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Yoliswa Dube

MY high school best friend still weighs the same as she did when we were in Form Three.

Of course she’s blossomed into a beautiful young woman but it beats me how she can be weighing the same as she did during the days we were forced to participate in athletics.

How can she still look the same as she did when we walked from school and shuttled up and down between classes?

She recently had a baby and you’d think that would change her waistline a little, but no — she’s still one hot momma!

If you look at it from an idealist’s point of view — such people are blessed.

They can go through a whole 10 years of their lives without picking up any extra weight.

Heap up all the junk food you can think of in front of them — let them chow on it for months on end and still their relationship with the scale is not altered.

They’re virtually still wearing the same clothes they wore in 2006. But look at it from a pragmatists’ point of view and you’ll realise it somehow breeds some level of contention when it comes to their wardrobes.

Because their weight doesn’t force them to buy new clothes over a couple of years like some of us — they just don’t bother. I often come across people in branded T-shirts whose colour has run so badly a once red tee looks like some shade of pink.

It has even lost its shape with one side hanging lower than the other. The T-shirt has hung in the sun to dry for so many years but its owner still pushes its half-life.

I see how for some, the trousers has started to fade in the front or the shirt collar has even started tearing from all the washing, but still — they hold on like their life depends on it. And then comes the clothes you wore as we entered the new millennium when it was fashionable having jeans patched with floral and tiger print material.

Do yourself a favour and remove those clothes from your wardrobe — even if they still fit you!

Upgrading your fashion pieces and rotation are a key aspect of being stylish. You don’t have to buy the whole store or buy new clothes every week. All you need to do is buy a couple of good pieces and rotate them with different things.

The secret is in choosing neutral colours that will match with a number of things in your wardrobe. Buy a good white shirt, a decent pair of black shoes and well-fitting black, navy blue or grey pair of pants or skirts.

View this as your base and build up your wardrobe from there. Neutral colours are always a good starting point because it’s not easy for the next person to pick that you only have one pair of good black pants or skirt.

But the moment you go bright — you can’t wear the fashion piece often because people will remember it.

A friend of mine in varsity had this orange “Dickies” T-shirt he loved so much. He wore it every other day until people started describing him as the tall guy who liked wearing an orange Dickies T-shirt.

This is never a good thing.

When it comes to your casual look — go for black and blue denims with a clean wash. The moment you start elaborate — it’ll be difficult for you to wear the denims too many times. Once you have your compass figured out and your wardrobe is growing steadily — be sure to embrace rotation.

Don’t wear the same skirt or pants with the same shirt and shoes. Mix it up a little bit and it’ll give people the impression that you have a wide range of clothes in your wardrobe. Rid yourself of the two-piece syndrome and enjoy a vibrant and thriving wardrobe!

Feedback from “Cheers to the readers!”

Congrats on your first anniversary. I often enjoy your articles but just haven’t had the chance to give feedback. Keep it up girl! — AT

I remember reading one of your articles and I liked it. It was about men smelling good. I was inspired.

The article showed that it’s not all about a man’s pocket but the way he smells can win a lady’s heart.

Keep it up big sister. — Mthokozisi Ndlovu, Esigodini.

Until next week, flaunt your pattern and style and don’t forget to drop me an SMS/WhatsApp on +263 774 492700, send an email to [email protected] or follow me on Twitter handle @YoliswaStarr.