As most of you know, every year during the 4th of July weekend, our fabulous city hosts the Essence Music Festival. This year went down in history with breathtaking performances by Rihanna, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and always closing out with Frankie Beverly and Maze. Essence is a time when fashionistas come out and show out with the hottest fashion trends of the season…but, on the other hand, fashionista wanna bes come out looking a hot mess. As I looked around the Superdome on Friday and Saturday nights, I witnessed a few fashion dos and don’ts.

Dos

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I am really feeling this all-in-one piece. She made all the right choices by keeping it simple with her accessories…this outfit doesn’t need anything extra. Even though not everyone can rock this, she does it well and she gets a thumbs up from me.

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I think that even in the 21st Century, we should definitely rock and show off our cultural side. These two ladies look cultural chic in their motherland meets city chic attire. They get a big fist in the air from me.

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I am loving the cut of this. I can’t tell if this is a dress or a top but either way it works for a hot night in N.O. Her hair and makeup is flawless and takes nothing away from the main focus of the top/dress. Cudos for you missy!

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There is nothing like a cute empire waist dress in a fabulous print. Almost anyone can rock this look, especially in our heat plagued city. This look is very versatile, being able to wear it for a day shopping or out to a night concert. Tres Chic indeed!

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Sequence pieces are very big this summer and will continue to be throughout the fall. I love this gold sequence dress. Its very retro but so modern as well. With her hair slicked back and stud earrings, homegirl is blinding them with her style!

Don’ts

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This dress looks like it came straight from “The Hooker’s Guide to Essence”. And is that biking shorts she has on under this? I am definitely not feeling this look, please try again.

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I’m not sure the nude tights work with this shirt…not a dress but a shirt. And ‘ol girl with the white dress and black tights clearly tried to follow and her girl’s footsteps but got it wrong just like her. This trend walks a fine line between being cute and being trashy. If you choose to rock tights, please do it with discretion.

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Booty shorts are only for video girls…clearly you missed the memo. I’m not feeling this at all! And she finished it off with merlot wedges…me no likey.

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Its sad that when Essence comes around, the street walkers come around too. Let me stop…she needs something to support the girls because the dress alone isn’t cutting it. And I don’t mind people wearing weave, until it gets to the point where you can barely see their face. Otherwise this is an ok dress for the right body-type. Keep trying, girl, you’ll eventually get it right.