Trends are dynamic in nature. They come, they go. Sometimes too soon, other times long enough. Sometimes we moonwalk towards the past, other times we explore the future. Change in the world of fashion is inevitable, but certain building-block style staples are timeless.
Fashion may pass away but these closet essentials will remain…
The White Tee: You know that basic, color-void go-to t-shirt neatly tucked away in your closet? Yes that one. Think of it as a blank canvas for numerous artistic and creative possibilities and get creative!
Styling Tips
- For a laid back day time look, pair your white t-shirt with a pair of skinny jeans. Get edgy, throw on a stylish kimono as they are this seasons new in. Finish off with plimsolls – insta’glam!
- Transition into a nighttime look by pairing your white t-shirt with a midi skirt and knee-high lace-up heels. Throw on a leather jacket for some good style grace and voila!
The Jean: What’s love got to do with jeans? EVERYTHING! You can never go wrong with a good ol’ trusty pair of jeans. Jeans have passed through more evolutionary stages than the human race, but it remains slaying and we love it!
Styling Tips
- For a daytime fab’ look, stay in touch with this seasons throwback vibe. Look like a diva from the 80’s with denim on denim; pair flared jeans with a denim shirt or jacket. Give your feet a deserved breather and opt for sliders.
- For a night of fun, ditch the flared jeans for a ripped boyfriend jeans, a crop dashiki top or a bandeau peplum top, finishing your look off with a pair of minimalist heels or heeled court shoes.
The Pencil Skirt: Sexy? *check* classy? *double-check*. Nothing spells sophistication better than the pencil skirt, good thing we’ve taken that sophistication from the office to the streets.
Styling Tips
For a formal daytime look, pair a knee-length pencil skirt with a camisole, tailored blazer and court shoes. For a casual daytime look, opt for a midi-length pencil skirt, crop top and gladiator flats.
The LBD: As long as elegance thrives, the little black dress would always be the super-style hero.
Styling Tips
- For a daytime casual look, a bodycon midi-length little black dress would do the trick. Paired with bold-colored trainers.
- Channel your inner sexy in a wrap dress – for a fun night out, mated with lace up heels. You’ll definitely attract stares, whistles and winks!
The Ankara: The love of Ankara is the beginning of African wisdom. Taboo is when you are Nigerian, living on Nigerian soil and you don’t own any Ankara piece – the gods won’t have none of that. The traditional African setting ‘asoebi law’ requires you to own several Ankara pieces by fire by brimstone! There’s no getting around this one.
Styling Tips
- Prints call the shots, so for a daytime look, play safe with toned down prints and cool hues. Opt for simple, yet feminine styles like a skater dress or skirt, mated with ballet flats.
- Transition into the night with more fun. Go for glamorous attention-seeking prints and while you’re at it print-block! There’s no fun in plain, is there? Pair with nude pumps to complete your look.
The Go-To Stylish Shoe: Everyone has that one shoe that saves the day. Whether it’s a simple flat or complicated heels, when in doubt reach for it.
Styling Tips
- Keep the hue basic. Nudes and blacks are perfect.
The Bags of Life: Think pretty and practical. Pretty enough for your cocktail dress* and practical enough to ‘house’ half of your femme-property (exaggeration!). Totes are the all-time practical bags. They can be used as work bags, laptop bags, shopping bags, gym bags… the list goes on. Clutches, though smaller in size, are pretty enough to get the desired attention. Yes these bags aren’t roomy, but they make up for that by being handy and easy to carry around. No one wants to be weighed down while dragging a tote around in the club.
Styling tips
A tote though practical, doesn’t have to be drab looking. Keep the colors neutral, but go with structured totes.
Your closet doesn’t have to be boring.
Article written by Ngozi Ufere.