In the Office
Women:
I heard on the radio that women were spending a ton of money on their looks before going back to work. I don't see the point of that-going all high maintenance for a few weeks (or days) and then going back to a practical style that takes zero preparation. Balance is key! Spend no more than ten minutes on your make-up and hair -come on, waking up 15 minutes earlier won't kill- to make sure that you are always neat and well-groomed. For starters, I wouldn't recommend completely changing your hair-lots of women wanting to make an impression back in the office will straighten their awesome curly hair and vice versa, and then go back to their natural hair after some time. Keep it natural and fuss-free while working, always changing it up-an updo one day, a pony the other, maybe even a braid (make it dead simple and neat though!). As for make-up, natural is best. I don't like walking in to an office and asking information to a superbly overdone woman with tons of powder-it just hurts the eye, nor do I like women who don't use make-up at all (I mean unless you are just really supernaturally gorgeous, but trust me, a bit of mascara can go a long way!). Just some tinted moisturiser, mascara, slightly pink or blush-nude lipstick, a little contouring or highlights on the cheek and voila! Keep in mind though that no matter how gorgeous you look, a smile and a hello is essential!
I love this look, seen in Gossip Girl:
I wrote an article awhile back on dressing for work that might help:
Men,work the office (and street) with style! I don't see you showing off your style choices or anything, its always just so bland, bland, bland. Shirt + tie + trousers. Sure, you can't switch those up too much unless you want to go the Jean Paul Gaultier way and wear a skirt, but there is so much choice and variety in material, colour, texture and detail that you must pay attention to. Cuff links for instance, reveal so much on your style and personal taste that no matter how small they are they do not go unnoticed, and this goes for your choice of tie, watch, briefcase and accessory (bracelet or necklace etc) which are primordial, and don't forget a stylish hat for when you leave the office! A good crisp shirt, well ironed trousers that were chosen with colour combinations in mind go a long way. One of my favourite shops for men is Celio, and here are some of the key pieces you can wear both in the office or on days out.
The choice and shape of buttons, simple detail to many, is of great importance. My boyfriend for example fell in love with a sharp white Celio shirt because the buttons were square, and it really looks awesome. Your eye takes in detail, don't forget,and what catches and pleases the eye pleases the soul!
Colour combinations are important. Wearing something as light and airy as pink would look garish if paired with something too strong which removes all the mood pink has. Beige keeps the look grounded and fresh.
I am in love with V-neck sweaters.
Cuffs make a statement!
At University
Experiment, experiment, experiment. ENOUGH with the simple t-shirt and jeans combos. HAVE FUN.
This is the time of your life where age-appropriate dressing for you guys = stylish randomness pulled out of your chic closet. This is no time dressing like you are above 30, nor is it the time to wear stilettos walking from one end of the campus to the other. Accessorise, discover your style, keep in mind that good taste is everything, and please no matter how tiring studying gets don't turn up in slacks. I see too many people heading to uni looking a) inappropriate-it is still an academic institution, reserve the deep v-necks and very short hemlines, stilettos and other shoes above five inches for another day (and if its trashy, bin it!), b) too conservative, as if the weight of their world is on their shoulders, with outfits that seem to drain the life out of them. There isn't only one type and wash of denim available, and there are plenty of cute trousers and skirt options! In the same respect, t-shirts can be swapped for tops and blouses, and layered with jackets (make them sleeveless in hot weather) in materials that breathe such as cotton.
Back to School
Uniform
Don't think your options are limited just because you have a strict school that hates jewellery of any kind and expressions of individuality! Detail is all important, from the laces of your shoes to your shoes, to the choice of your studs, your bag, your sweater/blazer/cardigan in colder weather, your hairstyle, and you could even fake a sickie and get off wearing a scarf (don't tell them I said it!).
Non-uniform
Cute flats, skirts and jeans, tops and even a cute blouse, jersey wrap dresses...choices are endless. Always keep your look clean cut, non-provocative and as fresh as possible (which comes easy for the youth of today...sigh. I am only 19 but school feels like an eternity ago!).
Style on the Streets
As you may have heard on Facebook, Khatleen Minerve and I went out to shoot the best dressed at Bagatelle!Next week we'll be somewhere new, stay tuned when the location is revealed!(Hint: it's still in the centre of Mauritius).
Sadiya Damry
She works a leopard print dress from Topshop (UK), a quilted shoulder bag from Ibiza (Bagatelle), black sandals from Mr Price and accessorised the look with an owl pendant from Miss Selfridge (UK). Her hair is absolutely perfect, and this look is one of my absolute favourites! Sadiya likes to shop at Mr Price, Ibiza and Truworths.
Noorina Cader
She sports a black eyelet lace dress from Zara Collection and has accessorised her look with sandals from Ibiza, a shoulder bag from Mr Price and an owl pendant from Eclipse (Port Louis). The soft cream paired with dark blue make for a beautiful, classic colour combination! Her favourite shops are Ibiza, Woolworths and Mr Price.
Nahida Damry
Virginie and Meelan
Virginie sports a very nautical inspired outfit with the beautiful colour combinations of navy blue, red and black and white. She wears a dress from Naomie Boutique and a satchel bag from Time Palace. She likes shopping at MANGO and ANGE Boutique (Orchard Centre, Quatre Bornes). Meelan works a tank top from Red Snapper, which she paired under a skirt from Zara (that has such a beautiful print) and has accessorised with a fringed messenger bag and shoes from Australia.
Meelan's nails follow a huge trend that started back last year known as the crackle nail effect.
Sandrine and Steffi
This is the perfect example on how a couple of very cute accessories really transform a basic outfit! Think: top and shorts, a very basic combination, but with the use of accessories it becomes a really chic day-friendly outfit! Sandrine wears a top from Fashion House and shorts from Rezo Chic, which she paired with sandals from ALDO, a necklace from China and a shoulder bag from Singapore. Steffi sports a Roxy top over a pair of dark denim shorts bought in Rosehill and a shoulder bag from Australia.
Cheryl
Cheryl wears the cutest white dress with broderie anglaise detail from Australia, which she paired with a Rezo Chic soft blue scarf and the cutest fedora hat!
Dawn
Dawn is dressed from head to toe in Australian labels, and has chosen the most fantastic colour palette for her outfit: a petrol blue messenger bag, a deep blue skirt with a pop of fuchsia ballet flats, with a feminine polka dot beige top complete with a skinny white belt.
Arlana
Arlana is also dressed in head to toe Australian labels, and sports a pretty pink sorbet top (so on trend!) with the perfect blue denim shorts, a Cerulean blue bag and nude brown sandals, a clean, polished yet casual outfit!
Soufia
Shabneez
Anne-Camille
I am soooo in love with her outfit! She paired a bright orange Red Snapper top with a layered skirt from Mr Price which has an interesting twist to leopard print-instead of yellow and black, is multicolour and black (click on the photo to see larger detail!). Her mint green, pale orange and exotic purple sequinned bag is from India, and her sandals and earrings are from Accessorize.
Vijaya and Vutti
Very multicultural outfits! Vijaya sports a grey top she bought in Thailand, a necklace she found here in Bagatelle, metallic sandals from South Africa, a sweet pink tote from Vincci (Malaysia), whilst her daughter Vutti sports a very sophisticated look, wearing Australian labels: A dress from Dotti, bangles from Valley Girl, a shoulder bag from Logo and killer lace up booties from Rubi.
Melissa
How I love denim dresses! Melissa pairs hers from Jay Jays with adorable pink ballet flats from Which Wich
and a satchel bag from Wayne Cooper, all Australian labels! Perfect colours, adorable look!
Ian
Ian totally works the athletic trend that has swept up the fashion capitals of the world, especially London gearing up for the Olympics. Very distinctive and different to what we usually see locally. He has paired a pastel purple sleeveless T-Shirt from KMART with a pair of pastel blue shorts from Cotton On and sneakers from VANS, all from Australia.
As you may have noticed, I took lots of photos of Mauritian students in Australia back for their holiday, which is really excellent as it inspires our locals to broaden their fashion spectrum and experiment!
Have an awesome week and weekend and see you next week!
xoxo
Alex
Twitter: @StyleMauritius
Email: Stylemauritius@live.com
Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/user/StyleMauritius
