How do you like it?

And I’m talking about your fashion here!!!

Do you like clean lines, plain fabric, bold prints, minimalist looks, skyscraper heels, oversized accessories.....what works for you?

Which leads me to my next question.............

.........................does it really work for you?!

I absolutely love elaborate geles, huge handbags and bold statement jewellery. The only problem is, at 5ft 2in – I end up looking like a little girl playing dress up in her mummy’s clothes!

Over the years I’ve learnt to work with what I have and just incorporate certain elements that might not be so flattering.

Anybody want to share their fashion loves and faux pas with me?

Starting with the basics for getting it right – the fabric.

Choose fabrics that work with you and your lifestyle. The main fabrics used for African clothing are cotton, rayon and silk. Let’s face it, spending the afternoon with a three year old wearing silk is just asking for trouble!

If you want mileage out of a particular item of clothing, then go for the cotton and rayon. Save the silk for special occasions.

Next on my list – the print.     

 

Oh, where to start?! This has the potential to be a wondrous or a disastrous thing! The one thing not lacking when it comes to African fabric is print choices. Just think Vlisco! As much as they are Dutch wax prints – they symbolise a lot of what African clothing means.

Keep it simple, choose a print that doesn’t shout you down or drown you out. You should wear the clothes, not the other way round.

Now that we’re working with the right fabric and pattern for us.....find the right style. Not all things look good on all people. As I’ve found out numerous times, some things just weren’t meant to be!

Unfortunately we’re not always honest with ourselves and sometimes our desire to have something clouds our better judgement (and if my best friend is reading this then yes, I’m talking about those 6in heels hiding at the back of your closet!)

My suggestion: where possible, never go shopping alone! Better still – shop from the comfort of home (or your iPad, or BlackBerry!) Pick out what you like and ask a good friend for her opinion. That’s what friends are for right?!

Remember, ultimately your clothes are an expression of who you are!

                                       

Which Afrodelicious Diva are you?

I know, I know, my last post inspired you to go out and get all Afrolicious (and if you can’t figure out what I mean by that then stop reading right now!) So you rushed out, bought everything you could that remotely whispered “African”, tried it all on and had a “How do I look?” moment.

The verdict was................a hot mess!!

Let’s face it, not everything looks good on everyone. So let’s break it down a bit.....what suits who?

Disclaimer time: I am not a fashion expert – I am just an opinionated female who spends a lot of time dissing people who just aren’t dressed right!

Also, if you’re looking for a detailed step-by-step “how to look fabulous in African fashion” then unfortunately, I can’t help you.

Firstly – body shapes. You’ve heard them all....pear, apple, hourglass, ruler (skittle, vase, cornet, lollipop, column, bell, goblet, cello, brick too according to Trinny and Susannah). I hate to say this because I know it’ll piss off a whole lot of people but.....who cares?!!

Fashion Sista’s suggestion no.1: forget body shape, just love the skin you’re in! We come in all shapes and sizes and fabulous is all about how you feel, not what shape you are! Rules are for school, who wants to be a grown woman and be told they’re a brick or an apple? I mean really, how’s that going to make me feel good about myself?!

So now that we’ve thrown that theory out of the window....

Fashion Sista’s suggestion no.2: dress for your personality! Radical thought, isn’t it? But think about it, if you’re a loud, proud kind of gal, then why not dress that way? Go for those bold prints, loud colours and huge statement pieces. You have the guts to carry it off (plus the chutzpah to tell off anybody who says otherwise!)

If you’re a more reserved type of sista (what do you mean ‘do they exist’?!) then pick out clothes and accessories that speak to your sense of style. They are out there......they might be harder to find, but if you know where to look you’ll find them.

Check in with me soon to find out more about getting your Afrolicious on.

Laters!