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Everyone wants to wear the latest trends, but imitation isn’t always the sincerest form of flattery if you can’t get it right. #Trending fashion writer Rhodé Marshall is here to help you navigate your wardrobe and answer all your urgent clothing questions.
I really love the big fur coats that shops are selling now, but I don’t know how to wear one without looking like a grandma. What can I style with it?
We all associate fur coats with our grans because they are such nostalgic fashion items. But the truth is that a fur coat is one of those pieces that has never been out of style. It comes around every winter, adding a touch of luxury to any outfit.
Regardless of what your personal style is, a fur coat works with almost every look.
You do risk looking bulky if you’re not sure how to style it, so make sure your coat is on the longer side (closer to your knees), and keep the rest of your outfit fitted and your accessories to a minimum.
And I hope it’s faux fur!
I really love things that sparkle, but I never know how to wear them. How would I wear a sequin piece like this?
I love things that sparkle as much as you do. But some of us love it more than others, therefore how you wear it depends on how extra and daring you are.
If you lean towards the more conservative fashion side and want to incorporate sparkle into your everyday wear, wear it with a pair of jeans (ripped jeans to dress it down even more or tuck it into a pair of mom jeans), tights with boots or dark stockings with stilettos.
Throw on a blazer with any of these suggestions.
I’m white and I love shweshwe cloth and African print. Am I allowed to wear it?
The iconic shweshwe print, which is now a distinctly African fabric, has its roots in Europe. It was actually introduced to us by German immigrants in the mid-1800s.
Over the years, it has evolved and become an important part of African celebrations and big occasions.
The shweshwe print specifically represents a major historical remnant of an intercultural past, with Pan-African, Eastern and Western dimensions testifying to a history of encounters and exchanges between humans across the globe.
But there’s a fine line between celebrating and appropriating cultural artefacts.
As black Africans, shweshwe is not just some print to us – we have a relationship with it and it’s an important part of our culture, not a Halloween costume.
So, if you are invited to a celebration and the dress code says “African attire”, there’s nothing to worry about because it’s an act of cultural solidarity and support.
That said, if you are wearing the clothing of another culture to intentionally offend or make fun of the group or to assert power over them, we have a problem.
Remember, wearing a culture’s print or garment comes with great responsibility. Don’t wear it because it looks nice; understand its meaning and where it comes from.
TALK TO US
Do you need fashion advise? SMS the keyword FASHION NEXUS and your question to 35697. You can also email Rhodé at rhode.marshall@citypress.co.za. SMSes cost R1.50. Please include your name and province.
