So two years later and I’m finally able to publish the next instalment of my wanderlust adventures… That’s a bit excessive, but the sentiment is correct. Following my last post of our travels to Mozambique, I’m excited to usher in the new year with another stamp in my passport!
Author: The Journal of Rufus
Consistently Inconsistent
Stylish NarrativesIf, at any point I would be asked to describe my blog in a few words, Consistently Inconsistent is the exact description I would give. Now you may assume that I’ll be going on some kind of rant about this… and you’d be correct. This piece will be for the ‘creatives’ and will perhaps touch on what we fear about not being in a state to create.
That Coat Though!
Stylish NarrativesSo I know my last blogpost was in March, you don’t have to mention it. This inconsistency has to stop, I know I know! I guess creativity just cannot be rushed… Wow, is that not THE MOST obnoxious thing you’ve heard in a while? On a serious note I’m excited to be writing again and may I add a fashion piece this time. My last two posts were more of a personal reflection of multiple events that had transpired and the build up thereof so this was a nice pick-me-up.
Change & Adoption
Stylish NarrativesSo let’s just address the elephant in the blog (in lieu of a room), I have been out of the blogosphere for several months. Now what some may call a hiatus, I want to stress that this long break wasn’t intended and that there are so many other contributing factors than what may appear.
Untitled
Stylish NarrativesUntitled… A rather polarising title don’t you think? I didn’t know what I was going to write about and quite frankly, I wasn’t certain I would write at all.
I’ve been out of the blogosphere for roughly a month, or what I have referred to as ‘the period I almost lost my mind’. Thinking back on it, I find my mini meltdown somewhat amusing. I mean it’s not uncharacteristic of me to hyperbolise my emotions… Ask anyone who knows me well enough (they might just have a story or two to tell).
“Sprezzatura”
Stylish Narratives[ Sprettsa’tu:ra ] Origin: Italian
I’m sure a lot of you are wondering what in the world this word means. This word first made its appearance in “The Book of the Courtier” by Baldassare Castiglione. He describes this term as ‘a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it’.
I’ve often been asked what inspires my sense of style and the answer is never really the same. On one day I’ll claim that my choices are impulsive and on another I’d convince you that they’re somewhat of an inheritance.
The Unspoken Constant
Stylish NarrativesOne of my favourite authors Stephen Covey said: “There are three constants in life…. change, choice and principles.” The Oxford Dictionary describes a constant as occurring continuously over a period of time. With the above in mind it’s only fitting that we add style to the list of constants.
Personally speaking, style is one of the few aspects of life which have stood the ultimate constant of time. If we compare our modern-day sensibilities of aesthetic with that of the early 1900’s, not much has changed. In fact, as the style-conscious generation of men, we tend to gravitate more towards an inherently nostalgic manner of dressing.
Jock of the Fashionveld
Stylish NarrativesBefore anyone gets the wrong idea, I won’t be making reference to the beloved Jock of the Bushveld in this piece. I literally needed an appropriate and relatively cheesy title for it. I think I’ve accomplished that!!
A trend that finds itself resurfacing almost every year in the fashion calendar is that of the Modern Safari (amongst others). I have admittedly tried to replicate this look a ton of times without any success. To be honest I’d eventually end up looking like a mix between Crocodile Dundee and Indiana Jones… and that’s a bad thing if I wasn’t clear enough.
Another challenge I’ve had with this look was trying to improve on it. Let’s be honest, this trend has been in circulation for years and we’ve already seen quite a number of interpretations.
If you’re looking for some tips on braving the Concrete Safari in style then keep reading.
My Parisian Affair
Stylish NarrativesTrust style to transport you anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye. Incorporating one garment could literally be the difference between stepping out into the streets of Joburg or Paris with either the Vodacom Tower or the Eiffel Tower behind you.
Paris has always been one of the cities I’d dream of visiting one day. I am however a frequent visitor of in my imagination (don’t judge me… we all do it). I actually remember myself purchasing this shirt and feeling a great amount of nostalgia and… well… romance.
A Minimalist State of Mind
Stylish NarrativesLeonardo Da Vinci said “Simplicity is the ultimate Sophistication” and man was Leo right- yeah that’s right I called him Leo, we were close once…… possibly……. in a previous life. Before I let my imagination get the better of me, I completely echo the above sentiment.
It’s rather ironic how the idea of ‘Minimalism’ especially in fashion is a style that many try to master and yet somehow end up complicating. Now please don’t get me wrong, I too find myself doing just that every now and then. But what I’ve come to understand is that style (no matter the kind) is an extension of YOU. Minimalism to me looks completely different to someone like…… Phillipp Plein for instance.