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”.

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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!

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?

How Befitting, A Fashion Show!

Because this is a fashion themed blog, I figured that it was fitting to show pictures of myself participating in a cultural fashion show. The fashion show was a part of a program called "Jabulani" that took place during Duke University's Black Student Alliance Invitational (BSAI) in late march. "Jabulani" means "celebrate" in Zulu, a  Bantu language mostly spoken in South Africa. The program Jabulani is meant to celebrate the African and African American cultures. This was my second year participating in the show. Enjoy!

The make-up was done by a MAC representative and the earrings, shoes,black jeans, and black top belong to me. All the other items were donated by students and boutiques.

What do you think about my pictures, the clothes, and cultural fashion shows in general?

Feel free to leave comments!

Bringin' Back the '90s

Do you remember the glorious days of the 1990s, when both music and fashion was as it had never been before? Everything about the 1990s was big, bold, new, even transformative; change was in the air. Artists such as Biggie and Tupac made you see the world in a different way. They brought attention to the societal ills that much of the population experienced everyday, especially the Black population in the United States. 

NWA wrote an anthem in the late '80s that rang true in the early '90s, speaking out against police brutality and mistreatment.

Who remembers the bright crazy patterns that Will Smith rocked as the "Fresh Prince" from 1990-96, setting the fashion tone for a brand new generation? 

As a '90s baby, I remember all of these things. This oversized blazer with this funky native/tribal motif is greatly reminiscent of my childhood. As soon as I saw it, I thought, "that is totally '90s," and grabbed it up. I paired it with a simple tan dress.

Accessories: To complement the blazer and dress I wore black stockings, black cloth combat boots, and animal print earrings.

What do you think of the style of the '90s?

 Do you think it is a style worth bringing back?

Floral Prints in the Garden

Duke University boasts a beautiful garden, filled with beautiful flowers and plants, both domestic and foreign. Flowers are certainly wonderful and can do a great deal to brighten up the day with their vibrant colors and aromatic fragrances, but I was certainly on the fence about floral prints. Me and floral prints were not a match made in heaven. That is until I saw this saucy little number. I love wearing black, so if I am going to experiment with a different look, I will more than likely compliment it with black. The flowers are also different shades of red, another color I love. At the time that I bought this jumpsuit I was really into the retro old-school style. This outfit is now one of my favorite pieces.

Accessories: I chose to wear gold dangly earrings because I feel that the outfit gives off an earthy vibe. I also think that gold pairs well with red and black. The pants end at about mid-calf so it looks really cute with flats. I wore flats that are a close match to the darker red color found in the flowers.

What do you think?

How do you feel about floral prints, do you like them? If you do like floral prints, do you like when they are paired with bright colors or dark colors.

Leave a comment and join the conversation.

New Trend Alert! Antique Tribal Matchstick Necklace!

I love this new trend!. The Antique Tribal Matchstick necklaces are really cute and totally me. I am definitely a big fan of statement necklaces in general, but these are a must-have. I especially like ones is black, gold, and white such as the one shown below. It is interesting to see African fashion and culture translated into a  westernized trend. I think that this style of necklace is both earthy and flashy, resemblant of the motherland. You can be fancy and dressed-up while staying close to home. I envision myself rocking a form-fitting bright red or cream (possibly black) peplum dress and nude heels. I would probably rock and up-do, simple earrings, a wide gold cuff, and a red lip as well. Sassy right?

www.kerietsol.com

What do you think of this trend, do you like it?

If you don't already own a necklace like this, would you buy one? What would you wear this necklace with? Leave a comment!

Being Fancy! Metallic Print

I decided to wear this outfit to a reception dinner. I really like this outfit because it is very feminine, young, and fresh. The dress is cream with a silver metallic floral print. The dress actually came with the silver belt, which is awesome because I can take the belt off and pair it with other outfits. I got a new dress and a new accessory, yay!. This dress accentuates my curves well because of its structure and relative stiffness, though it was not form-fitting. The back was a little low-cut, making it kind of sexy and adding to the femininity.  Originally I thought that the sliver metallic print would be over the top, but it gave a classy dress some sass. I give shiny, metallic, and glitter two thumbs up.

Accessories: I chose to wear the blue-green shoes because they added a pop of color and did not clash with the sliver. I wore a silver earring and necklace set, but I think that that the outfit would have been cute with green jewelry as well. I also think that it would be fun to experiment with belt color and flats instead of heels.

What is your take on metallic prints? 

Do you like them or do you think that they are too much?

Let everyone know what you think!

10 Things I Love About My Natural Hair

I love my hair so much. I first began to appreciate my natural hair over four years ago. It was challenging at first and it still has it's challenges, but more than anything it has been rewarding. It has really helped me to shape my own standard of beauty. Now I feel that I can't not really be myself if I am not able to appreciate myself in the way in which I was born. I love me, and I love myself even more now that I can appreciate what my ancestors have passed down to me. For many a look is not complete unless they feel and look beautiful from head to toe. Hair is fashion. Fashion is confidence. Confidence is the best accessory you can possess.

What do you think?

In your opinion, can you look good without liking your hair? Also, what hairstyles do you like and why?

New Trend Alert! Sheer Skull Shirts

These shirts have become very popular in the last few months. Below is an image from the ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars, showing one of the characters in the show rocking a sheer skull top. I am not really a big fan of the show, but I do appreciate their focus on fashion. I find many of the looks to be right up my alley in terms of style.

abcfamily.go.com/watch/pretty-little-liars

www.dots.com

While I am a big fan of sheer dress shirts, the jury is still out about this skull print trend. Skulls can be cool and edgy, but they CANNOT be overdone. I usually don't teeter on the side of the morbid, but the sheer dress shirt style is cute and I do like the edition of the tie-front for some of the styles of this shirt. I feel that if I were to buy a shirt like this I would look for a smaller skull print. I think that these shirts would look good with colored pants or a bright colored tank.

What do you think about this particular trend? 

Do you think that this trend can be worn by many groups of people, different age or social groups? Be a part of the conversation, feel free to leave a comment!

Casual In My Kicks

Though I rarely ever rock sneakers or t-shirts, I do like to mix it up occasionally. This is the outfit that I wore to a Kendrick Lamar concert. Usually I am not really a themed dresser, but I really liked the sneakers when I saw them so I figured that I needed to create an outfit that was suitable. It was a new look for me but I liked it. The shoes were really well received.

The shirt is a small men's top from an online street-wear company called Rhymes and Designs, more of their looks can be found at http://rhymesanddesigns.com/.

I thought that all black was the best direction to go with this outfit, but I felt that I needed to draw attention to the sneakers so I picked a tank that matched the check. I think that this outfit is very representative of the concept that fashion is not uniform. Fashion is what looks good; everyone can wear many different styles.

Accessories: I wore dangly black leaf earrings to complement the outfit.

Note: I do not usually highlight brands.

When you switch up your style, what do you like to do?

Let everyone know what you think- leave a comment!

Thrift Store Treasure

Now I know that thrift stores have gotten really popular in the last year or so, but I have actually been a fan of thrift stores for quite some time. What's not to love about gently used clothing that is a fraction of its original price. Thrift stores also offer a very eclectic assortment of clothes and accessories. You can find items from all seasons, different decades, or even some of the new current trends. You never know what awesome piece you will acquire after visiting a thrift store. They are like treasure troves. Most of all I love that thrift stores offer items that are not currently sold in stores, thus it is less likely that someone else will be caught wearing your piece (which I HATE). Thrift stores make me feel as if I can really express myself through fashion without commercial restrictions.

The shirt that I am wearing was bought at a thrift store. I like this shirt because it goes well with my "grown 'n sexy" transition and it also has this lovely blue-green color that is very bright and sassy. I decided that I must buy this shirt when I saw that the shirt featured two different blue and black patterns. There is the striped pattern throughout most of the shirt except for the collar and cuffs, which feature a funky pattern.

Accessories: The perfect blue-green heels were just items pulled out of my closet (they did NOT come from the thrift store).

What do you think about thrift store shopping? 

If you do shop at thrift stores, what are some of your amazing thrift store finds? Let everyone know what you think!

New Trend Alert! Collar Necklaces

So there are several new fashion trends making their debut everyday. Some I do not like and some are growing on me. A new fashion trend that I do like is collar shaped necklaces. What is so cool about this new accessory is that it can take your outfit in several different directions. It can make your outfit edgy, it can make your outfit classy, it can make your outfit a combination of both. I also love that people of all ages can embrace this accessory.

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This new trend gets two thumbs up!

What new fashion trends do you like?

Join the conversation!

Stepping Out: Classic Color Combos

So I decided to dress up for a tap performance by the great Savion Glover. I went with this classy silhouette that is made a little sexy with the choker collar. I love black and white together, I think that it is a classic combination. When wearing black and white outfits I like to add a little pop of color. A black and white outfit with red as the pop of color is one of my favorite combinations. That is why I went with the red pumps and matching red lip. One of the things that I love about this outfit is the interesting print on the dress. The dress is very classy but the print takes it to the level of bold and daring.

My other accessories included a pearl earring set and black stockings with a houndstooth pattern.

What do you think are classic color combos?

A New Way to Wear Gold

When I wear colored pants I like that color to be reflected in the rest of my outfit. Colored pants are fun because they go well with prints and uniquely styled items. I chose to wear a black military/ marching band uniform style vest with gold trim and buttons. This vest was a particularly good fit with the pants because the two golds are different hues and textures. Being too "matchy" takes away from the creativity of the outfit. Matching perfectly makes outfits more utilitarian and less expressive.

Accessories: I chose to go with a simple pearl earring set. When your outfit is flashy a minimalistic approach should be taken when it comes to accessories. Contrary to popular belief, you can have too much gold. Over accessorizing leaves your outfit looking clunky and immature.

How do you like to wear gold?

Introduction

Hello everyone,

This is an introduction to my fashion blog. I decided to create a fashion blog because 1) fashion is how I express my individuality (cliche but true) and 2) because people are always complementing me on my fashion sense. Through this blog I will share my various opinions on all things fashion (i.e. clothes, make-up, shoes, hair, accessories, etc.) through text, picture, and video.

Why do I find my style to be unconventional?

Everything that is cool or new or crazy eventually becomes commercial. My style is not commercialized. I don't look to magazines or television to define my style; I also don't buy outfits. I buy pieces that I mix and match, whether it be prints colors or cuts. I like what I like and that is all that matters. I also don't adhere to social guidelines in terms of attire. There is no such thing as being overdressed and I don't own a pair of sweat-pants. I am not high maintenance, I just refuse to wear articles of clothing that don't look good on me, whether it is the new trend or not.

What does unconventional mean in terms of fashion?

Some people might think crazy or wild, but to me it means that I am never in season. I naturally gravitate towards pieces that others don't see as workable. I just love clothes and having a complete look. Most of the time I shop from clearance racks and thrift stores. I OWN hand-me-downs. I work with what I got and I always work it with confidence. Confidence is the best fashion accessory anyone can possess. I am heelless boots a year and a half before anyone even thought they would be popular. I like the idea of truly being unconventional when unconventionally conventional is in.

What does unconventional style mean to you?