The Nation Newspaper

Category: Fashion

  • Classic sweaters

    Classic sweaters

    SWEATER is a very useful article of clothing. Functionally, it keeps you warm in a cold weather while style wise, it is one of the most flattering garments a man can wear.

    It is a good alternative to a classic outfit and comes in variety of colours and patterns. It gives great options and flexibility to your wardrobe.

    They could be worn for various occasions.

    Sweaters come in various styles like crewneck, v-neck, turtleneck and cardigan.

    They also come in different fabrics like cashmere, wool, cotton, synthetic and blended fabric.

    Pair your sweater shirt with a shirt dress, plain white undershirt or a blazer. It gives an impressive look and adds extra touch of class to your look.

  • Street style look with shorts

    Street style look with shorts

    Shorts are believed or assumed to be worn only by kids or athletes, this is not true. Wearing short is one of the best ways to stay cool or getting the street style look. Shorts are the best choice for the weekend getaways, beach, pool, barbecues, picnics, walks or get together with friends.

    They are quite casual, fun to wear and make one stand out. Shorts are cool but should be avoided when going for business or attending a formal ceremony or event. To avoid getting that sloppy or disorganized look, here are a few tips to help get the perfect short look.

    Tips

    • Make sure shorts does not go past the knees.
    • It has to be a perfect fit. Not too baggy or skintight, you don’t want to get the chicken leg look.
    • Avoid shorts that look like swim shorts.
    • Polo shirts, coloured shirts that button up, classic shirts, long sleeve shirts (roll up the sleeves) are perfect for shorts.
    • Do not tuck in the shirt.
    • Shoes to be worn include sandals, moccasins, casual loafers. Do not wear socks.
    • Accessorize with a blazer, hoodie jacket, hat or sunglasses.
  • Tuxedo 101

    Tuxedo 101

    Tuxedo also known as dinner jacket is a formal evening suit. The point of wearing a tuxedo (or tux as commonly called) is to celebrate a special occasion by wearing something that you won’t wear anywhere else . Wearing a tuxedo makes a man look sharp, confident, stylish and charming. The tux could be worn to black tie events, formal events, dinners, receptions or weddings. The classic tuxedo is a hard trend to pull off, some rules have to be followed.

    Basic rules:

    • Do not use a belt on your tuxedo, opt for a waistcoat or cummerbund instead.
    • Trousers should always be made from the same fabric as the jacket.
    • Tuxedo shirt collar should be traditional point collar or wing collar. It should be white also.
    • Best tie to wear with a tuxedo is a bow tie that was knotted yourself.
    • Avoid colourful cummerbunds and socks
    • Accessorize with white pocket square or select one that matches your bow tie.
    • Avoid shoes like sneakers, sandals or cowboy boots. Wear patent leather shoes or highly polished oxfords.
    • Make sure your tuxedo fits and keep it really simple for the most elegant look.
  • Ooze sexiness in the double breasted trend

    Ooze sexiness in the double breasted trend

    The double breasted refers to a coat or jacket with two parallel columns of buttons and overlapping front flaps. It dates back to the 60’s and 70’s. Double breasted is now back on top of the trend list  looking fresher, cooler and dapper.

    The striking charm of the overlapping flap is the perfect example of a gentleman’s style. It projects a masculine, powerful and elegant look. This easy going and wearable trend could be worn to the office, dinner, bar, wedding  and event. It is appropriate in any situation where you would wear a single breasted suit or jacket. Double breasted is a bold statement, keep your shirt and tie combination relatively conservative with solid colours or basic patterns. You can accessorize with a bow tie, pocket square , brooch, wristwatch and a nice pair of shoe.

  • 15 designers selected for NNTD show

    15 designers selected for NNTD show

    AFTER several weeks of  rigorous screening of participants in this year’s event, the Nigeria’s Next Top Designer  (NNTD) is set to select the top designers that would to the final  stage of the annual fashion show.

    Over 500 fashion designers from different parts of the country applied online to take part in the competition early in the year. The organization pruned the number of the contestants  to 15  that would vie for the final stage during a keenly contested audition held last weekend.

    Speaking at the event Yetty Ogunnubi who represented the  Executive Director, Ronke Ademiluyi said: “NNTD is a platform for young Nigerian designers between the ages of 18-30 to showcase their creativity to a wider audience, it will also create unique opportunities and reputable platforms for Nigeria’s undiscovered talent. NNTD is surely going to be the most sought after competition for emerging designers.

    “It is an initiative that will help facilitate and manage young Nigerian designers who wish to enter into the fashion industry, with the intention of building talented entrepreneurs through fashion, it will include mentoring and the winner gets to go home with a start up fund and tools to assist them with potential for commercial growth.

    “NNTD is about establishing and encouraging the best  emerging  fashion designers from Nigeria, promoting and showcasing them on a world stage platform Africa Fashion Week Nigeria & London, as part of the winning prize is an all expense paid trip to showcase their collection at the 6th edition of AFWL in September 2016, a Fashion Week that celebrates the work of African and African inspired designers in the UK that has become the single, biggest African fashion festival in the UK . The annual event debuted in 2011 and has welcomed over 500 African designers”

  • WEAVE: ANTIQUITY HAIRSTYLE

    WEAVE: ANTIQUITY HAIRSTYLE

    HAIR not only frames the face, it appears to substantially transform it. Trendily woven hair styles show off your natural beauty, and how creative your hairdo is will stand you out and make you feel fresh, elegant and beautiful. Africans are blessed with a wide variety of beautiful hairstyles. Woven hair-do gives a classy look that no other hairstyle is ever able to. So it is no surprise that ladies, even men, are sporting such hairstyle that sets them apart in a crowd and enhances their beauty and outlook.

    Depending on the style or parting, weave can also be used to make a fashion statement; gone are the days when many look at it as a not too serious or a local hair do. Trendily woven hair-do of different partings and cuts are now the in-thing, but the truth is, the type of weave you sport can actually say a lot about you. Elegantly cut weave can give you a unique look that is both sexy and official at the same time.

    It could actually survive any weather. You can’t predict when rain will fall. Basically all you need to do is to blow dry after you have been soaked. In fact, if it is not much, it will dry off on its own and “you will still have your hairstyle,” says Bobby Eke of Bobby Signature. After spreading like wildfire, weave has refused to take a bow from the fashion scene. At both local and international levels, it has become a thing of class and the fad. Apart from the fact that it gives the hair an opportunity to rest for a while, it will save you the stress of styling or packing every morning; all you need do is to add cream once in two or three days. The old school bug has moved from clothes to hair-dos.

  • FAB FASHION FOR PLUS SIZE WOMEN

    FAB FASHION FOR PLUS SIZE WOMEN

    BEING plus-sized person, you don’t have to feel down or think about not wearing any stylish attire. Many people believe that being thin is being beautiful. But it is no longer a secret that you can actually be big and still look bold, trendy, stunning and beautiful. You can look attractive, if you know how to adjust your curves well with your dressing. Your curves can also make you look great and you can get some of the best clothing concepts to look tremendous.

    It is important to take pride on being healthy and looking respectable. Beautiful women come in all sizes and shapes.

    • Dress for your body shape: One of the most important style tips for plus size women is to know your body shape.
    • Go for colourful statement necklace if you want to emphasise your neckline.
    • Choose the accessories and jewellery complementing with your body size.
    • Don’t be afraid to wear fitted outfits, as these can often emphasise your figure. Avoid wearing loose clothing as this will make you emerge fatter and the clothes will become graceless to the body parts.
    • Give your breast good support: Wear perfect bra giving your bust correct support and lifts it from your abdomen region.
    • Balance your body cuts in such a way that your curves appear attractive and you will look less bulky. Don’t wear taper shaped clothes if you have large bust or hips.
    • Feel fabulous in a pair of bold shoes; wear heels to increase length of your legs. It will make viewers to look at you from top to bottom.
  • GLAM SHOES

    GLAM SHOES

    AS we all know, shoes enhance the attractiveness of legs and stylish dress. And no other set of shoes will capture the imagination of fashion buffs this season as gladiators, sneakers, peep toe, ballet wedge, flat, stilettos and sandals. Nothing guarantees you that special look than stylish and perfectly cut shoes. A beautiful shoe is useless unless it feels as wonderful as it looks. So, make sure that they fit properly in the store before paying for it.

    Below are some of the shoes that will capture the imagination this year.

    Ballet shoes

    Ballet shoes also known as pointe shoes have moved from ballet halls into fashion shops. Its renewed popularity has not escaped the attention of the Sunday fashion. In parties and campuses, ballet shoes are now worn by fashion conscious ladies for events. Pointe shoes were originally made for ballet dancers and choreographers. Although, it is still being used for ballet dancing today, it has grown very popular among ladies. The shoe’s unique design enables dancers to move their feet swiftly and to stand on their toes. But not many people know that wearing pointe shoes could be harmful if proper care is not taken by the wearer

    Peep toes

    Peep toes! No other set of shoes have captured the imagination of fashion buffs this new season as peep toe shoes. It’s a simple, yet solid shoe that allows a lady to show off her lovely feet while just revealing a bit of the toes.

    Stilettos

    And nothing guarantees you that special outstanding look than a stylishly and perfectly cut Stilettos /high heel shoes. With the help of the right footwear, you can move from looking ordinary to looking very fabulous.

    Today’s high heel shoes are more stylish and are usually worn over all kind of dresses. They are everything you could want in a pair of sexy shoes, from strap sandals, peep toe to covered shoes with sexy heel shoes.

    Sneaker shoes for stylish casual look are the most elegant shoes of the season. They are a must-have for women of style, who need to look chic and different.

    Wedge

    There are three varieties of wedge that are in-vogue now; the wedge sandals, wedge shoe and the wedge slippers. A wedge shoe is guaranteed to make you look chic.

    Flat shoes

    These well-balanced, trendy and funky shoes are another women foot wear that cannot go out of fashion. The pattern and style may vary per season but the flat shoes will forever remain in fashion.

    Pump metallic

    These shoes have had almost the same shape for ages without changing. It is a fashion material that women can’t get tired of.

    Gladiator

    Strappy gladiators have their roots in ancient Rome and Greece where people wore them to war. Today’s gladiators are more stylish and are usually worn with skirts and knee length dresses. Certain basic are essential while wearing gladiator shoes such as taking care of your feet and sometimes painting your nails, since your feet will get quite some attention when wearing these strappy shoes.

  • Dress to impress: business casual look

    Dress to impress: business casual look

    The workplace might have gotten casual, that doesn’t mean you can’t stand out with your dressing. Navigate your workday with style, class, authority and comfort. Not sure what to wear? Don’t  worry about a thing! Here are few tips to help you get that superb look.

    Business casual essentials:

    1. A tailored jacket/blazer:

    Wear a jacket/blazer that is smartly cut and ironed. It has to be fresh and well tailored. You can wear a v-neck sweater as well.

    1. Shirt:

    Get a fitted shirt, make sure the sleeves stop at your wrist and the collar can stand on its own. This way you don’t have to use a tie every time. Solid colors like white, light blue, pale pink are the easiest to match.

    1. Trousers:

    You can’t go wrong with chinos, suit trousers, pants and jeans. Make sure its slim cut and not skinny.

    1. Shoes:

    Don’t go around wearing timberland, sandal and ugly looking shoes. Loafers, brogues, oxfords are perfect.

    1. Accessories:

    Carry your laptop in a satchel bag, files in a briefcase. This makes you look smarter. Always remember to wear a leather belt and wristwatch.

    Most importantly, buy clothes that fit you perfectly. No matter how expensive the clothes are, if ill-fitted would definitely look ugly. Have a clean and neat trim. Make sure you smell good always.

  • NATURAL HAIR back with a bang!

    NATURAL HAIR back with a bang!

    NATURAL hair is one of the fastest growing trends amongst ladies. It is very old fashioned. One was considered to be unfashionable, unattractive or ‘spirikoko’ if you rocked natural hair back then. Currently, natural hair is every girl’s wish.

    However, maintaining the natural hair is not an easy or cheap task. It is quite demanding and could look very rough when not properly cared for. It takes a lot of grooming and extra effort to have that stunning natural hair.

    Basic tips for keeping natural hair:

    • Wash your hair regularly to give it a clean scalp and prevent it from smelling/itching.
    • Use organic products and natural oil like coconut, almond, avocado, olive and castro oil.
    • Trim your hair regularly.
    • Surf the internet for websites that specialises in natural hair.
    • Get to know your hair. This way you can know the products that are good or bad for your hair.

    Remember to keep a comb handy to keep it neat. You can also style your natural hair with hair accessories to give it a redefined look. Add colour to the tip for that funky look.