#Androgyny: How to look good in a tie and stay feminine

Fashion is just as versatile as life itself, it gets boring honestly, so switching things up and straying from the norm helps keep things interesting. Androgyny is one of my favorite trends, and growing up as an only girl, I was always in my brothers' closets, it was fun wearing their clothes and making them work for me.

Unless you're in secondary school and a tie is par of your uniform, ties are a menswear accessory, they are formal and could be worn to work and business functions. I attended the fashion business series hosted by style house files and when I wanted to choose my outfit, I thought 'business' and I remembered the tie my boss gave me.
There are a couple of ways you can wear a tie without looking like you want to transition. Here are some pointers for nailing an androgynous without looking too masculine.

Wear heels- It's my number one trick. Heels are the go-to accoutrement for any outfit that feels new, uncomfortable or plain. If you're trying an androgynous look for the first time, a pair of heels could boost your walk and your confidence.

Stray from the norm- I didn't do that much with this outfit honestly. You could style your tie with a pair of jeans or a pencil skirt, It mustn't be worn the way it's worn by the men. Create your style

Fit is key- Menswear pieces, especially when they're actually borrowed from the men can fit loosely or just be too big. Consider the fit and your body type. Fold sleeves of oversize shirts, fold the pants to give a better fit. Just make sure it doesn't overshadow you.

Have fun with it, and do you
Sorry I've been MIA, been down with malaria.
Will post more often from now on.

How would you wear this umbrella dress? Belted or not?

I had a wedding last weekend and I have had the idea of an umbrella dress somewhere in my head for a long time now, just for the heck of it. It's no secret I really like boxy silhouettes and this would have been just another dress for me. In short form, my mom hates the dress, my cousin felt it was too simple, my tailor made it quite bland. Regardless I got dressed and as I was headed out, Chioma suggested I styled it with a belt. I felt it won't be a bad idea, so I did. It looked great. I twirled and posed for my pictures, I loved it. But when I looked at my LCD, I knew I wasn't going to wear it with the belt, so I started another round of shots. Looking at the pictures, I felt the dress loose was more effortless and more my style. The belted version felt too cute. I don't really like cute, I like a little edge. But I'll like to know, which is more your style? Free or belted?

 

Alopecia isn't about confidence, sometimes the hair is just not fine :(

Last weekend I decided to have my hair in plaits because this heat is not smiling, and since I just took off a big hairstyle, I thought it will be a great idea to lie low. I have alopecia and I have had it for a long time now, since my childhood, my edges come and go- they improve, they get worse, I give up, I keep on.. It's been the story of my life. 

I decided to make a simple hairstyle regardless of my... deficiencies, I felt I had the confidence to wear the hairstyle. Unfotunately, I learnt two big lessons.

1) A good hair dresser knows how to manage hair flaws and keep it looking neat regardless, and knows to advice you against hairstyles that further damage your hairline

 

2) Sometimes even confidence and beauty can't help and ugly hairstyle. Period.

I attended evening mass sometime in the week and a good older friend of mine approached me smiling because I had changed my hairstyle. He said to me- I thank God you took off that hairstyle, very very ugly hair!!. Don't make that hairstyle again, it doesn't fit you. We both burst into laughter. 

My colleagues also hounded me, not subtly oh, that I should take it off because it wasn't flattering. Mom even admitted that she prayed I'd lose the hair soon. I have since taken out the braids in this picture and I will do more to be kind to my features and my edges.

Do you suffer from alopecia? what are your go-to hairstyles?

If we could wear ankara every day would you like it?

TGIF!! It's Frday and I won't be ranting in this post. It's simply an outfit post. I made this detachable peplum to go with a dress I wore for a wedding two years ago. If I could wear indigenous pieces, I'll wear them everyday, incorporated in minor details (which I do) But let's be honest, cost of sewng is quite expensive, and because tailors know we sew for special occasions, they cut our necks for quality tailoring (rolls eyes). But I love that we are loving our own now. We embrace our natural hair, our fabrics, our locally made goods, it's an improvement I am very proud of.

Today I styled my flared pants with my trusty sweater which I love to wear backwards, and I used the peplum as a belt and to infuse a touch of ankara into my outfit, it's Fridy anyway, rock your ankara in minimal tones today. #IRepNaija

I have a dream, that someday we would no longer need to compulsorily wear western pieces to work, and our ankara pieces will not be delegated to just Fridays and weekends. I have a dream that well tailored African pieces will be embraced even by white collar companies and we’ll be encouraged to wear our own, if we so wish. It may seem a far fetched dream, but impossible isn’t a word.

 

Have a great weekend. On Sunday, I'll share a funny alopecia story.