adminYoliswa Dube
BEING fashion forward was a big thing back in varsity. It mattered what you wore, how you wore it and where you wore it.
You needed to make sure that if you happened to be late for a lecture, you were on point as you marched past the entire class to a spot at the back of the lecture theatre.
You had to make sure that when you pulled the lecture doors open, which often captured the attention of the class because of the screeching noise they produced, your whole outfit was not only fashion forward, but also appropriate for the weather.
It would be all eyes on you, literally, and that walk into the lecture theatre could go both ways and shape the rest of your day.
It could turn out to be the walk of “fame” or “shame” — you had to rock a certain strut and make sure those staring at you got a feel of your attitude.
Having been the most exciting time of my life, varsity also meant diversity and scrutiny. Your image mattered and somehow your sense of style determined how people would “classify” you. I remember at some point, three guys who just took the campus by storm with their pattern and style. They would do the whole hip hop thing — chains, sneakers, baggy jeans, flat base caps but the signature touch was carrying around a basketball or pushing a BMX bicycle along.
Absurd I know but it’s what these guys had chosen they would be identified as – the guys with the basketballs or the guys with the bikes.
And this was way before the Doc Shebeleza hit-maker Cassper Nyovest took the region by storm with his kasi hip hop thing. The biggest challenge though was the unpredictable weather in the Midlands province.
I could never decide on what to wear the next day, the night before. I decided not to after I ironed a pair of shorts and a T-shirt one evening, only for the next day to turn out to be freezing cold. It became my fashion style secret, never commit to an outfit before you’ve actually checked the temperatures.
In our minds, many of us decide on what to wear without taking the weather into consideration. It must be knee-high boots or “that” blazer, come rain or shine.
At the sight of the smallest clouds, people pull out their treasured winter pieces before winter has even come. It’s always a rib cracker seeing someone wearing boots or a winter coat while the sun is out. In most cases, it’s because we tell ourselves it’s cold enough to bring out our winter fashion.
But don’t get agitated yet; winter is not going anywhere for now, even with the advent of climate change, winter will come. We’re at the bridge between summer ending and winter beginning but don’t take your boots out as yet. You don’t want to spend the rest of the day looking and feeling clumsy and with a bruised ego because of a wardrobe disaster.
Rather invest in light winter clothing or integrate pieces that can be separated but still look good if the weather changes. Instead of your regular T-shirt, invest in a long sleeved one which will keep you warm on a windy day.
Substitute those knee high boots that you love to wear with those skinny jeans with an ankle high pair of shoes. Instead of a heavy coat, wear a lighter jacket with a scarf. If the day progresses into a warmer one, you simply lose the scarf and still walk the streets confidently.
Never make the mistake of wearing your home clothes underneath your jacket; you’ll have problems removing it when the sun comes out. Instead, make fun combinations with tailored shirts, jackets and scarves; you’ll still look fresh even if you lose one piece.
The shoes is where your least commitment to winter wear should be – you’ll look and highly likely feel more comfortable if you opt for your regular shoes, rather than your winter boots until it is winter. Don’t worry, you’ll wear the boots as many times as you wish come winter!
Last week’s feedback on “Of dress codes, ambiance”
I enjoy reading your Pattern and Style articles, insightful actually. While I’m sympathetic to Sandra Ndebele, the “red” theme is associated with Valentine’s Day so we can’t have a red dress code when it’s not Valentine’s Day. That’s a fashion faux pas surely! On point about Jah Prayzah — someone should take him shopping! — Thandie Dube.
Its high time Jah Prayzah removed that military regalia for sure! I really enjoyed the article. I loved the pace of the story and could hear your voice and emotions attached to it. It felt like you were talking to me. — Lorraine Mpofu.
Until next week, flaunt your pattern and style and don’t forget to drop me an email at [email protected] or Whatsapp on +263 774 492 700.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter