I have this growing obsession with hooded dresses. Oddly, I do not own any… yet!
The book I’m reading:
Oh my! This book is magnificent! Look at that dance move! Dare you to try it! Smile.
Thanks for visiting African Essence.
Kush Queendom
Got time to browse? http://www.afropunk.com/ www.zmalfashion.com
In the Midwest weather used to be simple. We would have cold Winters, warm Springs, hot Summers, and moderate Falls. Times have changed and sometimes the seasons blend. I have no complaints! I actually love the complexities of weather. Everyday is an exploration. I no longer pack away my winter or summer clothes for storage. Everything stays in the closet year round. Sunday I wore shorts and today I had on heavy socks and insulated shoes. That’s how it is these days!
Just go with the flow of the sun. Since, the seasons can no longer dictate the dress code, wear what is befitting of the day. This is a wardrobe check to help you transition into “autumn-like” weather…
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WHAT I AM WEARING FROM HEAD TO TOE
CONSUMERISM. I went to Forever21 a few months back and was amazed to see that the clothing store had expanded to twice its size. It was ridiculously overwhelming so much that I vowed not to return! It was just entirely too much clothing. It looked like a sweat shop had thrown up in that place! I decided then that I would wear what I have and try not to spend any money on clothes. People think that I buy buy buy, but I have had most of my wardrobe for years. I was the same clothing size for about 10 years. Recently this changed and I had to buy a few items. Before this, my clothes lasted… 🙂 Honestly, I admit that my closet is stretched so I am not going to be doing much shopping until at least Summer 2014. I am saving for some trips/vacations so I will see how this balances out.
Peace and so much love!
The Kush Queen for African Essence
P.S. As much as I am drawn to some decorative clothing, we have to be careful not to become wasteful, penniless consumers. Check out Lauryn Hill’s new song called CONSUMERISM. I love her. If you don’t see the track below refresh the page. 🙂
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE “HOW TO WEAR CAMOUFLAGE GUIDE” SO GET READY! Stay TUNED FOR next week’s guide on “HOW TO WEAR MUD CLOTH.”
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE. USE THE ARROWS TO BROWSE.
THE MEN’S STYLES ARE AT THE BOTTOM.
If I have to love anything about trends this year, it is definitely army fatigue and camouflage attire. Although it has been around for decades, it is one of Autumn’s biggest fashion highlights. When you go to stores such as H&M, Forever21, DEB, Rainbow, Wet Seal, Macy’s, Dillards, Rue 21, Body Central, Urban Outfitters, Target or anywhere, you will see it plastered on every mannequin from pants and leggings to jackets, hats, backpacks, scarves, shoes, and even cell phone accessories, coffee mugs, watches, purses and dog clothes. I’ve always liked the camouflage design. Browsing the web, I saw some ladies who looked really fly in their army fat:
Note: This is sort of a long entry because I wanted to show you that there are so many ways to be creative with army fatigue. So scroll all the way through to get the full experience. If you click on an image, use the arrows to go to the next image and as always please do not be afraid to FOLLOW African Essence using your email address. Look for the follow buttons on the page. I love you too! Peace.
In order for me to rock the jackets they definitely have to be cut a certain way. I like them cropped, military cut, and I even like the suit jackets. I DO NOT like rhinestones or any funny patches attached. Some of the jackets above have added studs, but I do not like that part of the design. Maybe you do? I actually dig awkward zippers and pockets, but that is it as far as I go.
Men look great with this look. Do you agree?
Overall, I will continue to buy camouflage attire because it just sits well with me. However, paying super high prices for it is not an option. Often times you can get it at a Thrift Store. Again, I do not like the studs on Army Fat/Camo and I do not like the actual word “ARMY” being on the clothing. However, to each their own.
The Kush Queen for African Essence
I read that leggings that are worn as pants, have been banned in many schools across the country because they are said to be distracting and too revealing. Employers are banning them for the same reasons, adding that they contribute to harassment and are unsafe. I comprehend. Of course we can argue the truths and untruths of this matter, but the bottom line is, a person has to have self-awareness and esteem to be able to understand why leggings may not be the best choice of attire when in search for success and positive attention. Ladies, do what you feel, but be prepared to receive what you get. I am here to offer alternatives so that you won’t be attacked, embarrassed, or harassed.
Here is how I wear my leggings:
I have my reasons for not liking leggings… I saw a young lady the other day who, judging from her demeanor and attitude, could not have been over the age of 14. She was very irritated because some boy made a rude comment about her rear end. 😦 Well, she had on leggings and was wearing them as pants, so I’m like… hmmmm… wait a minute. Before we get too angry, let’s talk about self-awareness. She was very shapely for her age and that is OK, but she probably should not have had on leggings as pants. You might want to consider how you wear those leggings young lady! Should you wear a long shirt to cover your behind or perhaps a dress so that your body will be less revealed?
What could she have done differently as to not attract negative attention and energy? Just last month a guy got arrested at my job for approaching some little girls in a sexual manner. It was disgusting. He had been watching them and decided that he’d make his move. I observe the girls every time I am at work, paying attention to what they wear and a lot of it is not cool. Many times I see the young girls raising up their shirts to show their stomachs in public and talking loud, and wearing see through shirts so that the boys can see their bras. And more often than I care to witness, they wear too tight and too small clothing that is a cry for attention. It is just a bit much for a child to be wearing leggings as pants. Actually, I can’t believe how many of them do. I wish that I could say that it is OK to wear anything no matter how tight, but after observing predators, I would cover my child up. That guy wasn’t the first guy I saw go after a child. It saddens me because I wish the world was simple enough to where things were NOT looked at in a sexual way. But the reality is: SEX IS USED TO HYPNOTICALLY DISTRACT AND we have to be careful not to become a victim of the SEX. I work in a public place where I see a whole lot of inappropriateness and hyper-sexuality and I cry. I cry inside for people who have been bamboozled into thinking that letting it all hang out, will get them what they want.
Let’s talk prevention. We can avoid a lot of negative behavior by wearing things that compliment our femininity rather than our sexuality.
Peace and love… I only say these things because I want you to receive the respect you deserve. I’ve made my wardrobe mistakes and wearing too-revealing clothing was one. I do not want or need the wrong kind of attention. I also do not want to be a sexual distraction. I would much rather grab the attention of your mind.
All I can say is that when I dress like a Queen, I am treated as such.
It’s all love,
The Kush Queen of African Essence
Avoid this: WHEN TRENDS GO WRONG…
It’s that time of the year where the weather is turning from cold to warm. I typically choose to wear rain boots during this season. If I want my feet to stay extra warm on those days where it is cold and rainy, I add leg warmers to this style. I love these boots! I got them for under $25 at Kohl’s in 2011. However, I recently saw them there, so in many cities you may still be able to get them. Actually they were cheaper. These beautiful purple rain boots were originally $59.99. However, remember, I rarely pay full price for anything! Now why would I do that? If it matters any to you, I receive tons of compliments about these boots because the color is so vibrant. I do not mind telling people where I got them- from older ladies with gray hair to gentlemen, they all seem to like these ones.
You can cuff your jeans and wear them this way.
I have not had any problems with these boots falling apart or being made cheaply. The quality seems to be ok, with only the label on the back of the boot peeling (bottom heel). Actually, I can do without the label. If it comes off, so be it. They are durable and I would give them a 5 out of 5 stars.
… wear them with leg warmers…
Outfit elements: Purple rain boots by Aqua Stop (Kohl’s); Different Colours All Beautiful Say No to Racism sweatshirt by H&M (on clearance $5); Nail polish: Green With Envy by Orly ($6); Watch by Fossil (shops normally in malls); sterling silver jewelry from Passport to Peru and Red Geranium; leg warmers (check stores like Claire’s or DSW)
Peace and Love,
Queen Duafe for African Essence
Outfit Elements:
1. The Crown- I really love my hair short. I’ve kept it short for the past 6 six years or so. Right now, my grooming regimen is simply brush curls. This is- taking the softest bristled brush you can find and brushing your hair in a circular motion, allowing the natural curl pattern to become very defined. I use a a shea oil mixture from aiiznaturals.com to condition the follicles. I then use a non-flake gel (Eco Styler) to hold the curls in place. However, most of the time the gel isn’t necessary. The curls will just stay because I have tightly coiled hair.
2. Manicure- Clear polish.
3. Make-up- I normally like my lips tinted, but I am not wearing any make-up in these series of photos.
4. Jewelry- I wore two sets of earrings. The first set was a bronze colored pair that I got from Kohl’s. The second pair, I got from a natural hair fair that came to my city about 3 years ago. An African vendor sold them for $15 a pair. She made them and painted them by hand. The rings were from various vendors at festivals. They are copper. One is shaped like an ankh and the other is an abstract design. I wear them often. The large bracelet is from an annual African street festival held on Jefferson Ave in Nashville, TN between Fisk and Tennessee State University.
5. Dress- DOTS (on clearance for about $7)
6. Tan sweater- JCP ($20); multi-colored sweater- DEB ($5); large reversible scarf- Forever 21 (maybe about $14)
7. Stockings- Target ($6 on sale)
8. Fringe boots- $10 (Sears/Kmart website on sale w/ free shipping!)
9. Notes & Style Rules: It is rare that I pay full price for any item of clothing or pair of shoes. It is mos def possible to dress for cheap. The items that I like, people don’t normally go for, so I can find them for dollars. Also, I am not into designer brands. So no, I did not need the Minnetonka boots although I know that they are a better quality. Maybe one day, but not for now. I didn’t need to spend much money. These cheaper fringe boots are working out just fine for me.
The dress was a great find. I love the textured look. It matches the stockings. I’ve gotten similar dresses from the thrift store.I do not like a lot of the clothes at DOTS because they look cheap, but the key is to go for those items that you can make look more elegant.
Also, have rules to what you can and cannot buy. For example, I do not ever wear stripes! I think stripes do not compliment what I am- my skin tone, my hair, my mind- they are just not for me. In the cheap female clothing stores you will see a lot of stripes. People go for that, but I go for the items with patterns or for the items that are plain. Another of my rules is not to purchase anything with a logo or name brands unless its something I got from the thrift store. I do no like to rep any company.
Overall, because I buy for cheap, I can splurge on other things when I need to. I work in a casual environment so if I wanted to wear this outfit to work, I would put on the longer sweater so that my butt would not show. At night, to go out with friends, I can wear the orange sweater with the designs. It does not cover the butt (keep in mind it is still appropriate for the African Essence Queen, nothing too revealing). Also, I convert all earrings to clips. I cannot get pierced ears because they don’t agree with my body. I buy clips on earrings at Claire’s on clearance and remove the clips and use them on other earrings. I also buy them from JoAnns Fabrics but they don’t sell any comfortable clip-on findings.
Queen Duafe for African Essence
Grace-full💜🌙
seeking solace in the horizon of life and beyond
When is Kwanzaa and my daily Kwanzaa practice
"Enlightening Through Words Of Wisdom"
"I saw the Angel in the marble, and carved until I set him free"
BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
Prime my subconscious, one hint at a time
WE CREATE YOUR FAIRY EVENTS
Earth & Ether 