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!

New Trend Alert! Bird Branch Print

Now this print is not brand new, but I knew once I saw it on a fashionable gift bag that this print was becoming popular. In the past few years there have been several prints and images that have become insanely popular such as: skulls, owls, and both bright and muted floral prints. Now there is birds, specifically birds on branches. Personally, I am not in love with this print, but the boldness and vibrancy of the print is definitely to be admired.

www.polyvore.com

This is a very fun print that can liven up a more conservative outfit without pushing the "sexy" limits. This is the direction that Hanna from ABC Family's show Pretty Little Liars took when she paired it with a sweater. I don't know if that means the print has arrived or not, but the show is known to be fashion forward. The bird branch print is youthful but I could see the more mature woman rocking this print, possible on a smaller scale. It is a print that kind of falls in between mature (sometimes dowdy) and childish (in a good way). I have not reached that point in my fashion life in which I would be comfortable in this print, but I certainly don't knock those that are a little more adventurous. This print is cool in its own way, but I don't believe that it will be a lasting trend. We will see!

http://productshots2.modcloth.com

What do you think?

 Let me know what you think about this unique and interesting  bold print. Do you like it? Would you wear it?