Fashion Icon – Michael Jackson

You may or may not know that yesterday, August 29th, Michael Jackson would have been 54 years old. It’s already been 3 years since his passing, but his legacy is one,  in my opinion, that will never be forgotten. Michael was an icon not just in the music world but in other areas as well, such as fashion. When you picture Michael, there are certain things that are synonymous with him and his image. He had a signature style and when you see similar things today in fashion, you instantly think of him. Which is why, for generations to come, he’ll be remembered for more than just his music. What things am I talking about?

Red Jacket With Zips

“Got to go thriller Mike Jackson on these n*ggas all I need is a f**king red jackets with some zippers,” this is a line from Drake’s single Over. Possibly due to the success of his thriller video, the red jacket that he wore in it took on its own persona. Whatever it was though, he owned this look.

Rihanna

Military Jackets

Like a true icon, most of what you do will be copied and recreated by others and this is certainly the case with the military styled jackets that he wore so often. Even his peers (other celebrities) copy his style.

Rihanna

The White Socks

Another signature look that he wore was the white socks. Not a look that everyone could pull off and one that most of us should leave alone but he did it so well.

Leighton Meester

One  Glove

Again this is a look that only a celebrity could pull off. I once heard a story of a relative of mine trying do this look, I’m not sure how that went down. Only Michael could do this and look so stylish and of course Beyonce.

Beyonce

Whether it be the moon walk, his dance moves or his hair, (I personally liked the curly look on him) everyone will remember him for something different. However, fashion icon is certainly a title  he deserves.

Tell us what you remember most about Michael?

50 Years Of Independence

This Friday 31st 2012, Trinidad and Tobago will celebrate 50 years of independence. The country first achieved independence on this date back in 1962 from the British. Some of our parents and grand parents may remember what it was like being part of the colony but for the younger generation, myself included, it’s a memory we will never have. To those who were around when we became an independent state, this 50th anniversary may seem like such a short period. Just think of all the memorable events they have been so fortunate to witness.

When you take a look at the bigger picture Trinidad and Tobago is nothing more than a spec on the map. Population 1.3 million and change we measure just over 5 thousand square km in combined size. What we lack in numbers and size though, we certainly make up for in grandeur. I’m honestly never shocked when one of our nationals or as a country we achieve something extra ordinary.  To be a Trini is certainly something special, well at least I think so.

Beaches in Trinidad and Tobago

Carnival

The Greatest Show on Earth

Keshorn Walcott

 (Gold medalist, 2012 Olympic javelin throw)

Anya Ayoung-Chee

(Project Runway season 9 winner)

Brian Lara

(Too many achievements to mention)

This Friday’s events will include the military parade and the independence day parade, which will be held in the capital city of Port of Spain. For many it will be a day of rest and relaxation either at the beach or at home with family or even recuperation after the House of Marley concert that takes place Thursday night. What are your plan for this Friday? What is or was your proudest moment as a Trini?

Here is hoping everyone has a safe and happy independence.

Back To School Outfit Ideas

It’s about that time again, the end of the summer vacation, the end of the endless relaxation, it’s time to head back out to school folks. Well for some of us at least. Maybe this is going to be your first semester at college or maybe you’re a returning student. If you’re into fashion, I’m sure you may be planning your outfits in your head already. Or if you’re the organized type, maybe you’ve already figured out what you’re going to be wearing for the first couple days or so. Either way, it’s a new school year and we all wanna look ‘fresh’, don’t we? Here are some put together looks that you can try or at least find some inspiration for your back to school outfits.

Jeans

Jeans are a staple for any college student because you can wear them with anything. Depending on your personal style, you’ll decide what type of top you want to pair your jeans with but be sure to consider the climate of your class rooms. Get in the habit of using sweaters and jackets just in case they are cold. Bright colors were a big hit all through the year, feel free to add a touch of color to brighten your outfit and to make them look more trendy.

Dresses

Lets face it, wearing jeans all the time can get boring. Try adding a few cute dresses to your school wardrobe. Make sure they are an appropriate length and style in accordance with your campus regulations. Pair your dresses with a blazer or sweater for a more put together look. When shopping look for simple prints in durable fabrics that are not too expensive.

Tops

Tees, polos and shirts should be another staple that you should add to your school wardrobe. They are stylish and in many cases inexpensive and as a student, cost always matters. Many colleges carry t-shirts and polos with the school’s name on it in various colors and sizes. Why not find out if your college has any such provisions. These can be great for everyday use or for those days when you simply can’t decide what to wear.

Plus Sizes 

If you have a  fuller figure I’ve got you covered as well. Go for jeans that are dark toned and  does not  have that pre-wash effect on the legs. The pre-wash effect makes the leg area appear wider, jeans without this tend to have a more slimming effect. Loose fitting tops are very fashionable right now, pair one of these with your jeans and simple accessories and don’t be afraid to add some color.

Tip

It is also important to have sensible footwear. We live in a tropical climate and the weather changes suddenly at times. Try investing in one of two pairs of sneakers for those rain days. I personally think converse sneakers look great with most anything. Ballet shoes and Oxfords are other alternatives to keeping those toes and heels covered and dry.

Whatever you do decide to wear and long as you have the confidence to match it, your gonna look great!

What are some of your back to school outfit ideas? Let us know, or send pictures to trufashionfink@gmail.com of what you wore to school and we’ll be sure to feature you on our blog.

Rihanna on Oprah’s Next Chapter

Did you guys happen to peep Rihanna last night on Oprah’s Next Chapter? I sure did, I had been excited about watching that interview for weeks. The interview took place on location in Barbados, which as we all know is where Rihanna’s from. Oprah always conducts interesting interviews and this one with little miss sunshine did not disappoint. Only difference was it seemed more personal, as though they were just friends hanging out and there just happened to be cameras recording.

Oprah touched on most of the things that I hoped for including issues surrounding the incident with her ex boyfriend, Chris Brown. They discussed what she learned from her late grand mother, how she became comfortable in her own sexual skin, her current relationship with Chris Brown, and her love for him, among other things. It was interesting to see another side of Ri Ri, apart from the artist and performer. She seemed very at ease, real and most important, honest.

After the actual interview, Rihanna drove, Oprah around her old neighborhood and took her to the house she grew up in. Then Rihanna surprised her mom with keys to a brand new home on the island.

If you just happened to miss the interview, be sure to check your local listing  as it will most likely be re-airing soon.

BET 2012 Awards Fashion Highlights

Did you watch the BET 2012 awards? I know I did. The show was filled with many memorable moments. Some of my favs included: Kevin Hart’s acceptance speech for best actor,( he’s so funny) and Jay-Z interrupting Kanye with the “excuse me imma let you finish” line, which was equally funny.

The fashion aspect of the show certainly did not disappoint. There were of course some O_O moments but I’ll let you be the judge of that. Here are some of the fashion highlights in case you missed it:

Taraji P Henson

Beyonce

Selita Ebanks

Willow and Jaden Smith

Nicki Minaj

LeToya Luckett

Megan Good

Lala

Kerry Washington

Tatyana Ali

Porscha Coleman

Michelle Williams

Wendy Raquel Robinson

Melanie Fiona

So what do you think? Any favorites? Let us know

Dressing For An Interview

You got the interview! You go girl! Now you’re wondering what you should wear. Don’t worry we’ve got your back. If you think what you wear to an interview isn’t that important, think again. How you dress to attend an interview is crucial and can make a big impression on interviewers/employers. Sure you’ve heard the saying, “dress for the job you want,” well this is all you need to remember when dressing for an interview.

What Is The Job?

What type of company or organization did you apply to and for what position? Do a bit of research into the organization, this will help not only when deciding what to wear but it may help when they ask questions like, “why did you select this company as a perspective employer?” (Yes you do sometimes get questions like that.) You may want to consider:

Do the employees wear uniforms?

What are the company’s colors?

Are they laid back or are they very formal?

If you applied for the position of a sales clerk in a very spunky clothing store, then a power suit is not going to cut it. If you are being interviewed for the position of a bank teller, there is no way you could show up in a pair of jeans and expect to be taken seriously. The interviewers need a preview of what you’d look like as part of their the staff. Give them that preview. This does not mean if you are being interviewed for the position of a life guard that you’d show up in a bathing suit and flip flops, be practical of course.

Dress For The job

After you’ve done a bit of research, you have an advantage. Take what knowledge you obtained and apply it to what  you decide to wear. Some positions are a give away. For example, if you’re being interviewed for a flight attendant position, choose a suit that has a similar color to what the attendants of that particular airline wear. You may want to put your hair in a bun or a ponytail and keep makeup and jewelry to a minimum. It is also important to wear a pair of stockings and closed toed shoes. Remember, you want to give them a preview of what you’d look like as part of the staff, show them that you can easily blend in.

Some Dos And Don’ts

Do wear a business/power suit when being interviewed for any cooperate type organization.

If in doubt, do wear a dress pants or skirt and dress shirt or blouse. You can’t go wrong this way.

Don’t wear too much makeup or anything that can be distracting like noisy hand bangles or netted stockings.

Do wear closed toed shoes. Close toed shoes make you look more professional and this is a standard you should have regardless of the job.

Do wear a pair of sheer pantyhose with skirts depending on the organization.

Above all else, do make sure that your appearance is neat and clean. Don’t be sloppy.

Do wear a pleasant smile with your outfit. It is the perfect accessory.

Tip: One of the first questions most interviewers ask is, “tell me about yourself.” No, they do not want to know about your hobbies and six cats. Tell them about your job related experience and why you’d be perfect for the position. Don’t let this one catch you off guard, be prepared.

Remember to always dress for the job you want.

Work Wardrobe Essentials

For those of us who work and in particular, in an office setting, will know just how troublesome it may be to decide what to wear every morning. For those of you who wear uniforms regardless of if you think it is tasteless, consider yourself lucky. You are speared the waste of ten minutes or more each day of standing in front of a closet, staring at clothes, hoping that the right items could just volunteer themselves. With the price of clothes and everything else these days, it may be difficult to maintain a large work wardrobe. By adding a few basic items however, it can make the task a little lighter because you’ll be able to mix and match and be creative with your outfits.

These are ten basic items to put on your checklist for work wear. These can be altered based on your own personal style and or figure so the you can get the best out of these items.

1. Pencil Skirt- Choose a skirt that falls on or slightly below the knee for a more classic look. Black is more all purpose but then so is grey. If a pencil skirt is not suited for your body type then choose something more appropriate but stick to knee length and the colors suggested.

2. Black Pants – It can be pleated or flat front, wide legged or pencil cut, it depends on your preference.

3. Well Made Dress – The color and style on this piece is flexible. The length should be around your knee.

4. White shirt of blouse- It does not have to be the traditional long sleeve shirt. Make your choice based on your personal style and or figure.

5. Blazer- Pick one that is versatile and can be paired with a range of colors.

6. Fun Cardigan- Have fun with this item in terms of color or pattern. Depending on where you work choose a basic color or go for a pattern.

7. Playful Skirt- Again have fun with this item in terms of color and patterns.

8. Basic Tees- These are great for layering or for dressing down on Fridays. Can be worn inside of jackets, cardigans and blazers.

9. Black Shoes- These should be selected based on comfort first and then style since they will most likely be worn for long hours. Close toed with a lower heel are always best suited for work.

10. Black Hand Bag- Black is perhaps the most versatile color so you can never go wrong with a black bag. Select something large enough to hold all your apparatus like wallet, makeup, lunch etc.

One item not mentioned above that is  essential to invest in is a well tailored suit. Not everyone likes suits (myself included) but it is great to have one at hand for that last minute interview. It will save you having to run out to buy one.

Tip: Invest also in some accessories like scarves and necklaces and a pair of pearl stopper earrings. These will come in handy to spruce up and change up the looks of your outfits.

Some stores that carry great pieces at affordable prices to add to your work wardrobe are Bang Bang and  Sweet 16. 

What are some of your work wardrobe essentials?