Comments, Questions and Answers!

I have been receiving A LOT of feedback from all of you in comments and emails, and was waiting till the Misconceptions series was over (for the time being) before getting back to you - all of the comments and critiques deserve to be featured in a proper article, not way down at the bottom! Every comment is valid and has much value - its primordial to see different issues in as many different ways and opinions as possible. I have published those you can see in the comments section, because they were already on the blog. If you emailed me with a comment or question, let me know whether I can make that public too ( I won't if you don't, obviously!)

On Misconceptions Part 1:

Comment:

"this is definitely very useful to any girl!

what I would like to see as a reader a simple example under every description to visually keep that in mind!"- Emma Thiternik Grigoryan.

Answer:

I can't believe I forgot to add photos! That was quite stupid of me. So voila, I'm making it up here:

Feminine clothes that enhance the famed 'hourglass' figure are always desirable

See how the skirt nips in perfectly at the waist? You can really achieve this effect by using a belt in case the skirt doesn't nip in enough. The neckline really enhances the hourglass figure by giving structure and dimension to her shoulders and bust, thus acting as a contrast to the waist!

Straight Leg Jeans are safer and more often that not more flattering than skinny jeans

Skinny Jeans: See how it ends a little above the ankle? That can look disastrous.

Straight Leg Jeans: Not only do they give your skin more breathing space, the overall look is longer and sleeker.

Colour Blocking

A bright colour will always emphasis and draw attention to a certain part of your body, whereas a darker colour will not do so, as it doesn't catch the eye's attention.

Semi-Fitted Styles

Tight, form fitting top, and a gentle draped skirt.

Keep necklines open.

The beautiful Gabourey Sidibe.

Draping

Shorter, fitted jackets will flatter both your legs and waist.

Fuller Figured

Petite Girls

Reese Witherspoon (1m59)

Boyish Figures

On Misconceptions Part 2: The Myth of the Metrosexual

Emma gave a fresh new perspective on the article, which you should all read. It makes the article complete.

Comment:

"I have mixed feelings with this article. First - I absolutely got the idea you were trying to pass, but then I know lots of men! I'll not go far away, I can simply take my husband, brother, father, cousins and friends around - and without thinking a second I can tell that it is vise versa. It is not that most of the men border themselves and so their wardrobe because of the stereotypes, but because it's not the big point of their life (if not out of it most of the time).

They find it uninteresting and useless and express their selves by their lifestyle, work, achievements and a huge list of other things which are far more important for men. Believe me real man would do what he finds right for him - and no stereotypes or borders can stop him. That makes man - being able to make decisions on their own and be completely sure on them.

And here I see the obvious "DO THIS" - otherwise you are not living the way you wont. Those, who would like to change their wardrobe will do that once the feel they want to as it's not the matter to look fashionable or with tweaks and so on, it is about feeling comfortable in what you are. And for most men "feeling comfortable" represent the direct meaning of it, when that meaning represents completely other thing wor women :) we might put on the most uncomfortable shoes just to feel comfortable in them, and agree or not it is a truth :)

So yes, I absolutely agree it's all about the freedom to choose, and that is very important. What I wanted to tell is that whatever men puts on before getting out, that's how he feels comfortable. So let them put on whatever they want to, so respecting their choice instead of "stereotyping" them of not doing what we expect them to do. "

On Misconceptions Part 3: There is Only One Way

Question

Here was a question I thought about and researched all week to find an answer to. Thank you Anonymous commenter for raising this question!

"I am a huge fan of your blog and I have been following your every post for quite some time now. I would like to know your thoughts on sales of "pre-owned", "preloved","vintage" or "second hand" (Whatever you want to call it :) ) clothes or "troc et echange" of clothes in Mauritius.

I know that it is very popular in many countries such as France, the UK or Australia, however I wonder whether it is a conceivable idea in Mauritius (due to countless misconceptions).

What do you think?

I would also like to make a little comment on the article:

I believe that, we Mauritians always misconceive the notion of fashion and we sometimes hold too much on what "others think of us". We tend to hold back in the sense that we try to conform ourselves to a norm, in order not to be unconventional.

But fashion is about expressing oneself, and I think we are not able to do that because (sadly) what others think is as important as what we wear!"

Answer

You are totally bang on target with the Mauritian mentality problem!

Now on vintage, there is a difference I would like to point out for general info:

An antique: "a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago." (Merriam Webster) i.e about and pre 1900s.

Vintage: That goes back around 20 to thirty years or so, so that means anything 80s is currently vintage.

Retro: Not of the current style period, I believe its applied now to the 90s (though it could technically be of any decade).

For second hand or pre-owned products, I think that most commercial exchanges are done online via facebook groups such as Direct Sales (I have seen a few examples of clothes being sold), and on the marche aux puces and fancy fairs. I haven't seen a proper boutique dealing in second hand clothes (or vintage, or retro in fact) here, and its not for a lack of searching. If anyone knows, please do share!!

It is a conceivable idea once we understand that although Mauritius is very small, many people have been influenced by what was going on in the world way back when, though communication was limited. You must have seen photos of your parents/relatives/friends in the 80s with big hair and shoulder pads! And so I think this whole concept will take root once we start valuing this heritage and stop rudely dismissing them as 'old'.

I, for example, have 'borrowed' a couple of my mum's shirts she never wears any more, that date back to the 80s. The only thing making it look weird are the shoulder pads, which I snipped off.

If people then started collecting and then exchanging/selling these clothes, we could have a real vintage market here, and that would be awesome considering all the lovely culture blends we have!

On Vogue Italia! :

There's another Mauritian photographer featured!

Audrey Albert