HOW I STYLE: PLAID

Quick Overview

From the Tartan of Scotland to the Skuka cloth of East Africa's Maasai tribe, plaid has served as a representation of identity and cultural heritage for centuries and for many across the globe. Ironically, its multicolored, crisscrossed, horizontal and vertical stripes has bridged a multitude of contrasting social groups: from the Ralph Lauren wielding preps to the band-shirt rocking hipsters, to haute-couture and lumberjacks, the pattern continues to cross boundaries seemingly undetected.

It brings me the question(s):

Should the UN consider changing it's flag to plaid?

In the meantime, I've decided to put together a few looks showcasing just how versatile the conglomerate of colors has proven to be.

LOOK 1

JACKET: Supreme

TOP: Zara

SKIRT: Staats Ballet

SHOES: Thrifted

BAG: Pleasures

Hypothetically, we're starting off with something I'd wear on a Monday.

My outfits usually consists of some sort of contradiction, whether is mixing feminine and masculine sillouettes (which is what I did in this case) or mixing refined cuts with more casual pieces (which is also what I did in this case)

It ignites my day with nostalgia.

With the main piece being this Supreme Plaid Varsity from FW2014 that I wanted for way too long, I decided to support it with an equally nostalgic piece: an a-line waxed maxi skirt is from Staats Ballet. Co-created by youtuber Kaliee Mckenzie , a creator I've watched since my middle school blog days from my living room desktop, it reminds me of the era I spent watching her series of videos as she brought her brand into inception.

LOOK 2

JACKET: Z Factorie by Zam Barrett

FLANNEL: Chaps by Ralph Lauren

PANTS: Rainbow

SHOES: Isabel Marant

BAG: Fossil

Kept it pretty chill. Giving "I'm doing a lil something but you can't tell exactly what".

Mixing textures is how I'd get around an otherwise basic fit, although there's nothing wrong with that either.

My favortie piece is this pebbled leather hoodie by Zam Barrett, a Jamaican designer based out of NYC. He does a lot of artisanal patchwork/leatherwork and incorporates his heritage in super subtle ways down to the belt buckles. Aside from his designs, he's really vocal about his craft and provides education for upcoming local designers/aficionados which, of course, I support.

LOOK 3

JACKET: Adidas by Wales Bonner

SWEATER: JCrew

SKIRT: Dolce & Gabbana

BOOTS: Maison Martin Margiela

I will be the 15th in line to say that having a closet full of my favorite pieces makes it a lot easier to get dressed in the morning.

Decided on repping:

my favorite fashion collab (at the moment at least) -- Wales Bonner x Adidas, the perfect example of good taste + manifestation

one of my favorite sweaters -- that has since been discontinued

my favorite thrift find -- that I got for under $20 mind you

and my favorite boots-- they need to be resoled considering all i've put them through but I love the illusion it gives with the hidden wedge and shade of brown being my perfect match.

LOOK 4

TOP: Jean Paul Gaultier

SKIRT: Thrifted

SHOES: Gucci

BAG: Ettiene Aigner

Say you're a Leo without saying you're a Leo.

Also, s/o to my mumzy for being the timeless queen she is and letting me permanently borrow this leather bag over 10 years ago.

LOOK 5

FLANNEL: My Grandpa

COAT: Just Cavalli

PANTS: Matte Brand

BOOTS: Pour Le Victoire

CLUTCH: Vintage

Something I'd wear on a night out to go grab a drink or 2.

The flannel gives dive-bar but the coat gives luxe speakeasy (once again, another notation of contradiction)

LOOK 6

TOP: Superyaya

SKIRT: Gap

BELT: ARCMND

BOOTS: Chidozie

LEGS AND HIPS AND BODY (BODY)

100% out on the town and fit for movement (I'm safe from unwarranted flashing with my shorts underneath)

I love incorporating emerging brands especially those with lineage to the African diaspora so I my top leads to Cote D'Ivoire with SuperYaya, my boots lead to Nigeria with Chidozie, and of course my belt leads to Cameroon with my brand ARCMND (dropping sooooon #FINALLY)

Funny story about the top, it released when I was in high school and I drooled over it so incessantly that I had my aunt charter someone to make a version of it remotely from Cameroon. Needless to say it wasn't the same and years later...I think about 2/3 ago to be precise, I found it on therealreal in my size and in my price range.

Needless to say Christmas came early.

LOOK 7

VEST: Miu Miu

TOP: Thrifted

SKIRT: Wales Bonner

SHOES: Dr Marten

NECKLACE: Telfar

Tapped into the archives for this one.

The skirt is one of my first WB pieces in my collection from her SS18 collection, the vest being from one of Miu Miu's first men's collections from FW2001, and a pre-shopping tote era Telfar necklace from FW2014.

In retrospect I would've done without the socks but hey, we move.

***NOTE: I've let go of the coach jacket as I wasn't wearing it as much as I intended and I am considddering letting go of the Supreme jacket, if I do it'll probably be listed HERE

---

Check out the video version as well & subscribe while you're at it.

Remember,

"Love of Self is Love of Other"

Play in Peace,

ACE ♠