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.
As a black women entering professional work environments you have to break down doors and barriers to get in. Once hired we have been faced with fitting into cultures that prefer we don’t celebrate our uniqueness. Faced with the choice of conformity or pushing the envelope, has been, and continues to be, an issue.
For those who don’t want to make waves, it appears easier to go along with a conservative mode of dress and style, right down to our hair follicles. Today, media follows black women and hair (a constant topic) that is both annoying and frustrating.
Spring is a beautiful time of year. With nature getting her bloom on, freshness and renewal abound. Spring, is also a great time to break out with renewed energy and try new looks. A good Sunday service, followed by brunch offer chances to meet, greet, worship and eat in style.
Look for styles that offer comfort, style and personal appeal. Dresses and skirts, spring suits, and light-weight slacks are all welcome during this season. Consider bustiers and cami’s in spring colors that can be paired with jackets for a fashionable statement.
Spring is also a good time to sport new hats and head pieces. Fabric to coordinate with spring-time looks make for fabulous head-wraps. The rules are to be creative and comfortable. Mix and match head wraps, play with different looks, and enjoy. If you are growing your hair out for summer a gele can be helpful in securing a stylish and cultural look.
Whether you’re attending a spring baby or bridal shower, brunch, an afternoon play or other live entertainment pick colors and styling that make you feel your best.
Spring Colors: pink, green, yellow, beige, and lilac. Pastels rock and you can expand as needed.
Spring Sundays should be as light and airy as the season suggests.
Black Women’s Herstory and fashion soulfully connects generations. It is there, as we dress up our outside and by doing so thoughtfully, honor our inner-selves, as well. The side of self, that glows through colors and tones, speaks to the mystique we have as Black women. This is a call for celebrating and honoring our collective beautiful selves.
I encourage, doing all we can to dress ourselves up, from the inside-out. Sistas shine, determined to make strides, and defying odds. We’re a big deal. I don’t care what the haters say. We-are-that-deal. Know this.
When it gets rough, because life happens, may women be held in a place of peace by a circle of sister-friends. The kind, who will stand with us, as we figure out the next steps. While, we all have to seek, find, and own our truths having sister-friends makes the journey much sweeter, and a heck of a lot easier. I celebrate and honor Women’s Herstory, because we are fierce and awesome, and this is a great time to be a woman. Opportunities exist for us that were denied our ancestors. Our daughters can become anything they want with passion and hard work.
For women of African descent, our sense of style connects to our roots. It’s beautiful. It’s timeless, and priceless. Others, imitate while trying to duplicate, our way of taking fabric and owning it. A cultural tie-in, was the love and faith kept in pockets of, well-worn house dresses that Great Grandmother, and Grandmother wore. You could go to Big-Mama in tears, and feel ten times lighter as she lifted you over and through, whatever ailed you. We honor and thank those women who adopted grands, so that the girls, and young women’s lives they touched, know love. That’s, our legacy.
Her dresses and wraps contained pockets, in which an assortment of items were housed. There were sure to have been recipes for faith, written hastily, yet, carefully dropped into pockets. Throughout the day, she’d revisit those scraps containing scriptures and affirmations always, lifting our names in prayer. Her intent, to keep us strong: but, sweet, loving and compassionate: but, not blind or foolish. Most importantly, she encouraged us to love ourselves. Those mystical pockets held the medicine needed to make us, and others she loved, be well.
No designer dropping in this piece. Instead, the house dress Big-Mama wore and her mystical prayer-pockets, meant much more. They helped bring us through connecting our fashion stories to Women’s Herstory.
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?
Dressing Up or Down with Boo Boos Makes Fashion Flexibility Easy
If there is one item a woman should have in her closet it is a boo boo/caftan. Loose, cool and flowing the African themed garment is a go to item. I became enamored with boo boos in my late 20s. I have worn them for over twenty years. Even though I worked for the most part in non-profit settings I was never called on the carpet for not wearing standard American attire. There would have been a problem if administrators had made my dress an issue, as I was beautifully adorned from head to toe. It was also good, because this sister has an affinity for being comfortable and in my own unique way. One casual dress day, I switched up and wore jeans. A co-worker exclaimed, ‘Girl, I didn’t think you owned any American clothing!’ I took it as a compliment. I understand I flipped the script out of no where, but I reserve the right to change up at times.
Dressing Up or Down with Boo Boos Makes Fashion Flexibility Easy
You can find boo boos in a variety of fabrics and patters, dressier boo boos depend on the fabric, some can be quite elaborate and detailed. Boo boos range from everyday,from washable cotton to fancy materials one wears to a wedding. The best thing about casual boo boos is you can throw them in the wash and you are good to go. I do recommend hang drying as opposed to the dryer which can cause shrinkage. Higher-end boo boos and those with intricate detailing, should be entrusted with a dry cleaner familiar with finer items.
Dressing Up or Down with Boo Boos Makes Fashion Flexibility Easy
Boos boos also come in a variety of patterns, and colors. Most have fabric included that can be worn as a gele or as a neck scarf. Depends on what you feel at the time. I have also found it best to wear something underneath because side panels can be cut low, and show more skin than you like. Camisoles work well and you may want to include a slip when wearing sheer or thinner material.
Dressing Up or Down with Boo Boos Makes Fashion Flexibility Easy
Speaking of slips, I caught a glimpse of QVC and I cannot believe the cost of Spanx. I have tried items from previous lines and quite honestly, I had trouble breathing. Although slips are foreign to many young women I cannot leave the house in good faith with all of my business out or even, too easily imagined. I found a few lengths with Lycra at one of my favorite drop in spots Target (Tarjay), for under $20. Not bad and not nearly as binding as Spanx. By the way I do love Spanx Two-Time Trouser Socks. The reversible socks go well with dress pants and are reinforced really well. You get two pair for the price of one in this footwear with the cute name. I digress.
If you feel better with a light cotton top over the camisole, or slip that works, too. Just depends on how often you anticipate lifting your arms. Again, side panels and material make the difference in how much protection you will need.
During the spring and summer sandals even flat ones go well with boo boos. Dress sandals and shoes accent the dressier patterns and material.
Sizing: My one complaint about boo boos is they can run large, up to 4XXX and sometimes one size is supposed fit all. I don’t like looking like I’m drowning in my clothing, so I tend to look for items that runs S-XL, but I have been creative when I have spotted a one-size must-have boo boo. I simply the wrap piece optional piece of fabric and make a belt instead of a gele head wrap. Women know how to improvise when we find pieces we love.
Have fun experimenting with this fabulous fashion choice.
