Everytime I scroll through Instagram the celebration of the start of fall is real but some of these outfits are unrealistic. There hasn’t even been a cool breeze yet and already I have seen sweaters and over the knee boots. Who are we kidding the last time I checked it’s 90 degrees. I couldn’t pretend not even for Style Sunday. I plan on pairing cute tops in darker tones that will easily pair with a jacket when the temperature finally cool down. There is no shame in my game when it comes to booties they are the great transitioner. How will you tranisition into fall?
Top: Torrid, Jeans: Target, (Old) Similar here, Boots, Gabe’s (similar), Bag: Henri Bendel (sold out) Similar here
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Every month I meet up with my favorite local bloggers, the ladies of Thread Cincinnati. We talk fashion in Cincinnati. We keep our ear’s to the ground and we are always on the hunt to find new local designers and fashion outings. Next week we will be experiencing the best of both worlds at the Style and Sustainability Gala.
Modern Makers and Urban Blooms are teaming up to bring a sustainable and collaborative fashion experience. The Uptown Innovation District will present their largest event of the year that will bring together a diverse audience to look at the growing sustainability and growing fashion scene in Cincinnati.
Come and shop, eat, and dance in the industrial space showcasing a moss catwalk, 25 designers, 60+ models, local vendors, food trucks, and living walls by Urban Blooms! You can find out more information about Style & Sustainability Gala on their event page on Facebook or you can purchase tickets on Eventbrite here: http://bit.ly/2cyIJeI
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You know what we never talk about? That I am a poet and a spoken word artist and I have performed nationally since 2009. I feel like I often get a deer in headlights look when I tell people that I perform spoken word, it’s almost as if they don’t know how to react. I have performed in large stage productions and I have always been responsible for styling myself.
I was recently a cast member in the spoken word stage play Coochie Chronicles. The stage play speaks to the narrative and of the issues that women of color. I wanted to make a statement when with my wardrobe. I wanted to present myself in a very sexy way to juxtapose the strong pieces that I would perform. I wanted to show that a black woman can be sexy, smart, socially aware. and sure of herself without having to downplay the way she looks.
Are you a stand-up comedian? Are you a singer? Are you a public speaker? How you present yourself on stage is a part of your performance. I can tell you first hand that when my outfit doesn’t photograph well it haunts me. I have been styling myself on stage and have learned the tricks of the trade. Here are my three tips on ensuring you’re ready for the hot stage lights.
More is More
Bright lights tend to wash out minor details. If you have a subtle understated style some of the more intricate details may not be seen from the back row. If you will be in a dark theater or club performing with a bright spotlight shining down on you be sure to up the ante. Bold jewelry, bright colors, and shiny details. Play with color and contrast to create visual interest in your look just keep in mind that sometimes a busy print may not be as appealing on stage as it is close up.
Bird’s Eye View
Before I wear something on stage I take a few pictures in the outfit. Looking in the mirror is not the same point of view as seeing it in a picture. Think of this picture as a first draft you will be able to edit the look before you hit the stage. Wrinkles are photogenic consider having your outfit pressed at the dry cleaners or iron it yourself. Once you are on stage and people post pictures of your performance there are no take backs, maybe you can untag yourself, but social media lives forever.
Show Your Truth
My on-stage look may be different than yours but these tips still apply. I can not stress this point enough bright lights tell no lies. Whether you want to admit it or not the moment you step on stage you are representing yourself. What do you want people to walk away with after they experience you or the character you are portraying. Your on stage look speaks before you do. Your performance and your on stage look need to speak your truth.
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I feel like I dress better in my thirties than I did In my twenties. Which is ironic because I think I had a better body in my twenties. Maybe it wasn’t better but I was definitely smaller. The moment I embraced my true self I started being nicer to myself. I started giving myself permission to try things that I would have normally been too scared to try. In my thirties, I started breaking my own rules and preconceived notions of what I should and should not wear.
I’m sharing my favorite looks from this summer and how I broke all of my fashion rules from my twenties:
Rule #1: If Mom Doesn’t Like It, Don’t Wear It
My mom is my fashion guru. Seriously she is a fashion genius and an incredible seamstress. When my mom doesn’t like something she is usually right. If my mom tells me to change I do because there’s a chance she is seeing something that I didn’t. So about this tulle skirt, my mama hates this skirt! I had to accept that I couldn’t talk her into liking it and I had to accept that her opinion didn’t change the that I like this skirt. It is what it is sometimes you just have to take a chance and be the only person who likes what you are wearing.
Rule #2 :Attempt to Dress Your Age
While all of my childhood friends wanted to be cartoon charicters I really wanted to be Anita Baker. Can you imagine a five year old who’s hearts desire is be an adult contemporary jazz singer. It’s pretty funny now but dressing mature in your twenties is kind of frowned upon I mean you’re young you should be naked! I would get anxiety if I thought something looked too old. You never want a look to age you but a classic never goes out of style. Don’t be affraid to be understated. Dress for your mood and not your age.
Rule #3: Firm Fat
It must be jelly because jam don’t shake like that, that is my firm fat rule. I often peffer for my round areas to be confinded to materials that smooth out my shape. If a swimsuit promises to make me appear 10 pounds slimmer chances are I’m buying that swimsuit. This summer I finally wore a swimsuit that had no promise of slimming me down and I didn’t die. I actually thought I looked pretty good. My firm fat rule now fluctuates depending on my mood.
Rule #4: No Ankle Pants, Ever!
My body shape is between an apple and an inversted triangle. Which means the lower half of my body is noticably more narrow than my upper body. I can’t be the only plus size woman with narrow hips, can I? I am all about semitry and creating visual lines when I am styling a look so I have a no ankle pants rule. No leggings, no crop pants, the answer was no! I want to say I had some big magical moment of self acceptance but really vanity made me ease up on my no ankles pants rule. I legit just wanted the top of a pair of shoes to be visible so I had a pair of pants hemmed above the ankle and the rest is history. Shoes trump body insecurity.
Rule #5: Flowers are for Gardens
This isn’t really my rule, I have to be honest, I curate what looks I share on my blog. I try to have an understanding of what will translate well and what won’t. Then I remembered it’s my blog and my style isn’t for everyone. I love flowers and I often feel like I am a flower, constantly in bloom. Maybe one of my readers will be brave enough to wear a floral print one day and realize that gardens are beautiful and there is no shame in looking like one.
Rule #6: Don’t Wear Bold Prints
The older I get the more I embrace my own style and let go of dressing to please other people. It’s funny how a comment from one person can change your style. I was dating a guy and it felt like everytime I wore anything with a print on it he didn’t like what I was wearing. To avoid the conversation all together I just started wearing solids. Even after we broke up I still kept gravitating to solids. Eventually I thought why am I still dressing to appease a guy I’m not even dating anymore? Needless to say prints have made their way back into my wardrobe.
At The End of The Day
If you have gotten away from your true sense of style just remember yourself. I try not let myself not to get too far away from my classy free spirit. I love music, film, color, and nature and those elements reflect in my style. Don’t be affraid to break your own rules that you have put on yourself. Finding freedom in your personal style will trickle into other areas of your life. I defeinitely feel a sense of fearlessness everytime I step outside of my comfort zone.
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