Archive for October 2007

A little more halloween fun

Oct 31st, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: All Jamaican, Street Style

I did a post recently on some “scary stuff” so I thought I’d try and source some pics for you guys to see if our Jamaican people really went all out in costumes at the various halloween parties. As expected, only a handful of patrons turned out in costumes, but at least they didn’t do it half-assed….they went all out! I saw one girl in a towel and a shower cap, girl you are brave! and I saw the cutest couple, little red riding hood and the big bad scary wolf! They definitely get my prize for most creative! Or at least the cutest couple :D  Shout outs to the chef, broomy, the suicide bomber and ms fantasia!



Irie Diva says…High Waist = Fab

Oct 30th, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: Irie Diva's Picks, Trend Watch

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IF you can pull it off…and that’s a big if!!! The high waisted pants/skirt phenom has not yet taken over the streets of Jamaica…who to tell if it will. Its hard sometimes to tell which hit abroad will catch on out here and which ones won’t. I’ve seen it in the windows of a few of our fashion forward stores…but nothing too mainstream. I must admit I am totally in love with the trend. Of course, its not for every one. Me with my big self would not be caught in the soft work materials that show up all pouches and pudges :) but maybe I could squeeze myself into the jeans version…you never know! A sturdy material will smooth me down and I’d work it like an illegal Jamaican overseas (don’t you just hate that stereotype) Several celebs have been pictured rocking the look and some as usual have been caught looking a hot mess. However, here are a few that I thought pulled it off well.

 

Not everyone agrees with me, clearly, that this style is a hit. That’s why its one of my picks…because I just think its uber fab and if you pull it off you are a fabulous fashion-forward chic! If you notice, the style, whether worn casually or corporate, is normally rocked with ruffled tops or puffy sleeves….or both. This offsets the narrowness of the pant or skirt and it looks fun and girly too. Further below is a pictorial of some great ruffled top choices from Nordstrom, Bluefly and Victoria’s Secret. You can click the images to be taken to product pages. Now that I think of it, my pistachio shoe would look too hot on one of these jeans and white ruffle tops!

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Prelude to Music Fab

Oct 29th, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: All Jamaican, Jamaican Celebrities

Sean PaulEarly Rihanna

Hey people. I have an interview coming up with one of our fabulous ladies hot in the Jamaican music biz right now and so as a prelude I thought I’d chat a little about some other fabulous Caribbean people in music. Sean Paul’s video “watch dem roll” is hot! The song is hot, the video is hot, he is hot! I’m hearing alot of “its the same ol’ Sean Paul, nothing but dance moves” but hey, it works! And the ladies are loving it…I’m quite sure the men are loving it too with the abundance of “healthy body girls” in the vid rolling it around. Its a good distraction since we all know Sean Paul can but only willy bounce to save his life and nothing more. I have to comment on his current hair cut tho. It irks me so! I must say the long braids with the shaved sides are not cool for me yet I wouldn’t tell him to switch it up…how weird is that? I think as much as I’m not feeling it, its edgy and different and so it works for him. Kudos to you on the single for the upcoming album Sean.

Cheese on Bread has done a fabulous pictorial of Rihanna since she debuted on the int’l music scene to now, called “the Evolution of Rihanna” quite befitting when you think of what her style was like when she began and the bombshell, trendsetter she is now! One of the commenters on the post said she hasn’t yet done a concert in Barbados? What’s up with that Rih Rih? Show your home town some love! I hope they meant in recent times…she is a fabulous chica tho…and at 19 she has so much ahead of her if she continues along her current path.

Thats its for lunch break people check back later for what to wear under your clothes and stay tuned for the fabulousness of the interview to come!



Star Girls again!!!

Oct 26th, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: All Jamaican, Street Style

TGIF! and with that I leave you with some recent star girls to vote on. Is this Femme Fashion…or Femme wat the heck?!?!?! Before I air my views please leave your comments cus I don’t wanna sway yall’s minds!  Boobies galore…gets to clicking!

click to vote on the Star's site as well

Star Girl 2

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Star Girls 3

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Male Work Basics

Oct 24th, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: Male Style

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketSo I’ve done a female work basics post and it has become one of my most popular…I feel the need to share the love with the men. Today I will be focusing on the Business Casual phenomenon that has come about in recent times to loosen up the strict work environment, but which has only caused much confusion as to exactly what business casual is. I’ve chosen to focus on this style of dressing for the men to wear to work, because it is what is acceptable in most Jamaican business places. Business casual to some is basically without a tie, or without a jacket. In an even more casual environment, then you can go without both. But the button down shirt remains the same as with the trousers. Business casual is really only a notch below business formal and should never be mistaken for casual Friday wear. In most corporate businesses in Jamaica, a suit may only be necessary for business meetings otherwise you are allowed to go business casual for regular office wear. I researched extensively to find the best business casual definition, but the lines are still very muddled. Ehow’s step by step guide to dressing business casually however is the perfect guide.

  1. Ask your human resources department for official guidelines. Business casual means different things at different companies. At a large corporation, it may mean a sport coat with a tie; at a smaller company, it may mean khakis and a polo shirt.
  2. Before you go casual, check your daily planner to make sure you don’t have any meetings that require formal business attire.
  3. Select clean, pressed and wrinkle-free clothes. Your outfit should communicate professionalism.
  4. Wear a collared shirt with an undershirt. You can break up the oxford shirt monotony by wearing a linen or flannel shirt or one with a band collar. Knitted shirts and polo shirts are also generally acceptable. A casual sport coat is appropriate.
  5. Wear khakis, chinos, corduroys or other non-denim slacks. Check your company’s policy before you decide to wear jeans to work.
  6. Be sure to wear a belt, and have it match the color of your shoes.
  7. Wear socks that match the color of your pants leave white socks or tube socks in your gym bag.
  8. Choose oxfords, loafers, rubber soled leather shoes or boots for casual day. Wingtips are often too formal. Worn-out shoes, sandals or athletic shoes don’t make the grade.
  • Observe what others are wearing to get an idea of what is acceptable, if your company has no written guidelines.
  • Your casual-day outfit should be formal enough that you can throw on a sport coat and meet a client.
  • Casual days generally do not include the option of not shaving.

Noteworthy reading is also this CNN/Career Builder article on crimes of work fashion.

Now for my job…bringing you the images of exactly what all this looks like. Sport jackets and blazers will bring a fashionable flair to your work outfit while breaking up the formality of an actual suit. (please read this article for what exactly a sport jacket is and the difference between that and a blazer) These two are really great for an office setting and can be worn to meetings with clients who are not formal by nature.

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But for regular in office wear, when a jacket is not required, a button-down long-sleeved shirt and tie are acceptable for stricter corporate environments (banks, consultation offices etc), and a short sleeved shirt (no tie!) or Polo’s with a pair of pants will definitely work for less strict settings. I’m a HUGE fan of deep purple shirts with black pants…a definite way to be apart from the mundane blues and khakis. Stay away from loud patterns and I mean loud in colours as well as in styles, no Hawaiian shirts please! These stripe shirts are a great way to go.

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One of the best ways to break up a suit is to throw on a bright colour inside. This gentleman is fierce in his pink and the blue and maroon below would look great under suit pieces or by themselves.

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For pant options…apart from the black and blues, here are a few other colour options. Khaki and grays come in a variety of shades however I am not a fan of light grey or light khaki…it looks too school-boyish/department store-worker-ish for the office. Here are some shades that will work for the fashion forward corporate man. Do not be a clown and take the matching belt and socks/shoes too far, I saw a man today in the Burger King line in a bright mustard-coloured shoes-and-belt combo with his khaki pants and royal blue shirt…can we say foolywang! Shoulda had my camera! Please remember to always be clean-cut, super crisp and smelling fresh!

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Fab Tips!

Oct 22nd, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: Beauty

and I mean finger tips and toesies!!! :-D Fabulous nails have always been a must, it polishes off your fabulous outfit and a great pedicure REALLY sets of a fabulous pair of peep-toes! I’ve always been the type of girl that has some shade of pink on my toes and french tips or some kinda of pink pattern…but I’ve always noticed the trend to put color on short, natural nails. I think i first saw this trend on Halle Berry on the cover of some magazine or the other and i thought, “wow, it would be great if my nails could look like that!” I’ve tried it out a few times but I was lazy to keep it up cus it chips so often when you put it on your natural nails, no matter what quality top coat I put on.

Recently the trend has been poppin up all over and you know I’m not one to be left out! Fab trendsetter Miss Rih Rih has been all over this trend with bright, dark and everything in between on her nails…

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The black is a lil too goth for me… but hey, I did say jewel tones were in right….. so royal blue it was!!! I’m enjoying my colour thoroughly, I find my hand doing many more twirls than I’m used to, LOL…its been on since last weekend and my hot pink is waiting in line to be next. Stained Couture has recommended gunmetal silver and of course this season’s it colour purple. I’m remembering one of my amateur nail art designs I had back when I dabbled at being a nail tech…silver with a hot pink flame design…I’m feeling creative. :) Are you? Here are some great tips for doing your own mani and keeping it looking fab.



Scary Stuff…

Oct 22nd, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: Holiday Style

Well..not quite. But in true Americanized-culture style, we Jamaicans are throwing several parties this weekend following our northern neighbours’ Halloween tradition. It didn’t even originate there (get your wiki on people) but you know if they cough we sneeze. Several stores have included costumes on their racks for the party go-ers and several designers have offered their services to make your Halloween costumes. You can contact me for info if you really wanna know where to get a costume…however today I’m just leaving you with some inspiration. More can be found at Costume Super Center   And please people if you’re gonna go to a costume party, WEAR A COSTUME! :-)



Where would you wear this shoe?

Oct 20th, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: Shoes

Brit Bran in Lane Plaza always has the cutest shoes! I swear every time I go in there I want to buy at least 3 pairs! And they’re so pocket-friendly too! So last week I went in and I saw these absolutely adorable open-toed sling backs….in a pistachio colour :-? I tried them on, they were too cute! But where in the world would I wear them to?!?! And what with!

Well you know this diva would be rockin’ them to work all glam-ed up in black, white, khaki or gray with accessories to match my new shoe…while most people would probably reserve them for weddings, dinners and other formal, churchly events… but they’re just too cute for that! Tell me if you share my love for these shoes and where you would wear them.

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They have them in black as well…if you want to go the boring route :-P Well…they are patent leather so you’d still be hot in the black since patent is so in. Make sure you’re rocking a patent leather bag as well.

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Now for your purple fill of the day…these pointy-toed numbers would round out my pick of my three must haves from Brit Bran this week. Too hot! I’m a size 9 for all my generous, sweet, kind, readers out there :-D Their number is 876-906-4086 if you’re not sure where Lane Plaza is. As always, remember to mention you saw them here at Fashion Over Style!

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Rock ya boots girl!

Oct 18th, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: All Jamaican, Street Style

Remember how I had said Jamaican people don’t normally wear boots on the regular and some people think its just wrong to do so? Well…not my girl Sandra! Outta street today (well more like two cubicles down) my girl looked out her window, saw that it was raining and decided to rock her boots to work! And she looks fabulous doing so if I do say so myself. Her toesies kept nice and dry trudging through the drizzle and she looked cute while at it. She pairs it with matching jacket and a colourful cami brightening the day. I just had to snap her and say girl…you are different and you are cute! Am I alone on this?

Are you feeling Sandra’s boots?

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Sophisticated Chic

Oct 17th, 2007 | By Irie Diva | Category: All Jamaican, Shop Jamaica

Sophisticated ChicSometimes, jeans and a tank won’t cut it. Sometimes, a summer dress just won’t cut it. Every now and then, a girl needs to go all out. Every now and then we need to dress it up a little more, spend a little more, take it to them THAT much more! Melyse is your store for such occasions ladies. Melyse Collection in the Pulse Fashion Complex (38a Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10 876-906-0606) has that little black dress, that little silk number, that dress that Vivica Fox’s character spoke about in the movie Two Can Play That Game, you know that scene where she slips into her “kill em dead” dress and goes and KILLS Morris Chestnut’s character? Oh yes ladies she was right, everyone of us should have one of those dresses. Tuck away Melyse in your must-have secret collection list, share it with your girlfriends and fear not that they will buy the same dress as you, because Melyse does not stock 3 and 4 and 5 of the same item. Melyse is your place for unique, for those times when you break out the strappy sandals showing off your freshly done pedicured toes and your oh-so-sexy clutch and accessories.

You can find your statement bag there as well, Coco Chanel, D&G, big, small, branded, trendy bags. This purple one did catch my eye so!

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Speaking of purple check out this lil number for your purple fill…. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket But on to those cute lil dresses I was tellin you about…I could only manage to snap a very select few as she wants to keep her masterpieces under wraps…you’ll have to visit the store to find your perfect dress. Here’s some inspiration meanwhile….after the cut (more…)