Best Dressed: The Classic Soiree

Okay, okay…we partied too hard last weekend at the Magic City Classic to take photos, but take our word for it: the hautest party in town was held at the Birmingham Museum of Art last Friday night, where Birmingham’s most fashionable mix, mingled, and enjoyed music from Raheem Devaughn! And while there were simply too many fabulous ensembles to recount, we thought it only fitting to celebrate three socialites who styled this week’s Fashion Flashback in three very distinct, but equally fab ways:

Regan Fisher Liggins chose a long sleeve sweater dress with grommet and lace-up detailing and accessories from Cache.   Mrs. Liggins notes she was “aiming for sophistication with comfort.”  We think she succeeded..and as the temperatures dipped, we know several bare-armed ladies wished they’d followed her lead and worn something with sleeves!

Tia Chestang-Beville chose a black sheath with ruffle detail by Paul Sinclaire.  She accessorized with Valentino’s couture bow d’Orsay pumps in cherry red for a pop of color, and a Kate Spade Pop Art Pearle clutch (which we’re going to “borrow” at the first opportunity!).  Mrs. Beville says she was going for a “back to basics  meets classy chic look”.  

Jamika Kirk shopped the day of the event (!) and came away a winner with a “fun, flirty,  sexy” one-shoulder Jessica Simpson cocktail dress she found at Macy’s/Colonial Brookwood Mall.  She accessorized with Badgley Mischka’s black satin Randall stilettos, jewelry by Guess and Claire’s and a clutch from Express.   Ms. Kirk,  who had never worn a one-shoulder before, was looking for a dress that could easily transition to another nightspot.

Three looks – all chic!

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LaLa Keeps a Child Alive

Newsflash: Halloween is over, children.  Put your Arabian Nights-inspired headpieces away!

LaLa Vasquez Anthony showed up to Alicia Keys’ Keep a Child Alive Foundation’s Black Ball in hers last night and gets a major side-eye from us…wonder who told her that’s what hot in the streets?

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Double fail.

Images from The YB&F and E!

Fashion Flashback: The LBD

Whether you wear it to breakfast at Tiffany’s or style it like Halle or Herve, the little  black dress (LBD) is every woman’s best friend.  Versatile and effortlessly chic, this wardrobe must-have is available in a variety of fabrics and silhouettes.  Find the one that works best for your physique and lifestyle, dress it up or down, rock a sheath or dare to be bare in a strapless version, but make sure you own at least one!  Before the Roaring 20s, black was considered appropriate only for mourning, and came to be associated with fallen or dangerous women when worn outside those circumstances.  Coco Chanel turned it into an aspirational uniform, and today it is always appropriate: with a few adjustments an LBD can take you from the office to cocktails to…well, just about anywhere.

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Images courtesy of Google

Thank Me Later: Beauty on a Budget

Whether you consider yourself a natural frugalista, bargainista, or recessionista, pinching pennies and repurposing items you have on hand can be fabulous!  Here’s one of my favorite tips to shop smarter (not harder) and get more bang for your buck:

Making up is (not) hard to do: You may be “worth it,” but anyone who’s been to a beauty counter to have her face beat knows those powders, lashes, and lip glosses add up.  First, nix prestige-brand makeup for Maybelline and Cover Girl, or mix and match.  Coupons can often be found in the Sunday paper for cosmetics brands found in grocery or big box stores (you are clipping coupons, right?).  That’s how I justify buying a $7 wand of CoverGirl LashBlast mascara (which, if you haven’t tried it yet, is the bomb.com…)!  I’ve also trimmed my beauty budget by signing up for the membership programs offered at Ulta via Ultamate Rewards and at Sephora via BeautyInsider (which also gives members a free gift on their birthday!).  Also, for every six empty MAC makeup containters you recycle at MAC Cosmetics, get one regular lipstick (not lipglass, etc.) for free (either online or at the counter). 

Image courtesy of  Etsy

Dark Girls to Debut in Atlanta on November 19

Last Friday’s Fashion Flashback, School Daze,  dealt with the color complex as played out on a fictitious college campus in the 1980s.  But as Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry’s latest documentary Dark Girls reveals, this issue is far from closed.  With honest and painful commentary from black women of various ages and complexions, the film “Dark Girls pulls back our country’s curtain to reveal that the deep seated biases and hatreds of racism – within and outside of the Black American culture – remain bitterly entrenched.” 

 Dark Girls will be shown at Atlanta’s fabulous Fox Theater on November 19 at 7:30 PM, and will be followed by a live discussion with Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry.  For ticket information, click here.

While you’re in Atlanta checking out the Ken Ford/ Trace Ellington concert this weekend, here’s something else you should see.  Billed as “the only museum in the nation emphasizing art by and about women of the African Diaspora,” the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art is pleased to unveil 15 X 15: The Anniversary Acquisitions Exhibition , on view through December 3, 2011.

From spelmanmuseum.org: “The 15 x 15 Acquisitions Initiative celebrates the Museum’s 15th anniversary and has three components: the acquisition of mission specific works by 15 emerging, mid-career, and established artists; a special 15th anniversary exhibition; and a 15th anniversary catalogue.”

By adding the 15 new works, the Museum will launch a focused collection effort and expand the College’s permanent holdings, which currently includes works by Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, et. al.

Image courtesy of Spelman Museum of Fine Art

Same Chic Different Day Recommends…

…that you check out Ken Ford‘s upcoming concert at the Henry County Performing Arts Center if you’re in the Atlanta area on November 5.  The electric violinist (who has recently released State of Mind) has made beautiful music with the likes of Chaka Khan, Ledisi, Bruno Mars, and Erykah Badu.  His November appearance will be with Trace Ellington (yes, a member of this Ellington‘s family).

Electric violinist Ken Ford

Tickets are $50/VIP Reserved and $40/General Admission and can be purchased here.

Image courtesy of Rolling Out

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…

….WHO’S THE HAUTEST OF THEM ALL?

It could be YOU!

Same Chic Different Day is looking for the best dressed ladies and gentlemen at the 2011 State Farm Magic City Classic!  Rock your fly and flashy ensembles…if you’re tapped by our Head Fashionista in Charge  – Alexis Barton – as she checks out game day fashion at Birmingham’s Legion Field and party attire throughout the weekend, your style could be featured right here in an upcoming post! 

For more on Magic City Classic fashion do’s and definite don’ts, check out this post!

Image courtesy of Google

Fashion Flashback: School Daze

Come on…you saw this one coming a mile away!  In honor of the 2011 Magic City Classic, we’re posting a classic clip from the 1988 Spike Lee Joint which inspired countless co-eds to enroll at  historically Black colleges or universities.  Lee’s film examined racial tension, political consciousness and Black identity on college campuses; its themes – frats vs. independents, “good” hair vs. “bad” hair, light skin vs. dark skin, etc. – are still being debated in  some circles today.  Enjoy this clip featuring  two up-and-coming Gamma Rays who went on to very bright careers!  (And ladies – you’re lying if you love the movie but claim never to have done this choreography in the your bedroom mirror!)

Some scenes from the film:

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For more on School Daze, click here.

Images courtesy of Columbia Pictures, Inc. & 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks via imdb.com

What’s Not Haute: 2011 State Farm Magic City Classic Edition

These lovelies are getting worn this weekend. Trust.

It’s time for the 2011 State Farm Magic City Classic, the 70th annual face-off between Alabama A&M and Alabama State Universities, and one of Birmingham’s most fashionable events! Whether you’re rooting for the Hornets or the Bulldogs come October 28th, here are some tips to keep you from being fashion roadkill! 

  1. LAYERWeather can change from hot to cold and back in an instant.  Shivering half-naked makes you look silly. And sweating with a coat on is unacceptable as well.
  2. Fur is FIRE (if the temperature deems it appropriate)…but please leave anything that resembles German shepherd, raccoon, or squirrel in your closet.  Better yet, trash it.  Simply put, if it looks like it can move  with you, don’t wear it!
  3. Rock boots and stiletto heels if you must, but only if you know how to walk in them. Hobbling,stumbling and/or stomping are not sexy. If you just bought them and haven’t broken them in, don’t bother.
  4. Furthermore, if your toes are hanging over the edge of your shoes, or if the heels are missing taps or look like they’ve been gnawed by a rabid animal, please don’t wear them.
  5. This is a family-friendly weekend.  No one wants to see the tattoo(s) on your exposed stomach, cleavage, or lower back. Thanks!
  6. If your ‘gators are the same color as Kool-Aid or Now&Laters, spare us.
  7. We know you’ve got school spirit, but that 1964 band sweater is not the business. Matter fact, NOTHING from 1964 is okay.
  8. No one is starching their jeans anymore, we hope! We don’t want to see any super stiff creases in your denim!
  9. If you’re wearing Spandex and are visibly pregnant, expect to be tapped on the shoulder and asked to leave.
  10. Ditto for anyone in an extra smedium vest (male or female).
  11. Wear your ice, but don’t be mad if it gets snatched. You’ve seen Birmingham on The First 48, right? Please don’t be a fashion casualty!
  12. No one wants to see your underwear (bra straps, panty lines, boxer shorts, etc.). Take our word for it.
  13. You’re not on the dance line, so why would you wear booty shorts or a leotard and fishnets to the game?
  14. If you absolutely must wear a (zoot) suit to any of the events scheduled this weekend, please remove the tag(s) from the sleeve.
  15. If your lacefront game is not up to par (and by “up to par” we mean: no visible glue tracks, it shouldn’t look like old Barbie doll hair, and it shouldn’t be perched right above your eyebrows), expect to be a topic of discussion for all the wrong reasons.
  16. Need we inform you that baby hair is for BABIES?
  17. Ladies: please keep your shoes on in the club and everywhere else for that matter. You’re welcome.
  18. Men in skinny jeans or jeggings – well, if you’re guilty of this crime you probably aren’t even reading this blog regularly – so…never mind.
  19. It’s not Halloween or Mardi Gras.  Unless you actually are Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, or Lady Gaga, don’t show up dressed as a misguided geisha, Barbie, Smurfette, or wearing meat.
  20. Keep it chic!   One of our readers rocked a bow tie and sweater at her college’s homecoming.  Or maybe in honor of LisaRaye – this year’s ambassador – you want to try a “white haute” look. This weekend is the time to take a calculated risk, either with your ensemble or accessories!
     

And for more on Black college classics, check out this article by Deron Snyder at theroot.com.

Image courtesy of bloomingdales.com

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