DENIM is that one fabric anybody can wear and look like they have a seven figure net worth, effortlessly.
It came to my rescue just the other day.
I had initially planned to do my casual Friday in a Zimbabwean flag personalised T-shirt by local designer Bulawayo Hustler with a pair of black skinny jeans and white Converse All Stars.
I had even washed my chucks earlier in the week to make sure they were spotless. I got my brother to put in the laces for me, in a nice fancy way.
I mean, I was set for life!
But Friday came, I got into my outfit and something didn’t quite feel right.
I stood in front of the mirror for a minute longer, trying to decide how I could improve the look.
The T-shirt and the Converse were on point; the black jeans were the culprit. They just weren’t coming together nicely.
I needed to wear a white pair of jeans but they were as creased as hell and there was no power! It was some fashion disaster waiting to happen.
I was starting to panic because I was already a cool 10 minutes late for work! What do I do? I kept asking myself as I stood in front of the mirror.
My denim shirt dress, I remembered.
I was out of the black jeans, T-shirt and chucks very fast, slid into my denim shirt dress and voila, I was me again!
It was that simple. I paired the dress with brown sandals and accessorised with a big face Michael Kors watch, big earrings, I applied my twilight lip stain by Vault Cosmetics and I was out of the house.
Of course I took my sunglasses with me, just for that extra pizazz. I was set for the day.
Denim is always in style, but the wash of your denim can go in and out of fashion. Forget the glittered, mosaics and floral patched denim you wore 10 years ago and think stonewash.
This summer, many washes or finishes of denim that have been considered dated have come back en vogue. Stonewash denim has made a dramatic return to the fashion scene.
I’m told it was quite popular in the 90s and quite frankly, I’m glad I get the chance to be part of the stonewash denim revolution right now.
It comes in shirts, pants, dresses, shorts and skirts — obviously quite an exciting range to choose from.
With such a large variety of denim washes available at your favourite retailer, it can be confusing how to wear them with the rest of your closet. Different washes look better with different colours and silhouettes.
With stonewash pants in whichever colour, a white top will always be a good option. Depending on the cut of your jeans, a white T-shirt or blouse will work pretty well.
It has become fashionable to turn up skinny jeans at the ankle. It sort of says you know what you’re doing and besides, your shoes will show a little bit more. Stonewash denim pants can also be paired with a denim shirt in a different colour.
Denim on denim has always been a hot combo as long as either denim is darker than the other. If your stonewash denim is a shirt, go for a coloured pair of pants. Something exciting like white, sky blue or pink; a bold and crazy colour you’d ordinarily not wear with anything else.
Accessorising your stonewash denim shirt with a bib necklace will give it a little bit more life. This paired with a pair of white pants and high heels would be great for a hot date or a night out.
You can always swap your heels for flats for a more relaxed but stylish day look. A denim shirt can also work with a maxi skirt. It’s actually such a refreshing look. And for the gentlemen, to complete your stonewash denim look — a good old pair of Converse, boat shoes, boots or sneakers would do you justice.
Stonewash denim dresses can also work for both a day and night look. Your shoes and accessories are what will dress you down or pimp you up for wherever you need to go. Denim is such an easy fabric to work with — you will look fashion savvy if you wear it right!
Feedback from “If you’re a woman and you’re not into fashion — wake up!”
Dear Sunshine. A pretty dress does not make sense if it does not inspire a man to take the dress off her body. Keep it up! Good Column. — C Zulu.
Hey Yoliswa, I’m a big fan of your articles, they are good. Keep it up girl! — 0773 494***.
Thanks for the amazing article and reminding women how to dress. — Jussy.
Hey Yolie, I just finished reading your article. You’re doing a good job, keep on writing. I expect different stuff from you every Saturday. — Monica
I’m doing all I can to avoid being a Pattern and Style footnote, for what not to wear. Your column inspires me, it’s insightful. — B.K
Until next week, flaunt your pattern and style and don’t forget to drop me an SMS/WhatsApp on +263738991355, send an email to [email protected] or follow me on Twitter handle @YoliswaStarr.



