Sweatpants have become like a second skin for most of us during this quarantine. Whether working from home or running errands, comfort has become more essential to our every day needs. Even as we embrace our new lives, I am a firm believer in the fact that we don't have to compromise our style. In order to challenge that idea, I wore the same pair of sweats three times this week. Below are the looks I created!
Look 1
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
I decided on a 90's athleisure-inspired outfit by wearing a grey sweatshirt tied diagonally to create a matching set. This look is styled with a pale yellow knit crop top, the perfect pop of color for spring. Knit crops are a major trend at the moment. They maintain a lightweight comfortable feel while also adding a chic element to the full sweatsuit. Pair with slippers or white socks to complete this work from home look.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Look 2
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Today I'm running errands! Under normal circumstances I don't think twice about Target runs, however with quarantine forcing us inside most days, my wardrobe and I are getting cabin fever. I'm having fun wearing my black and white Nike sports bra, paired with my favorite oversized vintage royal blue blazer. In addition to the amazing color, the oversized blazer is perfect for cool temperatures and acts as a great alternative for a lightweight jacket. I suggest wearing a dad sneaker and all-black sunglasses to complete this outdoor look.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Look 3
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
The weekend is finally here and I'm winding down with a glass of my favorite wine. Fridays are my rest days and I love to lounge around binge-watching my favorite TV shows. I paired my favorite oversized men's button down with rolled sleeves for a relaxed and casual look. The lightweight fabric of this top is perfect for warm and breezy weather, creating the perfect balance of cool and comfort to my outfit. No shoes required to complete this look. I simply added my pair of vintage gold hoop earrings. My end of the week stay at home look couldn't be any more effortless chic.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
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Featured image courtesy of Shahirah Ahmed
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Yet, the 49-year-old's background sets her apart from other first ladies. Shaunie brings a unique perspective as a public figure, which stems from her previous marriage to NBA star Shaquille O'Neal and her experience in reality television.
In an interview with xoNecole, while promoting her memoir Undefeated, the Basketball Wives creator discussed what being a first lady means to her and how she has lived her life non-traditionally.
When asked if she had always been nontraditional, Shaunie revealed that throughout her life, she has made it her mission to better herself by learning from experiences and breaking harmful cycles.
Shaunie Henderson and Pastor Keion Henderson
Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
“I think that's just who I am. I can’t say I intentionally go against the grain. In the book, I talk about things from my childhood, like my dad being late all the time. I was totally opposite with my kids when they were in school. I was always there early. My mother is not affectionate, and she doesn't verbally say, ‘I love you,’ but she does things to let you know. That's the way she shows her love,” she said when describing her relationship with her parents.
“But because I missed that 'I love you' and hugging and kissing, I do that with my kids. I try to always give what I needed myself. There were basketball wives who weren’t very nice to me, so I went out of my way to make sure that once I was a wife that I didn't treat anybody else like that. No one was going to feel like that on my watch.”
Toward the end of the conversation, when discussing her first lady responsibilities and the pressures of upholding that image, the mother of five explained she isn't too hard on herself to fit the mold, given her significantly different background from most first ladies and her relatively new role.
“As far as being first lady, now, I'm not knocking how any first ladies decide to operate but I just knew that the idea of what that usually is was not me. And, to be honest, rightfully so. I'm probably the only first lady that created a reality show that has been on television since 2010. My life is not remotely close to that of most first ladies. We've experienced completely different things. Most of them have been pastor’s wives for a long time, this is all new for me. I come with an entirely different journey; that wouldn’t lend itself to being a traditional first lady,” she stated.
Shaunie's nontraditional approach appears to work in her favor, as she has been welcomed with open arms just as she is.
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Feature image by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images