J’Nae Fixes: Fashions Agony Aunt #1
Let’s get ready to rumble…
J’Nae Writes is a newsletter exploring fashion, design, and style.
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Remember back in October when I announced I was going to be introducing something new to J’Nae Writes, a monthly occurrence on this newsletter where I'd be helping you, dear readers, with all of your fashion dilemmas and stylish queries?
Well brace yourselves, here it is - ‘J’Nae Fixes: Fashions Agony Aunt’ volume one.
Each month I’ll be tackling whatever unsolved fashionable scenarios you send my way. As the questions you send in can be lighthearted and funny, or deep and personal, I’ll be keeping readers anonymous. I want this to be a safe space where people can come to for advice and guidance, and a good laugh as well! So be kind in the comments.
Question one: After more than a year spent in lockdown, I've gotten into a bit of a style rut. I've been living in loungewear and my wardrobe feels tired and dated. I'm starting to meet friends again, date again, and just get back out there. What can I do so I feel like my old self again, but a more stylish version?
Dear reader, just know this - after more than a year spent in lockdown (depending on what part of the world you live in) and with imminent lockdowns looming, everyones got into a style rut. Myself included. Why would I want to wear anything tight and restrictive, anything fun and OTT, when all I've been wanting is comfy casual clothes that make me feel safe and secure? I’m sure there's some scientific proof, and actual cognitive reasoning for why we've all been gravitating towards our favourite joggers and fluffy socks in times of stress and anxiety, you'll have to google to find out more. But I'm here to answer your burning question, how do you feel like a more stylish version of your old self again? Truth be told, there's no easy answer, no quick fix. It's hard to know how to feel like our old selves again, let alone who that person even is anymore. As we remerge into a new world, of course it's natural to want to look good while we do it. I'd suggest rummaging through your wardrobe, trying some outfits on, and seeing what boosts your mood and makes you think ‘damn, I look good’. Think of some unexpected combinations and items you wouldn't normally pair together, then accessorise to the max. There's no harm in wanting to reinvent your look every once in a while and step outside of your comfort zone. Change can be a good thing if you let it. After a year inside, putting together new outfits can be fun and exciting. Also worth remembering, style is subjective. The only person who can decide you look stylish, who can make you feel like your old self again, is you.
Question two: I follow a lot of celebs on social media who I really look up to style wise. You know young street style faves like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and that whole crew. While I love what they wear I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing a lot of the same things as my body shape is a lot different - they’re slim model types, I'm round with belly rolls. How can I emulate their style, whilst still feeling comfortable in what I wear?
Feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing is an important fact in determining whether or not you feel good in what you wear. I'm not talking about whether or not something is comfy or cosy, I'm talking about not feeling self-conscious when you're out in public or running to the bathroom while you're at work to check your reflection in the mirror. As celebrities get back to their usual event calendar we are bound to see them getting papped here, there and everywhere, so they'll have no doubt upped their street style game. I’m sure these street style faves, along with their stylists who get paid a pretty penny, have been planning their ensembles for months and months. So yeah, we're getting served looks left right and centre. On the plus side it is nice to feel excited about clothes again. No two body shapes are the same, nor should they be, and this is perfectly normal. I think it should be celebrated in fact, and we need to get used to seeing bodies of all shapes and sizes in the mainstream. The world would be a really boring place if we all looked the same, don't you think? You may want to emulate your favorite celebrities' style, there's nothing wrong with that. But to make it work for you, you may need to tweak it a little. Are they wearing a certain colour combination you like, or is it more about the overall feel and vibes they are giving off? Or do you want to copy an exact look? Factor in your figure and body shape, what makes you feel good and confident, and what exactly it is that draws you to a certain celebrity look - then go from there.
Question three: I'm a modest fashion follower, for religious and cultural reasons I can't wear a lot of the latest trends as I cant show or expose my body in the same way. How can I stay on trend whilst still taking my religious and cultural beliefs into account?
Thanks to models like Halima Aden gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, and runways such as Max Mara along with various glossy editorials, modest fashion is being put in front of western audiences. It's not only due to religious and cultural reasons that people choose to dress modestly, for some it's just personal preference and they feel better this way. Since Istanbul introduced Modest Fashion Week in 2016, established and emerging designers have realised there's a huge market that's being undervalued. Modest fashion is open to everyone, it's not a trend that'll just fade out. But because it needs to be respected and valued in a different way, modest fashion can feel very uniform. It doesn't always align with current trends, making it harder to follow trends while dressing modestly. As you take your cultural and religious beliefs into account while trying to stay on-trend, I'd suggest opting for items you'd usually wear but maybe in a different print or texture. With the neon trend for example, why not go for a lime green turtleneck instead of a plain black one? Layer a houndstooth blazer over top and some black coated jeans, and you've got a stylish on-trend outfit that's respectful of your lifestyle whilst meeting all the criteria you need it too. On a seasonal basis, go for different tones and textures that reflect the current trends, and elevate what you'd typically wear. Just remember, your clothes need to work for you too. Can't find something you like that takes your various beliefs into account? Make it, or customize! The options are endless.
Remember to keep sending your questions in, commenting on the thread, sharing this post, and using the #jnaesfixes hashtag on Twitter and Instagram to get my attention.
See you next month for round two!
Let me know your thoughts and feedback on this post, I want to know what you want from J’Nae Writes. Comments are open…
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Catch you next time,
J’Nae
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