Life is full of unanswerable questions.  Why are we here?  Why can’t I hum when I hold my nose closed? How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?  Simply put, these things are just destined to remain mysteries (to those just now trying the whole humming thing, isn’t it crazy?!).  However, some of these questions we have no choice but to answer.

Like what the heck business casual is.
(Casual here being pronounced as cazsh like all the cool kids say.)

So to give some context here, last week I was preparing to go to my first company meeting for my internship. I’m a sophomore in college so naturally I was both a mix of excited and OHMYGODWHATAMIDOINGI’MWOEFULLYUNQUALIFIEDTODEALWITHREALLIFE. However, I felt like I was prepared more or less, and ready to get started with my first real job in the business sector.  Prepared at least, until I read the last line on my boss’s final informational email:

“We are requiring that everybody dress very nicely: guys, wear shirt and tie and a suit coat if you have one and ladies: business attire.”

Wait...Where’s my list?

For men it’s a straightforward protocol, but for women?  It’s so amorphous that I’m using words like amorphous.  I was completely lost as to what the rules for this were. I have plenty of dresses but do dresses count as business?  That ruffle-y floral pattern totally makes me look like I can close a deal right?

Hey guys!  Is it promotion time yet? Guys...?
Courtesy: justbefun.blogspot.com

Thus began my 24 hour quest to figure out exactly what on Earth the elusive "business cazsh" was.  After researching a bit online, it seems that, while there are no specific set clothing items, there a few general guidelines that should be followed.  Basically, every outfit should:

1 - Keep you covered.  AKA, the business cazsh booty shorts are unfortunately going to have to go.

2 - Be generally neutral.  A few accent pieces are ok, but beyond that the office-rainbow of tan, navy, black, and gray are where it's at!

3 - Be reasonable.  It's best to save the Lady Gaga heels for the office party.  Generally, the best idea is to stick with what works, the basic skirts, blazers, dress pants, and dress blouses will be your best office friend who, bonus points, won't steal your lunch! Some examples of what I'm talking about...

I would totally hire her for the company I totally own.
Courtesy: macys.com

Sign on the dotted line? Sure! Give you my social security number? Sounds great to me! You need my kidneys too? Why not!
Courtesy: umekobeautyfashion.com

She looks like the Tomb Raider of the office world. Fan-tas-tic.
Courtesy: hellousdaily.com

So, for my personal search for business cazsh, I purchased a reasonable high-waisted straight skirt, a black camisole, and a gray cardigan to throw on top.  And, considering the meeting went well and I still have my job, I'd say the outfit worked just fine.  Long story short, the easiest way to judge if what you're wearing is alright, is if it could also dual as something you'd wear it to meet your boyfriend's parents for the first time.  You want to look clean and put-together, ideally avoiding the tracksuits and the business cazsh booty shorts.  All in all, through this guideline you'll be able to wow the boss, the clients, and the cute co-worker in the cubicle next to you!  So, while we may never know why we can't hum with our nose being held closed, we will at least look darn professional trying it.

Because we're all guilty of taking fashion a bit too seriously at times, I dedicate this Friday to this spot-on spoof of clothing boutiques in my neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Enjoy!

SHOPGIRL from SRSLY. on Vimeo.

In West Africa, beauty and style is not just about how one looks or what one wears, but it is a way of life.  The continent is home to dozens of different tribes, therefore collections of distinct languages, customs, and heritages, which are reflected in the people’s outer appearance.  Various styles of hair and dress are essentially a person’s biography, showcasing their unique background, such as where they are born, their age, if they are married, their spiritual beliefs, and more.  Just the specific color of their clothes and their hair ornaments hold special meaning because they are what bind their tribe together.

Hair: West African hair is some of the most colorful and intricate in the world.  Many different styles vary upon the numerous tribes in the continent.  The Zulu tribe decorates their braided hair with beads, seashells, and even seaweed.  The Ashanti tribe shows off their social status, clan, or gender by the tribal patterns that are cut into the hair.  These designs are also visual representations of the individual’s political and religious views.  Lastly, the Samburu people pride themselves on their feather headbands.

Courtesy: Afroglitz / Flicker Hive Mine

Body: While the rest of the entire world is obsessed with keeping their bodies stick-thin to maintain their beauty, in Africa it is the complete opposite.  Bigger is definitely better, and plump women are looked upon as healthy and sexy.  It is common knowledge that a young but big woman will have a higher chance of securing a good husband, for they are thought to have better fertility than skinny women.  Traditionally, young girls are sent to a camp where they are force-fed up to 16,000 calories a day to quickly gain weight and drink gallons upon gallons of cow and camel’s milk.  Also, prior to a young woman’s wedding, she must spend months in a fattening hut where older tribe women prepare her for her husband by continuously feeding her.

Courtesy: Women's Revolution / Ryan Koch

Wardrobe: West African women wear a traditional outfit called the pagne.  It consists of three elements: a flowing blouse, a wrap skirt, and then a headscarf.  It can be worn for informal or formal occasions, and the materials differ accordingly.  Some informal fabrics used are batik (hot wax and dye), mudcloth, and tie-dye, while formal fabrics call for cotton brocade, lace, and linen.

Courtesy: Away from Africa

Jewelry: Just like for hair, jewelry is also an important of a West African’s appearance that depicts his/her biography and beliefs.  Materials consist of beads, glass ornaments, gold, silver, ivory, shells, and more.  Not just for pure aesthetics, a piece of jewelry is designed a certain way for a purpose.  A young newlywed woman will wear a belt of beads to indicate her new marital status, and a special glass pendant to ward off evil spirits.

Courtesy: SSEP / The Walking Mannequins

Masks: Masks are fundamental to the African history and culture.  Ancestry is extremely important to the people, and to show them honor, masks are created in elaborate shapes, colors and designs in hopes to please their ancestors, who will in turn give them blessings.  Masks are often used in religious ceremonies and during initiations of young men and women, symbolizing good or evil spirits, mythical beings, the dead, etc.

Now that we're halfway through October, it's time to really commit to our fall wardrobe and finally give in wholeheartedly to the cooler temperatures. Try a pair of trendy flare jeans reminiscent of the 70's to bring any outfit a laid-back vibe while hugging your curves and elongating your legs (taking you to lengths you haven't reached since the advent of the skinny jean!). Dark washes are particularly figure flattering and go great with oversized knit sweaters to show off a snug, sexy silhouette on the bottom while remaining comfy and not revealing too much on top. Hilary Duff gets it right with her casual fedora (this late in the year pick browns or maroons & stick to a fall palette) and singular clip-in feather extension, showing sometimes it's best to choose just a few high-impact accessories - a refreshing change after a summer of piled boho bangles, multiple chunky rings, and attention-grabbing pendants.

Get the items here:

Fedora

Sweater

Jeans

Feather hair extensions

This fall you can cast aside the old myth that horizontal stripes should be avoided at all costs. Inspired by the super-sized style from the runways of Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Jill Sander, this season sees big bold stripes in neutral colors patterning wear-with-anything cable sweaters and knit tops alike. Leopard print shoes are undeniably one of the season's hottest trends, spotted on every celebrity as of late whether it be in a flat, a wedge, a pump, or a bootie (the Alexa Chung for Madewell "Zowie" booties, for example, are not to be missed!) so fittingly a leather bag in a rich brown is the perfect choice to offset the complementary tones of your leopard kicks.

We love LC's standout Chloe Coffee Paraty Tote and recommend a bag in a similar shade that calls to mind the caramel apples and warm cider that make autumn one of our favorite seasons. This brand-new B. Makowsky bag made of 100% genuine leather even has a gorgeous leopard interior to match your statement shoes!

Get the other items to complete the look here:

Stripe Knit

Leopard Shoes

Sunglasses

Skinny Jeans

Leather Bag