the JAKTIONARY: August 2020

DEFINING STYLE: STYLE VS FASHION

By JAK - August 19, 2020

Hi guys,

I hope your weekend was awesome. Mine was. I made an IG reel video and the love has been amazing. It has absolutely boosted my morale to style more outfits. For a long time, I have seemingly neglected the fashion aspect of this blog.

I have no excuses really, but I am sorry and promise to put out more fashion based content.

One question I get asked a lot i.e by a few people just a lot of times is DRUMROLLS🥁🥁

HOW TO DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
AND
HOW I CAME TO EMBRACE MY STYLE.

I will be discussing how you can define your style and how I defined mine in some later posts but for now, I will be taking you through something very important that will lay a foundation for both questions I get asked.

Now, you may or may not have pondered on the difference between STYLE and FASHION.

I have and when I first did, I thought they meant the same thing and only had different spellings. But the lifelong learner in me was dissatisfied and decided to do some more research.

These were my findings:

Style as further discussed by writers at Master Class is described thus:

"Style refers to a person’s particular way of expressing themselves—whether that’s through clothing, writing style, or a style of architecture."

Fashion on the other hand as described by Master Class was:

"Fashion is the dominant style within a given culture at a certain time. Fashion has to do with new trends: It refers to popular ways of dressing during a specific era."

SO, this was like the summary in definitions of what style and fashion mean independently. It made so much sense to me and even helped me put my own style into perspective. I started my style journey from when I was probably 6 or 7. Basically, when I knew what it meant to put two pieces of clothing together.

The best part of this knowledge for me is that we all started our style journeys at that age. Maybe 9 for some boys because your mom had to scream a million times before you would just agree to put on some clothes.

Style is innate. It is basically and literally, how you like to dress. It has nothing to do with the present fashion trends and all that. It is simply your identity.

Fashion on the other hand, is the more annoying older brother. It is the mom always trying to judge you for wearing red shirts on red trousers. The thing however is that no matter how much your mom scolds you for wearing what she feels doesn't look right. She still loves you and only wants you to do better. That is somewhat the relationship fashion has with your style.

When you think of Steve Jobs, the first image that pops in your head is one of a middle aged guy with glasses and a black turtle necked sweater. I am very sure he must have some other clothes but his style preference was that and it soon became his identity. Trust me, I am no detective but I tried to find pictures of the man wearing something else but still wound back to this outfit.

I sure give him A1 for consistency. Wearing one outfit for every appearance can almost choke me. I like me some variety.

Now, fashion becomes evident in our personal styles when we add bits and pieces of the current trends to our style. This emergence is what would make you refer to someone as FASHIONABLE.

NOW, is there a difference between a stylish and a fashionable person?

Leave your answer in the comment section. I do not know as well.

You can be stylish which would make you seemingly fashionable but that doesn't mean you will be viewed as fashionable by many experts in the industry. Style is mostly individual centered, whereas fashion is collective. Fashion makes up the trends you see on Fashion magazines, Runway shows and general designer outlets.

Characteristics of Fashion and Style are as follows:

Individual vs. Collective: As said earlier, the way you choose to dress, if no one could see you and you just wanted to enjoy yourself is your style. It is a very personal experience. It could range from vintage to traditional to formal to whatever you personally like.

Fashion on the other hand is collective in the sense that it is the driving force for a period. It is usually worn by a group of people as per the dictation of fashion trendsetters such as designers, merchandisers and other fashion professionals.

Timeless vs. Trendy: Your style is seen as timeless because regardless of what trend goes by your personal preference remains your personal preference and as such it lives with you preferably for a lifetime.

Fashion is trendy as every year there is a new trend color or style that everyone in the fashion space identifies with.

Fashion and style overlap in our day to day choices.

In 2020, trends have already come and gone and this is regardless of the COVID-I9 pandemic that hit every part of the world.

Notable among trends this year are:

Maxi Faux Coats

Shoes worn over Trousers

Bucket Hats

Square Toed Heels

Over sized Gold Chain Necklaces

e.t.c.

For men, we have :

Cross Body Bags (Sling Bags)

Cuban Collar Shirts

Over Sized Blazers

e.t.c.

This is my little foundational work. I really hope you learnt something new.

If you enjoyed the post, please leave a comment below telling us which trend you've tried out this year. If you haven't tried out any, tell us which trend you have been feeling very much this season.

Till my next post,

All my llove,

JAK.

1 Comments

MOTIVATION

MOVIE REVIEW: LORD OF THE RINGS & F.R.I.E.N.D.S

By JAK - August 15, 2020

Hi Guys,

I am so happy it is Saturday again already. I hope this month has been slightly all you hoped it will be and better even. My month has been exciting honestly. I am learning to just calm down. Remember "Mummy Calm Down".

This month my goal is to be a better version of the me that lived yesterday and It has been amazing so far. I am grateful for the littlest additions and happy about the most insignificant things.

I am a die hard movie lover. If you know me, then you must know how passionate I am about ensuring that I watch my movies but as I grew older I decided to make meaning out of every little process we go through and that was how I started drawing lessons from movies.

This post really is an appreciation post to all the good people who make my world go round. They push me to be better and are a shoulder when I cry ugly tears. I will try to include all of them as much as I can but these are the real MVP's (Most Valuable Players) in my life.

Thelma Tobby August Kenneth Bassey Assumpta DavidIdaka Ella Demola Adepeju Etum Osagie Amarachi Salami Christy Bimbo Tayo Busayo Daniel A. Daniel Ebuka Fortune Irem Jecil Koffi Joshua Makinwa Bukola Smile Sharon Emeka Meekness Michael Bassey Mercy Ubanyi Tshe Seye Obia Sipo, Sammy Shade Chisom Soji Somto Teejibs Tomi Toni Flourish Uloma Resame Osong Alani Caleb Mega Cyril

For all you do for me, THANK YOU. You are indeed the best set of people a girl can call friend.

So, I started Lord of the rings when I was still in my final year in school but I later found out it was a trilogy and proceeded to watch everything. I started the first one, Fellowship of the Rings and found out it was over 3 hrs and 30 mins. I had already made up my mind to go through so I continued. I finished it after maybe a month or so. Last week, I am proud to announce to you that I finally finished the sequels, The Two Towers and Return of the King.

Boring right? No, it was about 11 Hours spent on a movie that didn't add any money to my account. Best part was it wasn't even a series but it was 11 hours in total.

Why would you make a movie 4 hours? One movie oh. It not like this movie will stop world hunger or anything but oh well. I finished it and it was a big accomplishment. But what I drew from my 11 hour escapade were two important mental lessons: Importance of TEAM WORK and WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?

Frodo Baggins is the main character who is to deliver the precious ring to the fires of the Mount of Doom. My favorite thing about the movie is that Gandalf the great sorcerer attaches Sam, a friend of Frodo to him on this mission and this is the basis of my review.

Along the way on the journey to destroying the precious stone, 7 other characters are saddled with the responsibility of escorting Frodo to the mountain where the stone will be destroyed. Without the exceptional team work displayed by these characters there would have been no success. But today is not about team work. It is about my second lesson from the movie:

WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?

I am very sure that when you started reading this post and saw names of different people, your mind must have asked a mental question like

"Why is she mentioning these people?"

"I do not know them tho, what is my business?"

Your business is that, everyone has friends. They might not be people you talk to everyday but they are the ones you know you can always run to when the chips are down or you want to get stuff done. Some of them are your childhood buddies. The ones who you talk to once every year but you know love you very much. Those names constitute those who have literally become family to me by means of our friendship.

Back to my story, Sam won friend of the year. And yes I am the Presenter of that award. Sam's strength was what helped Frodo eventually complete his task. He was the bearer of Frodo while Frodo was the bearer of the ring.

The dictionary defines a friend as

This takes me to my all time favorite series in life; F.R.I.E.N.D.S

I doubt I have enjoyed any series, the way I enjoyed FRIENDS. The Chemistry was amusing, the characters were strange and the script delivery was phenomenal. It was cast and released in the early 90's but It is still so relatable and breathtakingly funny. If you do not enjoy FRIENDS we cant be friends. HAHAHAHAH (Are we in a military regime? Of course we can still be friends). But did you see what I did there. 😉

FRIENDS was a fantastic display of what it means to have people who have your back. I am of the opinion that everyone needs friends to go through life a little better.

The funny part of everything is that I was inspired to write this post while watching S3 E4 of The Men's Club. One of my favorite Nigerian Series. An antagonist, Jasmine in a conversation with another character, Tonye speaks about how bringing harm to one of the four men in the Men's club will mean bringing harm to the other three men because they together are a team.

It was due to this statement that I decided to share with you a few things having and cherishing your friends can do to your life. Stop carrying your big head about feeling like you are an Island. Nope there's room for only Lagos Island not you.

1. Friends lower stress

I am not joking oh. A good conversation with a good friend can be the difference between having a terrible and good week. I am a living testimony.

2. Friends sharpen your blunt blades.

The bible speaks about Iron sharpens iron. This is very true for the close company you keep in your life. They are some of the people you are most vulnerable with and around. If you are doing something stupid, they will tell you and if you are on the right track, they will be cheerleaders who aren't dating the captain of the football team.

3. They can help you live longer

Psychologists say this one not me. But I think it is slightly correct because if you see a bunch of old people who are still pretty active at that age, they have a strong support system of oldies too who help them to know they aren't in the old age thing alone. They can brunch together, visit each other and relate on matters that probably happened when they were very young.

4. Enhance your net worth

If you have a network of very successful friends who you know have your best interest at heart. You know that you will always be able to scale any hurdle because together they can give you the advice, recommendation and assistance you need to get where you want to.

5. Help you live healthier lives

If you have a friend with a ripped body who wasn't as ripped before, it could be the motivation you need to hit the gym too and get rid of your pot belly. In my case, my friend is one of the reasons I manage to eat at all. She is always on my case about the importance of eating.

6. They teach you about yourself.

No one can bring you out of your shell more than a very good friend. They will stretch you to your breaking point and still help you apply balm to soothe your pain. In my opinion, they tell you some of the harshest truths as well as help you see yourself better.

7. They help you feel so much better

Friendships increase your sense of belonging and purpose. It is like your own small community where you can be confident and wholesome.

A recent Harvard study concluded that having solid friendships in our life even helps promote brain health. Friends helps us make better lifestyle choices that keep us strong, and allow us to rebound from health issues and disease more quickly. Friendship is equally important to our mental health.

I did something this week that made me very happy. I sent my friend a voice note appreciating the friendship we have and it left me in high spirits because I was reminded of how blessed I am to have such an amazing human as part of my life team.

I would like us all to write a letter, mail, text, or send a voice note or something to a friend who makes your world go round. And comment if you would be doing so and the first letter of the persons name you would be sending it to.

Till the next post,

All my love,

JAK