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Pattern and Style with Yoloswa Dube
I KNEW mountain climbing was tough but try doing it in a pencil skirt, a crisp white Van Heusen shirt, a Louis Vuitton scarf and silky pantyhose.

It’s impractical to say the least, trying to get to the peak of a mountain dressed like you’re going to meet the President.

Even though I swapped my high heels for flat shoes, it was hell on earth in between trying to make sure I didn’t tear or stain anything and navigating through the rocks and vegetation to get to where I needed to go.

Never mind where I was going, that’s a story for another day but I can assure you, I was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Let me hasten to say however, that I didn’t “up and leave” aware of where I was going exactly — I was “hijacked” for a very important reason and decided to grab the bull by its horns, I’m not one to sulk.

But I think everyone was wondering why I was dressed the way I was. I could see it in their eyes — those engineers thinking who does she think she is, coming here dressed like she’s going for a business meeting.

As they still stared, I remembered a coloured woman I met at Matopos Sailing Club some time back. She was well in her 50s but was wearing a pair of bum shorts and a boob tube.

I couldn’t help staring at her and I’m sure she could feel my eyes piercing through her back. I just couldn’t help but stare.

It was a hot day — fair enough — but her age made it rather odd for her to be in bum shorts and a boob tube.

Remember this style secret — the way you dress carries certain messages to those who meet you and equally important is being appropriate for a particular space and age group.

I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing one of those tops written “DOPE” in bold gold, let’s leave those for the girls in high school shall we.

Appropriate dress, along with basic etiquette is one of the most important aspects to being stylish. It’s important to wear appropriate clothing to certain places or for particular occasions. There is usually an acceptable normal for most occasions, and that’s what people go by.

One wouldn’t wear pyjamas out to a five-star restaurant any more than one would wear a ball gown to a pyjama party.

Everything is acceptable within certain parameters. If you’re going to a fancy party, for example, it could be anything from nice dress pants and a fancy top to a full length ball gown — dresses, skirts, pants and nice shirts are all acceptable.

There is nothing more uncomfortable than showing up in blue jeans and a T-shirt when everyone else is wearing dress clothes. Similarly, there is nothing worse than showing up in very dressy clothes when everyone else is wearing boots and jeans.

If you’ve been invited somewhere, always check with your host if you’re in doubt of the dress code. I’ve said this before, we form first impressions and overall judgments about people by the way they dress. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the guys I climbed the mountain with thought “how cheesy”.

A lot of people underestimate this but fitting in is important. Being age appropriate and dressing appropriately for certain events is crucial.

It’s key to fit in with everybody else, so you’re not the odd one out. You’ll be more comfortable, less conscious of your looks and definitely enjoy the event more.

Nothing is worse than being dressed inappropriately for an important event — you’ll be remembered for the wrong reason.

Feedback from last week’s “Go classy not trashy”

I have never seen a fashion piece written in this way. This kind of writing is from the top drawer. Keep it up! — Phillip.

Hey, I was really waiting for your article this week and you didn’t disappoint. You’re right; we should dress to please ourselves and not other people. I will certainly celebrate Africa Day with plenty of colour. — MaNcube.

I read your interesting article about fashion, classy not trashy, woman you’re good! — Empress.

Was just reading your article ye classy vs trashy. Haaa yafaya! — Bongani.

Good morning sis. I really enjoyed reading your article “Go classy not trashy”. May you please go deeper teaching about decent/modest dressing because vamwe mapfekero avo unotoshaiwa pekusvodera. —Takunda Gono from Mvurwi.

My heart is filled with gratitude to everyone who has ever read this column or sent feedback through the various platforms available. I can never thank you all enough for taking the time to read and share with me. You’re greatly appreciated.

• Until next week, flaunt your pattern and style and again, don’t forget to drop me an SMS/Whatsapp on +263 774 492 700 or send an email to [email protected].