February 1st not only jump-starts the countdown to spring, but it also marks the beginning of Black History Month. In celebration of black excellence in style, Elegancy101 is committed to give you various summeries of black fashion trends from back in the day starting with Aaliyah.
Aaliyah’s music was surely what she was known for, but her trendsetting style was hard to ignore. No singer was able to strike a balance between two opposites quite like she could. She was all-woman while dressed fully in men’s attire. She was cute with a clean-cut image, but sexy and always sophisticated. Her fashion sense matured with her music, but we can’t forget those few trademark looks she wore so well (and that we tried to emulate).
Ten years ago, Aaliyah died in a tragic plane crash. Today we honor her effortless style:
1. Side-swept bangs: Aaliyah’s hair, long and layered, was one of her most prominent features, and rarely was she seen without her bangs in place. Swept across the side of her face, she gave us just a peak of her eyes. Female fans copied the beloved style as best they could.
2. Sunglasses: As she got older, her shyness faltered, and the shades came off, but for years – from the era of “Back N Forth” to the days of “One in a Million,” Aaliyah kept a pair of sunglasses on standby. The accessory only contributed to her being the epitome of cool.
3. Baggy Jeans: Aaliyah proved that boxers and baggy jeans were not just for rappers and thugs. She donned her denim just like the rest of the them, if not better. Low and slung below her waist, Aaliyah proved that she could run with the boys, but still be a lady.
4. Midriff-Baring: Seeing the singer with a full-length shirt on was a rarity. Bikini-style tops, and those that hit just above the belly-button were her preference from red carpets to music videos. With a flat stomach and trim waist, we couldn’t blame her, and we didn’t mind.
5. Bandana: No amount of cloth, bejeweled or not, could distract us from Aaliyah’s cascading locks, but she rocked a bandana, just as casually and comfortably as us non-celebrities would.
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa.
Source: HelloBeautiful
Beyonce got lucky. If Aaliyah was still here, she would have given Beyonce a real fight. I still say the Aaliyah is the Queen instead of Beyonce. I love Beyonce, don't get me wrong, but when Aaliyah was alive, she was Godess. And she always will be.
ReplyDeleteAaliyah left us on very a high note, but she also left us wanting more. To me, she reminds me of Sade, you can't compare them with any other female artist (like Beyonce) . They are both in a league by themselves.
DeleteTheir sounds are perhaps the most unique among female singers
She never died in my mind... I alwys loved her style
ReplyDeleteSame here
DeleteI wonder how aaliyah was viewing beyonce and rihanna
ReplyDeleteyou mean back in the day?
DeleteR.I.P Aaliyah
ReplyDeleteAliyah was the one starting with the ombre hairdo...LIKE
ReplyDeleteShe is soo beautiful
ReplyDeleteWhen you see Aaliyah Dana Haughton, you just get and angelic vibe regardless if you knew her personally or not. She seemed so "real" and you can just feel it. She had a sweet sex appeal without being/looking skanky.She was so young and made good music. She was so unique in her own way. It is going to take a LONG time before we can get a new artist to be like her ( but couldn't replace her). What gets me is that she was SO young making so much mature music that was good to. LIVE IN PEACE! R.i.p
ReplyDeleteShe invented swag when the word didnt even exsist
ReplyDelete