The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Accessories

  • How to look chic in glasses

    How to look chic in glasses

    Wearing glasses might not always have been the easiest way to look cool, which is why many people choose to wear contact lenses. With time, busy schedules means comfort is more important so we find ourselves reaching for our frames more often. Here, some helpful tips on looking chic in your frames.

    Wear small earrings

    Anything you wear on your lobes- long, dangly or statement-making will compete with your frames and overwhelm your face. Instead, stick to smaller pieces that will add a hint of polish to your look without being too distracting. Your glasses should be seen as a purposeful accessory, not an afterthought. And sparkly little studs will help bring it all together, delicately.

    Match your jewelry metal to the colour of your frame

    Even though mixing and matching is okay when it comes to fashion, but when it comes to glasses, mind your color coordination. For example, if you have brown or tortoise frames, keep with gold jewelry. If you have silver, clear or cool-toned glasses, stick to silver or stones. But! If you have black specs, anything goes.

    Play down other accessories

    Any accessories worn on the head already cover a large part of your face, which can look a little too busy. If you must wear hats, don smaller-brimmed hats that sit away from your face. Also wear smaller and sleeker hair accessories to keep hair out of the way. This is true for both eyeglasses and sunglasses.

    DRESS IT UP

    There is nothing wrong with dressing comfortably, but wearing them with glasses tends to give a schoolgirl vibe to your look. For an adult and professional look, ensure that at least one element of your outfit is on the dressier side, like a fitted jacket or a pair of pointed flats for a polished look.

    DUMP THE BLACK EYELINER AND HEAVY SHADOWS

    Try rocking a navy liner and light shadow instead. Black wings tend to look a bit harsh when magnified by your glasses. But a deep blue will define your eyes just the same, while brightening up the whites. Pair with a sweep of rose-gold eye shadow on your lids and you’re good to go.

     

    STRATEGICALLY CONCEAL

    Focus on areas that are in closest proximity to your frames, under your eyes, on your cheeks and around the nose. If you use a cream concealer, get a liquid formula instead. Creams are more likely to crease and migrate to the nose pads of your glasses.

    APPLY MASCARA AT THE ROOTS ONLY

    Don’t wear as much on the tips of your lashes. Apply your first coat as you normally would. Then, for your second coat, wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes and pull out, but not up through the lashes. This way you get more pigment at the roots, thus framing your eyes. You’ll also be less likely to have your lashes poke the insides of your frames all day.

    GO BOLD WITH LIPS

    Whatever your preference, red, pink, coral, pile it on liberally. A pop of bright color on the lips helps to balance out a heavy frame, and keeps the overall look from feeling “lazy.” Even if you’re not much of a lipstick wearer, a simple nude gloss will do.

  • Ankara accessories all the rage

    Ankara accessories all the rage

    Ankara accessories have become trendier and smart this season! In the last few years, Ankara fashion has gradually found its way back onto the scene, although it is not as daring as it used to be.

    These days, it is not uncommon to see designers splashing colourful and attractive Ankara accessories in sheer, graceful fabric with, ruffle, lace trimming and slips. Ankara accessories are versatile pieces and, they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

    These soft, feminine looks are very ‘in’ right now and are a great wardrobe piece, because you can wear just about any top or pants/skirt to complement it.

  • Accessories with ankara

    Accessories with ankara

    FASHION designers all over Africa have taken accessories to the next level by using African prints popularly known as ankara in Nigeria to make bags and other fashion accessories. The popularity of ankara was underscored a couple of years back as it captured the attention of the art and the fashion industry. It is now being made into beach shorts, pants, play suits, evening dresses and so on. Bangles, slippers, purses, earrings, shoes and so on are also being made with this fabric.

    The best part of it is that it is cheaper than the regular leather and still makes you look sophisticated. If it is a popular accessory, it definitely has an ankara alternative. It has become so legendary that people go to party with bags and shoes made of the same ankara fabric.

    Even the men are not left out as they also wear ankara as jackets, ties and casual wear. They flex it and do some really lovely styles. The fabric can be used for both office and formal occasions depending on the style.

  • Prints with black

    Prints with black

    THE African print has indeed come a long way, and as you search the archives, you are likely to find a number of designs that keeps coming back in different ways. These items in our collections are now making contemporary statements and the options available are as creative as the designers scattered all over the country.

    One unique way to rock the print now is to match it with a plain black fabric. It brings a sharp contrast that reveals the exciting details of the designs. You can also match this with trendy accessories that help to rejuvenate the new image you just want to portray.

  • Accessories for the groom

    Accessories for the groom

    MOST times, when plans are on for the wedding almost all the attention shifts to the bride .This should not be so because the groom should also be a very important factor and must be taken into consideration . It is essential for the groom to look great and compliment his beautiful bride on the wedding day.

    To do this in a unique way, you must also be very comfortable with what you are putting on. Groom accessories are the best way to finish off the wedding outfit and add some variety to the occasion. Alternatively, you may opt for a more formal wedding and you would want your outfit to include a waistcoat.

    If you will be wearing a morning suit (three-piece suit consisting of tailcoat, waistcoat and trousers), a muted or contrasting waistcoat will add to the formality of your wedding.

    Others prefer their wedding attire to be contemporary, and perhaps less formal. A waistcoat actually helps to add individuality to your outfit, but you must be careful in your combination so that it does not clash with the rest of your suit.

    Cravats are the traditional attire worn with a morning suit; particularly if you are wearing a wing collar shirt can be a delight. The wearing of the cravat helps add grandeur to the groom’s outfit.

    Neckties are essentials and they can be worn for both a formal and informal wedding. It is recommended that the groom wears a plain collared shirt. Most grooms may have never worn a cravat before and therefore choose a tie as a more comfortable, and slightly more relaxed option. When choosing a tie, the design options are endless.

    Although the necktie proves most prominent in today’s society, the bow tie is making a comeback with fun-formal weddings. Ready-tied bow ties are available, in which the distinctive bow is sewn into shape and the band around the neck incorporates a clip. Some “clip-ons” dispense with the band altogether, instead clipping to the collar. However the traditional alternative, consisting of a single strip of material, may be known as a “self-tie” bow tie to distinguish it.

    Most good quality shirts will have French or double cuffs which are cuffs on a dress shirt that are folded back and then closed by cufflinks. Cufflinks are a particularly good way to add an element of sparkle or colour to an otherwise formal outfit! Indeed, whilst the average man would not expect to wear glitzy jewelry, crystal cufflinks are seen as a perfect way for the gentleman to accessorise and add sparkle to his outfit. Likewise enamel cufflinks are great option for someone looking to add colour to his suit.

    If your wedding shirt does not have the two holes for cufflinks, and instead has buttons, you may wish to opt for button covers. Crystal button covers offer a way of spicing up your buttoned shirts, without the use of cufflinks! , Cufflinks may be one of the first accessories you’ll think of when it comes to your wedding wear.

  • Charming all the way

    Charming all the way

    Fashion has a fascinating way of galvanising people into constantly thinking about the present and making it always about what’s next. Yetunde Oladeinde takes a look at the groom as a strong contender for wedding trends.

    THE 2014 runways have witnessed a number of new directions, converted silhouettes, metamorphosed colour palettes, as the novelty of the season culminated with a display of evolving accessories, envisioned as to reset all grounds and lead one step closer to that bright future.

    As soon as you talk about a typical wedding, the suit naturally comes to mind for the groom. This is a set of outer clothes made of the same fabric and designed to be worn together, typically consisting of a jacket and trousers or a jacket and skirt.

    The suit and jackets worn by the groom on the wedding day have gone through all kinds of metamorphosis. These days, the trend is usually contemporary designs which come with a mix of the foreign and a touch of African fabrics like the ankara, aso oke, kente and damask. A number of men have also broken the rule and prefer to step out on their wedding day in something different. The choice, really, is yours. All you need to do is wear something that suits you and something that would make the day as memorable as possible.

  • Thrill with leather accessories

    Thrill with leather accessories

    THE desire to look gorgeous at any event is something ladies crave for all the time. To be the toast of everyone, it is important to look out for items that are unique and keep them in your collection. This way, you are likely to feel complete and proud at special events. Getting the right accessories to complement your outfits can be a delight. You can make your dreams come true once you know and understand the effect that you want to achieve for a particular event.When it comes to choosing accessories with panache, leather accessories readily come to mind. For so long, it has proven to be the accessory for ladies with class. And unlike what we had in the past, there is a lot of creativity and variety available. These include belts, bags, shoes, bracelets, wrist watches, pendants, neck accessories and more. It connotes elegance and high fashion. Interestingly, a number of customised leather accessories are made by local designers and they are a must have. The leather collection interestingly reflects on modern life, particularly the normalcy of high-tech objectswhose existence couldn’t have been imagined 60 years agoexisting side-by-side with artifacts and concepts that have formed part of our daily lives.The Ankara fabric has been around for a while and it is still making fashion statements within and outside the country. One design that has been getting lots of attention is the Ankara jacket which comes in a variety of unique designs.

  • Elegant and exclusive

    Elegant and exclusive

    A COOL new look! That is exactly what you should be looking for to rebrand your look this year. When you have a special event or date, then it is important to make sure it fits. There are so many choices, but it is better to pick the design that will be most appropriate for the event and your mood.

    This would definitely help to co-ordinate your total outlook with other elements of this special day. To stand out, it is better to opt for something that is the exclusive. For a design that speaks class, it is better to make use of matching accessories that would make you carve a niche as well as complement your outlook.

    accessories

  • Back to the boyfriend jacket

    Back to the boyfriend jacket

    HAVING a great-fitting pair of boyfriend jackets in your wardrobe can really help you create some great outfits.

    That is why boyfriend jackets apart from blazers are the second pick for a wardrobe-must. These are items you have that are not especially trendy and can be paired with lots of great stuff to create your own unique look.

    Boyfriend jacket is a great basis for a stylish outfit, especially a darker pair, you can dress them up or down.

    From statement jewellery in between, there are lots of essential party accessories to make sure you dazzle in boyfriend assemble. The heels work well with the boyfriend jacket and the accessories add that much- needed glamour which will work perfectly with the top. Looking for something a little different than the usual boyfriend blazer? I think this might be what you are looking for! The cut of the little dress makes it just a little more feminine and dressy.

  • Be distinct with the pearl

    Be distinct with the pearl

    Getting set for the wedding day can be a delight. Yetunde Oladeinde takes a look at the pearl as an accessory and how it can make you distinct as you step out in style.

    THE best thing that can happen to any bride is to look fantastic and be the toast of everyone. This way, she is likely to feel complete and proud that her day has been personalised. To do this effectively, you need to get creative and make use of your selling points and special features.

    For the bride, getting the right accessories to complement the bridal gown can be a delight. You can make your dreams come through once you know and understand the effect that you want to achieve on your D-day. When it comes to choosing accessories with panache for the day, the pearl comes to mind. For so long, it has proved to be the accessory for ladies with class and in spite of its simplicity.

    The bride can therefore opt for the regal look with the pearl experience. Interestingly, the pearl is known to symbolise wealth, wisdom and feminity. It connotes elegance, high fashion and more. It is a hard lustrous spherical mass, typically white or bluish grey, formed within the shell of a pearl oyster or some other highly prized material as the gem. It speaks volume in terms of quality and you have a variety of exciting options like the priced freshwater and glass pearl design.

    On the list of wonderful treasure that you can make use of in the pearl family is the bridal shoe designs with pearl studs on the fringe and other interesting parts of your choice design. The pearl can also take you into a wonderful adventure with headbands, jewelry sets, pendants and more.