B 4 - The Oakville Beaver, W e d n e sd a y M a rc h 26, 2003 I T HI \ II F AS I I I I I I c4 ) i C & w fooftyO vM Buying tips for kids1fashions (N APS)-Every parent knows how hard it is to dress active kids in durable, quality clothes with out spending a fortune. The following tips w ill turn parents into smart shoppers. Since it is the fit that can make the fashion, solid construction is the first thing to consider. Look for T-shirts, sweatshirts and pants that pro vide a generous yet tailored fit. To ensure that your kids' apparel won't shrink after the first few washings, make sure you purchase sweats which are made with 50/50 cotton and polyester. W h at's In A Fab ric? A lot more than meets the eye. The heavier the fabric, the longer the life of the product. When making a purchase, compare product weights, which are generally provided on the garment tag. Also look at the fuzzy lining of the garment, called napping. The loftier the napping, the more luxurious the feel. When it comes to fabric, there are other con siderations that w ill make you a better buyer. Be careful of fabrics that are susceptible to pilling, the breaking of threads on the surface of a gar ment, creates tiny fuzz balls, making it appear prematurely worn out. C olour My W orld With the wide array of colours now available for sweats and T-shirts, there is truly something for everyone, from the classics (navy, white, red) to the coolest new shades (armor blue, military green, stone). Make sure that the manufacturer's dye formulas are identical for matching purpos es. a /iu lQ & U & )u U $a Z Z R em em ber T h a t Safety Comes First In 1994, the Consumer Product Safety Commission placed a formal request with cloth ing manufacturers to remove drawstrings from children's apparel to help prevent the risk of choking or strangulation. Parents should look for garments that use snaps or Velcro in place of drawstrings. Be sure to check any hand-me-downs or second-hand articles your child might be wearing. Always remove drawstrings from pants and tops. Make sure that your kids' clothes can keep up with their schedules. So as the weather cools down and the kids' activities heat up. these sim ple tips will make sure that you are getting the most quality and durability for your dollar. · N o r t h A m e r ic a n P r e c is S y n d ic a te 4 n % veniny of wine kimfdiny, culinary delujkh and wcndeij' u l mulic iW $ W t > t f c c / its /: $m la/y oAfivil25,2003, Q x itd n n a /e V ^ c - in t $ c J f < ?>' ^ ~ f-u n fo y ^ ~ fu i JsTWaj Q f\en a t 6 :S 0 fim Dressing for today's casual workplace (NAPS)-Knit dressings and sweaters are gain ing in popularity as more employers are adopting casual dress codes. For women, traditional woven dresses and suits are being replaced with knit alternatives, while men are adding a variety of sweater styles to their wardrobes. The trend toward knits is being driven by a number of factors. Knits offer women sophisticat ed styling that can accommodate all of their day's activities without sacrificing comfort. They also offer tremendous versatility as they present numer ous mix-and-mateh options. Knit silhouettes can be slim or boxy and may encompass long or short skirts or even pants. In addition, a knit ensemble can easily he acces sorized with jewelry, a scarf or a belt to create the appropriate look for a business meeting or a casu al dinner. Women who select knit suits and dresses made from acrylic will get even more than they bar gained for. Extremely colorfast, acrylic will ensure that the season's traditional rich color tones, as well as contemporary brighter palettes, remain that way. In addition, acrylic capitalizes on the easy-care aspects of knits. Most pure or blended acrylic knits are machine- or hand-washable, dry quickly and resist wrinkling and stretching-no bagging at the knees, seat or elbows. Once viewed as a weekend wardrobe staple, the sweater has taken on a new role for men since the advent of corporate casual. It is being paired with both jeans and trousers. Men's sweaters, knit shirts and vests made from acrylic offer added benefits. It brings a wide breadth of colour to these designs and warmth without weight. In sweaters, acrylic can create a heavy, chunky appearance or one that is light and fine-gauged. As with knits, they also benefit from acrylic's ease-of-carc. colour fastness and shape retention. When shopping for knits and sweaters this sea son, check the label for acrylic to reap both the fashion and performance attributes of this seasonless fiber. ^Qim & t/m t $a Z Z (M cm d jQ m Q A ficU m Attend Oakville Bridal Showcase and win Not only can you check out the season's best in bridal fashions during the Oakville Bridal Showcase on April 14, but those in attendance will have the chance to win fabulous door prizes. Final door prizes include: Diamond Tiara & Veil - Retail Value of $700 by " A Glimpse of Radiance" J Jewelry Set - Retail Value of $525 by " Diamond Design Group" J 3 Night Accommodation in Bermuda - by " Halton Trafalgar Travel" Winners must be in attendance to claim their prize. To register, call Julie at 905-845-7675. ^rw e alone ov Inna a (jyouh. C '6 miatfob a t fob ifouy way ?CCS 61 %ciat ^Cal -yzlendav! S65. CCfiex ticket (moo taxpta+t) C ticketi, call 905-338-0238 C / / 'V For Food , Fun a n d Fashion All for a w orthw hile c a u s e , o AN D W I fN E BAR Tuesday, A pril 1, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. Celebrate with a community helping fight against Cancer A n ig h t o f fin e cuisine, w in e, L ive and S ilen t A u ction A n d Spectacular Fashion Show. Tickets: $65.00 available @ 905-616-2196 e-mail: smdevents@yahoo.ca Rosewood Bistro 1900 Dundas Street West (Sherwood Forest) Erin Mills 8c Dundas, Mississauga j N e t p ro ceed s d o n a te d to C a n a d ia n C an cer S ociety "Let's make Cancer history"