Creating fashion savvy allows you to stand out from the crowd. To do so takes a combination of confidence, and knowledge of colors, lengths, and styles that are most flattering. We all have our favorite go to styles that take us through seasonal changes.
New fashion trends are always on the horizon and as Black women get our due diligence in on the shopping platform. There are tons of resources with many of us turning pages of our go-to sources like Essence, and Ebony to help determine what’s in and what is definitely out.
On-line shopping provides yet another tool to keep fashion conscious sisters in the know. With the number of black designers on the rise we have even more options.
With so many jewelry options available I feel like a kid in a candy store. What types of jewelry are you drawn to? I love silver, wood, and turquoise. I love earrings that pop created from designs that make my heart sing.
It’s that time of year again. Festivals and arts venues abound on weekends throughout the coming months. I find talking one-on-one with a designer who has crafted to-die for pieces to be an uplifting experience. I want to know how they started, how long they’ve been designing, if they still get a thrill out of designing and making jewelry, and why. I want to know the significance behind pieces I am interested in owning for myself. I collect business cards of vendors with the jazziest pieces and get excited about placing future orders. If you hit these venues keep in mind that the final day is usually the best time for negotiating. People do not want to have to pack up and return to their hometowns with the same load they started with.
Striking a deal takes a bit of finesse but with practice you can save a few coins or get a great deal on multiple pieces. I always keep in mind that an artist puts their soul stamp onto their work so I do expect to pay for their vision.
Cities with budgets that still allow cultural festivals and art fairs delight me. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, toe and finger rings all rank at the top of my list as fashion must-haves.
Jewelry is my go-to delight. Make time to check out area festivals and see what great finds are waiting with your name on them.
How many outfits and random accessories lay dormant in your closets, drawers, and jewelry box? I mean things like the cute dress you purchased and wore on the cruise 6 years ago, and haven’t worn again. And what about the cute two-piece skirt set you wore to your cousin’s baby shower? That baby is entering 4th grade come fall and you haven’t looked at that must have number again.
Spring is here why not drop the heaviness of winter and spring forward in conscious raising hot cultural tees? At the close of Women’s Herstory Month a great way to celebrate black women is to wear apparel that speaks directly to us. There are several lines and vendors offering wares and great specials. Tees with slogans that express cultural pride say a lot about the person wearing the tee. In my opinion, it says that one is proud of who they are. As the world becomes more diverse many people try and blend in and not stand out. It is an easy way to move through life without creating waves. People certainly have the right to live quietly. I choose to do the opposite. If there is a positive conscious tee or hoodie, I want it. I love clothing that relates to my hair, skin, and who I am a black woman.
My favorite tees, leave no doubt to those I encounter while I am out and about, that I love the skin I am in. I simply adore tees picturing strong black women. Women, who made strides in black history making it against all types of odds. It seems unfathomable to me to try and down play their efforts. Because of them I am able to eat, work, and play in areas where they entered back doors. If, they were allowed to enter at all. I pay homage to the the women whose strong shoulders I stand on. Tees depicting black life are important to me and I love the variety and artistry behind them.
Hair and heritage go hand-in-hand. The conversations are around kinky hair continue to grow on social media. Each time a tee is worn with a nappy head it opens the door to conversation around black women and our love-hate relationship with our hair.
Even embracing the word “nappy” is a stance against what society and media says is appropriate, and what I know to be appropriate for me. Supporting cultural tees is a way of teaching cultural pride, that children become conscious about their relevance and importance in the universe, by feeling good about themselves.
Consider supporting black business by grabbing a few tees for yourself and a few more to give away.
Spring is finally here and with it comes the opportunity for renewal. Taking time to regenerate is a great way to close out Women’s Herstory Month. You’re worth it! For many women, the transition from indifferent cold weather and snowstorms into spring sunshine and warmer temps, is honored with a getaway. With a mix of good timing and studious attention one can catch breaks on tickets and jet off for a long weekend or a week to a destination that helps kick spring into gear.
Before you can get to the sandy beach, spa, or favorite nature spot the affair of air travel has to be tackled. Unless, you don’t mind embracing ground travel to reach your destination.
I’ve often wondered what it is that makes women glam up for the airport. This was even before travel included a strip down for security. I must be special, seems I am always asked to step to the side while security finds a female with a magic wand to run up and down, and across my body.
In the process of removing my shoes I am also likely to have my laptop and a carry on. My big black bag on my shoulder contains a camera, a book, a journal, and few other things I would hate to do without if my luggage is not on the carousel after deplaning and making the mile long trip to baggage claim. On three separate occasions I’ve waited in anticipation of my luggage falling from the magic chute and finding it’s way to me. I’ve been sorely disappointed sans suitcase, and in line at the lost luggage counter. One of those times was in the Bahamas. Wasn’t at all how I planned to start my vacation.
I admit that while some women glam up for the airport, I load up with must have items on my person. All which makes getting through security and TSA agents a bit more cumbersome. On average, I use at least two tubs, and sometimes, as many as four.
Bejeweled with bangles I rarely disband I am able to remove five without a problem. The tricky one, a gift from South Africa has clearly gotten smaller, or my wrist has gotten fatter over the years. I’m not quite sure, what I do know is that it hurts to take it off. If I am unsuccessful as is often the case, the bracelet triggers the alarm, and I prepare to step to the side turning my body on command until the TSA agent is satisfied.
What has happened the last three times I’ve flown is I have had an agent inform me that my afro would need to be patted down. I find this the most offensive of all. I wonder, while giving consent for the follicle search for contraband what she’s heard about black hair. Does she expect it to be soft or hard. Just how much depth does one need if indeed hair is a the preferred choice for smuggling. Of course, it makes me feel like violated. It only takes a couple of seconds, but it never feels good. My fro is now askew and makes the added trip to the ladies room to run a pic through my hair, a necessity.
I can’t control the search or whether my luggage will land with me. So I control what I can, and travel in clothing and shoes that are ultra comfortable. As mentioned earlier I look at women who dress up, instead of down for air travel and wonder why. Five inch stilettos and short skirts strike me as totally uncomfortable for flight gear. Not only are my gates for departure generally the furthest away from the security check point, but if I have a connecting flight which is usually the case, it is guaranteed to be on the other side of the airport.
Clicking heels on hard concrete is not my idea of fun, not with my laptop, and bag of reading and writing gear. Since I haven’t found a way to work around that you can bet, my attire and shoes will not cause added stress.
I usually have a sweater for the unpredictable flow of airplane air and temperature. Sweat pants or a maxi dress work well for me. I want my legs covered I know I will be sitting next to complete strangers for a few hours. No need to give who ever it is free peeks if I doze off. Maybe, the gals who decide short dresses and mini skirts are appropriate flight gear like the attention. I’ll pass thank you.
Gym shoes work great for me for travel, although I love sandals and having my toes out. I will wear sandals with a pair of footies on hand to get through security when possible. They happen to be easier since they slip off. The thought of letting my bare feet touch the airport floor makes me cringe.
Bottom line is, I want to be as comfortable as possible. How about you?
Another reason to celebrate Women’s Herstory month is sunshine. Spring is peeking her head through the window. It’s time put away winter frocks infused with heavy sweaters and skirts, and instead look to lighter colors and fabrics.
During this renewal phase we choose colors, lengths, and styles that we find the most flattering. Spring is knocking on the door and with it comes the chance to upgrade to new and depart with older pieces that no longer draw us in.
How often do you incorporate your favorite colors and fabrics? I don’t care how cute a piece is if it doesn’t feel good on my skin I’m not buying it. I adapted this school of thought working the concept into fashion purchases about 10 years ago, and I haven’t looked back.
I know women who will not bear shoulders because they don’t like their arms. Others, forgo shorts no matter how much sunshine spring and summer months offer. I don’t care for skirt suits where the hemline falls right at the knee, same for dresses. Max me out or give me something a couple inches above the knee. I also have a strong dislike for floral patterns, I think this dates back to my mother’s idea of dressing us alike when I was a pre-teen. She had a fondness for the flowers and pleats. Now that she is no longer on this plane with me, I look at those pictures in appreciation of her personal style and desire to dress us in similar dresses a few times. It doesn’t make me rush to either, but I appreciate having the memories.
One piece that most women can agree is a fantabulous sundress. Cool and breezy they can take you to work, and straight to an after-work affair with minimum fuss. Paired with a blazer or dressy sweater the flow between scenes is effortless.
I keep tan, black, white, and cream blazers on hand and I adore the look. When I want to enjoy the sun kissing my shoulders the blazer comes off. When I’m in a restaurant or other venue where the air conditioning makes my teeth chatter, the blazer goes on. Simple elegant styling is a breeze with this jazzy combination.
I simply love the light feel sundresses offer. It is an item you can depend on. Fabric care is easy, they can be washed to hang dry. They travel well and you can count on them to be as varied as needed.
