It’s the month of February, Valentine’s Day is almost here and love is in the air!
But before the D-day, at some point you may ask yourself what to wear on that special day! The aim of this post is to help you reduce decision fatigue by sharing an idea on what you can consider wearing then!
Oh yes red is the most popular color on Valentine’s Day but why not try something different this 2021!
But first things first! In case you are new here, this is a Fashion Blog where you can expect Fashion tips, try on Hauls and basically style inspiration. You can also expect a post from me every week.
Sometimes less is more. I’m I correct?
Like I’ve always said, you can never go wrong with the little black dress! Even though i have a couple of “little black dresses”,my eyes keep landing on this specific one over and over. It’s simple yet elegant and for that reason alone, I think it can make such a cute date night outfit on 14th February! Of cause don’t forget to accessorize!
What do you think about this look? Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comment box down below. Remember nobody has a monopoly of ideas when it comes to fashion. We all learn from each other.
I purchased the dress a while ago and it has continued being my go to “little black dress” The dress is incredibly comfortable and feels soft to the touch. I’m rocking it in a size 16.
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Enjoy you’re Valentine’s Day and remember to dress comfy and cute.
Outfit Detail:
Dress – Beauty Boutique, Reinsurance Plaza Shoes – Heal to Toe Kenya
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Second hand shopping can be fun but frustrating at the same time! I know this because the struggle has been my reality in the past. I actually used to hate thrifting because besides being so cumbersome, I just seemed not to find good stuff.
Oh , incase you’re wondering secondhand outfits can also be refereed to as preloved outfits or thrifted outfits.
With time however, I’ve learnt few tricks and anytime I buy something which has been preloved, I get so many compliments. Some of my friends don’t even believe that what I’ve bought is secondhand.
This time round we are talking about how to thrift shop your outfits like a pro!
Heeeeey, glad to bring you another Fashion Blog! You can always expect a weekly Blog post from me every Wednesday.
Incase you are new, this Blog is all about Fashion & Style. Feel free to check out my Youtube Channel right here for more content. You can always connect with me on Instagram for daily Fashion Conversations as you wait for my next post. If you are a returning subsciber on the other hand, thanks alot for the massive support. I really appreciate it!
The tips I’m going to share with you will make your secondhand shopping easier. Lets face it..we are humans and have the tendency to forget so you can actually bookmark this blog post for later as your ULTIMATE THRIFT SHOPPING GUIDE. You can always go through it before you visit a thrift store.
Without further ado,here are the tips I use when buying secondhand outfits:
1. Being Open minded
Be open minded while shopping second hand! Some pieces can look a million dollar with a few tweaks here & there.
Sometimes we miss out on great pieces because we are not open minded. You might be surprised if you adjusted few elements on that secondhand outfit for example changing buttons, removing the inner lace and much more.
2. Time
Never go for second hand shopping when you are in a hurry expecting to get everything instantly. You will end up being frustrated. This is an activity which requires enough time if you are to benefit from it! At times you may even be required to go through several outfits for you to get something tangible.
3. Try everything on
Learn to literally try everything on even if it’s your size! This way you get a feel of how the outfit looks on you exactly. Sometimes an outfit on display may may not match your expectations once you try it on and fittings can be different too!
4. Inspect the garment
Ever bought an outfit thinking it’s a specific color then once you reach home you find the color is totally different? Or ever bought an outfit then the next day you notice it has so many holes and stains which you didn’t see while buying? Inspect for wear and tear that you know you might not want to put effort in repair.
Additionally, shop where there is enough light. With this you are able to see most detail on the outfit you’re buying.
5. Major Restocking
Most secondhand store replenish their stock almost daily but there is a day when they do a major restock.
If you really want to make the most out of your secondhand shopping, the best time to shop is after a major delivery hits the store. With this you get to pick the best pieces. You can inquire about the major restocking dates from those working in the store.
6. Wear what you can easily remove
When going for secondhand shopping you are basically going to spend most of the time trying on new different outfits. Always make your life easier by wearing something which you can easily remove and wear again as you try new stuff or something which you can easily try other outfits over. This means no jumpsuits or Lacey shoes. I find tights, a t-shirt and slip on sandles to be easier.
That’s all for today. Just incase you have more tips, feel free to share them down below. We can still learn from each other.
7. Shop with a list
Shopping with a list is usually more successful than heading out with none at all. Before going out for that secondhand outfit, always analyse your wardrobe and find out what is missing. This way you just don’t settle on the first deal that comes your way. A shopping list actually makes you enjoy a guilt free purposeful shopping.
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There you go those are my secrets. Give this video a thumbs up if you learnt something new and don’t hesitate to share your tips. We can all learn from each other.
In case you missed my previous blog post, I shared 4 top benefits of shopping secondhand Outfits. You can check out the video below:
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To me a New Year feels like an New Opportunity to improve on myself. I see it as chance to reflect on the past and adjust accordingly.We all collect lessons as we go through different life experiences.
I’m so excited because on my very first blog in 2021, i get to share with you some really valuable fashion lessons which I’ve learnt over years. These are lessons which have generally improved the quality of my life.
The essence of sharing this is because I feel someone might learn if not all at least one or two things. So without further adieu let’s dive right in:
Fashion Lesson 1: You don’t have to invest in every fashion trend
A while ago, I’m the kind who used to invest in almost every trend that popped up. As long as i could afford it i got it. Lol,,how ridiculous was that!
You don’t need to invest in all fashion trends. By this i don’t mean that you must avoid all trends completely. Yes, fashion evolves and you are likely to look frumpy if you don’t pay attention. Check out fashion trends but don’t let them dictate your personal style in any way whatsoever. No! its never that serious! Invest only in what works for your body type.
Fashion Lesson 2: De cluttering is Key
This has been a major shift for me. I’m the kind of person who has been de cluttering my closet in such a shallow way. Thanks to Marie Kondo, an organisation expert from whom i’ve learnt some really awesome tips on de cluttering and ever since the quality of my life has greatly improved, trust you me!
Did you know that a cluttered closet actually places a lot of visual stress on your mind subconsciously? Through an effective closet de cluttering, not only I’m i able to trace my items easily, but I’m also able to reduce visual stress in my closet because i get to keep only what i truly love.
You can check out a video which i did a while ago on 4 easy steps of de cluttering right here.
Fashion Lesson 3: Comfort is King
When i was in my early twenties, I was the kind that sacrificed comfort for style. I would go to the extent of rocking short tight dresses that kept pulling up when walking to skinny jeans which I could hardly enjoy a square meal in without discomfort!
Never ever sacrifice your comfort for style. If those clothes aren’t comfortable, your body language will tell whether you like it or not.
A quick tip for you when shopping for your outfits, is fit them and walk around with them just to double check comfort. You can still look really good and embrace comfort at the same time.
Fashion Lesson 4: Investing in versatile pieces
Over the years, I’ve also learnt the importance of investing in true classic wardrobe pieces which can be styled with different outfits.
Versatility is all about getting more with less. For example investing in pieces such as denim whether blue or black gives you room for endless styling possibilities. Leather Jackets, the little black dress and white tees are other classic wardrobe pieces with which you can get more for less.
Feel free to check out a video where i styled one blue jeans in 5 different looks right here.
Fashion Lesson 5:Investing in quality
I’ve learnt to practice mindful buying. Cheap is always expensive. I know quality means different for different people. By quality here I mean pieces which are made while paying attention to details.
I’m no longer looking for the very cheapest deals in the market because I learnt the hard way that most compromise on quality. Instead of buying three outfits which are very cheap because quality has been compromised, i’d rather save and buy one piece which has been stitched to perfection with good quality material. Actually, i’d rather have afew quality pieces than a wardrobe full of junk outfits. Value for money here is the focus in other words.
Fashion Lesson 6:Accessories are Powerful
I’ve learned to play around with accessories because i noticed they are so powerful when it comes to elevating your look. Accessories could be scarfs, chains, bangles etc If you put a number of people wearing a basic outfit in a room the only person who has accessorized well, is the one who will stand out. Have fun with those accessories and thank me later.
I did a video of my favorite all time fashion accessories. I will put a link in the description box down below just incase you want to have a glimpse at them.
Fashion Lesson 7: You don’t have to show too much skin
When I was a little big younger I used to think showing too much skin was stylish n cool. But I’ve learnt this is actually not classy. A woman’s beauty shows when she is showing just alittle skin. There is a thin line between tasty & trashy.
Choose one part to show skin and don’t overdo it. Like for example if you show some skin on the upper part of your body, go slow on the lower part and vice versa.
VIDEO VERSION OF THIS POST
Final Thoughts!
I hope you enjoyed this video. If you have any fashion lessons that you’ve learnt so far, feel free to share below. See you in my next weekly post.
The count down to 2021 has begun! What an eventful year this has been! It started with locusts invading our crops then before we knew it Covid happened! We have all been affected negatively in one way or another at some point. If I could write about 2020, i’d finish after three decades! I kid you not!
This year hasn’t been easy but we could flip things alittle bit and look for some positivity as we end it. What were your highlight of the year?
Highlight of the year..
One of my biggest highlights of the year was when I launched my Fashion Blog on 23rd June, 2020. Can’t believe it’s already 6 months since I joined the blogging world! Feels like it’s just the other day when I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my passion. How time flies!
Honestly, I never imagined I’d get all the love I’ve received so far! I’m so humbled. Whether directly or indirectly trust you me it counts and I totally appreciate your massive support.
I used to say I will start a Fashion Blog since the longest time I can remember. See how procrastination can really cripple you! Ofcause I’ve faced my own share of challenges here and there along this journey but I cannot ignore the fact that pursuing this passion has opened amazing opportunities for me. Summing it up in a nutshell,this is so fulfilling to me and it feels like I’ve tapped into my purpose.
Besides enjoying making Fashion and Style content, the essence of this blog is to positively contribute to the quality of your life. You have no idea how my heart melts when I get comments and messages that the fashion tips help you.
Taking a look back, I’ve not only created some really amazing networks in this journey but I’ve also learnt alot from the fashion gurus! I’m learning everyday as I share content with you.
As 2020 comes to an end, I thought of sharing some of my favorite outfits on the blog so far!
Another major highlight in 2020 was starting a youtube channel. For sure I didn’t see this coming. I knew I wanted to start a Fashion Blog way back but YOUTUBE was in those wildest dreams. I used to imagine it was meant for other people!
Clearly, you can be amazingly surprised when you push yourself out of your comfort zone. I pushed myself and I keep shocking myself every now and then.
I know I’m not yet there but I can confidently state that I’m not where I used to be 2 months ago when I started it.
So how have you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone in 2020?
As I wind up this blog post, let me encourage someone out there; you might have that dream which you want to pursue but you keep pushing it under the carpet probably because of self limiting thoughts.
Siz/Bro it’s a high time you punched fear and perfection in the face and pursued what you truly love. There is never a right time. Just start with what you have! You will learn along the way! Be sure to keeping reducing your learning curve by learning from people who have succeeded in what you want to do. While on the same breath, learn but don’t copy. Be the authentic you because there is no competition with authenticity.
Of cause you will meet negative people at some point. They never miss! Just learn to raise above negativity! As long as you have clarity in your vision, keep going!
Looking forward to creating more Fashion and Style Content just for you. Feel free to let me know what kind of topics you’d like to see on this Blog or rather where you feel I need to improve. As long as I resonate with it, you can always count on me. My joy is serving all your Fashion needs wholesomely.
Wish you a fabulous 2021. May God flood your pathway with nothing but blessings!…and if you want to start that fashion blog or any blog of your choice, please stop procrastination.
This calls for a glass of wine🍷!
Cheers to growth & prosperity!
I post every Wednesdays! To get notified once i post FASHION TIPS, HAULS & IDEAS do SUBSCRIBE by clicking right here.
Whether you like it cropped or not, jeans are one of the most versatile pieces of clothes which can elevate your look from fab to fabulous. In case this is your first time here, Authentically Ritah is a Style and Fashion Blog . You can consider subscribing right here to get instant notifications once i upload a blog post.
Today I’m going to share with you what no one tells you about jeans! Grab a cup of tea or what it is that you like and lets do this!
I don’t know about you but if I invest my money anywhere, i want to get value back. Whether its 2$ or 2000$, i want value for my money. My closet is not an exception either. If you want jeans which you’ve invested with your hard earned money to last you longer, you need to take good care of them.
Here are 5 closet mistakes that destroy your jeans:-
Jeans Mistake 1: Not pre washing your jeans in vinegar
Do you soak you jeans in vinegar when you first buy them?
It is always a good idea when you first buy your jeans, to pre wash them in vinegar. This step is very crucial because it helps prevent the dye from running off by locking in the color. What you need to do is simply add a cup of white vinegar into cold water then soak your jeans for one hour. Vinegar contains a mild acid called acetic acid which helps to lock in the dye hence preventing further bleeding.
If you find out that your jeans are still loosing color after doing this, you can give them an overnight vinegar soak. The beauty about this step is that white vinegar is easily available in your local store.
Jeans Mistake 2 : Not washing your jeans inside out
Washing your jeans without turning them inside out, directly exposes them to detergents and a lot of friction which makes the color fade so fast. Always ensure that you wash your denim inside out to prevent the color from fading.
Jeans Mistake 3: Washing your jeans too often
You don’t have to wash your jeans too often. Don’t get it twisted! This doesn’t mean that you don’t have to wash your jeans completely. The concept is if you wash your jeans too frequently, you wriggle them alot which causes unnecessary wear and tear.
You can probably consider washing your jeans after 3 to 4 wears but again this is very dependent on the kind of activities which you engage in. Some activities can expose you to a lot of dust and mud. Wash your jeans following the manufacturers special instructions.
Air drying, steaming your jeans, spritzing them with diluted vinegar or Spot cleaning stains where you use water and a piece of rug to clean your jeans are great alternatives to cleaning your jeans with water. The good thing about vinegar is that it helps neutralize any bacteria and it’s smell goes away so easily.
Jeans Mistake 4 : Hanging your jeans rather than folding them
Apparently, storage is another very important step if you want your jeans to last longer. Hanging your jeans actually destroys their elastin. When it comes to storage, you can consider folding your jeans instead of hanging them to help maintain their structure.
Jeans Mistake 5 : Washing your jeans in hot water
Heat destroys the elastin in your jeans, making them stretch out faster hence loosing shape. Using hot water is very common among st people who use washing machines with the wrong settings. Taking time to learn your machines specific settings is never a bad idea. Ensure that you use cold or lukewarm water and again remember to use mild detergents if you want your jeans to last longer.
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Final thoughts
Jeans may seem like a very tough fabric but it actually need delicate care if you want them to serve you longer which in turn means getting value for your money. Incase you know any other hacks that help jeans last longer, i would be so humbled if you shared your thoughts in the comment box down below!
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Authentically Ritah 