Lifestyles

Madras plaid, the preppy staple, always will conjure images of clambakes on the Cape. But this spring, the breezy fabric is having a fashion moment, turning up on everything from retro nerd, short-sleeve men's shirts to string bikinis.

The dyed cotton originated in Madras, India -- now called Chennai -- in the 1800s, where it was inspired by the Scottish tartans of the regiments occupying the land. Loosely woven cotton was transformed with vegetable dyes into plaids, checks and stripes that were instantly popular in the warm climate. When the British left India, they took madras with them, and it soon was embraced by the country club set on both sides of the Atlantic.

More recently, madras has been reinvented by avant-garde designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo. They used the fabric in their runway collections as commentary on the notion of empire.

Now, madras is all over the place, in chain stores as well as designer boutiques. Jean Touitou, designer of the cult French label APC, was so inspired by a trip to India that he and another designer, Jessica Ogden, started a collection under the APC label named Madras. It includes madras plaid pieces as well as other lightweight summer essentials, all manufactured in India.

If you're not up for head-to-toe plaid, there are plenty of madras accessories, too:

• Italian shoe line Superga has casual sneakers in frayed pink and yellow madras. Or for a more dressed-up look, Mossimo for Target offers a sleek madras ballet flat.

Keep a few beauty aids at the workplaceFor men, Jack Spade offers a spiffy yellow madras necktie, J. Crew has a madras plaid driving cap, and Sperry's classic Top-Sider is available in several madras color combinations.

Keep a few beauty aids at the workplaceAmerican Eagle Outfitters has embraced the rainbow bright fabric too, splashing it on espadrilles, slouchy hobo bags and colorful bikinis. Old Navy has a button-down tank dress in an earthier, more worn-in madras. Wrinkles give the piece more character, so it packs easily and travels well.

That's the great thing about madras. It only gets better with age, faded by sun and sea -- or just the washing machine.

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Use a belt over a dress to flatter the figure

A great belt is a must-have accessory, whether it's skinny or wide, shiny or stretchy. Here are four figure-flattering ways to use this wardrobe staple to cinch a basic dress into something decidedly chic.

• Wrap a soft leather obi-style belt just above your natural waist for a sophisticated twist on the traditional kimono accessory. This is a good option for long-torso frames, since it breaks up the space between shoulders and hips.

• Try a thin, double-strand belt. Position it to sit low around your hips, and skip the studded versions (unless you're Avril Lavigne). This is a go-to style for boyish figures, since it calls attention to the curviest part of the body.

• If your style calls for a statement-making piece, reach for a wide belt in a bright, bold color or eye-catching material. Look for jewel tones, patent leather or muted metallic finishes.

• Don't cinch too tight. Remember, it's a belt, not a corset. The overall effect should make the midsection look slim and sleek.

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Self-tanning products give skin a bronzed glow

If you're already craving the golden glow of summer, try one of the gradual self-tanning products on the market. They don't work overnight, but they'll help you build up a natural-looking color in time for beach season.

For the body, try a bronzing lotion, such as Clinique's Touch of Bronze formula. Apply the product before bed to keep from wafting that oh-so-obvious DHA smell around the office. For best results, use an exfoliating shower gel or loofah before you apply any kind of self-tanner.

Things get a little more tricky when it comes to faking a great tan on your face. While a lot of self-tanners are meant to be applied all over the face, a full-blown tan in May is not exactly believable. Instead, start out small, concentrating the product on areas where you tan first: forehead, nose, cheekbones and chin. Blend a regular moisturizer into the edges of those areas so you're not left with streaks or blotches.

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Keep a few beauty aids at the workplace

We don't advise keeping full-size duplicates of your beloved hair straightener and favorite purple eye shadow at the office, but a small beauty bounty goes a long way toward refreshing your look at 5 p.m. Keep these three items stashed in your desk drawer for a quick shot of glamour-on-the-go:

A nail file: Nothing's worse than a snagged nail that's sure to catch on your sweater all day. Stave off pulled threads by filing down the offending nail immediately.

Blotting papers: The fastest -- and easiest -- way to make your melted makeup and shiny T-zone look fresh and matte. We like Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (about $5 at drugstores), but napkins will do the trick in a pinch.

Concealer: Use it to hide a spot that forms after a greasy lunch, or dab it at the corners of your eyes and around your nose to even out your complexion and make you look more awake.

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