Did you know that a freshly rolled cigar will only stay that way for two to three days, and that’s if you keep them in a ziplock bag or Tupperware container? Keep them in their factory box, and they may stay fresh for a month. Unless your cigar-loving pal is a prolific smoker of cigars, it’s likely that they’ll have cigars leftover and going stale.

The answer? A cigar humidor, which is the perfect storage solution for cigars. These boxes maintain a relative humidity essential for cigars, as tobacco leaves can expand and contract according to the air around them. This can ruin a cigar surprisingly quickly, and is something you want to mitigate.

It’s simple; if cigars aren’t kept in a special place, they can become soggy or dry depending on the amount of moisture in the air. Humidors are able to regulate humidity and temperature to preserve the freshness and flavour of tobacco. If you’re looking for the ideal gift to give a cigar lover this Christmas, here’s the lowdown on how to store cigars properly and how to choose a humidor.

DIFFERENT HUMIDOR TYPES

Cigar humidors come in different types and sizes, and the most common domestic one is a desktop humidor. These are small wooden boxes that you can keep on the counter of your desk or shop. They are also designed for commercial purposes where they act as displays for different flavours in retail and coffee shops. Desktop components can store between 50 and 100 products, and they have a lockset for security, humidifiers, and hygrometer. 

Cabinet humidors are larger and have space for thousands of cigars. These are meant for collectors, and they also boast a more reliable electric humidification system. The cabinet humidor comes with a refill of distilled water, and it can store cigars for several years. 

Travel humidors, on the other hand, are meant for travelling, and they are small in size and lightweight. However, they come with all the features meant to preserve tobacco, and are a far better option for storing cigars than simply hoping for the best.  

HUMIDOR FEATURES

All humidors come with hygrometers that can be digital or analogue, and they help monitor the level of humidity. Essentially, the best humidors are designed to store cigars over a long period. Therefore, they come with a hygrometer that plays a role in monitoring the level of humidity to preserve the freshness and flavour of tobacco. 

Humidifiers are also put inside the humidors to maintain the appropriate level of humidity and moisture. The architecture of humidors also plays a crucial role in maintaining humidity balance. Though some storage options come fronted with glass, wood cases are more popular, and, let’s face it, look significantly more suave.

SIZING

There are different types of cigar humidors available on the market with each designed to suit the needs of various people. The first step is to choose the right size that can carry your cigar collection. 

If you are a distributor, a room humidor can be the best option for you. If you plan to collect just a dozen cigars, a tabletop humidor or cabinet humidor is likely more appropriate. Medium-sized humidors may provide the benefit of aesthetic appeal as they can blend well with the furniture in your home. In some cases, a humidor can even look ornamental.

If you pick the wrong size of humidor, you may not be able to maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity. For instance, if the humidor is too small, you can end up cramming the cigars too tightly together, which can increase the presence of moisture and affect their quality. As a general rule, you must get a humidor that is slightly bigger than what you intend to collect. This will give you room to collect extra cigars, and you can still keep them in the humidor. 

MATERIAL 

Humidors made of wood provide the best quality in terms of preserving humidity. There are different types of wood humidors, with the most premium arguably Spanish Cedar. Acrylic, glass and metal may also be used.

That said, cedarwood is unequivocally the best material for a humidor, as it’s a great insulator while being porous enough for tight, precise humidity control. This material also offers the best protection against tobacco beetles. Though Spanish Cedar is considered the best material, American Red Cedar and Honduran Mahogany are also commonly used and offer similar benefits.

CHOOSE A HUMIDOR WITH A TIGHT SEAL

A tight seal is an essential component that determines the quality of your cigars. If the storage isn’t airtight, your tobacco will lose flavour over time. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

A humidor is an excellent solution to keep your cigars fresh for several months or even years, depending on your needs. While there are different types of cigar humidors, each kind plays a crucial role in protecting your tobacco. When shopping for a cigar humidor, it is vital to get a quality model that boasts an elegant design, seal, lid, and material. 

*Smoking kills. Check out the Government’s official Smokefree resource for advice on quitting.*

Learning how to style oneself does not always come naturally. Most of the time, it is a long process of getting to know yourself, learning your tastes, and figuring out which clothes suit your overall vibe well. Amongst all these, one of the most important things you need to find out is knowing which clothes fit your body shape best.

This process can be a struggle for many curvy women, who, for the longest time, have been subjected to dominantly skinny beauty standards. Visiting shops that don’t have your size, wearing clothes that don’t fit well, or feeling limited in your fashion options is something that many curvy women have experienced. However, as beauty standards shift and evolve, today there are more fun and exciting clothes you can get to spruce up your wardrobe than ever before.

Your styling journey starts here. Whether you have a pear- or hourglass-shaped body, the following items are versatile, adaptable fashion staples that no woman blessed with curves should go without. Here are 8 fashion must-haves for curvy women.

TOPS

Before you start scouring the high street for mom jeans or begin searching for where to shop for cotton leggings online, let’s go through the tops first. There’s a multitude of beautiful tops available in the market, and with so many options, it can be difficult to find which type fits you best. To get you started, here are some fundamentals that can serve as your starting point.

Blouse

First up is the blouse – especially one in crisp white blouse which brings a level of elegance to the table. Moreover, it’s quite flexible and, depending on what you pair it with, can fit in almost any occasion. Whether you’re going for a casual hang with friends or heading out to the office, it’s difficult to get it wrong with a white blouse. Because of its versatility, it is a must-have in the wardrobe.

The only question is: which style of blouse should you get? After all, blouses come in a wide range of styles. From button-up dress shirts to puffed sleeves, explore the variety and find a blouse that makes you feel great.

Blazer

A blazer can significantly impact your whole look. The moment you put it on, you immediately look like you mean business. The nice shape and slimming design are also confidence boosters. Coupled with its flexibility, it most certainly makes the cut in everybody’s wardrobe essentials.

For women with curves, the important thing is to wear a blazer that fits you well. An ill-fitting blazer risks making you feel frumpy and uncomfortable, far from the sleek style you’re originally aiming for. If needed, get the blazer tailored to suit your measurements. It’s more work, but going the extra mile will ensure that you make the most of the blazer and get that bang for your buck.

Tunic Top

What’s not to like about tunic tops? They are flowy and airy and come in a rich assortment of colours and styles. You can partner them with a dark pair of leggings or jeans and come out looking awesome in the process. If you prefer a tighter fit, there are tunic tops that cinch around the waist, giving you that beautiful hourglass shape. 

Styling Tips: Take extra care when choosing the style of your top. Different styles can significantly change how you look. A wrap, for example, will highlight the waist. Meanwhile, a V-neckline draws the eye to the midsection and slims down your neck and face.

BOTTOMS

For the curvy-bodied, finding well-fitting bottoms can be a struggle. Sometimes, the pants fit your legs but not your hips. Then when you do find ones that fit you, they’re a couple of sizes bigger, so the length is too long.

Fortunately, many trousers and skirts today are made of more stretchable material, making it easier to find bottoms that fit your hips and legs perfectly. The following are some of the bottoms you need to have for a versatile wardrobe.

Dark-Wash Jeans

Jeans with a dark to medium wash are flattering on a curvy body. They’re dark enough to hide details, which streamlines the bumps and highlights your body shape instead. Moreover, they go well with everything. Whether you’re wearing a tank top or a sweater, you can never go wrong with dark-wash jeans.

That said, white and light jeans look fabulous on girls with curves too, the only word of caution is to check the fabric of the jeans you wear. Sturdier materials like denim can stretch a bit and hold their shape well. However, if you’re going to be moving or walking a lot, it may cause chafing between the thighs, especially on warm days. In this case, look for lighter and more breathable alternatives like chambray jeans.

Leggings

Leggings are the curvy girl’s best friend. They’re snug, they’re comfy, and the right pair will make your legs look great. Pairs made of thicker material can be used under dresses and skirts on cold days or worn on their own on warmer ones.

Some tops that go well with leggings include long cardigans, tunic tops, and other hip- or knee-length blouses or shirts.

Pencil Skirt

There’s nothing more flattering on a curvy body than a pencil skirt. It hugs all the right places and gives you that sexy vase-like silhouette. Pencil skirts are more commonly worn in office settings and more formal events. That said, don’t let it stop you from wearing them casually as well. Black pencil skirts are quite flexible to style, but try exploring other designs and colours (like plaid or florals) for a unique get-up.

Styling Tips: If you wish for your legs to look longer, opt for a high-waist style in your bottoms. The high-waist cut creates an illusion that your torso is shorter and the legs sleeker. This effect is even stronger when you partner a high-waist bottom with a pair of heels.

TOP & BOTTOM 

This category covers clothes that cover both the upper and lower halves of the body, like dresses, jumpsuits, and overalls. For this list, you may not always wear the following clothes as much as those above, but having them in your wardrobe will come in handy for more special occasions.

Shapewear

Shapewear is essential for curvy women everywhere. It helps you smoothen any lumps and gives you a cleaner silhouette to work with. In this manner, you can focus on feeling confident and fabulous instead of wondering if the abdominal or back hip area looks good.

Moreover, wearing shapewear does not mean slipping into tight spandex that makes breathing difficult. In reality, it is important to choose shapewear that feels snug and comfortable and simply hugs down some bumps to put the focus on your curvaceous body shape.

Some clothes fit some body shapes better than others. For curvy women, you have more options now than ever before. From shirts to skirts and trousers to dresses, there’s no limit to the number of clothes that you can try. Use this list as a place for take-off and begin to explore more styles and designs to find a look that is uniquely you.

Two-Piece Suit

Everybody deserves to have a classy, well-fitted two-piece suit in their closet, including curvy women. You can use them in several places, such as a job interview, a high-stakes meeting, or any other important event. If you can, have it tailored to ensure you have the best fit. After all, with a two-piece suit, you are dressed to impress.

Neutral colours like black, navy blue, and gray are the go-to colours when it comes to suits. They look and match well with a wide array of tops and accessories, giving you a lot of flexibility in styling. That said, if you like other colours, try getting a suit with bright hues or a creative design. You may just love the daring and bold look it gives you.

It’s a term whose prevalence has risen over the years – and it’s for very good reason. After all, if each and every one of us were to live sustainably, there’s no doubt that the world would be in a significantly better place.

While transport and a whole host of other big-hitting industries quite rightly receive the brunt of the headlines when it comes to climate responsibility, there are still things the individual can do to tread a little lighter. Today, we’re going to take a look at shopping, and show how changing various habits can make a world of difference to the impact you have on the planet. Here’s a quick-fire guide to sustainable shopping.

BUY LOCAL

This one should come as a no-brainer, but it’s important to remember that many of the ingredients that go into the products we consume can often be sourced from far away – sometimes from countries or continents we wouldn’t readily associate with the product.

While this isn’t always the case, and it would be wrong to imply a blanket ban on all products not from within a twenty mile radius, it is often worth considering how far your food and drink has travelled before it hits supermarket shelves.

Considering how far your favourite products have travelled will help to encourage you to purchase local produce and, ultimately, allow you to reduce your carbon footprint.

Let’s not forget that this isn’t just related to food purchases – it can affect absolutely anything. Clothes are another area where you’ve got a choice to make, with some shops more sustainable than others.

Read: 6 benefits of buying local produce today

RECYCLE & BUY RECYCLED

What’s better than buying local produce? Buying recycled, of course. The simple fact is that resources are limited – and that includes our planet’s resources. As such, it’s vital that we recycle – and buy recycled – as many products as possible.

There are a number of schemes out there that have been set up to help recycle pretty much anything you can think of, with all manner of plastics, metals and other elements being able to be recycled; you just need to put a little extra effort in. Fortunately, such schemes have led to more recycled products being available on the high street, too.

The next time you are at a store, consider whether the recycled versions of the products you intend to buy are available.

BE WARY OF PRODUCT PACKAGING

Another important question to consider when shopping is “how are the products I buy being packaged?” There’s no doubt that some packaging is designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional, but others are completely unnecessary in their elaborateness or use of material.

You can make a difference by questioning the need for excess packaging and requesting that your favourite brands and products consider more sustainable and earth-conscious packaging.

Plastic and other types of packaging material are not only hard to dispose of, but they slowly poison the world around us. At some point, we’re going to have to limit the amount of plastics we use, and that’s why we must push for more sustainable options – such as biodegradable packaging – to ensure the transition is as smooth and quick as possible.

Read: The benefits of sustainable packaging to your business

BUYING SECOND-HAND

Finally, let’s not forget that there are plenty of items that you can purchase second-hand. The idea of shopping second-hand perhaps isn’t as widely used as it should be, but doing so does make a considerable amount of sense.

If you are shopping for anything you don’t need brand new – whether it’s an old mattress or a bicycle – consider checking online or in stores for second-hand products to save money and reduce your impact.

Second-hand can also apply to food; instead of throwing away the fruit and veg that you won’t use, why not sell it to one of the many facilities throughout the UK to provide fresh produce to people who need it?

Even better than second hand, perhaps, is to reuse and re-up your own stuff, negating the necessity for you to buy new items. Of course, this especially applies to clothes. Check out these tips on how to cheer up old clothes this autumn and winter for more on that.

THE BOTTOM LINE

While shopping is definitely not the most significant impact that humans have on the planet, it is still an important one – and one that we’ve got to consider how we manage.

Hopefully, these tips will help you consider how you can change your shopping habits to reduce the impact you have on the planet and perhaps encourage you to start making more sustainable choices.