. One can get a lot of ideas for his menswear from these great designs.

How is denim Made?

Most of us own at least one pair of jeans and if you have found some great ETO denim jeans from places such as https://www.ejmenswear.com/men/eto  the chances are that you probably have more than one pair!

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Today’s jeans are made of stiffened cotton twill which is then dyed in bright shades of pink, blue, and white, black and red.

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There are two main ways denim is made. The first way that is typically used by the American companies is called the bolt cut, the second way is called the boot cut. The boot cut jeans are most often associated with the southern California based fashion districts, but they are also manufactured elsewhere as well.

The denim that is produced in the United States is woven on a loom that is referred to as a spinning loom. The warp side of the material is turned around on the spindle, which causes it to pull on the yarn when pressed between two rods. This pulling action is what forms the fabric in the form of the jeans that we see and wear everyday. The final product is called denim and it is typically produced in three stages. The first stage is called the foundation where the fibers are spun around on the spindle. The second stage is called the indigo and is the colouring process that is responsible for giving the jeans their particular color.

Should you choose cotton or linen?

Two of the most common fabrics in the world are cotton and linen, although they are subtly different. All are produced from real plant fibres, but the cotton plant makes cotton and the flax plant makes linen. It is still used today in high line fashion products such as Ralph Lauren Menswear that you can get from EJ Menswear.

Here are the main distinctions between linen and cotton.

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Longevity.

Linen is one of the best natural fibres in the world. It was also used to produce paper money to make it last longer.

Cotton is often very durable, but linen is heavier and appears to be a fibre that is more durable.

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Insulating characteristics

Linen is a natural insulator, which,  since the fibres are hollow, can surprise some people. This ensures that air automatically flows through them so that you can keep one layer cold. Lay the linen down to create a natural insulator if you want to stay warm.

Cotton is similar; cotton can be layered to keep warm, but it is breathable since the fibre is also raw. You need more than one layer for insulation.

The Absorption of Moisture

Cotton and linen are also natural fibres that absorb water rapidly, but linen is more absorbent and is also referred to as the “wicking fibre of nature”. It can also obtain up to 20 percent moisture so it’s great for humid conditions. This is why towels and dressing robes are also made from linen.

Stylish accessories all men should own

Accessories are a great way of changing an outfit from a formal one to something that is more casual as well as giving you an almost endless list of options when it comes to styling up your outfit. You can take an item from the Calvin Klein Menswear that you can find from places such as EJ Menswear and add a number of different accessories like the ones that are mentioned below and give yourself any number of different looks.

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Hats – a hat doesn’t have to just be a practical way of keeping your head warm in the autumn and winter months. It can be a conscious fashion choice that you make. There are numerous different hat styles including the standard beanie, the flat cap and the trusted baseball cap which itself can be worn in a number of different ways.

 

Glasses – if your eyesight requires you to wear glasses you can see this as an opportunity to style up your outfit. Glasses are now much more fashionable than they used to be and there are even a number of fashion houses that have developed glasses with their logos and names on the side. Of course if you don’t need glasses for your eyesight that doesn’t mean that you are left out of this particular fashion trend – sunglasses are also available in designer and non designer stylings.

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Bracelets – whilst wearing a shirt to work might mean that wearing a necklace as a fashion statement is slightly redundant, the bracelet is a great option as it can be tucked away underneath your cuffs if needed and left out on display if not. There are a number of different bracelet styles that you can choose from include those made from precious metals and those made using real and fake leather bands.