Style Staple: All Black Everything
G.O.G.'s,
Another style staple that's been around for a very long time is the classic, timeless look of an all black ensemble. Some may regard black as a strictly gloomy fashion statement, but this look is all about individual pieces coming together. Wearing all black can either look gloomy and depressing, or fierce and sophisticated! *Three Snaps, hunny* The good thing about black is that is is actually very versatile: it can be feminine, edgy, conservative, glamorous, appropros, etc. Let's take a look at how to avoid the former (looking gloomy) and how to rock all black everything in a fierce, feminine and sophisticated way.
Check the technique!
Feminine
Christina Milian looks sleek and feminine in her all black flirty ruffled blouse, black skinny jeans and black and pink strappy heels.
Edgy-Feminine
Elise Neal looks flirty, but super edgy in her all black flowing top and pencil skirt with stiletto knee-high black boots. Can you say fierce?
Sophistication
Kerry Washington looks just lovely and conservative in this black asymetrical-hemmed black dress.
Glamorous
Sanaa Lathan wears this glamorous black gown on the red carpet. An all black gown can be boring, but not with this black jeweled lining which goes directly down the middle of the gown.
Cute
Jumping the Broom actress Paula Patton looks super-cute and sophisticated in this thin-strap, sweetheart neckline, lace black dress. The fit, including the length of the dress is nothing short of perfect. She accents the dress with simple black open-toed heels.
Lala Vasquez Anthony also looks super cute in this strapless sweetheart neckline dress reminiscent of the 60's.
Tatianna Ali is ready for a night out in this simple and class LBD (Little Black Dress), a style must-have for every girl's closet. Her stappy black heels are nothing short of fabulous as well.
Casual
Singer, Ciara looks causal and comfy in black jeans, black riding boots, and a black tee topped off with a ash grey sheepskin jacket.
So you see, black doesn't have to mean boring or gothic. It can be quite girly and fabulous when the right pieces come together.
Will you be rocking a sleek all black ensemble this season? It may be a little too warm during summer months to rock this sleek look during the day, but there a few things that are as fabulous as a sizzling and sleek all black summer night ensemble. Cheers to fun summer nights :-)
XoXo,
G.I.F.T.
Style Staple: Healthy, Beautiful Natural Hair
A style staple is a look or an item of fashion or style that has been around for a while and in a fleeting world of fasionable trends, appears to be around to stay. Natural hair is one such thing.
Natural Hair can be attributed as a fashion statement since the days of the beautiful Pam Grier, actress in the 70's:
To Diana Ross, the fabulous musical legend of the hit Soul group The Supremes:
These days, Ms. Ross and the Supremes are still rocking out the natural hair.
And how can we forget, the diva herself with the hair just as big as her iconoic soprano voice, Chaka Khan:
Nowadays, celebs, musicians, artists are still rocking it out with the natural locks, from Solange Knowles to Jill Scott, Erakah Badu, Janelle Monae and many others.
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| Songstress, Janelle Monae |
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| R&B and soul singers Kelis, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott |
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| Songstress, Chrisette Michelle |
Here's to another 40 years of beautiful, natural hair on the red carpet and the black women who rock it fabulously!
Cheers!
xoxo,
G.I.F.T.
Looks We Love: J-Hud's Olive Green Maxi-Dress and Flats Look
Jennifer Hudson attends the 2nd Annual Mary J. Blige Honors Concert at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC in this chic and laid back olive green axi dress and black flats She looks flawless here for all the right reasons, she's comfortable, confident and isn't in her usual dolled up stance.
We Love it.
Xoxo,
G.I.F.T.
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Fit' of the Day: Garcelle Beauvais Sizzles in Animal Print
Our Fit' of the Day goes to the ever-gorgeous actress, Garcelle Beauvais with this stunning look as she attends the 18th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on April 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
She's rocking this leopard print dress (love the style of print on this dress) with an awesome leather bomber jacket, strappy platform sandals with what appears to be a dark silver chunky necklace and a black mani and pedi. Her rosy cheeks and smoky eye are equally as flawless. *Three Snaps*.
What do you think? Does Ms. Beauvais rock it here, or should she stop it here? lol. You already know we love it!
Peace and Blessings!
XoXo,
G.I.F.T.
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Maximize Your Cool Factor: Wear White this Season
Lovelies,
Nothing says "cooler" than nice, airy, breezy peices in white. It's the season of warmer weather, and of course more fashion trends to try, but we contend that this one is a classic. People have been wearing white for ages, especially in warmer climates, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, thankfully!
So, this season, try something fresh, if you haven't already. There is something about wearing white, even all white, that takes your style expression to another level of cool and confident. But, beware, some may ask whether it's your Labour Day outfit you are rockin', at which point you can politely tell them, you don't need a holiday to validate you sense of style :-) *Two Snaps of the fingers* Mmmkay.
Check out some great ways to Maximize your Cool Factor in White:
Keep it Simple, Not Fussy:
Ms. Berry puts the "c" in cool in this adorable cut-out white dress. She didn't complicate it with too many accessories, just a long necklace.
Pair it with denim: Ms. Longoria wears a crisp white button-up with stone washed flared denim jeans for a cazh and cool look.
We could all take tips from Lisa Raye, the queen of wearing white. She had had some fabulous white ensembles like:
We Love that Lisa Raye almost always wears white. It's her signature thing, and we can't blame here, it looks great on her!
Check out how others look cool and breezy white:
Rutina Wesley attends Bing’s Celebration of Creative Minds at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood, CA.
Singer John Legend's girlfriend Christine wears white well here in this wrap dress and nude platform heels.
Even the gents look great in white: Swizz Beats at a speaking event in Bronx, NY Charter School in a great all white blazer. Love it!
You can't go wrong when rocking white this season, you'll look effortlessly put together, super cool and confident!
XoXo,
G.I.F.T.
