Do not chase every trend

Recently, I got involved in a heated debate with a friend. Apparently she had nothing sexy to wear to a party but as I went through her wardrobe, I came across this beautiful black bandage dress.

She tried it on and looked really beautiful, but said it was out of style so she could not wear it.

Dear ladies, just because a style is no longer popular on the red carpet or Elle magazine says it is out of style does not mean you should throw it away. It is all about how great you look and how it makes you feel on the inside.

Truth be told, not many of us can afford to buy the latest designs as soon as they hit the market. Even if you are able to get what the top designers have for this year’s spring/summer collection, there is no guarantee that they will look good on you. Getting caught up in chasing trends can result in wearing the most recent outfits but looking so off in them. Someone wearing what could be termed as ‘last season’ but turning eyes towards her is way better.

The trick is to not buy the obvious looks when a trend hits town. For example, the gladiators were an in thing but up to now you meet someone showing off a pair of well-manicured feet in subtle gladiators and you cannot help but notice.

Would it be the same for the knee high gladiators? No. If you live in NYC and follow trends, maybe. But if you are in Kampala, you bought the right outfit and still look as hot in it as you did last year, go on rock it. To hell with chasing trends.

2015 Mirinda Miss Teen Search Kicks Off On May 9

Last Year’s Top 3

The highly-anticipated Mirinda Miss Teen Season 4 will start on May 9, 2015 with new categories and an exciting search tour that will include Northern Uganda, for the first time.

Mirinda Miss Teen is an annual talent contest that aims at showcasing the great talents and characters of today’s teenage girls.

This year’s theme is; “Work Hard, Play Hard” and will involve a search for a girl who is not only beautiful and smart but is also fun-loving.

“We are sponsoring the 2015 Mirinda Miss Teen edition because it’s still the most relevant platform that helps the brand connect with its primary audience; a young girl with the attributes that Mirinda embodies,” said Mr Innocent Tibayeita, the head of marketing and sales at Crown Beverages Limited, the bottlers of Mirinda.

“Mirinda Miss Teen helps the youth to release that inner spontaneous playful spirit that is within every one of us. In so doing, Mirinda Miss Teen brings to life our exciting thematic campaign, free your fun side. More than 40 schools are set to take part in this year’s edition including those from the North, for the very first time in the competition’s history,” Mr Tibayeita added.

Keza Namazzi

Through this contest, Mirinda is searching for school-going teenage girls between 15 and 18 years of age. They should be girls who know when it’s time to be serious and when it’s time to loosen up and have a good time.

The new categories introduced; Miss AMBITIOUS and Miss PLAY HARD will see winners getting a chance to attend fully-paid five-day career guidance training and a Shs1million cash prize respectively. Fourteen-year-old Keza Namazzi from Mt.St.Mary’s Namagunga is the reigning Mirinda Miss Teen, and second runner-up is Gloria Rutaremwa of Seeta High. Marianne Katusiime now of Gayaza High School was the first runner-up.

Keza walked home with Shs2.5 million worth school fees for a year while Katusiime and Rutaremwa got Shs1.5 million and Shs1.2 million respectively. The prizes for these categories remain the same this year, as well.

Mirinda has promised to make the launch event of Mirinda Miss Teen 2015, the utmost definition of fun and pleasure this holiday. At the launch, the judges will also be unveiled to the public.

The winners will be crowned at a ceremony sufficient of majesty and grandeur in Kampala in September.

Travel chic and comfy

A bus trip is way different from flying to your destination. But in both cases it is easy to tell who is the frequent traveller and who is not.

When travelling, comfort should be number one priority. When you are comfortable in your clothes and shoes, not only will you have a smooth trip, the people seated next to you will have no reason to complain.

Some fashionable people you may follow such as Kim Kardashian can dress in certain ways because they expect to find paparazzi at the airport and don’t want to appear in the tabloids looking anything but hot.

But have you ever wondered what is in her carry-on luggage?

You do not expect her to wear those heels throughout the flight, plus the inconvenience they can cause if she has to make her way to the lavatory.

Since there may be unexpected changes in the temperatures, it is better to wear layers so that you can shed off the scarf or cardigan when it gets warmer or put them on when temperatures drop.

The shorts, sandals and chiffon top may look cute before takeoff but after 10 hours of a cold flight, you will feel and look horrible to your receiving party.

Do not count on the inflight blankets. You will be disappointed.

So wear something that covers your legs, comfortable shoes and keep a simple sweater or scarf within reach.

If you still want to look super elegant for whoever is receiving you upon arrival, there is an option of visiting the ‘ladies’ and getting your swagg on before exiting.

Whatever you do, do not compromise your comfort.

(Internet pics)

Ugandans not ready for some styles

 There is so much fashion craziness going on in the industry. Designers and fashion icons are pushing boundaries with new looks every day.

The level of experimenting with style is so fast it is hard to keep up.

With the all these platforms including magazines, TV fashion and the unlimited online resources, fashion lovers are living in fashion heaven, especially if they can afford to replicate the looks.

However, the biggest setback could be the community one leaves in. Can you walk around your neighborhood in those totally ripped short shorts, or do you, like most people, sneak out the door and into the car and only feel free once in the nightclub?

If you have attended a church wedding and the bride is not wearing a white or ivory gown, consider yourself lucky. I have not. And I will make sure my bride wears pure white and not off-white or cream to keep within the tradition. No pink gown, please. Ugandans are smart enough not to copy everything they see on TV, unless they are Eva Mbabazi or Tracy Bora.

Tracy Bora, a city socialite turned heads at Billy Ocean’s concert last Friday. Her black, lacy see-through dress left nothing to imagination.

One could even see the path her G-string had taken.

She knew what she was doing, because she made sure she arrived very early and sat still. Trust the prying eyes of paparazzi to catch her at the end of the show. A case of one girl who watches way too much TV!

But there is a limit to what we can replicate on our local fashion scene. Certainly not Rihanna’s naked dress look, please.

Flaunt it all you want

Dressing up is not all about covering your body. I assume that you already know that.

Ever seen a lady who wears long skirts and pants all the time but the day she decides to wear something that shows some leg, you all be like, “Where have you been hiding those?”

If you hear that comment, learn that whenever you hide those legs, waist, cleavage or even the face, you will be doing yourself a disservice.

I am not saying you go all ghetto to the levels of indecent exposure or to wear a crop top to that board meeting. There are appropriate times to show off what your mama gave you and never miss that opportunity. Ugandan women are curvaceously gifted. So why not flaunt it?

I am not going to tell you to stay within the boundaries of your body shape when choosing clothes. Thinking of yourself in terms of hourglass, figure eight, an apple, pear or coke bottle shape, will help you not to cross the line, but it is better to focus on the aspects you love not on the ones you must cover up.

So, pick a dress that will support and enhance your bust, wear something to show some leg, pull your hair back sometimes so we can get to a clear view of your eyes and facial features. Flaunt your behind in fitting jeans or flowing dresses; show off your arms in short sleeves. Do not let your time spent in the gym go unnoticed. Most importantly, wear whatever makes you feel beautiful and confident. Go on and flaunt your curves!

Get that chunky smart watch

The smart phone is no longer just a trend; it is now part of life.

For a gadget to have your music, pictures, calendar, periods tracker and all your appointments, it is definitely part of you.

As trends evolve, so have the gadgets and their accessories.

The latest being the Smart Watch.

This accessory helps to connect directly to the phone. Big brands including Apple, Samsung, Huawei and LG have developed smart watches for their devices. Is it a fashion statement? Yes. That is why they come in different colours and sizes.

If you look closely you will realise that the smart watch has become more like a guys’ thing. Years since the first one was made, they are still big and masculine. The search for that feminine Smart Watch is still on.

But there is absolutely nothing wrong with rocking the Samsung Gear or the Apple Watch, set to hit stores next month.Get ready to part with $ 24,000 for the 18 carat gold edition, ladies.

But all hope is not lost. With the likes of Gucci and Tag Heuer also jumping into the smart watch business, it could be a matter of time before we see a luxury smart watch made especially for women.

As we wait for female-specific options, it looks like you may have to invest in a couple of watches.

The Samsung Gear comes in gold, black and white. If your phone runs on Android OS, you even have options from less-known brands including Pebble Steel, Neptune or Motorola’s stylish Moto 360.

In the meantime, know that you cannot wear your masculine Samsung Gear to every occasion. It will do justice to your casual look, but not that evening gown.