

Fashion photographer and original gangster Bill Cunningham once said:
"Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life."
Your style speaks for you before you ever introduce yourself.
As girl bosses, it is our job to make sure that our style staples exude confidence, strength, and distinction. Though women are intrinsically stylish and we find a way to make things our own, women of the melanated persuasion kick it up a notch with all types of sass and class.
No matter your style, every woman needs full-proof pieces that will withstand time and the evolution of trends. While you may think your 20-somethings won't end, they will. And you need to be ready!
We found one of our favorite humans dripping in all of the perennial pieces a girl needs in her wardrobe. Lifestyle blogger, Kyrzayda Rodriguez, has a true passion for passion. She provides us beautiful content through on blog, Kyrzayda.com weekly. Her story is beyond inspiring and her transparency is humanizing. Above all, this woman promotes self-love and enjoying the skin you're in. Dressing the part is a testament to that.
Check out the indefinite classic items you need in your closet by the time you turn 30 by clicking through the gallery below:
1.Elegant blazer
Blazers are a quick way to make any look stylish. This velvet number is quite alluring.

2.Ballet flats
You can dress ballet flats up or down. Most importantly, they are essential for a career look.

3.Classic pumps
No matter the color or style, pumps will always be a pillar of a woman's wardrobe. The versatility is unmeasurable as you can rock them with everything.

4.Authentic leather handbag
Leather material is everlasting and a leather bag can instantly add a grown woman vibe to your outfit.

5.Tailored suit
Our girl, Kyrzayda, bossed up with her version of the tailored suit. But you can get a nice suit from T.J. Maxx or Express and take it to your local seamstress to make it just right for you.

6.Diamond earrings
If you want a clean look, invest in diamond earrings.

7.A white blouse
A nice blouse can go a long way. Pair it with a pencil skirt or high-waisted pants and you are good to go.

8.The trench coat
The weather can play a major role in your style. When the weather is cooler, be sure to have a long trench coat in your closet.

9.Little black dress
There's nothing sexier than a woman in a little black dress. You can never go wrong wearing an LBD on a date or for a night on the town with the girls.

10. A nice watch
Accessories can make or break an outfit. With a nice watch, you are sure to look and feel like the boss you are.

11. A white tee
There is nothing more classic than a white tee. Dem Franchise Boyz even made a super popping song about it. Style it up with some flashy boots or kill it with some sneakers.

12. Denim jacket
I love a good denim jacket because it is multi-purpose and you can find really vintage jackets at the thrift store.

13. Moto jacket
Motorcycle jackets give you an edgy appeal like no other jacket. Throw it over your shoulders and you will look as chic as any fashion blogger.

14. Classic white button down
You especially need a classic white button up before you turn 30 because it is the pinnacle of fashion. They are perfect for interviews making for a polished look.

15. Striped shirt
Having a striped shirt in your drawer means that you are ready for whatever. The pattern ordains a clean but fun vibe.

16. Statement jacket
What better way to make a statement than with a fly ass coat?

17. The perfect pair of jeans
The good thing about perfect fitting jeans is that you can find them in different styles. Opt for a pair of bell-bottom jeans like Kyrzayda or get super comfy with a pair of boyfriend jeans. With places like Old Navy and Fashion Nova at your fingertips, there's no excuse not to have this staple.

18. Black pants
Black will never go out of style. Black pants will also never let you down. They are an essential career staple and they are a great addition to an all-black outfit.

19. Booties
You have to love a good pair of booties. The intentionality of booties transcends different styles.

20. Lace bra
Lace bra = grown as f*ck. When you see a woman in a lace bra, you know she has her ish together.

21. Midi skirts
Midi skirts give just the right amount of pizazz in any setting.

22. White sneakers
Virtually the most casual yet classic staple, white sneakers are immortal for what they do for your wardrobe.

23. Everyday tote
If you are a woman on the go, you most definitely need a tote that can hold your work and beauty goodies.

24. Cat eye sunglasses
We all love donning sunglasses for those late night runs to Target. They are so necessary to have for any function serving as a faultless accessory.

25. Wide brim hat
For those bad hair days, you need a wide brim hat on ready.

26. Single-strap stiletto sandal
This has to be one of my favorite staples because I wear them with almost every look. Single strappies provide a simple yet elemental appearance.

27. Duster coats
Duster coats will have you queening the streets of your city. They are perfect for the fall months.

28. Silk scarf
No need to steal your mom's silk scarf - get your own!

29. The perfect bathing suit
Shopping for the perfect bathing suit can be a nightmare but once you find "the one," you are made.

30. Power dress
In any case of your job or career, as a woman, you need a power dress to show everyone that you mean business without sacrificing your personality.

What are some staples you think every woman should own?
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
I Tried It: 3 Low-Maintenance Wigs That Will Elevate Your Look This Season
There's nothing like the feeling you get when your hair is done. It can instantly boost your confidence and put you in a great mood. I've never been a stranger to hair trends and I often experiment with the latest braided styles and colors.
But there are moments when I just don't feel like doing my hair. I'm natural and a lot of times I will braid or twist my hair up and cover it with a scarf or turban. However, when I crave a different look without the hassle of styling, I reach for a wig.
I've always had a love-hate relationship with wigs. Sometimes, I struggle to get them to lay flat and don't get me started with the bonding glue process. So when it comes to wearing wigs, I like to keep it nice and breezy around this b--- (word to Katt Williams), especially in the summertime.
That's why I jumped at the chance to try these three versatile wigs from Luvme Hair. Each one offers a unique look and is surprisingly low maintenance, which aligns perfectly with my philosophy that wearing wigs should make life easier. Let’s dive into the three styles below.
Headband Wig
Courtesy
This was the first wig I tried on, and I instantly fell in love with it. So much so that it took me weeks to even consider trying the other two. I’m partial to colored hair, especially blonds, browns, and reds, so I was skeptical about the jet black hair. However, I think the color, combined with the curl pattern, worked surprisingly well for me.
One of the things I really liked about this wig was that I didn’t have to braid my hair down first. I could simply throw it over a low ponytail, which is the epitome of a low-maintenance style. The headband has combs inside and velcro on the ends, ensuring a secure fit.
Half Wig
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I had never worn a half wig before, so I faced some challenges. I cornrowed the bottom half of my hair where the wig would sit, but I believe this made it more difficult to use the combs. It might just be me though. I straightened the top part of my hair to blend it with the wig, which looked cute for about five minutes.
Firstly, I have a brown/blonde color mix on the ends of my hair, and the half wig is black. So, I had to hide some of the color (I didn’t have time to dye the wig). Secondly, straightening my hair myself is always a hassle because it never lasts long. Add to that the summer humidity, and you get a hot mess. Despite all this, I managed to get some cute pictures before things got out of control, and that’s all that matters, right?
Would I consider this a low-maintenance hair style? Yes and no. I think it’s unrealistic for me during the summer, especially since I enjoy summer activities. However, when the weather cools down, I’ll definitely rock it, dyed, of course.
Bob
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Now, this is the wig I was nervous about. I never had a bob and I didn't think I would like it. But once I put bobiana on, my mind instantly changed. I finally understood why the gworls rave about the bob so much. It was giving boss. It was giving grown woman. It was giving the bob means business. Iykyk. It was the ultimate statement.
I will say when I first put it on, one side of my wig just would not lay flat. It took some trial and error, but I finally managed to get it to look good. With the bob, I highly recommend braiding your hair down first as small as you can so it can lay as flat as possible. I really liked the ash blonde color, which is perfect for summer. The length also makes it a great low-maintenance style for the season, so you don't have to worry about the hair making your neck sweaty.
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