Outfit – Tadera

Trend Alert? Cotton Romance

There’s always a look of the season, sometimes it’s as simple as a colour, sometimes it’s an accessory, and other times it might be a pairing or combination.. an aesthetic. I know I’m not the only one that has noticed this Spring/Summer dress of the season. But just in case you haven’t, let me bring it to you as (Wura and) I see.

This time around it’s a dress. More often than not, it’s in the form of a maxi but I’ve seen variations – midis and on the rare occasion, minis. Heck, I’ve seen skirts too so it really isn’t just dresses. But they all largely have the same/common features:

A cinched waist that draws the eye in and is set up to be the focal point and key attraction of this dress. It is almost always cut as a “V” from high on the hips to the inner thigh.
A rather bulky bust area, often times it’s ruched with a round neckline because anything else would be distracting. Too much.
An even more excessive bottom half. You know… to give the illusion of that coke bottle body (do people still say this or have I officially aged?).

I’m not sure you could tell from my description, but this dress is definitely not one of my favourites and it most definitely would not have a home in my wardrobe, but even at that, I can’t deny what it does for the female body… feminine and modest… romanticized, if sized correctly, I’d even call it elegant but at this point, I’m using the word loosely. Whatever I might think of this dress, the fact remains that it’s having a moment and if nothing else, should be appreciated for that. I’m sure it would look great on the fashion girlies!

Source: Kai Collective

Source: Sunset Lover

Source: Rendoll

Have you noticed this trend or am I losing it? Is it even having a moment or am I making this up? Do you like or are you on the same table as me and skipping? I’d love to know your thoughts….

xXx

Ps: My skin has been skinning lately and I love it

PPs: I found reformer pilates in Abuja, but at 20k a class, I’m learning to be careful what I wish for, at the very least, I need to be more specific in my requests.

VB X MNG

I’ve always been a fan of Victoria Beckham. If ever I was going to be a Spice, I’d be Posh, no questions asked. LBD – check, high heels – why not? Bob – I could make it happen… Let’s be real, the Spice Girls remain iconic, did you see the video David Beckham posted from Victoria’s 50th last week?

Like every other Millennial, I’d been a fan of the Spice Girls from Wannabe right through to Viva Forever. Even after that, I followed Vicky Becks closely, wondering what her next big break would be. She published Learning to Fly in the early 2000s and even though I wasn’t big on reading, as a teenager, I made it through that autobiography cover-to-cover. Around the same time, she released her first solo album. You guessed it, I bought the CD.

Today, I can’t say I’m that big a fan of hers (or anyone else for that matter), but I’m not going to lie, I’ve been keeping tabs particularly on Victoria Beckham -the Fashion Designer. I low key think this is who she was supposed to be all along. Everything prior to that, was just a journey she needed to experience to arrive exactly where she is now.

Earlier this week, coinciding with their 40th anniversary, Mango released their collaboration with Victoria Beckham. The 55 piece collection covering womenswear, jewelry and footwear was inspired by La Piscine, a 1969 summertime film starring Jane Birkin (the collaboration video even shows the models jumping into a pool). Specifically, parallels are drawn between Jane Birkin’s character’s ease, natural beauty, femininity, and “a real sense of freedom”.

The collection is très chic with feminine and macho inspired looks all very much wearable. The vibes are more Spring than Summer, either way, VB and MNG kept it graceful, elegant, sophisticated. The collaboration was really a match made in style heaven given that both brands are so similar (save for the price point). It’s more of a surprise that this wasn’t done earlier.

Good Luck getting anything in stock though, from what I hear, items sold out in hours. Below are some of my favourite pieces from the collection.

Were you lucky enough to get your hands on any pieces? Let me know, would be great to hear your thoughts on the quality. I don’t doubt that it would be anything short of exceptional.

xXx

Ps: What’s everyone watching these days on Netflix or Prime? I need recommendations

The Classics

My Mother thinks I have a problem. She’s yet to put it that candidly, but it was delicately laced in her tone earlier this month when I asked her driver to pick up my Zashadu Alpha…. “Another one?” was followed by a soft, but disconcerting smile. I’ve managed to convince myself that one of my bags will one day become an investment piece but the truth of the matter is that only selected, age old brands have been fortunate enough to make the increasingly exclusive list.

On Sunday evening, I sat in a friend’s living room getting increasingly comfortable as we argued over what to order and what Netflix movie was best suited for a Sunday night. As we lingered in and out of various conversation topics, we stumbled on investment bags. As much as I may be an advocate for the #BuyNigerian movement, I can’t deny it, I still lust over the Classics. Below are my top picks…

The Hermès Birkin or Hermès Kelly: From a very young age, my Dad hammered the concept of “Demand vs Supply” in my head. He went on and on about how this was “Basic Economics… the Foundation” and couldn’t understand why I struggled with the subject. Perhaps if he had explained this concept in Hermes lingo, maybe (just maybe) I’d have ended up with an ‘A’ instead of the dreaded ‘D’ at my IGCSEs… I digress… The economics behind the Hermès Birkin and Kelly is rooted in their limited quantities. This creates exclusivity; scarcity (in Economics lingo) and drives the prices up! A worthy number 1 in my opinion, the Hermès duo (the Kelly – inspired by Grace Kelly of course and the Birkin– inspired by Jane Birkin) will forever hold the top spot

Related image — Hermès Kelly Source: LuxuryExchange.com

Image result for hermes birkin — Hermès Birkin Source: LuxuryExchange.com

Chanel Classic Flap Bag: Somewhere between Coco and Karl, rumour has it that the Chanel Classic flap bag has (sometime in the recent past) outperformed the S&P. How’s that for a worthy investment? Any of the Chanel flap bags would do for me really. The 2.55 Reissue (named after the date it was introduced- February 1955), the Boy bag or the Classic flap, I really couldn’t care less. Somewhere between the burgundy contrast and the quilted lambskin, I’m sold!

Louis Vuitton Neverfull Bag: I know, I know… every Tom, Dick and Harry has one. But that doesn’t make the Neverfull any less of an investment. If you really want to stand out with this one, the Limited Edition pieces are (in my opinion) less generic/common and I find that the Noir/Indigo are waaaay nicer. I’ve read that these bags can get you 80-85% of their retail value.

View 1 - Neverfull MM Epi Leather in Women's Handbags Shoulder Bags & Totes collections by Louis Vuitton — **Source: LouisVuitton.com**

Loewe Puzzle Bag: This unassuming bag is made of 41 different leather pieces, nine textile pieces and 45 pieces of cloth. Take that for a mind-boggling Puzzle! Worth every penny I’d say.

LOEWE Puzzle Bag Anthracite all — **Source: Loewe.com**

Lady Dior Bag: Dior describes this bag as “Dior’s iconic bag, the Lady Dior, features all the hallmarks of Dior leather goods: soft lambskin topstitched with the iconic Cannage motif, rounded handles and D.i.o.r charms. An architectural piece, it is the symbol of Couture elegance and refinement“. I’m not sure I’m capable of better articulating this masterpiece.

LADY DIOR BAG IN CHERRY RED PATENT CANNAGE CALFSKIN - Lady Dior Dior — Source: Dior.com

What makes the cut for your top investment bags? Let me know…

xXx

Ps: I’m on to another Tory Lanez song… “Miss You” Love this guy!

PPs: Still dreaming of a helix piercing. Can’t wait to try it out again.

White Shirts & Whatnots

Growing up, a white shirt was a status symbol. It spoke at length in knowledge, uncovered depths of wisdom and expressed silent authority. Growing up, my Dad was not just the epitome of a white shirt, he was the very essence of it. It was the singular most dominant feature of his wardrobe and it could only ever be crisp… pristine… starched… SHARP! It earned him the nickname ‘GQ’ and in my book, anything short of this, just didn’t make the cut!

Naturally, as I progressed into the realm of employment, I too found the white shirt to be not just a staple, but supposedly critical for unattained heights of success. Accessorized with a Hermès 90×90 (*insert smug smile*), my white shirt wasn’t just my authority, it transformed to my cape! But I’ve since learned not to take life too seriously. SHARP! is nice, but as a lady, I much prefer my shirt (blouse?) to glide gracefully along my fashion scale, sliding from understated chic to refined grace.

Ever-adaptable, I often find that my white shirt is my blank canvas, capable of self-expression and open to my style interpretations. Somewhere between the flirty off shoulders, the hand stitched silks and the creaseless oxford cloth classics (Taiwo does this like a PRO!), I’ve found myself “at home” with this undeniable essential.

Below are my much desired white shirt chic goals

Tome | Open Back Shirt | My Chameleon — Source: The Chic Department

Cotton shirts are enjoying a new lease of life via architectural shapes. This neat bow detailing will nip in your waist too — Source: The Telegraph

I’ve learnt that maintenance is the greatest feat in owning a white shirt, but here’s a tip you (probably) didn’t know… they (Brooks Brothers, according to the WSJ) say your blend ratio shouldn’t exceed 60/40 Polyester/Cotton…. you can thank me later!

Ladies, have you invested in a white shirt? How does it work for you?

xXx

Ps: For those of you that don’t already know, I have Tory Lanez ‘Hypnotized’ on REPEAT!!!!

PPs: I can’t seem to decide if I want my hair in Senegalese twists or if I want to keep queening in my nappy ‘fro… thoughts?

Girl Talk: Smuggling Peanuts

My next post was supposed to be about Kendall Jenner. Those of you that follow me on Pinterest know I’m obsessed with Kendall Jenner, but I’ve decided I’ll disclose the depths of my obsession another day. Today, I’m focusing on “Smuggling Peanuts”. Let’s see how this (one sided) conversation goes….

Bras are a wonderful thing, they provide support like nothing else can. But somewhere between the underwire, sloppy straps and two to three (itchy) hooks at the back (or in front as the case may be), bras can be pretty discomforting! Guys don’t appreciate how easy they have it.

Last week I got talking to Taiwo and Wura about “Smuggling Peanuts” and while Wura refrained from taking a stance it was simply “unacceptable” to Taiwo. Recently, I’ve noticed more and more ladies ditch the support of a bra and although I’d rather one less care in this world, I guess I’d MUCH rather my “twins” were never the topic of discussion.

Freedom or orderliness? Support or nature’s gravity? To smuggle or not to smuggle?

A penny for your thoughts.

Kendall Jenner

Source: Pop Crunch

xXx

Ps: I usually find it easy to fall asleep. The second my head hits the pillow, I’m out. Last night, I struggled *sigh*

Pps: The thought of moving away for a bit is becoming more and more enthralling…..

Afrochristic

A couple of Fridays ago, I stopped by at Taiwo’s office after work and to no surprise, I found her office relatively empty. I know about 90% of the staff at her office so was a little surprised to come across an unfamiliar face. Okey had just joined that week and I could tell from the look on his face that he was just as surprised to meet a “Taiwo look-alike” as I was to see a new face on the team.

In line with your typical Friday “dress down” Okey had on no tie, but a white shirt, smart blazer and one of my favourite men’s accessories, a pocket square. Naturally, it instantly caught my attention and rude as it may be, I had him take it out for my close inspection.

The fabric was tightly woven in a torquoise blue and complementary gold weft stitch accompanied by a black undertone. It was effortlessly folded in a loose pyramid and stuck out with all the flair of a pretentious aristocrat, I loved it! It reminded me a lot of a contemporary take on the “aso-oke” often worn at Yoruba traditional weddings.

After my close (and somewhat rude) inspection, I quickly got to know that Okey’s pocket square was actually made by his own brand (side hustle as we like to call in in Nigeria), Afrochristic. It turns out Afrochristic is not just a one-trick pony, they do a few male and female accessories. Can’t wait to find out what else they have in store.

Below are pictures of Okey’s Afrochristic pocket square, isn’t it just handsome!

For orders/enquiries, contact Okey: BAOkere[at]gmail.com

xXx

Ps: Please forgive the picture quality, I don’t exactly carry an SLR to work lol.

PPs: I love how I’m getting into men’s fashion, was never really my thing.

8 Simple Rules

Every morning I’m doomed with the same fate. I can never assemble an outfit that will make my heart smile. I have a certain standard which I uphold for my own egotistic reasons and every time I fall below par it aggravates me. For this reason, I have put together ‘8 Simple Rules’ governing my wardrobe in the event of every morning’s disaster, who knows they might come in handy for the Christmas season:

Biggie Smalls (LOL, I didn’t know what else to call it): Proportion perfection is easy as long as you know it. And it really is just this, if your top is baggy, your bottoms should be fitted, or vice versa. That way you establish some kind of outfit equilibrium.
The One Show: Only one part of the body should be on show at any given time. I’m talking about the legs, the boobs and the midriff! After all a micro mini with a strapless top screams floozy!
The reinvention: A dress hasn’t always got to be a dress. It can be a skirt or a blouse; it depends on what you put over it really.
Take Care: You should always take care of your clothes. If the directions read dry clean, do just that. If it reads hand wash, take the time out to hand wash. That way, they last. As Taiwo rightly advised, the one rule of jeans is to wash them when they smell! Washing them too often will ruin them.
Play with your clothes: I’ve constantly got my sleeves folded or ruched up. Same with my trousers and leggings. Sometimes I even cut buttons off and attach my own, or I tie my shirt up a little. Do whatever suits you, have fun!
If all else fails, ACCESSORISE: This especially works for the office. Luckily my mum makes jewellery so I have more than enough necklaces to wear. But you could also pair killer heels with a bland dress, or even accessorise with your hair styles and red lipstick.
Simplicity is the ultimate elegance: When in doubt, keep it simple! Otherwise, it becomes too much and you go from understated chic to wardrobe malfunction in the blink of an eye.
Always wear a smile: As cliché as this sounds it’s true a smile is the perfect accessory.

Having said all of this, it still takes forever to get ready in the morning. Maybe I consider too much, maybe I’ve got it all wrong! I’m sure there are people out there that have their own guiding principles, feel free to share. I’m very interested.

xXx

Ps: These guiding principles are subject to alteration at my discretion 😛

PPs: Who knows maybe one day I’ll write a book on one of these topics. LOL