THE LAST MINUTE WEDDING GUEST

Your childhood friend Sharon, calls to say she is getting hitched in two months, oh wow, congratulations you scream back at her, such awesome news, who is he?, how are the preparations going? and it goes on and on….

Fast forward one month, three weeks and five days later, it hits you - OMG, Sharon’s wedding is this weekend and you’ve got no clue on what to wear. The thought of reconnecting with so many old friends at the wedding who haven’t seen you in ages, makes it even more important you look your best. How do you get the best outfit?

One of the most difficult parts of preparing to attend a wedding is finding the right thing to wear. If you’re feeling the pressure to look your sharpest for those upcoming nuptials, here are five tips to ensure that you’re the best-dressed guest at any wedding you attend:

Determine the right color for your skin tone;

Before you buy any new outfit, you should know how to choose colors that flatter your skin tone. Choosing the wrong color can make your skin and even your hair appear dull, while the right colors for your skin tone can make you look vibrant. So though you might get the right outfit style wise for your body, if those colors aren’t working for your skin tone, darling you just wasted a good outfit.

To test if an outfit color is good for your skin tone, Hold the clothing color up to your face, under your chin and look into a mirror, what do you see first? Your face or the clothing? Best if you see your face before the clothing. Also notice what the colors do for you - uplift you, wash you out or overpower?

We would talk more about colors on the next series.

 Accentuate your best asset

Though you should accentuate your favored asset, it’s important to remember that you are going to a wedding not a night party or a club. Your outfit can have ONE sexy element like a plunging neckline, short hemline, low back, or a body con fit, but no more than one.

In Melissa Coker’s words, “If it looks like something Jennifer Lopez would wear on tour, it's probably out of bounds for your friend's wedding.”

Avoid neutrals

I’m thinking most people know they should avoid wearing white to a wedding (or ivory or champagne, for that matter), unless you are the bride, add black to that list. Though black is traditionally a no-go, wearing a little black number to an evening wedding might work, as long as the dress feels fun and light. However, if there's even the slightest chance it could fit into a procession for the deceased, please put it back on the rack and slip into something more colorful.

Keep it sophisticated

Some interesting outfits to wear to a wedding are; a short prom-like dress (depending on your age range), doll dresses, a color block dress (with colors that suit your skin tone of course), vintage lace gowns, pencil/pleated skirts, stylish maxi dresses, flowery silk gowns, jump suits.

Accessorize

The right accessories bring out your clothing, just be careful not to be obnoxious with the style of your hat/purse/shoes/jewelry.

Most importantly, look and feel confident! If you try to stick to these guidelines above then you should be fine. 

For more in-depth clothing advise, kindly contact us via mail: info@crosswordcw.com or mobile: +234 8 018 450 7330.

FIRST DATES AND A TINT OF FASHION

Hi Darlings…seems like a decade since you heard from us, we definitely missed you all. Apologies for the silence, we would definitely make it up to you...sending lots of kisses.

The Christmas holidays are almost here…whoop whoop, definitely the best time of the year for me J; from the cool weather to the Christmas décors, parties, yummy dishes/pastries (thank Goodness for gyms), family time, serene choruses, and of course the presents! So you can imagine how excited I am. I am sure I’m not the only one that feels this way…Let’s not forget the romantic stuff, yep! Like the song goes, Christmas just ain't Christmas without the one you love.

Being single during the holidays can be tough, we have all been there at some point, (well I have). Besides having one less person to buy a present for, there's the awkward nagging questions/small talk from relatives at family parties, the endless fire cracking proposals being displayed on social media, with pictures of cute couples, while you keep watching, hoping and waiting....lol.

Wouldn’t we just love that first date to bloom to a long-term relationship (assuming he's your perfect match), especially with the upcoming holidays? Giving a good first impression sure has a lot to do with it, like the popular saying goes- ‘you only get one chance to make that good first impression’.

While getting ready for that date, here are a few tried and tested fashion tips to remember:

KISS IT (Keep It Simple and Sexy): While you might want to impress your date, this isn’t the time to wear that Avant Garde outfit or to use a multi-color blocking theme. You’ll look like you tried too hard, and your date might get a little scared, being overdone can also translate to high maintenance. Think classic styles depending on the venue, while not revealing too much flesh. E.g., drapey skirts, blouses with V-neck/sweetheart necklines, gowns which accentuate the waist, a fitted pair of jean / bright colored Tees. Skip the complicated stuff and save your trendier garments for future dates, you are better off teasing him with a hint of sexy and then leaving him wanting to see more.

Avoid Dark Colors, Especially Black: I know most ladies might prefer to wear that little black dress on a date. However, most men think black makes women seem older and unhappy. If you absolutely have to wear your LBD, then, at least, complement it with a colorful accessory or a bright necklace to add some life into your look. It’s no surprise that the most alluring color by far, holiday season or not, is (wait for it.. pause...) red! While everyone might not be open to wearing red, seeing it’s such a bold color, other colors like peach, pink, and purple, would work.

Dress up with Him in Mind: Use what you already know about him to make strategic choices on your outfit. E.g., if your date is shorter in height, maybe opt for flats over four-inch stilettos. There’s nothing wrong with a woman being taller than her man, but until you get to know him better, it’s best to be sensitive and not tower over him in case it’s something he’s self-conscious about. If he seems reserved, choose an outfit in the slightly more conservative range. This can be done fashionably without compromising your personal style.

Flaunt your Feminine Side: Don't choose an outfit that looks like it came out of his closet, e.g., a male's suit or baggy clothes. Wearing a feminine outfit, will make you look flirty, e.g. lacey things, florals, and dresses, especially ones that accentuate your best assets; a shorter one if you have good legs, a sleeveless one if your arms are toned or a cinched one if you have a tiny waist. If your style is more manly (tomboyish), try tone it down a little on your first date. You want him to be a man, so try look like a woman.

Choose Comfort over Fashion: I can’t stress this enough, do not wear something that is ill-fitting, itchy, doesn’t breathe well or shows perspiration easily (silk and satin). The idea is to project your genuine personality, which will be difficult if you are fussing with your clothing. It will also distract your date from the conversation. This especially applies to shoes; don't wear stilettos if you can't walk in them comfortably for 3-4 hours. He is more likely to notice your dazzling smile or your witty banter than those Louboutins anyway J .

Finally, when it comes to wearing makeup, don't go completely au naturel. Even if it's just a little bit of eye liner and a dab of mascara to brighten your eyes, you should choose to enhance your natural look. Lip gloss is especially key because it draws a man's eyes to your lips. (Just so you can swallow meals better...lol)

We would love to know other fashion tips that worked for you on your first dates based on Le boo's feedback. Guy's, we would also love to know your thoughts...