Big-bag girl in a little-bag world

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Fashion blogger Nkgabiseng Motau discusses how her love for big bags is struggling in a world where mini bags are trending.
When it comes to handbags, bigger has always been better for fashion blogger Nkgabiseng Motau. But as she discovers, the allure of the compact bag trend is just too tempting to resist!
There’s a stylish new trend in town and, to paraphrase Queen Bey, I don’t know whether it’s a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare. The cutest little bags in all sorts of whimsical designs that make any outfit look darling have popped up everywhere. Who wouldn’t want that in their life, right? Well, me, I guess. The trouble, you see, is that I like to haul it all, tote the boat, lug the rug. What I’m saying is that I like big bags and I cannot lie.

I’m the sort of person who takes everything everywhere, just in case. Even if I have reinforcements at the office or in my car. To me, it’s completely rational to plan for a sudden invitation to the town’s most glam event. Not that such a thing has ever happened to me, but I just can’t bear to be unprepared should the possibility arise. What if there is an emergency party at the office? What if Beyoncé visits a shopping centre near me and I’m in frumpy flats? I need a back-up plan for even the most far-fetched scenarios. I kind of see myself as a transformer – always ready to take it up a notch.
Christian Dior handbag

Perfectly practical

Of course, there are the more practical reasons for my big-bag penchant. For example, I like a bag that is spacious enough for my laptop, especially on days when I have meetings all over town. I don’t want to bore you with the details but the list of practical must-haves includes wet wipes, hand cream, a few lipstick options, sunglasses, perfume and sometimes even the book I’m reading. It’s not totally insane. I just like to be prepared.

This brings me to the problem with which I am confronted. And this is how it all goes down in my head: I need all the stuff I lug around, or at least I think I do. I can just hear Erykah Badu judging me with the words from ‘Bag Lady’, one of her sweet classics: ‘Bag lady, you gon’ hurt your back, carrying all them bags like that’. Well Erykah, I have a lot of stuff, okay!

Alright, I know it’s not okay. Especially not if I want to get my hands on one of those fabulously compact bags. I love them wholeheartedly but the truth, I fear, is that they’re just not the right match for me. 


Mini-bag trend

Three-item girl

When I first saw one, I fell in love so hard that even I toyed with the fantasy of becoming a three-item girl. You know? The only three items in her bag are lipstick, cellphone and bank card… maybe a tiny perfume or hand cream, if it’s going to be a long day. The thought made me shudder. I literally had a fashion meltdown. I began to have visions of myself stranded and without a pair of high heels in a queue for an important event with the bouncer giving me the eye of disapproval. Or in a meeting scratching inside my tiny bag for a notepad and pen. Or anywhere needing anything and not having it because I had to pack lightly. The thought sent chills down my spine. 

It was in this moment that I realised: wait a minute, I’m a lugger! Quick diversion: A lugger is what I call a handbag hoarder or someone who lugs around things they don’t need. I’ve been calling one of my relatives a lugger for years. Back to my moment of clarity: I realised right then and there that the tiny-bag trend might just be a divine intervention. A sign sent to save me from myself. Maybe Erykah is right. I am gon’ hurt my back and I do need to pack lightly. And so, tiny bag, I say to you, challenge accepted. 
cross-over body bag

Just a little magic

After much pondering, I came to the following liberating resolution. When it comes down to it, a bag should match the occasion as much as it does the outfit. What was I doing taking a laptop to a horse-racing event, anyway?

Perhaps the time had come for me to redefine what I saw as everyday essentials. It was almost like a trade-off with myself. If I want a pretty little bag to freshen up my look, then I’ll have to let go of a few things to freshen up my life.
Tote bags

Time to let go

There’s a little magic to these tiny beauties: they offer a chance to let go of things like that old lipstick that’s been sitting at the bottom of your tote for a year, a chance to be nimble and light. Nimble and light? That sounds like a version of me I could get behind – so in control, yet so easy-going. I love it. I’m changing my Twitter bio as we speak to include the above adjectives. What’s even more magical is that I have a feeling the literal letting go might come with some figurative letting go too, which is always a breath of fresh air.

Whether you’re a big-tote fan or a mini-bag collector, Edgars has the one for you.

Why healthy credit is good for you

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Here's how to be in debt that's not scary and doesn't drown you, but rather is good for you and your financial future.
You need to have credit to have a credit score. And a good credit score can get you what you want. Here’s how to get on the bureau’s radar.
After securing your first job, you muster up the courage to approach a car dealership and put down a deposit for your first set of wheels. But you quickly find out that your credit score is inadequate; or more specifically, that you don’t have a credit score at all.

When getting advice on how to remedy this, you constantly hear a single phrase: 'Just open an Edgars account'. Rumour has it that paying off a pair of shoes can establish your credit record, and have it blossom into a meaningful reference.

'I am no financial expert, but I do know that "opening an Edgar's account" works,' says Nalene de Klerk, a Pretoria based, media and research liaison.

'I was told to open an account in order to put me on the map with credit providers, so I opened two accounts: one with Edgars and one with another reputable clothing franchise,' explains De Klerk. 

After a year she decided to open a credit account at her local bank, and her credit score with Edgars provided a great reference. However, the other retailer’s information didn’t reflect at all.

'I guess that’s why people specifically refer to Edgars. They put my credit information on the system, and the other retailer did not,' De Klerk remarks.

Why do retail credit accounts, like Edgars, work?


According to Garnet Jensen, senior director at TransUnion Interactive, one of the top credit bureaus in South Africa, they look at a consumer’s historic credit usage patterns to understand their particular ability to manage and meet their credit commitments.

'It is therefore more difficult for a credit provider to assess a consumer’s credit worthiness with little or no credit history,' says Jensen.

She advises customers to start building a credit history with smaller credit-based purchases, rather than with large items, like a house or a car. Although the latter is possible, they are onerous and should be taken on by consumers with experience in managing smaller credit commitments first. 

'Credit agreements available through retailers, are seen as a good first step, as the credit amount and terms are more manageable for someone who is new to credit,' says Jensen.

An Edcon spokesperson agrees that obtaining credit from a retailer is far easier than entering into a higher purchase credit agreement with banks and dealerships.

'For credit decisions (e.g. home loan or vehicle finance applications) to be made, consumers do need a credit record to enable access to these forms of credit,' the spokesperson says.

However, she cautions against opening too many retail credit accounts, which could be seen in a negative light by credit bureaus. A natural next step would be to follow in De Klerk’s footsteps, and enquire about opening a credit card with a small manageable credit limit.
Convinced? Open your Edgars account here and get 1750 in vouchers if you also join Edgars Club.

Words: Isabelle Coetzee. Originally published in justmoney.co.za

Why healthy credit is good for you

- - No comments
Here's how to be in debt that's not scary and doesn't drown you, but rather is good for you and your financial future.
You need to have credit to have a credit score. And a good credit score can get you what you want. Here’s how to get on the bureau’s radar.
After securing your first job, you muster up the courage to approach a car dealership and put down a deposit for your first set of wheels. But you quickly find out that your credit score is inadequate; or more specifically, that you don’t have a credit score at all.

When getting advice on how to remedy this, you constantly hear a single phrase: 'Just open an Edgars account'. Rumour has it that paying off a pair of shoes can establish your credit record, and have it blossom into a meaningful reference.

'I am no financial expert, but I do know that "opening an Edgar's account" works,' says Nalene de Klerk, a Pretoria based, media and research liaison.

'I was told to open an account in order to put me on the map with credit providers, so I opened two accounts: one with Edgars and one with another reputable clothing franchise,' explains De Klerk. 

After a year she decided to open a credit account at her local bank, and her credit score with Edgars provided a great reference. However, the other retailer’s information didn’t reflect at all.

'I guess that’s why people specifically refer to Edgars. They put my credit information on the system, and the other retailer did not,' De Klerk remarks.

Why do retail credit accounts, like Edgars, work?


According to Garnet Jensen, senior director at TransUnion Interactive, one of the top credit bureaus in South Africa, they look at a consumer’s historic credit usage patterns to understand their particular ability to manage and meet their credit commitments.

'It is therefore more difficult for a credit provider to assess a consumer’s credit worthiness with little or no credit history,' says Jensen.

She advises customers to start building a credit history with smaller credit-based purchases, rather than with large items, like a house or a car. Although the latter is possible, they are onerous and should be taken on by consumers with experience in managing smaller credit commitments first. 

'Credit agreements available through retailers, are seen as a good first step, as the credit amount and terms are more manageable for someone who is new to credit,' says Jensen.

An Edcon spokesperson agrees that obtaining credit from a retailer is far easier than entering into a higher purchase credit agreement with banks and dealerships.

'For credit decisions (e.g. home loan or vehicle finance applications) to be made, consumers do need a credit record to enable access to these forms of credit,' the spokesperson says.

However, she cautions against opening too many retail credit accounts, which could be seen in a negative light by credit bureaus. A natural next step would be to follow in De Klerk’s footsteps, and enquire about opening a credit card with a small manageable credit limit.
Convinced? Open your Edgars account here and get 1750 in vouchers if you also join Edgars Club.

Words: Isabelle Coetzee. Originally published in justmoney.co.za

Ever wonder how Black Friday started?

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Popular in the US since 1952, Black Friday marks the day after Thanksgiving, and people generally take this day off in order to have a four-day weekend (and start their Christmas shopping).
While Black Friday is relatively new to South Africa, it has been a popular event in the US since 1952.  

The history of Black Friday explained

The fourth Friday of November marks the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, and people generally take this day off in order to have a four-day weekend (and to start their Christmas shopping). This day off increased the number of potential shoppers and marked the opening of the festive season, and a time when many businesses went from being 'in the red' to 'being in the black' from a profit perspective. Thus, the term Black Friday was born. The origin of the concept of Black Friday dates back to 1952, but the term was only widely recognised in the early 2000s.

Then what happened?

Eventually, other countries began to adopt this phrase as a retail publicity stunt to boost sales and it caught on like wildfire.
 

How can you score with Black Friday?

But enough of the history lesson. Point is, you stand to benefit from *major* discounted prices, and any savvy shopper knows a good deal when they see one.

Click here to be the first to know about Edgars' Black Friday deals running from 22-25 November.



Ever wonder how Black Friday started?

- - No comments
Popular in the US since 1952, Black Friday marks the day after Thanksgiving, and people generally take this day off in order to have a four-day weekend (and start their Christmas shopping).
While Black Friday is relatively new to South Africa, it has been a popular event in the US since 1952.  

The history of Black Friday explained

The fourth Friday of November marks the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, and people generally take this day off in order to have a four-day weekend (and to start their Christmas shopping). This day off increased the number of potential shoppers and marked the opening of the festive season, and a time when many businesses went from being 'in the red' to 'being in the black' from a profit perspective. Thus, the term Black Friday was born. The origin of the concept of Black Friday dates back to 1952, but the term was only widely recognised in the early 2000s.
 

Then what happened?

Eventually, other countries began to adopt this phrase as a retail publicity stunt to boost sales and it caught on like wildfire.
 

How can you score with Black Friday?

But enough of the history lesson. Point is, you stand to benefit from *major* discounted prices, and any savvy shopper knows a good deal when they see one.

Click here to be the first to know about Edgars' Black Friday deals running from 22-25 November.



Sho Madjozi's style is more than just a fashion statement

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Sho Madjozi's bold style and strong roots in her heritage make her one of the most exciting entertainment artists in Africa.
The powerhouse musician and front woman of the new Edgars TV commercial tells us why her style and identity are intertwined.

With her colourful pom-poms, braided hair and tasselled skirts, it’s easy to consider musician and poet Sho Madjozi’s style to be eccentric. But there is consideration and tradition at the root of every accessory and garment. Born Maya Wegerif, this Limpopo-bred muso’s look is a tapestry of her culture and background, and she is unapologetic about it. Let’s decode the key pieces:

She Madjozi styleThe bright colours

Colour and Sho Madjozi belong in the same WhatsApp group. You’ll never catch the muso in anything dull and it’s an inter-generational phenomenon; 'I grew up thinking that my affinity to bright pink and yellow was my choice, but when I look at old photographs of my mom and aunts, I see those colours dominating their clothing too,' she says.

She Madjozi pompom

The pompoms

These little accessories dot the shibelane and make great earrings and decorative trinkets to handbags and shoes. 'I make my outfits in collaboration with my aunts, grandma and tailors, and I was really inspired when I saw other Africans wearing their traditional attire daily. For instance, Senegalese people dress like Senegalese people all the time, and not only on Heritage Day. I wanted to find a way to be a whole version of myself all the time,' says the star, whose outfit is never complete without a pompom or two. 
She Madjozi hair braids and cornrows

The braids

Cornrows and braids making intricate patterns across the head have also become synonymous with the star, who avoids wearing wigs and weaves. These braided styles have been part of many African cultures for centuries and are a permanent part of her style arsenal; 'I reject the idea that I have to take off my tradition to be palatable,' she says.
She Madjozi tasselled skirts

The tasseled skirt (shibelane)

Worn by Xitsonga women at traditional gatherings in performance of the Xibelani dance, this multi-coloured skirt is designed to make the wearer’s waist look bigger, thereby emphasizing the shaking movement of the dance. 'When I was young, that is how women and girls dressed for special occasions; it became what I understand to be beautiful,' says the muso. 'I have been criticised by some who say I wear my shibelane too short. But I’ve stuck to my style; this is my version that I have modernised to maintain practical wearability and relevance.'


Photography: Alexa Singer, styling: Melissa Henderson, hair: Princess, make-up: Karabo

Watch Sho Madjozi in the Edgars #OwnTheLook TV commercial:


Activewear looks men and boys will want to copy this summer

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The athleisure trend slid into our collective consciousness around 2012 and is showing no signs of slowing down.
This season’s active separates are graphic and streamlined, for a look that takes you from the basketball court to the street. Step up your athleisure game and shop our key pieces below.
Getty images

For the boys

Blocked colour and cool slogans on tees, tanks, and short sweats are the way to go. Printed drawstrings add that extra bit of cool.
Edgars fashion menswear puma adidas nike activewear kids boys Activewear looks men and boys will want to copy this summer
1. Pro-Action zip-detail T-shirt 179.95 2. Pro-Action drawstring shorts 149.95 3. Pro-Action slogan tank top 99.95 4. Pro-Action slogan T-shirt (styled back-to-front) 179.95 5. Pro-Action drawstring shorts 149.95 6. Pro-Action slogan T-shirt 129.95


For the men

High tech details on minimal designs seal the deal on style. Piped golfers, striped joggers, and a punchy primary palette bring together an adaptable look for staying active all summer.
Edgars fashion menswear puma adidas nike activewear kids boys Activewear looks men and boys will want to copy this summer
1. Puma joggers with side detail 699.95 2. Hi-Tec sandals 199.95 3. Signature silicone-strap watch 349 4. Pro-Action zip-detail joggers 349.95 5. Puma sports T-shirt 399.95 6. Puma sports T-shirt 399.95 7. Pro-Action golfers with shoulder detail 229.95 each 8. Adidas gym bag 449.95 9. Pro-Action golfers with shoulder detail 229.95 each 10. Pro-Action slogan sports T-shirt 199.95 11. Adidas trainers 899.95 12. Puma cap 249.95 13. Puma adjustable backpack 699.95 14. Adidas woven trainers 1299.95