TUESDAY'S FASHION OBSESSION: SIMPLE CHIC

Lately I haven't really been in the fashion obsession mood but I had to STEP IT UP and PERK UP...It's a holiday! So here's my latest obsession: SIMPLE, EFFORTLESS CHIC...  K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Sweety (lol, I won't use the usual word. No need to get ugly...)

I've def been an avid watcher of Love & Hip Hop ATL, and alllll its ratchedness, including the styling and fashion on the show. Not only is the drama over-the-top and EXTRA but some cast members go too FAR AND TACKY with their fashion picks, particularly their accessories....

I love a good statement piece (and even a combo of them) but overkill really just makes me go to a mental place where FAB doesn't exist, and that place is quite annoyingly uninspiring. I just get exhausted with how bad it looks.

I'm not perfect, and I'm not the BEST FAB FASHIONISTA out there, but these are just my opinions, many cosigned by other fans of the show.

Rasheeda, as BEAUTIFUL as she is, is the TOP CULPRIT with this. Just tooooo much tacky accessorizing. So, ladies, she's really the one who sparked today's focus: KISS.

Take the above... The BAD ring, the beads, the crosses, the bling, the big hoops, the layered necklaces, the HAT, the red lip, the black liner, the thick lashes, the long straight hair, the red beads on the earrings, the red top (which has some graphic on the front). JUST TOOOOO NUFFFFFFFF Jesus! FAB OVERKILL

I think some of us should just let our best assets speak for themselves especially if they're NATURAL assets like beautiful facial features, nice legs, pretty smile or dancing eyelashes. Dimples, beautiful hands, anything--- find a way to JUST accentuate that. For me, what I choose to accentuate for a day, week or month (or YEAR) can depend on my mood or what I'm feeling for the day or night. I love my eyes, lips, legs and boobs (YES ... I prayed for them to grow as a teen and they FINALLY did... MADDDD LATE LOL!). Anywho, I like to accentuate those aspects of my physical look the most.

I find that when I try to get too extra with my outfits or accessories or hair, I just don't feel comfy. Some people can pull it off and look effortlessly creative and funky and out of this world, but me, I feel like that little girl in the itchy slip and socks and stockings and frilly, light-colored dress back in the day... I wanted to kick all that pomp and circumstance off and throw on a simple cotton romper and jelly sandals!

Rasheeda looks GREAT here:

See, she let the earrings and eyeshadow be the focal point, kept the daintly layered necklaces and pulled her hair back, accentuating her best facial features. She's BEAUTIFUL!

Joseline also overdoes it a bit but sometimes it actually WORKS. I think she would have that hood FAB, Latina spicy look down if she would maybe minimize one piece or get rid of one thing. 

She already has on a fly, printed body-con dress, so no need for the long gold earrings AND the chunky necklace. And no need for the smoky eye with all that either. Maybe a cute Chanel or cross-and-bones stud earring might have worked better or maybe take off the necklace. Maybe a simple cateye liner and mascara with a nude lip would've been fine. She also had the jumbo Chanel bag which as even more overkill and what looked like blue and cream shoes. A simple oversize clutch (or even a small neon clutch would've been cute) and maybe a strappy sandal or solid colored pump would've gone well.

In this pic, she got the pink lip, with the chunky necklace, with the hoops with the hair with the scarf. Maybe take off the necklace or do without the scarf. maybe take off the hoops and keep the scarf and necklace. Maybe do a pink stain or gloss instead of that matte lip.

In this pic, she has on sequin top, hanging earring with orange and metal detail, middrift out, yellow pant,  beaded bangles, diamond ring, gold watch (a NICE one) and Louis Vuitton satchel. Tooooo much... I can't see the shoe but I'm sure it's some other color or pattern. LOVE her pieces but just not all together. Take the earrings and bangles off and add some big emerald studs OR leave the bangles add emerald studs and take off the gold watch.

I think the BEST STYLED cast member is Mimi. She BRITE as hell (ie. a FOOL in love) but always keeps it simple, yet chic:

She lets her best assets speak for themselves and doesn't overdo it yet doesn't look like plain Jane either.

Here are some celebrity queens of KISS: 

Kelly Rowland

Kim Kardashian (YES, don't hate)

Even when she does a print, she lets that print speak for itself. When Kim starts doing TOO much with her style, it's always a don't for her. 

Ciara: The Queen of Sexy SIMPLE chic

She's another FAB doll who, when she does too much with the hair, the dress, the shoes and the makeup, it's NEVER a fashion DO.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Now, if you're not into being toooo simple and love your accessories (as I DO... especially the FAB ones sold at ShesFab.com... which I will be reviewing soon!), take a page from these divas who do OVER THE TOP ACCESSORIZING and FASHION well.

Kelis

Olsen Twins

Sarah Jessica Parker

Solange

When all else fails, just throw on a classic white or solid colored tee, a cute solid bottom like slim or boyfriend jeans, shorts or a flowy skirt, and pile on as many FAB and CRAZY accessories as you want.

Try James Perse or American Apparel for quality staples that you can wear many times without them looking cheap or off-color. Or buy MANY of the cheapies and layer them. Stores like Strawberry, Conway and Rainbow carry plenty in all colors, cuts and sizes. I got some cute V-neck tees from Forever21 for less than $4. (Again, I emphasize the fact that these are not meant to wear for years so maybe it's best to invest in quality).

I like to stay in a certain category or feel when mixing jewelry such as various size beads, silver w/gold, chunky links with smaller links. If you're doing a LOT on your neck, don't do too much on the ear. If you're doing a lot on the ear, don't do a lot with the necklace. Try to skip a body part. Got on a scarf around the neck? Well skip the WOW factor in the bodice (ie your top/blouse/or tank) and get just as outrageous with your shoe or wrist. If it's a NICE, well-made accessory, it's okay to match it with something that's JUST as nice and well-made (ie a genuine gold nameplate goes great with a long GENUINE gold link necklace,gold bangles or cuffs and diamond studs). Sometimes matching sets are good and you can wear that matching set along with another matching set (ie.a gold necklace and matching bracelet with silver earings and matching rings or a turquoise stone bracelet with matching earrings and complementary matching color set in mango or yellow or gold.)

I hope these tips help... Ladies, I've just seen so much fashion overkill this week, it's put me into FAB shock...

Kisses Miss Jane

TUESDAY FASHION OBSESSIONS: SHEER MADNESS, NUDE LINGERIE FOR BLACK WOMEN & SCARVES GALORE


Hi FAB ladies. So we all have our fashion obsessions, but mine change from day to day (or even minute to minute.) I get excited about an item or a look, and I go crazy searching for pieces and looks to fit my wardrobe and style.

I decided I'd channel my obsessions and post them whenever I feel the need to share with you.

Today, I'm absolutely FABuliciously obsessed with anything sheer. Everyone's wearing it, but that's not what it's about. There's a sexy allure to sheer that can be pulled off from day to night, from button-down blouses, sheer panels in a freak 'em dress or sheer maxi dresses, jumpsuits and skirts in poppin' colors.

  Asos; Zara; Asos; Asos

(Clearly I'm obsessed with Asos as well, but that's a whole other post LOL)


I just recently purchased a bright orange jumper that has sheer pants legs and I ADORE it. I want to go buy it in every color. The piece I bought came from NYC's SOHO. It was one of the boutiques along Broadway. (If I can remember the name of the store later, I'll post it.) The jumpsuit I bought features long inseams (which is perfect for me since I'm 5'9 and have long legs) so I'd say be conscious of the hemline and the fall of the pant when purchasing an item like this.

**Sorry about the photo quality. We'll get better with that soon ;) **



  Here are some similar options to check out online:

Arden B: Forever 21; Dillards


With anything sheer, the question always is, What do you wear underneath?

This is the perfect time for great lingerie or shapewear. I'm a big fan of mixing colors and prints, so try a brightly-hued tank, bralet or bra. (I chose an ultra pink lace tank and pink bra with my jumpsuit. It already had a shorts slip attached to it, but you still want to be sure to wear a nude or dark thong or full panty).

Try some of these options:

 Forever 21; Forever 21; Victoria's Secret; Asos

With a printed sheer jumpsuit, (or if you're just not into mixing colors) try a nude or black bra. I know oftentimes us black gyals (who come in all shades and undertones) can't find nudes that match us perfectly. Either they're too light, too peachy, or too dark. But try these options:

 MySkins; Macy's; Victoria's Secret; American Apparel

Also, try this trick: Wear your usual black or white bra or whatever color bra you have and just put a cotton brown or neutral-hued bralet, tank or soft-fabric bra on top. That will either hide any patterns or darkness of the bra underneath.


If there's sheer panels on the sides, or the dress or jumpsuit is backless, go commando or wear pasties. (Go FAB or go home.)

If you don't feel comfy going commando, try a backless or low-back convertible bra and a nude panty that matches your skin tone from outlets like Victoria's Secret, Calvin Klein, American Apparel or Bare Necessities. Or maybe even get some nude fabric sewn under the sheer panel that will smooth any dents, bumps and imperfections. (Hey, no matter what size you are, we all have stretch marks, cellulite, uneven skin and the like).

I really hate seeing any Spanx or nude panty lines at the side panels of sheer FAB pieces, but hey, DO YOU BOO.

(I say Hells No to this look, but I love Kim K. To each her own. Commando would have been fine with me, and maybe an intimate pasty to smooth out the front silhouette, but we all know Kim love her some Spanx. And I won't start on the boots... LOL. Love you Kimmy!)

Anywho, to take a sheer look from too risque to day, try adding a blazer, layering a tee or tanks or wearing a solid-colored bodysuit and lots of accessories.

 
Asos; J. Crew ; Asos

OAN: I already purchased two pleated dresses from H&M (that look similar to these (below) from Zara.). They were on sale for $15! (I got for one $10 because it was mismarked. Check here for H&M locations that are having sales in your city.)

I plan to purchase more sheer-accented items as the summer goes on. (These are on my wish list.)

Let's get sheer for the summer and be FAB sexy and free-spirited.

Oh, one more thing: I'm LOVING silky, printed scarves. LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM, especially for my hair since I've recently cut off the relaxed ends and gone natural. I get easily bored with styles, so to avoid turning back to the creamy crack, I've been making major use of scarves.

The one I'm wearing here is a vintage scarf I got from a Housing Works sale a while back. (It was one of those $20 bag sales, where you dig through a bunch of stuff and fit as much as you can in a bag and only pay $20 per bag). I'm terrible at thrifting (no patience and frankly never wear most of the things I buy), but this one was a keeper.

Here are some other picks to try. (I actually bought the first one and another one (not pictured) from H&M. The first one has a great black panther on it and lovely lime color throughout.)

H&M; H&M; Hermes ; Asos

You can even find some nice printed (and affordable) scarves at your local beauty supply store. (That's yet another obsession of mine, as I feel like a kid in a candy store when a new BIG beauty supply opens in my neighborhood).

I'd stay away from the fake Gucci or Fendi or Chanel scarves (though, by all means, if it has bright colors and you cool with it being fake, DO YOU BOO BOO), but sometimes they have great $5 options that work perfect for your hair. Also, try your local Pay Half, Pretty Girl and Dollar Store (General Dollar, Family Dollar and all those dollars).

Love how Joseline from LHH ATL wears her signature scarf look. (I know... #ratchet ... but chic is chic nonetheless.)

Here's a great YouTube tut on unique and chic ways to tie scarves by YT natural diva WomanInTheJungle:

 And lastly, here's some great ways to wear scarves with your ensembles by the FAB YT diva WendysLookbook.

Say FAB. Xiss Miss Jane ;)