Stripes + Spots

It’s been over a month since my last blog post and guess what? I’m okay with that. Blogging from a place of anxiety is no good. Don’t get me wrong sharing your experience with anxiety can help others, but the blog itself should never be the source. So a good seven weeks of being still was just what I needed. Also, I’ve missed you friends! Your girl has been working hard on the 9 to 5 (aka 2 to 10) but doing it fashionably nonetheless. Take this stripes and spots mixed print ensemble for example.

Last month we discussed my desire to begin mixing prints. It’s an area of style I ocassionally attempt but avoid overall. Of course there is no other way to remedy such a problem than to dive head first. When choosing to wear my pleated leopard midi skirt I resisted the urge to grab a black tee. Truth be told it was nowhere to be found, but I digress. This black and white striped shirt wasn’t my first choice. Which is why I knew it was the right choice.

Mixing prints is about not making the obvious style choices. Letting the color palette guide you into a fun adventure. These colors are all complimentary. The contrast is only between two elements; the shirt and skirt. Adding this tan blazer isn’t absolutely necessary but my office is cold. The leopard lining of the blazer is an added bonus.

Ditching heels for this look just felt right. These tassel loafers are super comfortable. I love wearing them with skinny jeans but they easily work with skirts. It’s perfectly fine to wear flats to work. You don’t have to sacrifice ypur personal comfort for a look. Hard to believe coming from a fashion blogger, but it’s true! These are the only feet I have. Why punish them? Simple gold accessories and this outfit is complete.

Have you tried pairing stripes with another print? Tell me in the comments below!

Blazer//Zara , Shirt//H&M , Skirt//Zara , Shoes//Ross

Printed Headwrap + Trousers

September is one of my favorite months of the year because it gives us all four seasons in one month. This can easily be seen in the streetstyle looks worn by fashion mavens all across the country attending NYFW. Slip dresses, leather pants, suede miniskirts, knee boots, and more filled the streets of NYC last week. Swooning over killer looks I noticed a lot of print mixing. While this isn’t my specialty I’m trying with this week’s printed headwrap and trousers.

These pants from H&M are so comfortable and can be dressed up or down. Having previously styled these with sneakers, as seen here, I felt heels were in order. Mules are all the rage this year and these criss cross beauties fit perfectly. A pearl buckle adds the cutest touch to the black satin.

A loose fitting tank in cobalt blue gives a simple yet playful feel to balance out the bottom. Very thin cotton calls for a tighter tank underneath. Which is more appropriate for my dress code at work. Tying a knot in front keeps it laid back. Finally I took this printed headwrap, which was part of a skirt set, and used it to accent the print of my trousers. The orange, yellow, and blue colors are vibrant againt the black and white print.

The combination of these deep waves with the headwrap guve such a carefree feel. To accessorize I went with a cute bucket bag and my go to sunglasses. These sandals are seriously just what the doctor ordered in this steamy weather.How do you style mixed prints? Let me know in the comments below!

Top/Trousers//H&M , Shoes//KG Fashions , Headwrap//Cici’s Boutique

Neon Biker Shorts

This past weekend hubs and I did absolutely nothing and it was perfect. Slept late, ate big breakfasts, caught up on movies we never got around to watching, and ate comfort food. Two full days of uninterrupted boo loving was just what the doctor ordered. Our baby girl is back to school, but summer’s not over yet. We still have three weeks till the official start of a new season. Which means y’all gone get these brights until then. Starting with these neon biker shorts.

I’ve gotta be honest, I was leery about wearing such a trendy piece. Especially since Philly jawns neon greened err body to DEATH this summer. But then I remembered I wear what I want (obasha) regardless. Once a decision was made finding these in store proved to be tricky. Forever 21 was sure to have them right? Wrong. I tried all my fast fashion go to’s only to end up where I should’ve started. The hair store.

Yes beloved, if there is anything I’ve learned it’s that the trendiest streetwear pieces can usually be found in the neighborhoods of those who set trends…. the hood. Make no mistake, that’s not shade at all. Black culture is pop culture and black women are trend setters. This is not up for debate. I’m actually mad myself for not going there first. I know better.

After finding a pair for $10 dollars I now had to decide how to style them. All signs pointed to a chunky sneaker and an iridescent fanny pack. Maybe add a visor and denim jacket as well? But failure to purchase said fanny pack eliminated that plan. Instead I opted to get another wear out of my favorite neon sandals. These Rachel Roy sandals circa 2010 are one of my favorite purchases. Perfect for doing the most. I figured why tone down the look when I can amplify it with more color.

To counter balance all the color below, I kept the top simple… so to speak. This fishnet peplum top adds a little edge to the entire look, which keeps it from being too campy. No purse or jacket needed, especially in this summer heat. If you find yourself avoiding a trend because “everyone” is already wearing it, remember that no one is quite like you. There’s room in this fashion universe for all of us to shine!

Top//Grazia , Shorts//Unknown , Shoes//Rachel Roy

Sequin Top + Glitter Pants

Once upon a time there was a girl who loved sequins. Tops, bottoms, bags, accessories, it didn’t matter as long as they sparkled. Years passed and that girl got a desk job, gaduated college, and let her love of all things glam take a back seat to pencil skirts and wrap dresses. Eventually her collection of glam dwindled, until one day she found a thrifted top and it reignited her love. Obviously, said girl is me and this week it’s all about my sequin top and glitter pants.

Adulting makes it incredibly easy to lose your sense of adventure when it comes to wardrobe. Cubicles, dress codes, and seminars pressure you to abandon your bright colors and certainly your sequins. Commuting an hour to work on public transportation doesn’t help. However, this second half of 2019 I’ve reconnected with my happy place.

The fun pieces I’ve worn in times past are coming out of retirement. Well, at least the ones I can still fit. This color block sequin top is one of them. A random trip to my local Goodwill and there it was, for just $5! Seriously, if you’ve never gone thrifting, you’re missing out. There are so many goodies waiting to be purchased. Soon after, a trip to H&M is where I found these glitter ankle pants.

The entire outfit was meant to be worn as my 33rd birthday look. However, that party never took place and I gained weight so the pants just sat unworn. A recent try-on had your girl feeling lovely since they now fit. I honestly couldn’t wait to wear this outfit. Remember those gold mules from last month? Well, here they are in silver. The perfect way to finish off the metallic theme.

Most people shy away from wearing these statement pieces during the day. But the idea that metallics are only for nighttime is ancient. Mix it up and add some pizzazz to your wardrobe!

Top//Thrifted , Pants//H&M , Shoes//Zara

Colorful Romper

Some days I feel super sassy, other days I feel refined and sophisticated. Then there are days I want to curl up in bed and eat chocolate. More often than not, those are usually the same days I’m scheduled for a blog photoshoot. So what do you wear when you’re hot, bloated, and you don’t want anything hugging your belly? My dear you wear a romper. A bright colorful romper to be exact!

After doing some digging I’ve discovered that I only have three posts on this here blog in shorts. You heard me, just three. All you shorts lovers out there, cut me some slack because I’ve only added them to my wardrobe recently. For two years I’ve been actively trying to incorporate shorts into the rotation. This romper has to count right?

This beautiful baby was found on another successful trip to Marshall’s. Although it’s pretty colorful, the bright coral caught my eye. It’s one of my favorite colors to wear in summer. The halter neckline was also appealing since I have few pieces that let me show off my shoulders. One trip to the fitting room and I was sold. The super silky lining feels amazing against the skin. The romper is tiered, making the waistline defined without being too tight. Considering these photos were shot during my period, I seriously appreciated that.

A romper is a great way to ease shorts into any wardrobe. They tend to be less restricting and more forgiving in the abdomen. The beautiful print reminds me of a tropical paradise. Extremely comfortable and affordable at just $16! What say you? Have you added any rompers to your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below.

Romper//Marshall’s , Shoes//Diamond Collection , Sunglasses//CVS

White Button Down Dress

A friend of mine asked me to describe my style last week and it took a moment to give her an answer. After some thought I told her that my style consisted of boardroom and the block. I pride myself on having a healthy blend of haute and hood and I make no apologies. That’s the great thing about style, there are no limits. When I shot today’s look, I was feeling minimal. The focus needed to be all about this v-neck white button down dress.

Summer is all about ease for me in terms of wardrobe. Dresses are always my go to because they require little effort. Just slip one on and go. The perfect routine when temperatures are high and humidity is a beast. With most of my summer white pieces now too small, a new white dress was a necessity. Before heading to Amazon I decided to try Zara.

Clearly that was a great decision. Since the brick and mortar store at 18th and Chestnut closed, I haven’t shopped there lately. But this dress was waiting for me and it was on sale. A cool $20 this lightweight knit dress is a steal. You may be thinking “Isn’t it too warm for knits?” However, the dress is thick enough to keep you warm on a cool night, and thin enough to keep you from sweating buckets.

The shoulder straps on this dress are actually a bit too long for me. A common problem I encounter being a petite woman, but that’s an easy fix. Something one trip to the cleaners will handle. The large round buttons going down the front are what attracted me to this piece. They stand out against the off white and add an unexpected twist to your basic white v-neck dress.

To ensure the dress alone was the center of attention I kept it simple with my accessories. For footwear I opted for low black wedges to match the buttons. Then chose these white and gold statement earrings. They are far from minimal but against this big curly wig, they are somewhat muted. No purse, no bracelet, no necklace. Just me and the dress. What are your thoughts? How would you rock this dress?

Dress//Zara , Shoes/Earrings//Aldo

5 Self-Care Tips for Fashionistas

Self Care is defined as any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. I can’t say when, but within the last 5 years we’ve all become obsessed with self-care. Although it’s become synonymous with spa days and mimosas for some, the practice of caring for oneself is something to be cherished. In a world where anxiety is higher than ever and women are dying at alarming rates from heart disease, we all need to prioritize ourselves. While there’s a plethora of information about self-care practices online, I thought I’d try offer something for my fellow stylish ladies. Here are five self-care tips for fashionistas.

1. Donate Your Clothing

We all know that you can earn a pretty penny by reselling your preowned clothing and accessories online. Ebay, Poshmark, and consignment shops are awesome when you want to boost your bank account. But you know what’s equally awesome? Helping a woman who can’t repay you. Now don’t trip, I know this is a “self” care list but being a blessing to someone else is sowing seed that will produce a good harvest. Trust me, be a blessing and watch God bless you in return.

2. Stay True to Size

Wearing properly fitting clothes is totally a form of self-care. You honor your body when you treat her with respect… which includes honest sizing. Fashion is not a numbers game. Don’t get hung up on the number on the tag. Every woman knows her weight fluctuates depending on the time of month, lifestyle, etc. So be kind to yourself and stay true to size.

3. Dress to Express

Remember when you were a kid having fun playing dress up? Get back to that place! The business of adulting can sometimes stifle your creativity if you let it. Go ahead, wear your favorite color. Colors have the power to shift moods and evoke emotion. Feeling playful? Try that new trend you’ve secretly been afraid to wear. Don’t let your fear of others opinions keep you in fashion bondage.

4. Ditch the heels

Believe it or not, it’s okay not to wear stilettos every day. You only have two feet and they’re pretty necessary. Show your tootsies some love by taking care of them. Wearing flats is not corny (pun intended) or reserved for little girls and elderly women. There are tons of fabulous flats and sneakers out there waiting to be styled. By all means be comfortable, but make it fashion.

5. Treat Yo Self

A true fashionista knows how to look fabulous whether her budget is one hundred dollars or one million. Why? Because she knows that style isn’t about labels but about execution. I used to be a fan of “retail therapy” until I realized I was actually just impulse buying. Spending money unwisely is never a fashion do. However, treating yourself to something on your wishlist can be self-care. Buy the one of a kind purse or those red bottoms. Just don’t drain your savings.

Top//H&M , Pants//Ross , Shoes//Wild Diva , Earrings//Aldo

Gold High-Low Dress

After wearing headwraps every day for two weeks I felt the need to switch it up… and do the most. This new “Game Changer” lace wig from the Sensationnel Curls Kinks & Co line is just that, a game changer!! The texture is bomb but the volume is what won me over. I’m in a big hair mood and this is as big as it gets. Its synthetic and can easily be washed and air dried. What do you wear with a wig like this? A dress that’s equally as eye catching; something like this gold pleated swing dress.

For as long as I can remember I was opposed to wearing anything high-low. Being a 5’3 petite woman I’ve never liked the way I look in that style of dress. However, when you find a metallic gold dress that’s lightweight and perfectly pleated, all bets are off. While this dress is at least four years old, it’s still one of my go-to’s for a steamy summer day.

It was 100 degrees during this shoot so I kept my accessories simple by pairing this dress with a matching metallic mule. These high heel mules are by Zara, but I found them at Marshall’s for only $13. Yes hunny, THIRTEEN BUCKS!! I chose a simple black tassel earring and black clutch to complete the look. It’s not my normal practice to play down my accessories but this year I’m trying to vary my approach.

Get used to this wig because you’ll be seeing it all summer. It’s the perfect no fuss protective style for my every day. I make sure I keep my hair moisturized and braided underneath. How about you? What’s your go-to protective style for summer?

Dress//H&M , Shoes//Zara , Purse//H&M

Green Maxi + Headwrap

“Summer time and the living is easy…” Ella Fitzgerald had it right with this classic opening verse. Summer is in full swing right now and Philly is in the midst of our third heatwave. You already know I have wigs on deck until summer leaves. I’m not a summer baby at all. I prefer the fall when I’m not sweating my life away! To combat the humidity I’ve been adding more headwraps and turbans to my every day ensembles. Today’s look features this cotton green maxi dress and colorful headwrap.

A while back I ordered quite a few dresses from Boohoo. Cotton, sleeveless, brightly colored, and down to the floor – these dresses were perfect for those smoldering summer days when you just need to be comfy. I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived and were super soft and fit like a glove. However, this was two years ago. Before my weight gain and my myomectomy surgery (I’ll go into more detail about this in a future post). I’ve been apprehensive about wearing them now.

In recent weeks I’ve become more comfortable with where I am physically, so the maxi dresses have come out of retirement. Now I will be needing some spanx of course but I’m no longer apprehensive about wearing them. I grabbed this one for a recent photoshoot. Looking at the finished work, biker shorts were not the best choice underneath. A body shaper would’ve been best, but such is life. I’m allowed to make fashion mistakes.

The printed headwrap is actually apart of a skirt set. It can be worn as a bandeau top as well. I love garments that have multiple use, so this is right up my alley. I shot six looks in one day in 90+ degree weather. This was one of them and wearing a headwrap was a great decision lol. I finished the look with a small bucket bag and black wedges. Silver accessories make the colors pop and an orange lip adds some fun. I’m all about keeping cool in these high temps. What do you wear during a Heatwave? Let me know in the comments below!

Dress//Boohoo, Headwrap//Cici’s Boutique, Shoes//Aldo, Bag//Forever 21

Crop Top + Black Palazzo

Fashion has always been one of the ways I connect with other women. It often allows me to encourage, uplift, and even gives me an opportunity to share my faith. Quite frankly, it’s the reason behind this blog. Recently another dope blogger Rebecca Shakespeare-Armstrong reached out to and D. F. Cameron and myself about collaborating. As bloggers of faith, none of us are surprised when people assume our beliefs limit our style. We decided a summer fashion series on Dope Modesty was in order. To kick things off I’ve chosen a true summer staple: the crop top.

Right now you’re thinking one of two things: “Sis, it’s just a shirt. Live ya life!” OR “Sis, it’s not a good look!” Would you believe neither one of thise are wrong. The whole point of modesty, is to allow the Holy Spirit to first dress your character. There are items I’ve worn in the past that I never intended to appear sexy. However, another sister in Christ may find skinny jeans with no duster a little too tight. Or a sheer top with a spaghetti strap tank too revealing. Each of us must discern when we are seeking fleshly validation. There is always intent behind an outfit, but interpretation will vary. My rule is that an outfit is to be appropriate for the venue, moveable, and properly sized.

Most crop tops come in a short (below bra), mid (below ribs), and full length (at/above navel). Making any of these work is a matter of either layering or proportions. This floral crop top is mid length. By pairing it with a high waist pant less skin is shown, which makes it more “modest” by most standards. This is perfect since this look was for a brunch date. These black wide legged palazzo pants are soft, just like the top. Each piece is loose and feminine. The photos don’t totally capture the pleats in the pants, but they add texture to the look.

While there are some things I will never wear, very few trends do I consider completely off limits. I never claim to wear modest fashion. I sumply dress and let others decide for themselves. Ladies, you don’t have to be afraid of expressing your style. Instead of stifling it, simply ask yourself “Does this contradict who I am?” I sincerely hope this was helpful. If so, let me know in the comments below. Also, be sure to look out for the other posts in this series from Rebecca Shakespeare-Armstrong and D. F. Cameron .

Top/Clutch//H&M , Pants//Thrifted , Shoes//K&G , Sunglasses//CVS


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