Black-Owned Style Staples For Transitioning From Your 20s To Your 30s
I remember when, I remember when, I remember when I lost my mind as I was approaching 30. Entering into a new decade of life after my 20s terrified me because like most women, I was obsessing over all the things I hadn't accomplished instead of celebrating all the things I had. A month before I walked into 30, I did just that – I wrote down 30 things I had accomplished and it gave me all the conviction I needed to make the next decade the best decade. And the truth is, I love it here.
My 30s are proving to be the best years and I believe it's because I let go of what society defined as successful and started living the life I wanted and deserved. In your 30s, you find that it's all about stability and consistency. Those principals apply to every aspect of your life, including your style. When it comes to reliability, it's important to have fundamental items that lay the foundation for your trousseau.
We tapped Tenicka Boyd to talk more about why staples are important and which pieces are must-haves. "Staples are really what ground the outfit. These are the items that live beyond the trends, the cool aesthetics, and fast fashion. Staples are items that will last for years if you invest and take care of them," she explained. "Not just staple items but a staple silhouette are important."
"Staples are really what ground the outfit. These are the items that live beyond the trends, the cool aesthetics, and fast fashion."
The fashion storyteller resides in New York, NY, and wears all the hats, including National Organizing Director and Political Director at the ACLU. Her style and infectious personality displayed in her world-famous Instagram Reels made her the perfect woman to spill the tea on how to make the fashionable transition from your 20s to 30s.
Keep reading for this thirty-something's style gems.
The style staples every woman needs:
"I think every woman needs a good blazer, a great dress that instantly raises her mood, a good comfortable pair of heels, a great pair of trousers, and a beautiful bathing suit that allows her to feel confident."
The one style tip every twenty-something should keep in mind:
"Shop fast fashion in moderation. When I was in my twenties, that was really at the height of Forever 21, so we thought we would be 21 forever. And our style reflected that. I should have focused more on quality rather than quantity. So although I don't think I was in a financial situation to do that well, I wish I would have incorporated that way more."
Her style mantra to live by:
"God created black people, and Black people created style" — George C. Wolfe.
To help you add some of these staples to cart, we have rounded up some principal pieces from Black-owned brands!
Hanifa Jade Linen Blazer in Bright Lime
Hanifa
Blazers are quintessential for your wardrobe. It's definitely the versatility for us because you can style this bad boy with a midi dress or with a graphic tee and biker shorts or with matching flared pants. Either way, you'll be serving up a clean aesthetic that can be elevated on your terms.
RE ONA Joey Suit Trousers in Sand
RE ONA
These trousers are an instant enhancement. The masculine, femininity in the construction is what sets these bottoms apart from others. We see you rocking these to an interview and to brunch because you can do both. The most important key in finding your perfect pair is to dress for your body shape.
Andrea Iyamah Sol Dress
Andrea Iyamah
Every now and then you gotta go in the back of the closet and pull out that freakum dress. Don't even put it in the back anymore, sis. Keep it on ready because you need to be your own hypeman in a dress that makes you feel like Beyonce.
Aminah Abdul Jillil Soleil Slingback Tan Heels
Aminah Abdul Jillil
High quality equals longevity. With this in mind, your heels will require more coins. Not every pair in your closet needs to be high-end but we want to encourage you to make some high and low purchases when your budget allows.
Bfyne Ayeza Swimsuit
Bfyne
We love that Tenicka recommended investing in a swimsuit because we are manifesting luxurious vacations all year. Not to mention, you can also rock this badass bathing suit with some denim and give everything it's supposed to and more.
1929 Char Hoops Textured
1929 Galore
There's nothing a Black woman can't do when she puts on a pair of gold earrings. Accessories are the glue that hold an outfit together and gold hoops exude the confidence you need to ask for a raise or shoot you shot with that special someone.
Brandon Blackwood Cara Mini Duffle Bag in Black
Brandon Blackwood
Handbags speak louder than words. One way to make sure you're speaking volumes, is to rock a leather tote. Every style decision you make is a statement and once you make it to the 30, you want to ensure your handbags say, "I have arrived." This bag by Brandon Blackwood will elevate you to that status.
To get your fashion fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Style section here.
Featured image courtesy of Tenicka Boyd
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
Courtesy
Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
Courtesy
Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
Courtesy
Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy