fashion – 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

Column Dressing

As much as I love fashion, I’m still very much on the fence about trends. Could it be the millennial in me? I guess I like what I like and if I don’t like it, it’s fine to keep it moving.

Having said that, Column dressing is one of those trends I’ve noticed and become definitively obsessed with. You didn’t ask, but you know the drill, I’ll tell you why anyway…

I’m obsessed with a classic silhouette – comfortable without drowning you, tailored, but not exactly fitted. It’s easy and somehow it remains elegant. I kinda feel like it’s a tease, never really giving too much away but drawing you close enough to want more. Regardless of whether it’s a dress or a two piece, it’s pretty much always maxi, falling right down to the floor. 9/10x it’s a monochromatic look, 10/10x it’s a fire look.

Below are pictures of some looks I stole off Pinterest. Is it just me or are they all strapless? Never been one to brave it strapless but don’t hold your breath, I might surprise you.

Source: WhoWhatWear.com

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

That’s all for today folks

xXx

Ps: Taiwo has been on my neck for God knows how long about doing something creative again. I hope this suffices even if it’s only for today.

Pps: Special thanks to Kathleen for encouraging me to get back into blogging . I’d totally given up!

Don’t Spend Time, Invest In It: Casio A168WE

With the new year often comes new resolutions. This year however, there’s been a trend of INs and OUTs and I’ve bought into it. Having compiled my 2024 INs and OUTs, I’ve noticed that a good chunk are centered around how I spend my time. What is that saying people preach…. “Time is a currency you can only spend once. Be careful how you spend it.” Yeah, that’s me this new year.

A couple of months back, Taiwo and I had a conversation about time. She was in my ear about how I spend it… advising me to relish in the moments I enjoy, letting the time pass and damning the consequences (within reason of course). Funny that advice came from her considering that she’s the one that bought Wura and I our Casios… The A168WE to be precise. It was supposed to be a gift for our -Taiwo & I’s- 35th birthday, but somehow, Wura was lucky enough to end up with one too.

The first time we owned Casio watches must have been 1997. It was a gift from our parents for our 10th birthday (if I remember correctly). We had matching pairs in dark purple and those watches did everything my 10yr old self required of any watch… they were fastidious in time telling – right down to the second, they reminded you of the day and date, the watch had an in-built alarm and was water resistant, but most importantly, at the touch of a button, it would light up, keeping you updated at the darkest hour. 10yr old K thought it was GENIUS! This time around, I opted for the silver watch, while Taiwo went for gold. Gbonju says the gold one reminds her of Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses, which had me cackling at the thought!

The Casio is so timeless, light, very simplistic, a little fun and heavy on nostalgia. It’s definitely a fave. I’m not sure that it ever really went out of fashion, but if it did, it’s safe to say it’s back and doing the rounds all over again.

What’s a nostalgic piece of jewelry that you own?

xXx

Ps: Is it still safe to say Happy New Year, or has that ship sailed?

Don’t Spend Time, Invest In It: Cartier Baignoire

I’ve never been a watch girlie. Always been wishy washy when it comes to time. You see, when it’s in my favour, I’ll tell you that I’m a stickler for time. Punctual. And when it goes against me, I’ll stand firm in the belief that time is a construct, an illusion. What I have found though, is that when I wear a watch, I’m more conscious of time and a tad more respectful of it.

Over the past year or so, my interest in watches has heightened. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment in which it happened, but I am increasingly aware of the rabbit hole I get lost in every time I see an instagram post, or a TikTok about time pieces. So, I’ve been inspired to post a series on my current faves beginning with my most recent obsession- the Cartier Baignoire.

Before we get into this, I acknowledge that Cartier is a jeweler. But for whatever reason, I have never been a fan of their infamous Love and Juste Un Clou bracelets. Just tooo cliché for me (the irony of this statement will be discovered in future posts). But their watches…! THEIR WATCHES!!!!! *Chef’s Kiss*

I’ve never known a watch to so succinctly capture my every desired essence quite like the Baignoire does. Its bracelet secures a careless grace in it’s loose fitting. It’s feline silhouette dances up and down the wrist with each gesture. So carefree and yet so calculating. The oval bezel is very much minimalist but somehow decorative in that it can be stacked with your finest gems without losing its significance, or worn in isolation in appreciation of its simple, yet rare beauty.

As is Cartier’s signature, the watch dial is outlined with the typical rail track and labeled in roman numerals, while the crown is set in sapphire. Pure class.

As a start, I’ll need to set aside c. US$12,000 to adorn my wrist with this 1958 beauty! But the REAL magic happens when you’re able to cough up US$50,000. Shout Out to my future husband for this one. I will no doubt be burning a hole in his credit card for this dime piece. I just need him to show up already… Tik… Tok… (pun intended).

Source: Cartier Website

Source: Cartier Website

What are your thoughts on my latest obsession?

Basic? Too much? Or right up your alley? Let me know…

xXx

Ps: What’s everyone doing for Christmas? I suspect this one will be reflective for me. Sooo thankful still. So, so thankful!

Afternoon Tea anyone?

I’ve got work to do. A lot of work. It’s got to be done this evening and yet, here I am sitting at my desk at 6:50pm thinking about what I like to call “Afternoon Tea”.

Anya Hindmarch recently designed a whole line of delicious clutches, hold-alls and Ebury bags. She’s included Bourbon, Custard Cream and even crisps, you know…. just a few divine pastries you’d find stacked on your Afternoon Tea cake stand.

Now I know there are no scones or gateauxs featured in the collection, but you have to admit, the craftmanship of these bags are pretty sweet (okay, okay, I’ll stop with the food references, it’s getting cheesy… Lol)!

What are your thoughts on Anya’s Autumn/Winter 2014 collection? Does it go down quite the treat or is it not your cup of tea? (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!)

Crisp Packet clutch, main

Source: AnyaHindmarch.com

She’s also got a refreshing line of breakfast cereals including Cornflakes, Frosties and Coco-pops so really this blog post could have gone either way…. “Breakfast is served” or “Afternoon Tea Anyone?”

Anya Hindmarch Imperial Coco Pops Snakeskin Clutch

Source: Purseblog.com

Frosties Maxi Featherweight Ebury

Source: AnyaHindmarch.com

xXx

Ps: I think I had too much fun with the food references in my description.

PPs: Happy Democracy Day to all my Nigerian Followers…. Let’s hope this Change will be for the better.

She’s Back!

Hello Beautiful people!!!!

I know I’ve been MIA for a bit (a bit she says…) but I’m back and you’ll love it, I promise!

In the mean time, I’ll leave you all with a picture of me in what Nigerian’s call a Keke Napep! Talk about arriving in grand style…. LOL

xXx

Ps: It was my first time in a Keke Napep and I was too excited. I didn’t actually go for a ride, but the driver allowed me to pose in it… LOL

PPs: Forgive the picture quality…. I used my phone.