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Tafadzwa Zimoyo

Hello October!    Welcome to the month of bloom. In Africa we call it summer, because it is usually very hot, but basically October signifies spring because of colour and atmosphere.

I remember chatting to my colleague on Tuesday after the weather drastically changed and well yes, he said we are now in winter again, but I reminded him — it is spring because it’s full of surprises.

  But never-the-less, all seasons are about fashion.

  Last weekend saw socialite Craig Magengezha of the Craig Studio fame, where hair and make-up are conducted, hosting a “Suit Up” affair at Pabloz restaurant and bar in Harare.

  Well, I salute you gentlemen for honouring and representing us well.

The suits that were worn last Saturday; I think even Idris Elba and David Beckham would be green with envy, if they were to see the pictures.

LOL!

  You wouldn’t believe it is Africa, but hello, discard such thinking! We are here to take over. I rest my case.

   Gentlemen now know the difference between wedding suits and events suits.

I thought we were going to see many grooms at the event, but alas, it was “the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”  (LEGS).

Well done Craig.

  Sandal season

On to this week’s subject.

It is a fact that sandal season is finally upon us, and that means it’s time for guilt-free shopping of affordable summer sandals. A favourite summer footwear option is the flip-flop.

   What’s not to love? It’s easy to put on and take off. It’s often waterproof.

Your sandals should be your hero this summer

You can wear your flops to the pool, or to get to the mall quickly, or to the party outdoor event; I presume when you need an easy-to-clean option.

Don’t wear sandals to church, or work please.

Rains are coming soon

   Tip from an iceberg! I know the weather has drastically changed, worry not. It’s still summer and according to elders, the chilly cloudy weather is signifying rains.

Hallelujah, the rains are coming soon.

    Back to fashion corner, yes sandals are a must have, but make sure you also have the right sweater. Good thing, sweaters are all weather wear.

Sweaters are more than something to throw on to stay warm in the cold.

   A well-tailored, form-fitting sweater can be as eye-catching as a charming smile.

Looking good in a sweater is all about coordinating it with the rest of your outfit.

   It is advisable that you choose the sweater’s fabric, pattern, and style depending on what you need. And again pair your sweater with simple jeans, a plain shirt, or even a tie and jacket for that stylish outfit you can wear with pride.

Here is a quick guide on how to style your sweater, this season:

Wear a T-shirt to add a casual flair to most sweaters. Generally, wearing a T-shirt with a sweater is expected and even necessary. T-shirts work best with sweaters that have higher or more open collars, such as crew necks and turtlenecks. This is a great way to add layers to your outfit without hiding your sweater.

However, T-shirts are also useful in preventing a rough sweater from irritating your skin.

Even if your shirt collar isn’t visible, the hem might be.

Leave a little of the hem visible below your sweater to make it look thicker and brighter.

Choose a dark or neutral shirt colour, such as white or grey, to complement your sweater. Alternatively, use a brighter colour, like blue to emphasise contrast for more visual appeal. They always say you should wear a collared shirt and tie underneath a sweater to look professional.

A collared shirt may seem unexpected, but it is often a valuable article of clothing to make a sweater look dressy. Choose a shirt with a buttoned collar, then tuck it neatly behind your sweater so only the top is visible.

If you wish to add a tie, attach it to the buttoned collar and tuck it underneath your sweater as well.

Try wearing your classy new look to a professional function.

The collared shirt and tie combo works best with sweaters that have low collars, such as V-necks. Since you’re generally trying to look classy when wearing a shirt, avoid using it with patterned sweaters.

Stick with a light-coloured shirt, such as white, so it stands out underneath your sweater. With ties, you could opt for more vibrant colours like red to stand out. Use a jacket to cover and insulate thinner sweaters.

Pair your favourite sweater with a nice sports jacket, blazer, or something entirely unexpected.

Jackets don’t work well with thicker sweaters like cable knit, but they serve as an additional layer for many other types. Wear an open jacket to show off your sweater and any layers you have on underneath it.

A jacket keeps you warm while you wear a sweater like a cardigan. It also enables you to style your sweater for specific occasions. Try a leather jacket, a bomber jacket, or even a denim jacket for a more casual look.

Match your sweater with a pair of jeans for a casual look.

Coordinate your sweater with some stylish, form-fitting jeans.

Plain blue or black jeans go well with most sweaters, but match the fit according to the type of sweater you have. Stick to slim jeans in most cases. I

f you’re wearing something bulkier like a cable knit sweater, you can get away with pants that are a little larger.

Remember, your pants need to fit you as well as your sweater does or else your outfit won’t look right.

Try a nice pair of chinos, dress pants, or even khakis to match with your sweater. Such types of pants go well with outfits that include a collared shirt and tie as well.

  You have plenty of colour options to choose from, so you can mix and match colours to make your sweater pop.