Having been a part of
several photo shoots and seen how stylists and make-up artist transform
ordinary woman to look like movie stars, I am very convinced that every woman
has in her what it takes to be a potential style icon.
Although there are no
hard and fast rules to being stylish, certain wardrobe guidelines can help. You
don’t necessarily have to follow the trend. A true stylish person does not;
rather, you break barriers, exploring new frontiers of style. Here we reveal
four basic elements of true styles.
BUY
NECESSITIES
In the local
parlance, they are referred to as the ‘koko’. These are the essential staples
that go with almost everything and they don’t easily go out of style. They are
the bones of your wardrobe. They are no respecter of times and seasons, they
are dependable and will work just as well in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and
London.
·
Stiletto
Shoes these days seem
to trample over clothes. So let your feet make the impression and give you
gait. A statement shoe like a pair of stilettos is a perfect way to walk the
trend.
·
The Little Black Dress
Fashion may come and
go, but the little Black Dress that Audrey Hepburn showed to the world decades
ago will always remain a wardrobe favourite. And the best thing about it is
that you can style as you desire-up or down.
·
A Classic Watch
Tell the time in
style with a classic watch.
·
Diamonds
Diamond it is said is
every girl’s best friend. At least, own a pair of stud ear rings.
·
A Pair of Ballet Pumps
Walk comfortably and
with ease in a pair of ballet pumps.
·
A Pair of Jeans
A pair of jeans is
such an amazing wardrobe essential; very versatile and easy to style. When you
think of comfort and practicality, a pair of jeans is your go-to fashion piece.
Find a cut that suits you and style as desired.
·
Cashmere Cardigan
When it gets a little
chilly, the cashmere cardigan is a great way to keep the cold away and still
skirt or with a pair of trousers.
·
A Great Handbag
A great handbag has
the ability to lift a boring outfit. It also has the ability to hold all a girl
needs for an outing. A designer’s version makes it all the more attention
grabbing asserts herself as the woman that she is.
·
The Classic White Shirt
The classic white
shirt is another wardrobe staple. Wear with a formal trouser to work or a
casual appeal wear a pair of jeans for day.
INVEST
IN ACCESSORIES
With trends coming
and going so quickly, it is obvious that those trends we think we like; a pair
of skinny jeans, fitted tops or the Oleku buba and iro can betray you so
quickly when you put on some weight. Not so with accessories; scarves, shoes,
necklaces, ear rings and rings. They will stand by you in and out of season and
also pull together an outfit for you.
A first impression
can be achieved with a good statement necklace. For once, do away with cheap
necklace and adorn a bold, quality necklace that no one can ignore. It leaves
no one in doubt that this woman knows what is good for her.
Stylish women like
Nkiru Anumudu know how to pair her shoes with her bag, so does Deziani Allison
with her diamonds. The key to accessorizing is to keep it tasteful. Don’t go
overboard. Never wear a statement necklace for instance and statement ear
rings. Tone one down. Too much of everything is unpleasant to the eyes.
·
Diamond Gold Necklace
·
High Heel Shoe
·
Montana Cocktail Ring
·
Burberry Scarf
·
Christian Louboutin Shoes
·
Embellished Belt
·
Prada Handbag
MIX
& MATCH
Let it be clear that
mixing and matching is not for the inexperienced. It takes a lot of trial and
error to perfect this art. Usually, anything that sounds like it won’t make
sense usually looks fabulous. Pairing Ankara with chiffon or brocade require experience;
the soft and the hard, casual and elegant. Odd as it may appear, it works and
you will look different. Only a truly stylish woman can pull this off. Mixing things
up means taking the unexpected, and making it yours.
Designer, Ituen
Bassey knows this well. Mixing it correctly leaves an image that one does not
forget in a hurry. As mentioned earlier, it takes time and trial to get it
right. Anything staged is not style, it has to be effortless.
DON’T
OVER DO THINGS
The quest to be a
wannabe often drives men and women to dress up looking ridiculous. No matter
how expensive a bag is for example, if it is not well used, may make the
carrier look funny. Being a style person is not a product of how much your
dress costs or whether your dress costs or whether your bag is an “IT bag”. Pilling
on one designer dress over a pair of shoes does not make one stylish. Doing this
is tending towards being a fashion victim. When you leave your label out
clearly for people to see, you are a fashion victim. Most guys are guilty of
this. They leave suit label on the sleeve just to show off expensive brand
names. When it comes to fashion and real style, never over do things. Less they
say is more. You’d look loud and bogus if you pile things on. It becomes even
worse if the person is not coordinated in appearance and attitude.
There is no doubt
that dressing too much especially when the occasion does not call for it could
put one off. As one grows in life and status, the drive to impress others
should be shoved aside for the drive for class and style. Don’t be a fashion
victim
-Jemi Ekunkunbor
0 comments:
Post a Comment