London is one of my favorite cities in the world and when it comes to their influence on the fashion world, they’re even higher on my list. The epicenter of European style and grace, London is full of trend-forward locals that take effortless fashion to another level. With a population of over 10 million people, you can’t narrow down just one aesthetic. Like any other big city, there are a plethora of shapes, personalities, and daily activities that contribute to one’s personal style.
When visiting this past November, I spotted a number of streetwear trends that seemed to be a favorite amongst Londoners. As we get deeper into the winter months, colder temperatures require a major style adjustment. To get a better understanding of what’s trending now, I enlisted the help of styling duo May and Melinda. Identical twin sisters, these fashion lifestyle content creators are based out of London, focusing on pear-shaped styling.
Courtesy of May and Mel
East African-born, naturally pear-shaped, and lovers of fashion, they always found it difficult shopping ready-to-wear items that fit their shape. Beginning their careers a little over a year ago, they started May Mel out of frustration and wanting to help others who were also left out and ignored while bringing the latest trends to our social media feeds.
Like many parts of the world, the colder weather in London has May and Mel gravitating towards layering, which the fashion lovers say is a major key for staying warm without sacrificing style. The duo notes that plus knitwear and "good duvet coat" as winter wardrobe essentials. They tell xoNecole, "You have to start with a good base layer like a Merino turtleneck and thermal leggings. You can layer [them] with almost anything.”
In addition to Uniqlo thermal leggings, May and Mel also recommend "the ease and coolness" of a pair of oversized pants. "We recommend buying mid- or high-waisted pants for our curvy girls. This is for a better fit, plus the illusion of a slender hip and an elongated body frame.”
Courtesy of May and Mel
One way that May and Mel like to keep things sexy and cozy during the winter months is by introducing form-fitted items to accompany more oversized outwear. "If you follow our accounts you know we love a knitted midi bodycon; it is sexy, cozy, and classy. Playing with shapes, especially oversized outerwear, and fitted innerwear is an absolute favorite in the colder months. For instance, an oversized blazer paired with a tank or crop top and bottoms gives sexy and shows off your shape, whilst keeping you warm."
When it comes to UK winter fashion, there’s a mix of classic staples and throwback items seen on the streets every day. Keep scrolling to read what’s trending in London this season according to these ready-to-wear experts.
1. Shearling-Lined Jackets
Perfect for below-zero temperatures, I saw this cozy suede coat all over London. From street style to my Instagram feeds, this is one of the stylish winter items that look just as good as it feels warm.
2. Denim Corsets
The fashion girls love to layer and what better way to stay chic than with a denim corset as the final addition to a day or nighttime look? May and Mel suggest, “Corset tops with denim or cargos (or denim cargos). Still very Y2K, these are fun and look uber-feminine, paired with heels. Styling trick for our pears: try a corset with vertical stripes to help elongate your frame and lift the bust to give you a fuller-busted appearance.”
While fashionistas may have ditched this look opting to stay warm during the day, it's still a sexy staple for date night or out for drinks with the girls.
3. Tracksuits
Tracksuits are the cozy co-ord sets that are worn best with sneakers and a puffer coat. The key to surviving the below-freezing temperatures while boarding the London Underground or walking along Oxford Street, this is the go-to daytime look to stay warm and cozy while out and about.
4. Longline Wool Coats
One of my favorite winter staples is a longline coat, transforming a subtle casual look into a major statement. May and Mel explain, “Londoners are great at taking simple and classic items and elevating them with trendy pieces like chunky knee-high boots or cargo pants.” They continue, “For pears, we’d recommend a belted wool coat which is uber chic and flattering, creating a balanced proportion between the shoulders and the hips, emphasizing your cinched-in waist.”
5. Headphones
The epitome of early 2000’s style, headphones are officially one of my favorite accessory trends of 2022-2023. Reinvigorated by Gen Z, headphones are no longer for just listening to music but have been adopted as part of the latest London cool girl aesthetic. Specifically, Apple’s AirPod Max has seemingly replaced ear muffs as the cozy girls' fashionable attempt to stay warm and antisocial.
6. Cargo Pants
The utilitarian trend can be spotted absolutely everywhere, reinforcing the oversized cozy look that is taking over the streets of London. Dressing the pants style up or down, the versatility is endless. “We’re obsessed just like every other fashion lover and most of London. Easily one of the biggest trends of the year, you can’t help but see them everywhere you go,” states May and Mel. “These are just too comfortable and cool not to own. We bought a pair from Local European that we love and wish we could live in them as they fit so well with their cinch-able waistband.”
7. Chunky Knit Sweater
Oversized knits are a necessity when bracing for winter London weather. With negative temperatures, the only way to stylishly embrace the cold is by layering cute and functional items. “This is an absolute staple in all Londoners’ wardrobes. We’ve seen a lot of bold and jumper-style knitwear this winter, alongside classics like turtlenecks,” says May and Mel. “This sweater style is the perfect addition to statement pants layered with a heavy-duty coat, running sneakers, and a crossbody bag. “We love a chunky knit, great for adding volume on the upper body; especially bright and textured knits like patterned fleeces,” they add.
8. Knit Dresses
Knit maxi dresses are the perfect balance of sexy, chic, and cozy. “We’ve seen lots of knit dresses; as they’re so easy, versatile, and chic. A winter staple, these dresses are perfect for any event, day to night, and suit everyone.” May and Mel continue, “For our fellow pears, we recommend styles that are belted at the waist or patterned on the top half. This is to draw attention to your smallest part and show off your curves.”
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Featured image courtesy of May and Mel
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The Mecca Of Fashion: The Top Street Style Moments At Howard Homecoming
Outfits were planned, bags were packed, and cameras were ready to capture Howard University's collegiate spirit during its centennial Homecoming celebration. Not only does it hold the number one ranking as the most elite Historically Black College and University or its top performing academics, diversity of students and alumni, but the HBCU also leaves a legacy of style and grace.
The essence of effortless poise and refinement shines bright through the iconic university colors of indigo blue, red, and white. Every October, Howard University students, alumni, staff, and friends gather on the prestigious campus in Washington, D.C. to take part in time-honored traditions and events, which is Homecoming. This year's theme, “The Meccaverse,” was a week-long celebration of Howard University’s heritage, including the Homecoming football game and Bison Pep Rally, the Fashion Show, Greek Life Step Show, Homecoming Day of Service, Lavender Reception, and the iconic Yard Fest Concert.
As 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the Howard Bison trek back to The Mecca and after two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was to be a celebration of a lifetime. We enlisted HU alumnus Sharmaine Harris, a luxury retail buyer, as she revisited her alma mater as eyes on the yard for fashion-forward outfits mixed with personal style and campus pride for the weeklong celebration.
Before we get to the looks, discover how attending Howard University impacted her career in fashion and her day-to-day style:
Credit: Sharmaine and Friends
xoNecole: Describe your personal style. Did attending Howard have any impact on developing it?
Sharmaine: Howard taught me that there’s no such thing as being TOO dressed. There’s always a reason to “put it on” and look presentable, even if it’s just for a day of classes. Standing out was celebrated and encouraged with my peers embracing the opportunity, giving me the confidence to try new styles and trends.
xoNecole: How did Howard shape your career as a luxury buyer?
Sharmaine: I studied Fashion Merchandising, through which I was fortunate to have professors who were very connected to the industry and able to give first-hand accounts of opportunities and what to expect post-college. I was also able to build a network through my peers and other Howard Alum, which has opened doors to endless possibilities both within fashion as well as daily life.
The same confidence instilled in me through my style has also been rooted deeply within me as I step into any role or project I’m faced with throughout my career.
xoNecole: This year marked Howard’s 100th-anniversary Homecoming celebration. Can you describe what the weekend looked and felt like?
Sharmaine: I’ve gone to many Howard Homecomings since graduating, but this year’s 100th anniversary felt like a huge family reunion filled with nothing but love. It was beautiful to see so many Bison return home looking great and radiating joy. It was beautiful!
xoNecole: What makes Howard fashion different from other HBCUs?
Sharmaine: Being that Howard is The Mecca, we have such a diverse population with each individual having their own spin on fashion. Getting dressed is second nature for us, but the layered confidence is our secret ingredient to make any look come together. Through that comfortability to push barriers, we have a legacy of setting trends, as indicated by the many alumni we have in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Keep scrolling for the top street style moments from The Mecca's Homecoming weekend:
Credit: Lacey Gallagher
Credit: Alan Henderson
Credit: JaLynn Davis
Credit: Dylan Davis
Credit: Caleb Smith
Credit: Kendall W.
Credit: Jordyn Finney
Credit: Vanessa Nneoma
Credit: Dr. Mariah Sankey-Thomas
Credit: Caleb MacBruce
Credit: Tiffany Battle
Credit: Teniola
Credit: Ilahi Creary
Credit: Nicolas Ryan Grant
Credit: Dylan Davis
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
Featured image courtesy of Sharmaine Harris
Girls' Trips & Group Pics: Are We Losing The Essence Of Friendship In The Age Of Social Media?
A few months ago, I found myself on social media, scrolling, and came across a video of a bunch of friend groups taking girls' trips and felt an uncomfortable amount of jealousy and, if I'm honest, also sadness.
My friends and I are all in different places in our lives and haven’t traveled together in almost a decade. In undergrad, I went on spring break with friends, and in my very early twenties, I experienced a few trips with individual friends, but these friend groups that travel together can’t relate lol, and I’m not going to lie, it bothers me because I’ve always wanted that.
At first, that reality made me a little emotional, and I was brought to tears until I saw the comment section with responses like “Step one, find friends first” or “Does anyone else not have friends who like to travel?” While I found solace in that and have since understood the importance of travel groups, making friends with women who love to travel and have the schedule for it, and appreciating my friendship groups for what they are, I now wonder, overall, if social media making us compare our friendships in the same ways that we compare our romantic relationships?
Somewhere along the way, have we lost the plot? Is there friendship and connection outside of meeting up at the hottest new restaurant, girls' trip where we all wear the same outfits, or dinner parties with color schemes (not judging any of these choices, because I love them all), what about the friends that come over to give you a hug when you’ve had a bad day? Where are the friends who will run errands with you? Where are the friends who will give you their Finsta password to find out if your man has a side chick? Where are the friends who show up to your kids' sporting events?
Growing up with shows like Living Single and Girlfriends, we had the blueprint and somehow have missed the mark. We love to discuss the impact of these shows and how they made us feel seen - but do we hang out at each other's houses? Do we embrace friends who don't dress like us? Or are we only interested in friends who fit a certain aesthetic or are exactly like us?
In search of the truth and various perspectives, we’ve talked with 16 Black women for their points of view on whether they believe social media impacts friendships and if it’s made some friendships superficial.
Lisa, NJ:
Many of my closest friends are not on social media, however, the friends that are don’t respond to things unless (to me) they are concerned about something when they read into a post. Then I get a call like, “Hey girl, are you okay, I saw your post." Or they will be ringing my doorbell…even if they are still living in the Bronx. There are a core group of friends that we check in on a few times per month and meet up but for the ones that are on social media, it seems like I’m the only one that sends cards and reaches out more.
To me, they let social media be their only form of contact unless something serious is going on, sadly. They send greetings on social media, yet I still do both if you are a friend, that’s just me, and they know it… Sometimes, social media can be an easy way to avoid that old-school outreach. But let them need prayer even if I haven’t spoken to them in months. I'll just pray and love every moment.
Courtney, RI:
I do believe socials have an impact on friendships that make them “appear” superficial— however, I don’t want to believe that beautifully documented moments equal superficial friendships. I think some of the best moments with girlfriends aren’t always pretty and well-documented. BUT. There are times when I do capture things with my friends for social media specifically, and those are some rock-solid relationships - we are just cute. And outside. And y’all need to see us, lol.
JT, NC:
Social media has helped me connect with friends since relocating, however, while battling a chronic condition and sharing the deeply personal things I share about panic attacks and my pain, it triggers a lot of people, usually those closest to me. Meanwhile, I have strangers in my DMs daily praising the work I do and telling me I need a bigger platform. It breaks my heart when those I once loved rip me apart solely for being honest. I also think people put way too much thought into what people post instead of just having a real convo about what is really triggering [them] deep down.
Jennifer, NY:
In my opinion, a lot of friendships have become superficial - quite frankly, a lot of women are starting to look alike! There's nothing wrong with sharing posts, keeping your page a certain way, documenting while you are out, etc., but I have noticed many friendships have become "let's go here so we can get good pics" and less about building a bond.
Petulia, NJ:
I feel like social media makes friendships seem like they’re not adequate enough by the display that certain people have. It makes people feel like if they’re not giving out lavish gifts, they’re not good enough friends. If they’re not doing expensive dinners, things like that but friendships are more than that.
Courtney, NJ:
I think, in general, social media has played a role in how friendships are viewed! I think people see the glitz and the glam of friendships that people post however, they don’t see the times when you’re not talking… where there might be friction (women being women)… when you lose touch (life be life-ing), etc. I think that is what people don’t see and don’t really show the honesty in friendships on social media.
Quadira, NJ:
So I’ve always battled with valuing friendships since I was a kid. One, I would blame the fact that I moved a lot, so whenever I actually developed a friendship with someone, and we got close within a year or two, I had to move, and after a while, that just made me no longer wanna get close with people. And I was always satisfied with having a bunch of siblings and cousins as my friends. So I would have maybe one friend each school year, and I was okay with that.
I never really got to experience like a core group of girlfriends until I was in the 11th grade, and even then, I saw them as disposable and replaceable, but not in a mean girl way. I was just detached from the idea of long-lasting friendships. And I think that it took a toll on me throughout my college years because I would watch everyone have a group of friends that they stuck with for all four years and saw how they built their lives together after college, and I just feel like I missed out on that.
EF Volart/Getty Images
Social media has definitely made me feel a lot of FOMO, like I denied myself something so special by not putting value in building friendships. The cute pictures with friends were something that drove my FOMO, but I feel like it was misguided because I didn’t really understand what it took for people to have these moments with each other for so long OR that some of these photos really didn’t represent a healthy friendship.
But now I have that understanding, and my on-and-off social media moments with my friends don’t always look so aesthetically pleasing because it is authentic to the kind of friendship that we built with each other and does not mirror what other folks got going on.
Like me and my best friend have more crazy-looking FaceTime screenshots of each other than posed pictures. Because that’s just who we are and that’s what puts a smile on our faces looking back at those FaceTime screenshots rather than pictures intended for social media.
Beata, NJ:
I think social media could be a good thing for friendships in that it gives you gathering ideas, recs for places to go, and overall sometimes content that makes you appreciate the tribe you do have when you see it sort of reflected in front of you and can relate. I think some people have even found valued friendships through social media that they may otherwise wouldn’t have found in the “real world.” However, we know that with all things social media - there’s also that downside.
Sometimes, things can feel performative, one could wonder if people are reaching out to hang out because they see you posting a certain lifestyle and want parts or if they’re genuinely looking to connect. There’s also that notion of comparison, which we know can be the thief of joy. Maybe you don’t have that many friends or that core group, and because of what’s being portrayed on social media, you feel bad about what you do have because it doesn’t look the same.
Sade Danielle:
My personal experience is quite the opposite. I think social media has allowed my friendships to strengthen. As we get older, move away, and have limited time because of other responsibilities, social media has kept us together and even motivates us to plan trips, go to events, or just give kind reminders that we can stay connected through content we find and share.
Denise, NY:
I think social media hasn’t made it superficial, but I do think it has made it lack depth and a sense of responsibility.
Daneyah, LA:
I am a huge girls' girl and love all of my friends for who they are as individuals. One thing that has stood out to me is not depending on one friend for everything, as different friendships have different values and bring different things to the table! Yes, I feel like friends engage with each other socially based on time and proximity.
Because I live so far from most of my friend groups, we lean on socials to stay connected, share memes/relatable content, as well as support each other from afar! It’s definitely helped me stay connected. But I can also see the counter of that, where people see friend groups on social media and get attached to the facade but not the work that goes into nourishing those friendships behind the scenes.
Destiny, NJ:
Yes, I believe friendships have become so superficial based on social media and aesthetics. For instance, I’ve observed in my own personal friendships some friends will gravitate to people who have more of a social media following and what is trending on social media. Wanting to go to certain places and do certain things to adhere to a trend rather than just pulling up on your girls to talk. It becomes hurtful, too, when you have your core group of friends, and the group chat goes cold because you can't ever align schedules, but you see them with people who may fit more of an aesthetic.
Nashima, OH:
Social media has significantly shaped my friendships, making it easier to connect with friends no matter the distance. I enjoy sharing updates and experiences through posts and messages, which helps me feel closer to them. However, I've also noticed that it can lead to misunderstandings, as tone can be easily misinterpreted in text. Additionally, seeing friends highlights can sometimes evoke feelings of jealousy or exclusion. Jealousy in the sense I am missing out because I am states away.
While I appreciate the convenience of staying in touch, I often find that online interactions lack the depth of face-to-face conversations. Balancing social media with real-life connections is important for me to truly strengthen those friendships. Overall, social media plays a crucial role in my relationships, but it's essential to prioritize meaningful communication alongside it.
Justine, NJ:
I think social media affects friendships negatively because it offers a false sense of connection. It is nice to see photos or relatable memes that friends post, but it doesn’t give us an inside view of how they are really doing. It can be used as a tool to stay in the loop, but true connection involves vulnerability and impersonal encounters; both are missing from social media.
Jaylon, PA:
Social media has certainly impacted friendships in a number of ways. On one hand, I believe it’s made it harder to have true, deep, and long-standing connections as we compare ourselves and lives to the lifestyle content we see online. But it also has allowed us to connect with people who have similar interests all around the world.
Ebony, NJ:
I don't feel like social media plays a part in my friendship but I can see the benefits and negative impacts. Social media has been a way to celebrate with friends that I haven’t seen and see if they're going on an amazing vacation, getting married, or if they're opening up their own business, so I do find that it gives me opportunities to still be present even if I can't physically show up.
Sometimes, there are negative impacts of social media, especially as Black women. When we’re looking at content comparing our lives, there's so many curated situations on social media, so it may feel like, "Oh my friendship doesn't look like this," so then comparison sets in.
No matter where you fall whether you’ve found yourself comparing your friendships, felt alone, have a strong group of friends, or none at all, remember this - you are worthy of friendship.
Maskot/Getty Images
Every connection and friendship I have, from my best friends from high school and college to my friends I’ve met as a creator and entrepreneur, brings something unique to my life, and I truly believe that we can celebrate our old friends while embracing the opportunity to make new ones.
It’s important to realize that growth doesn’t mean leaving people behind; instead, it can enrich our lives in ways we never imagined. It’s absolutely possible to cultivate new friendships while holding onto the ones that have been with you through thick and thin. Each relationship adds a different flavor to our lives, and there’s power in allowing ourselves the space to expand our circles without losing the love for those who have always been there.
So, let’s embrace change, appreciate the different paths we take, and honor the friendships that shape our journeys, old and new.
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Featured image by EF Volart/Getty Images