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Yoliswa Dube

EVER noticed how important events which require killer threads always come up when you’ve got nothing in your wallet?

It happened to me just last week when I had to attend the National Journalism and Media Awards in Harare.

I wasn’t prepared to spend any money neither did I have anything worthy of the event in my wardrobe. Well, I thought I didn’t.

It wasn’t even month-end yet, my hair wasn’t due for another two weeks! Just as well I’d done my nails the week before.

On top of not having anything special to wear, I didn’t have the time to find something decent on a budget.

I pretty much had 24 hours to figure it out. Of course I panicked a little; I needed to think carefully about the look I wanted and how I was going to do it with no money in my wallet.

My first instinct was to decide, which among the pairs of shoes I already own, would do the trick. Of course there were quite a few options to consider so I really wasn’t about to buy a new pair of shoes!

We all have those couple of pairs which swing a million ways — to work, church, the club —  pretty much anyway that requires A-list game.

So I decided I’d wear the gold heels — they’d be perfect for an evening do, I thought. With that figured out, the next thing was to decide what goes well with gold. And that’s easy — black! I needed to get myself a black dress.

I already had one in my wardrobe but its pencil and sleeveless — it wasn’t exactly what I wanted. I needed to look all shades of classy and not worry about whether or not the dress was too tight or showing too much skin.

I was going to be meeting one of the country’s Vice Presidents after all; surely I had to smash it!

Lace is elegant and I knew no other material would spell class as well as lace would. I pulled out a picture from the Internet and sent it to my sister who would show it to her trusted tailor.

The tailor, Cathy, would sew me the dress overnight and had it ready for fitting the following morning, when I arrived in Harare. The event was starting at 6.30pm on the day I was arriving in Harare and fitting the dress.

This was one of the biggest fashion risks I’ve ever taken in my life! I really wouldn’t recommend anyone to do the same. It’s nerve wrecking and there’s always the possibility that your vision won’t come to life.

I took the risk anyway but me being me, I’d packed an emergency dress — in case Cathy disappointed me. I’d settled for a round neck dress with a lace bodice, three-quarter lace sleeves and a tulle skirt.

Tulle is a hot fashion trend right now — I thought it would bring some funk to the look. Plus, it fits loosely on the body; I wouldn’t worry about who’s looking at my booty. The lace bodice would be the focus of the dress with the difference between the two fabric textures drawing attention to the waist area where they join.

The dress cost me — wait for it, $39! A similar dress would’ve cost me between $150 and $600 had I thought of myself as high and mighty and walked into some clothing shop to buy a dress.

That would’ve been such an unnecessary expense, considering there was a cheaper option available. I know a lot of women do this, but never get yourself into debt just for a fashion piece — look at what you already have or other equally good options which are within your means.

So, I’d accessorise the dress with a pair of gold earrings and a gold big-face watch, which I already owned. I went for the most simple of hairstyles.

For $10, I had my hair in a bun — to show off my jewellery, face and that lace bodice I wanted so much. Of course I needed some elaborate make-up

— I got a friend to do that for me — for free!

We all have that one useful friend, make use of them already. With everything having come together well, thankfully — I looked like a million bucks, if I may say so myself.

Understand that you don’t have to always part with your hard earned cash to look good. For your next event, look around you and open your eyes to the gems you already have in your wardrobe. You’ll be surprised what magic you can work without spending a cent.

Until next week, flaunt your pattern and style and don’t forget to catch up with me on Twitter handle @Yolisswa, visit my blog, www.stayera247.blogspot.com or like my Facebook page Pattern & Style.