Spring Fashion

While I am not your typical OOTD kind of girl, I do consider myself a fashionista.  Though the calendar says that it is Spring, even if it doesn’t feel like it, you should be ready to rock your spring finds and prepare for summer since it is just around the corner.  I am trying my best to stop gravitating toward black, my go to color, and this year I definitely plan to experiment with color as well as print.  Here are a few observations I have made about Spring and Summer fashion trends.

Skin Is In

If you are shy about shoulder, leg or cleavage, then you are going to be left behind.  There are more dresses with splits, distressed jeans, strapless tops and dresses and off the shoulder items than I have seen in a long time. Fashion is becoming more daring and I am definitely here for all of it.  Just check out your latest stores and designers and you will see skin, skin and more skin.

Affordable Fashion

When stars promote stores such as Fashion Nova, and show you that you can be cute, trendy and not broke.  Thanks to stars like Cardi B.  who show us that your don’t have to go broke to look fabulous.  Other stores like Forever 21, JCPenney and GS Love also show us that Plus Size and Curvy girls can look cute and still have some coins left over.  None of the items in this post is over $50.00.

Tribal Prints

While this has been a trend for a few years now, it is not going away.  Especially with all of the stunning prints we witnessed in Black Panther, tribal prints will be around a little longer.  Not just for skirts and headwraps anymore, look for them on jackets, tops and pants.  They are everywhere.

Florals

Another trend that is not going away soon.  I have never really been a fan of florals, however I have found myself with several floral pieces in my wardrobe thanks to the modern and trendy way florals have been showing up lately.  From skirts and tops to swimsuits and dresses, the new modern floral is definitely a trend that I can embrace.

Camo

Not just for the military anymore, camo is everywhere.  The great thing about camo is that it can be worn as a neutral, so you can mix and match it with any color.  One great thing about the new trendy camo is that you can find it in dresses, jackets, pants, and tops.  Another great thing is that it is styled to fit.

Jumpsuits

They are all over the place.  And not just the denim overalls.  There are cute trendy jumpsuits available for all shapes and sizes.  They are available in solids, prints and patterns.  The options are endless.  To me a jumpsuit is a great way to go from work to play with the use of a jacket or sweater, and they can be worn with heels, flats or tennis shoes.  No matter how you style them, jumpsuits are a great on trend item.  (see the two in the floral section).

No matter where you may find yourself on the fashion scale or what your budget may be there is something out there for you.  Whether, floral or tribal, skin exposed or more covered, fashion is always your best accessory.  No matter the season or reason in most cases when you look good you feel good.  So here is to looking good and here’s to find trends that you love at prices you can afford.

 

Be Blessed, Be Fabulous!

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New Black Girl Magic

I must admit, I have never really been a fan of tennis, but recently my bae sat down and explained the game to me and now that I understand how things work and now that I can follow the game I actually enjoy watching it.  Another thing that has me checking tournament schedules and sitting in front of the TV is all of the #BlackGirlMagic I see on the screen.  So now we don’t only have to watch Venus and Serena we have so many more talented tennis players to watch.

Venus and Serena are not the only two faces we see in tennis that look like us.  I love watching the Williams sisters play, their strength, power and control are bar none.  They show with each and every match they play that their star status was not given to them that it was earned.  And while they are aging out in tennis years, they have blazed a trail that is being followed by a new batch of strong, dedicated and winning African American girls and girls of color.  Not only are these talented young ladies following this trail they are paying homage to the two sisters from Compton, California that made more girls like me take a notice to the game of tennis.

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So if you are not a tennis fan, I encourage you to get to know the game or if nothing else watch these rising stars as they take their place among the tennis elite.

Sloane Stephens                                                                                                                           Sloane just won the Miami Open a few days ago and she is definitely one to watch.  A native of Plantation, Florida this young woman is a tennis star on the rise.  Sloane also won the US open last year (2017) and has at least 6 singles titles under her belt.  Her athleticism and power during her matches make her great to watch.  She is definitely going places and will be winning more titles in her career.

Sachia Vickery                                                                                                                           Another Florida native, Sachia Vickery is just as enjoyable to watch as the Williams sisters and Sloane Stephens.  Vickery admits that Serena Williams is one of her idols as well as tennis great Martina Hingis.  My first time watching Sachia was during the Indian Wells Tennis tournament and she was powerful as she took out the third seed to advance.  She did not win the tournament however she did give an amazing performance.

Naomi Osaka                                                                                                                                 Osaka, born in Japan won the Women’s Division of the Indian Wells tournament.  Osaka the daughter of a Haitian father and Japanese mother was a silent threat.  You can tell by her demeanor that she is shy, but she is not shy on the tennis court.  She was able to advance through each round, even taking out Sachia Vickery at the Indian Wells BNP Paribas tournament to win the title.  The 20 year old was able to walk away with the largest amount of prize money in her career.  There is so much more to be seen from this talented powerhouse.

Madison Keys                                                                                                                         Rounding out this list of #BlackGirlMagic tennis players to watch is Madison Keys.  Madison is from Illinois (yaaa for a homestate representative) and she is just as dynamic on the tennis court as Sloane, Sachia and Naomi.  Madison’s tennis idol is Roger Federer and he is definitely a great person to admire.  Madison is coached by former tennis great Lindsay Davenport and is ranked in the top 10 of players in the Women’s Tennis Association.  I haven’t yet seen her play but I am looking forward to it.

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The best thing about each of these young women is that there are at the beginning of their tennis careers and they have a long was to go.  I look forward to many more years of watching them play and watching them keep the mantel that Venus and Serena created.  The strength, power and professionalism of these young women make them great already with only greater things ahead of them.  Look out WTA, #BlackGirlMagic on the rise.

 

Be Blessed! Be Fabulous!

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