Lip Paint: Professional or not?

Dear Unconventional Chicers,

I apologize for not posting sooner. I took a hiatus to finish up my studies for the semester. But I'm back now!

      My love affair with lipstick began my sophomore year in college. Of course, I went for a deep sensuous red because I thought it went well with my complexion. I have to admit that it certainly did, and to this day (2.5 years later) I still LOVE red lipstick. 

     However, during my undergraduate career I felt a lot more free to express myself in such a way as donning such bold face paint. In Law School, the vibe is much more professional/academic (AKA stodgy).

So my questions are: 

• Is lipstick appropriate for professional/academic environments such as Law School?

http://mimimagazine.blogspot.com/2009/11/on-style-tip-purple-lipstick.html

Answer: For me, I kind of go with whatever makes me comfortable. I don’t really wear other forms of makeup, so the lipstick is really the only accent. Also, I don’t really wear colors that are bolder than red (sexy but traditional). However, it does strike me as odd that none of my classmates wear lipstick and I am constantly being reminded of how conservative the field of law is; how it isn’t exactly woman friendly. However, sometimes I feel like you have to start breaking down barriers if you want to move forward. A woman should be able to be sexy and confident without her competency and her abilities being challenged/ undermined.

•  If lipstick is appropriate, what shades are the most appropriate for conservative environments?  

http://www.celebdelacream.com/blog/tag/lipstick/

Answer: Some would probably argue nude shades, or darker shades that compliment your complexion. Mangentas, bright pinks, and reds are probably over the top for the big-wigs who reminiscence about the days when women weren’t allowed to vote (just kidding, but still indicative of the limited view of women that IS pervasive in fields such as law). Some might also argue that super glossy lips is a no-no for conservative spaces (you can’t even show your knees for goodness sakes!)

• What are some good shades for Black/ African American Women in general?

http://www.lacyhint.com/blog/orange-lipstick-will-rock-this-summer/

Answer: I get this question a lot. I often hear my friends say that they can’t wear certain shades, especially red if they are of darker complexions. Check out the lipstick color guide below if you want to get some ideas! (Red is ALWAYS included!)

 A General lipstick Color Guide for Black/ African American Women

http://makeup.lovetoknow.com/Lipstick_Colors_for_African_American_Women

  
Light

 If your skin falls into the lighter range of African American skin tones, these colors will look good on you:

soladunn.blogspot.com

• Pale to deep pink

• Peach

• Taupe

• Red

Medium

    For medium-toned skin, experiment with these lipstick colors:

http://www.clutchmagonline.com

• Red

• Medium to deep pink

• Bronze

• Magenta

• Medium to deep brown

Dark

   If your skin is dark and rich, try these shades:

www.adventuresofakinkycurly.com

• Deep red

• Fuchsia

• Magenta 

• Chocolate brown

• Bronze

Best Advice: Be willing to experiment!!!

POST A COMMENT! 

In all honesty, I do not have the answers. Please help me out and tell me what you think! 

Also, if you have pics of yourself rocking fabulous lipstick colors, share those too! 

New Trend Alert: Matte Nail Polish!

A great new trend that I have come across is matte nail polish!. It takes the overly shiny typical nail polish to a whole new level. The matte is like any other matte; it is not glossy but it sure isn't dull. Matte definitely has it's role and it can be very sexy and classy when used right. Sometimes glossy and shiny just doesn't have that luxurious and graceful look that you are searching for. I think matte nail polish is a new trend that is definitley here to stay.

weheartit.com

This color is absolutely beautiful. I am currently looking for it right now; it is a must have.

www.topularnews.com

I love this ombré matte nail polish job. This design is very lovely, almost majestic. It also features decals which take the design to a new level.

jobspapa.com

There are matte nail polishes and matte nail polish topcoats if you have a beautiful color that you would like to transform into a matte finish.

I LOVE this new trend!. What do you think about matte nail polish? Would you wear it? Please share you comments and thoughts!

1 Little Black Dress (LBD), 3 Styles: Dress it up or Dress it Down

This article is a continuation of my "Dress for Success" series.

Though signature pieces are great, it is really important to have versatile pieces in your wardrobe. We as a people  are very busy. Sometimes we don't have time to change our outfits so that they are more suitable for the given environment. This is why I invest in accessories and add-ons, while the staples of my wardrobe are simple clean pieces. 

I bought this black dress because I found a great blazer (pictured below) at a thrift-store. I wanted a dress with a leather detail so that it would complement the stylish collar of the blazer. I love that this dress has a nice classy material on top and that the full skirt is a separate material.

Below I will show this same dress in three different styles: casual, classy, and professional; with just adding new pieces or taking them away:

                      Classy

For this look I just added a lime-green belt.

           
        Casual

I added an over-sized olive houndstooth jacket to give the dress a casual look.

        Professional

To take this sassy, relatively short dress to the professional level I added a great gray blazer. I love this blazer with its collar detail and the three-tiered frills.

I feel as if I can wear this dress to class, a casual lunch, and a night out on the town by using simply adding pieces or accessories. This dress is great in very setting!

How do you manage days when your schedule is packed and you don't have the time or energy to put another ensemble together?

Please be a part of the conversation, leave a comment!

New Trend Alert: Chevron!

I have noticed that the chevron pattern has gotten really popular in the last few months. I see the pattern everywhere; especially in pants, dresses, and decorative rugs.  I see this pattern used for bell-bottom or wide-legged pants a lot these days. The wavy pattern is very reminiscent of the 70s, and yes bell-bottoms are back, just in a looser lighter more beachwear way. Can't you just imagine a classy mature woman sitting on the beach with chevron patterned loose bell-bottoms, a big hat, and big sunglasses, enjoying a cold beverage? I can!

From what I gathered, the pattern is most popular when there is a dichromatic color scheme, often white and another color, and when the zig-zag lines run horizontally instead of vertically.

www.ordress.com

 Personally, when I first saw the pattern used in bell-bottomed pants I was little skeptical, but I have since boarded the chevron bandwagon. The pattern is zany, fun, and bold! I like the idea of a black and white chevron dress that is cinched at the waist with a bright belt. While I have grown to like the pattern, especially in home decor, I do have my reservations. I do not like when the lines are to wide or when many different colors are used in one pattern. I also think that the zig-zag patterns makes it diifcult to introduce other patterns.

www.modcloth.com

 Overall, I am a fan of chevron as long as it is kept simple.

What do you think of chevron? 

Would you wear it? Do you prefer when the pattern is modified or when it is the classic pattern? Do you like multiple colors or just two. Please share!

My Sunday Best: A Pinch of Flowers and a Dash of Rock ‘N' Roll

This article is a continuation of my “Dress for Success ”series.

A few standard pieces of a professional wardrobe are shift dresses, blazers, pencil skirts, dress-shirts/ blouses and flats. Having many variations of each item will make it significantly easier for you to get-up-and-go while still feeling and looking professional. Also, these pieces are very versatile,  your ensemble can be either very dressy or casual depending on how you pair them.

 

 In this segment I chose to pair a floral print shift dress with a blazer, belt, and flats. The dress is very cute, it is cream with a continuous blue floral print that persists throughout the entire garment. Now usually a dress like this would seem too bright for the professional world, which is why I chose to pair it with a darker blazer.  I love this blazer! For the thrifters out there, I got this blazer from a local goodwill. It's great that the color is not solid. And of course let's not forget about the lines! The navy lines on the blazer are so attractive to me. Such defined lines make me feel professional, sexy, and chic.

I chose to show two different belts: one black, wide, and punk and the second thin and lime green. I wore a belt because of the print of the dress, if the print goes uninterrupted it can be a bit overwhelming. I felt that a belt was the best way to really showcase the print. Also, belts are a great way to accentuate your waistline and to give shape to a shift dress. I like the black belt, because it gives a different dimension to the outfit. It takes an ensemble that is quite safe and dainty and gives it edge. I chose the lime green belt because it takes the somber blues to a new level. I knew that the print and the blazer would really stand out with a bright belt. I picked silver flats to wear with the black belt because I felt that silver would not overwhelm the other elements of the outfit, the silver flats blend well with the rest of the outfit.

Do you have pieces in your wardrobe that you consider professional staples?

What do you think about wearing bright clothing or colors in a professional setting?

Please share what you think!

Law School Looks: Oh No, White After Labor Day!

When we enter into a professional setting, we often feel the need to leave our youthful looks behind. However, I believe that this is not necessary. My general rule of thumb is to include both conservative elements and fun/adventurous elements when operating in a professional setting. That is one of the reasons that I really like this dress. The black and white combination is very classy and clean. The form is reminiscent of the '60s with the simple lines, loose bodice, cinched waist, and full skirt, and collar. A few special elements of this particular dress's form is that the flowing skirt is pleated and the black trim is very effective at both highlighting and contrasting.

Then, there is the wonderfully whimsical pattern with the mint colored birds wearing top-hats, the water-like lines and swirls, and the small bird silhouette.

Accessories: I decided to wear turquoise earrings to complement the mint colored birds and black flats to stick with the classic black and white combination.

Oh No, White After Labor Day!
While his ensemble is very cute, I have violated one of the cardinal fashion rules of the United States: Don't wear white after labor day. What horror! But where does this steadfast and seemingly arbitrary rule come from? It is a common belief that this rule originated with the elite. Most people in the "olden" days wore dark clothes, because it was impractical to risk wearing light colored clothes that would be ruined by the ordinary drudgery of the day. However, the wealthy members of society rocked white clothing throughout the summer while vacationing at their summer homes. Labor Day is often seen as the day that signals the last day of summer. Thus, out with summer, out with white. This rule became a good way to distinguish those that were in (part of polite society) from those that were out.

While this is a big fashion faux pas in the U.S., there were many fashionistas before me that pushed back against this rule; one example is Coco Chanel. Coco Chanel wore white year-around. Bronwyn Cosgrave, the author of The Complete History of Costume and Fashion: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day, said that "Fashion rules are meant to be broken by those that can pull it off." I completely agree.

So what do you think, did I pull it off?

References:
http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1920684,00.html

Law School Looks: Thrift-store Treasures

Hello all,

Unconventional Chic has been on hiatus for the past few weeks due to my recent move to Los Angeles and the commencement of my law school career. I have spent the last few weeks getting acclimated, but I'm back!!!!

Law School signifies a big change in my life. At this point I really feel as if I have entered into the realm of adulthood, and that is why I have made it my mission to dress accordingly. Dressing professionally makes me feel more confident in my abilities as a law student and future professional. But don't get me wrong, cute, fun, sexy, and chic are not out the window. For Law School my style is professional with an edge.

Originally, when I was picking out an outfit for class I was going to go for a monochromatic ensemble. I decided against it because I figured that the purple would pop more with the white and black blazer. I also felt that the purple would do a great deal to liven up a relatively conservative atmosphere. Additionally,  it is a nice surprise when I take off the blazer and you see the purple panel at the back of the jacket.

Now let's break it down by piece. I love this blazer because it is fitted and it has the cool detail of the frilly trim around the wrists.The dress is a great color and the fitted top with the two black lines gives it both texture and dimension. The black flats play into the color scheme and add edge with the chains going up the middle of each foot. The pointed-toe is also a little more mature than the rounded toe. All-in-all the look is clean, well put together, and just a little daring.

Note for the thrifty: Both the blazer and dress were found at a local thrift store!!!

How do you feel about professional clothes? 

Do you think that they can be sexy and cool, but still appropriate for more conservative spaces? How do you take your style to the next level when dressing professionally?

New Trend Alert: Victorian DIY Shorts!

Unique prints have been making a big splash in the fashion world lately. Whether it is birds, skulls, horses, or anything and everything in between; prints have become the new way to jazz up any piece. The latest trend in prints is Victorian. This is a summer trend so this print has mainly appeared on shorts. Victorian Shorts are the latest craze in DIY fashion. Many of the trendy folk have run out to the fabric stores and have created this design themselves. Personally, I love DIY projects; DIY gives you the freedom to make every piece your own. Now what do I think about Victorian Shorts?

www.trashtocouture.com

I am on the fence about this particular print. Taking a page out of a picture-book and putting it on shorts is certainly risqué, but if you can actually pull it off, it can be pretty cool. I think it is certainly a style for the younger hipper generation. Would I wear a pair of Victorian Shorts?  Maybe. I guess it depends on how adventurous I am feeling and my mood. If I did decide to work with this bold print, I would probably go simple and bright, so as to not over-complicate my outfit. If I did not go bright I would go with muted colors and classic style patterns, like lace or eyelets.

www.trashtocouture.com

What do you think of this new fashion trend?

Would you rock Victorian Shorts? What do you think of DIY projects? Please let us know what you think, leave a comment!

Let's Talk About Hair Baby: Havana Twists!

Havana twists are all the rage this summer. Everyone is talking about this style of twists; pictures and videos  of converts and "new"experts are springing up all over the place. This style is created by using textured extension hair, called Marley or Havana Twist hair, that is similar to the natural texture of many black person's blown out hair. These twists are also called Marley twists, possibly because they resemble the iconic dreds worn by Bob Marley. Generally the twists are large when compared to most popular braid and twist styles. Individuals wear the twists either as rugged or as polished as they desire, making it easier for people to do the twists themselves. The style is reminiscent of braid and twist styles of the '90's. Let's think back to Janet Jackson's Poetic Justice braids and Paula Jai Parker's braids in Friday. Personally, I love this new style and it solidifies this natural black hair revolution. Black hair is beautiful in it's natural state and I am glad we have made a 70's circle.

Amber Bowie

Above are pictures of my close friend Amber Bowie, who is newly natural. She had her big chop just 3.5 months ago. These are twists that she did herself. Twists and braids are actually great protective styles for natural hair. 

Below is a tutorial showing a natural doing her own Havana Twists:

What do you think of Havana Twists? 

Let's talk about hair, please share!

New Trend Alert: Eye-Catching Eyelets!

Eyelet overlays are a very trendy and cute new pattern that gives pieces a classic feel. It is very feminine and playful; it kind of makes you feel like you have stepped out of a past era such as the 1960’s.

www.nycrecessionista.com

 What is an eyelet overlay? An eyelet overlay is a fabric that has small holes or eyelets cut out in a pattern. Underneath this revealing pattern is a more solid piece that may or may not be a part of the garment. An eyelet overlay is a cool detail because it gives a garment a lot of dimension and interest. It provides layers, varying lengths within the same piece, and visual effects that can be manipulated by changing the color of the overlay or the underlay.

I especially like the dress featured in this article. The seafoam color is very bright, yet soft and classy. The high sheer neckline gives the single-toned piece more depth. The illusion of sheerness is quite chic and certainly trendy. The line and form of this dress is simple and complimentary with a fun hem-line because the ruffling of the full skirt.

What do you think of this new trend?

Do you like it? Do you dislike it? Do you like a full eyelet pattern or a semi-eyelet pattern? Do you prefer smaller eyelets or larger eyelets? Please let us know what you think!

Is it a Shirt or is it a Dress? Why, it is Both!

Shirt-dresses are extremely versatile. It is both feminine and masculine. There is structure, but there is also flexibility. They can be flirty while being professional. You can also dress them up or dress them down.

There is something so mystifying about a masculine piece worn on the female form. There is an element of mystery ; it accentuates a woman’s curves while hiding them at the same time, leaving much to the imagination. In fashion this androgyny is very popular and many collections are constructed around this concept. Where do I think that this attraction to blurring gender lines through fashion comes from? The evolution of the woman. Masculinity is synonymous to strength and power, which is often the foundation for success. As women become more multidimensional figures in society, thus giving men more room for exploration themselves, we began to question both the idea of femininity and masculinity.

What I really like about this particular shirt-dress is its wonderful hem, the contrasting material with the mesh and the smooth silkier material, the cape flaps on the back, and the rich color. It is a high-low hem, but it almost looks like a tuxedo tail. The front is quite high and sexy, but the tail tones this down. I can show off my legs, but not appear too racy. I love the solid material that transitions into the sheer black mesh over the shoulder and down the back. It is very feminine and fashionable. This piece is full of surprises, most notably the split cape that flaps in the wind. I love that this piece is very feminine, but certainly has its masculine elements with the shape, collar, and breast-pockets. I actually love love this piece; it has such a classic feel to it.

Accessories: I went with nude heels because they elongate my legs, can go with just about any color, and they lighten the already dark outfit. I also wore a gold-leaf statement necklace and small gold dangling hoops.

What do you think of shirtdresses?

What do you think of the manipulation of classically male pieces for the female form?

Join the conversation!

Ah, Harem Pants!

Harem pants have made an appearance several times in the past few decades, notably the 1980’s and 2010’s.  The harem pant: a mix between a skirt and a fitted pant, originated in India. What is a harem? A harem is a section of a Muslim place of residence in which the women reside. A harem can include mothers, sisters, wives, concubines, daughters, entertainers, and servants. Harem pants made a big splash in the U.S. when they were donned by entertainer MC Hammer. Hammer made this style of pant so popular that the pants earned the nickname “Hammer pants”.

sgrumbleoutloud.wordpress.com

Why do we love harem pants? One, obvious reason is that they are really really comfortable.  Much of women clothing can be constricting, but harem pants compliment and possibly add to your shape, while remaining roomy and loose. Also, because they are tapered at the ankle it is easy to adjust the length of the pants. Another awesome thing about harem pants are that can be made with materials that are very lightweight and durable, while providing full coverage. Harem pants are intriguing and fashion forward partly because they come from cultures outside of the U.S., and partly because they are really cute. They also look great with heels!

The harem pants that I chose to wear are black with a red floral print and green leaf accents. One of the unique aspects about the pants that I am wearing is that they are high-waisted, a fashion trend that has become pretty popular over the last year. I was visiting UCLA Law School so I paired the pants with a black camisole, a red blazer, and dark red ballet flats.

Harem pants have many nicknames: Aladdin pants, drop-crotch pants, balloon pants, pantaloons, etc.

What do you think of harem pants?

 Do you like them? What do you like about them? If you do like them do you own a pair, and what pieces do you think compliment harem pants?

Let everyone know what you think-leave a comment!

A Momentous Occasion, Graduation 2013

On May 12^th, 2013 I graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science. It was a sunny day in Durham, NC with the temperature in the eighties. As you can imagine, it was a very special day. So naturally, I had to find a special outfit to wear during this momentous occasion. When I saw this dress in the store, I just knew I had to have it and that it was the perfect dress for graduation. It is pretty simple, not too flashy, feminine, and looks really cute on me. The dark blue skirt is stylistically great with the light blue red floral print semi-corset top. The light blue is very light and airy, all the colors are great complements and contrasts. The whole effect with the brown belt and low heels is very pretty and mature. It was the perfect outfit to wear to make the crossover from Duke undergraduate student to Duke Alumnus.

Hair: Being natural, hair was a big concern for me. I searched for a style that was suitable for the traditional cap worn with graduate attire. My go-to style is a curly afro, which would make it difficult to keep the cap on my head, especially with the moderate winds that was experienced that day. I considered straightening my hair, but with the heat and humidity that would have been a wasted effort. Instead I chose to braid my hair in several plaits, which I left up for a few days. When I took them down I put a light moisturizer on my hair to combat the humidity.

Make-up: I went with a little foundation, ebony eyeliner, black mascara, pale pink eye-shadow, and red lipstick.

Accessory: I chose to wear a simple pearl earring set because they are classy and sophisticated.

What do you like to wear for special occasions?

Please join the conversation!

Fashion Police: NBA Edition

A Letter to the NBA

Dear NBA,

Now usually I am not a fashion/style basher, but c’mon D. Wade, what were you thinking?

A shimmering tailored capri suit (worn on May 14^th, 2013)? In this case “Do you” becomes “Please do something else”. Interesting enough I do not believe that D. Wade, who can look very sharp, is “doing him”. Lately some of NBA’s biggest stars have worn outfits or pieces that have raised eyebrows, particularly Dwayne Wade and Russell Westbrook (the fashionistas of the NBA). Either they are ill-fitting, too short, too loud, or just plain ugly. I personally feel that this new “style” or “fashion” trend is just attention-seeking, plain and simple. One guy does it than everybody else jumps on the fashion atrocity bandwagon. Unfortunately, their fashion statement is actually a fashion faux pas. Come on guys, you are grown men, just because he wore that doesn’t mean you should follow suit.

www.huffingtonpost.com

pbandjbasketball.blogspot.com

au.businessinsider.com

Back to D. Wade’s capri suit.  Personally, I love suits on men, especially the well-tailored ones. There is nothing a man can wear that looks sexier, more debonair, or smoother than a suit. I love when men wear a suit and tie, these items just scream “manly”. What Dwayne Wade did to this standard classic attire is an atrocity that should not be repeated. A capri suit? Really? For one, I feel that capris are worn by women to show off the parts of a woman’s body that are found attractive, such as the ankles. From the top half Wade looked very nice, but his narrow bottom-half in comparison to his broad shoulders, paired with those tight capri pants was a disaster. Unless Wade was suffering from an injury, his uncomfortable gait showed off the impracticality of this outfit. Should I even mention the polka dots? Why Dwayne Wade, why?

www.esquire.com

NBA players please remember that people look up to you; all of this “follow-the-leader” mentality in terms of the way you dress is really getting to be too much. Individuality is admired, but is it unique when everyone follows the same trend? Please, let’s not repeat our past mistakes. Just because it hit the runway (any runway) does not make it chic.

                                                                                                             
                                                         
                                                                                               Love, 
                                                                                                   Unconventional Chic

P.S. What do you think about the new NBA fashions?

Feel free to join the conversation, leave a comment!