Two of the worst fashion NO NO’s!!

Ever wondered how you can get onto the worst dressed list? Well,  if you’re like me, you never want to be on the worst dressed list, but “every day- normal” people make very stupid fashion booboo’s. As the festive season is now into swing, people are vacating, hitting the malls, hitting the beaches and other hot spots and I cannot help but be shocked by the fashion mistakes people are making! And not to be judgmental or anything, but there is a code of ethics per say, about what to wear and not what to wear. 

 I have identified TWO of the most horrendous fashion mistakes people are making! Well, the one is clothes based but the other is in the face.
 Firstly, ladies, it is imperative that you watch the type underwear that you wear especially when you’re going to wear pants or skirts that are see-through or that are very low cut. I am horrified about what I have seen! My word! Ladies wearing white linen pants and full panties underneath that are in the brightest yellows and limes! No one wants to see that!

Never ever make this fashion mistake, it shall forever be a fashion no no and it cannot be excused at all!! Its the same as wearing leggings without a long top covering your backside, that type of material reveals your butt and what is underneath. So be aware of what you wear and especially where you wear it, some clothes are appropriate for home but not the public.

Seems simple enough right? But my Lawd have I seen this booboo being committed all the time!!

 Lastly……I don’t know who ever said shaving off all your eyebrows and drawing them on was an attractive thing to do. Who in the world would do such?! Women are walking around Durban looking like drag queens! I mean come on! Tweezing your eyebrows does not mean you shave them all off, I can imagine the effort it must take to ensure that each eyebrow looks identical to the other (and in most cases they never are identical). Ladies please don’t make these fashion mistakes! You look hideous and ridiculous.

What do these women do when it rains? I'm sure they'd have to ensure that they have the liner with them at all times, but apparently others have taken it to the extreme and they actually TATOO their eyebrows on! My mother would kill me....

Before I sign off, I just want to say this : never over think it when it comes to fashion, keep it simple. I'll probably say this over and over again in blog posts to come......I've probably said it before....but its true.

Is the ‘Glamour’ Look Overdone?!

The always over-the-top glamorous Nicki Minaj who also
loves putting on nails and lashes

Every woman wants to look good and feel good, what woman doesn’t want to get the attention of head turning males as she walks by, those heart throbbing comments that make you feel like a million bucks? It’s all good and well to dress in a sexy a manner (or in  a way that makes you feel sexy) and putting on make- up, but what about the extra add-ons? I’m talking about French  manicured nails, artificial eyelashes  (that come in lengths of short, medium and long) and putting on eye-contacts (even though you don’t have a sight problem).

All these ‘glamour’ accessories have become a very popular tool within the fashion and beauty scene, where local and international female celebrities don these accessories, and everyday woman you bump into in town. What really triggered me to write this post is the fact that I feel that its sooo overdone, especially here in Durban! I mean I walk through town or through the mall and I can estimate and say 3 to 4 out of 5 (black women) have on artificial eyelashes, long nails and eye contacts. I mean in my neighbourhood, I personally know some of these women are unemployed, and yet they can afford to be soooo glamorous (and these accessories aren’t cheap). Okay, if you go to a very posh beauty salon, you’d pay quite a bit, but still, on average these add-ons would cost you between R200 and R400.

french manicure with a twist

Artificial lashes to make those eyes pop

On special occasions (weddings, 21^st birthday parties etc), I personally do have my nails done, and maybe my eye lashes. The whole eye contact thing I do not do. I find that within my group of female friends, they also don these accessories on special occasions; it’s not an everyday thing.  For some women though, it’s an all day, everyday thing! I can only imagine the time and effort that it requires to maintain that level of glamour.

But what do guys think of it? I took the initiative to ask some guys within my group of male friends, and the question I asked was: what do you think when a girl has her nails done, eyelashes on, eye contacts etc? Do you like it? These are some of the responses I got:

Alvin: “No I don’t.  It’s superficial.” Then he went on to explain: ‘Well as long as you can’t see that they’re overly fake.”

Njabulo: “Depends on the girl. If they are for special occasions then I’m for it. However, I mostly like to see her ‘natural’ beauty.”

Phumelele : “As long as she is good in her skin”

Anonymous : “Nails done yes, but the rest is too much for me. Like she has to go so far outta her way to look what she perceives ‘attractive’. I like natural beauty hey.”

Popo: “I don’t like it. It’s too much. Nails and hair are ok, but contacts…..its screams for attention, no need to change your eye colour.”

Hilton: “I’m a natural type of guy…..simple is beautiful.”

And finally Gilbert said: “Not the eye lashes, contacts only if she needs them. If I can’t tell that she put them on (lashes) then it’s cool, but not those huge long ass ones lol.”

Surprisingly enough, men love us in our natural state ladies….for the men that don’t like it, it’s because it screams superficial and fake. For the guys that don’t mind it, they prefer that you keep it to the minimal. Is seems like we don’t have to adorn ourselves with bells and whistles to get a man’s attention….

I don’t know about other parts of the country, but here in KZN, it seems like the “IT” thing for any girl to do. The term coined for a girl who is super glamorous and is adorned with these add-ons is ‘u-Glama’ , and you will see them strutting their stuff in town, with the most confident walk ever! Hey, if it makes you feel good about yourself, go ahead and do it. But let the responses of the gentleman man above tell you that it’s not necessary for you to do if you want to get or keep a man. One thing you should always remember though is that when it does come to beauty and fashion : simple is always glamorous!!

Till later, mwaaaah!!!

A Career As A Fashionista

My definition of a fashionista, is a person (him/her) who loves fashion, whether they are directly or indirecty involved they appreciate the art, the message and the total feel of what fashion represents. You find some fashionista’s who only wear what’s in style and trending, and some fashionista’s create their own trends. Then you find those fashionista’s who make the clothes that fashionista’s love and those who ensure that fashionista’s remain fashionista’s by contributing in some way to the total process of fashion. There could be proper job titles assigned to what I’ve described above, which brings me to the crux of this post: why are we never encouraged to follow a career in fashion?!

Whether as Carrie Bradshaw or herself, Sarah Jessica Parker
 is the ultimate fashionista!!!

I remember in high school there were the top five careers, that were constantly promoted : Chartered Accountant, Lawyer, Engineer (Chemical, Civil, Electrical….you name it), Doctor and of course Actuarial Scientist. Can I point out that none of these careers involves any artistic creativity in their job descriptions? But of course they pay big bucks! (you'll never be happy if you do it for the money without the passion for it). We’re never informed about the endless opportunities involved within the fashion world! Yes, we know that there are fashion designers, but I just recently found out that you can become a fashion analyst! A person like me, who has a passion for fashion and a commerce degree (imagine!) can apply for a job like that! You can become involved on either the retail side of fashion, or on the media side of fashion such as magazines etc. Both these areas of fashion need each other to succeed (I believe).

These are the careers you can be involved in if you want to be on the media aspect of fashion:

• -          Fashion Editor
• -          Design Director
• -          Fashion Photographer
• -          Features Director
• -          Market Director
• -          Contributing Editor

I could go on forever, there are quite a few more jobs that I could add to that list. Let’s get to the retail side of the fashion business:

• -          Fashion Merchandiser
• -          Fashion Planner
• -          Fashion Analyst
• -          Textile Designer
• -          Production Manager
• -          Advertising / Sales Representative

There are also quite a few that I could also add to this list, but can you see that you don’t have to be a fashion designer to be involved in the fashion industry. You can (like me) have a qualification that is not fashion orientated, but utilize it in the fashion industry. My mother has been a teacher for over 25 years, but her passion has always been fashion. While she was a teacher on a full time basis for over 25 years, guess what she did part time? She was doing what she loves (and does oh so well) designing clothes! She never stopped designing and making clothes, even for us, her children. She designed and made my matric ball dress, she made my sister’s graduation dress……she’s made so much for family, for her clients, for a lot of people! And now that she's retired, she does it full time. But my point is this: if you love it, do it.

If you love fashion and you’re good at computers and other IT related stuff, then go ahead! There is a job where you can combine the two, there are a lot of things opening up, even for law students! If you love it – go ahead pursue it – do it!

Check out this website on more information about careers in the fashion industry.

That’s it for now. Mwah xxx

Buying Clothes For Cash or Credit??

Looking gorgeous, powerful, sexy, sophisticated and successful or whatever look you want to achieve is part of why people (like me) love fashion. Some people don’t take fashionista’s seriously; assuming that there is some sort of “pretentiousness” to them (or is it the ones they've met??). Well I went to university (will be graduating next year) and let me just say, having a commerce degree and a love for fashion is quite an advantage. That’s why I wanted to blog about this very important topic: acquire fashion through cash or credit??

I know a lot of people, who have short term credit facilities with fashion stores. I, on several occasions, have tried to open credit accounts at Legit, Mr Price and YDE. But to my disappointment, could not get granted the credit facilities because I was a university student. So, like some, I shop till I drop when I have sufficient cash, and I save up for that special pair of shoes if I’m having a bad run financially. I know a couple of friends who have credit facilities at some of these fashion retail stores and let me say, I find that some of them really struggle to not go over the limit.

I find that when you buy on credit, you can afford to “almost” splurge on the clothes you want, because you’ll have to pay later (in some instances, you pay a small amount each month), and your wardrobe will be spoiled with choices of different outfits. On the other hand, if you’re the type of person that doesn't know restraint, you can end up accumulating so much debt!

 This happened to a close relative of mine. She had a credit facility at Edgars, and she had accumulated over R12 000 worth of debt (on clothes!). Not that she was a fashion freak  who splurged every chance she got, she had family to take care of who constantly asked for clothes and shoes etc, and she couldn't say no. And every month when the bill came, she became so depressed; she didn't know how she got into that mess! And you know that these retailers want their money, and those phone calls (on private number) from call center agents asking when you’re going to pay your debt, became all too much for her. She decided one day that enough was enough, and she dedicated a whole year to ensuring she paid the debt and she would close that account. And she did! When she closed the account, she was even given a certificate! And you know they tried begging her not to close the credit facility!! Anyway, she vowed from then on never to buy clothes on credit, and she now buys everything cash. Her philosophy (like me) is to save up if you can’t afford it now. 

I think that, if you have good debt management skills, and have high levels of self- restraint, go ahead, open an account at Truworths or Legit etc. But if you know you’re the total opposite, I suggest that you stick to cash, or better yet, why not find a retail store that’s relatively cheap and affordable but with great quality clothing and style?  

Check out this website here for the pro’s and con’s of buying clothes for cash or on credit.

With that, I’m signing out, love you all, mwah!!

Fabulous Colour Blocking

The show Single Ladies that is aired on VH1 is one of my favourites because of their fashion.  I remember one particular episode from season one, where Stacey Dash wore the most fabulous outfit demonstrating colour blocking (Check it out below). If you don’t know what colour blocking is, it’s basically having an outfit which is made out of “blocks” of solid colour.   

Stacey Dash in a pink t-shirt, a green pencil shape skirt and blue heels. 

What I like about colour blocking is that it has that pop and wow effect when you walk into a room, and because bright and intense colours are the centre piece of any colour blocking outfit, it means it’s appropriate for summer. The biggest summer trend is colour – remember that.

Red pencil skirt

Yellow clutch bag

Green corset (just to add sexiness)

Blue Bordello heels

The items I've placed above are just a little example of an outfit you can wear that portrays colour blocking. Remember to keep the colours solid and intense. I chose a green corset so we can keep the outfit totally sexy, otherwise, you can switch it up with a lighter but intense orange colour. As you can see the whole outfit has a boom! pow! effect. I totally love it.

A little advise on what not to do when it comes colour blocking:

1.       Don’t match the colour of your accessories with your outfit, that’s really old school.

2.       Don’t wear clothes that don’t match your body type, specifically when it comes to colour blocking, the outfit and its colours are critical that they suit your body, ie use darker colours if you’re pear-shaped and curvy, but on your lower half of the body.

3.       Don’t wear stripes, floral and animal prints! That’s a no go area when it comes to colour blocking

4.       Don’t match colours that do not go with each other

Remember to play around with all sorts of colours, colour blocking is great for summer and personally it’s the best way to turn heads when you’re in a room. Enjoy colour blocking!!!! Mwaah!!!

Summer, Summer, Summer!!!

Summer is upon us and I am so excited to show my legs, back, and a whole lot of skin. With a help of my very fashion forward sister, I've compiled one women's wear look and one guys wear look for summer! The thing I love about summer is, you can always keep it casual and light. Lots of bright colors are in style (for men and women!) , and the technique of color blocking is very important - which I will show case in my next post!!

Pharrell Williams was the inspiration for this look. Pharrell makes causal look so sexy! the way he mixes different shirts or golf tee's with shorts and adds on a nice pair of sneaks is oh-so fab!

Checkered pink shirt from Markhams

Brown shorts from Markhams

Espadrille shoes from Truworths

And then just to complete the look, add these Aviator sunglasses, which you can also get from Truworths

Aviator sunglasses

Now its time for our woman's look, and I drew the inspiration from Selena Gomez. Although young, I think she's making waves in the fashion world.

You can never go wrong with a pair of shorts for summer!!! Add a bit of sexiness with a wedge heel, a light blouse and you're good to go!!!

White blouse from Truworths

Blue floral wedge heels from Truworths

Blue denim shorts, which you can get from Forever New

And of course this look can also be paired with a great pair of sunglasses, a nice summer bag and do not over do the accessories!!! For my first blog not bad right? :)