Dressy or not too dressy?

Monotonous and limited were the two words that defined workwear or formal wear in the past. You were supposed to blend in, feel comfortable but NOT be comfortable. Heels or no heels seemed like the biggest debate of the century. Dressy or not too dressy?

Come 2009, with Vogue’s most celebrated Workwear issue, these worries are a thing of the past. Workwear is all about dressing like yourself, being comfortable in sharp attire and letting everyone know what you’re about. If you’re still confused about how you can look like fun in at office or a model united nations conference, here’s how.

Ps. No bare legs or red heels I promise!

Also, for those of you who want more on how to funk up your classic casuals, Im working on that for next week! So keep reading J

A pair of Chino pants or straight fits can easily be worn when going formal. For those who have big hips like me, go for Chinos, the ones Im wearing in the picture.

The Tshirt znd pants are from ZARA, pullover is a hand-me-down from mama and the brogues (shoes) are from ALDO. Brogues and Moccasins are the easiest way to look sharp yet casual at work without getting into the ‘jhanjhat’ of heels/wedges/sandals. They look super adorable and are my favorite!

StyleTip: Go through your mum’s wardrobe and take out all those vintage pearls and brooches she doesn’t wear anymore. These accessories add a very classy touch to what you’re wearing.

The jacket is one of the few things Ive ever bought from Benetton and the shirt is a hand me down. The jeans are from Incense, Yes Incense! They have the best fitting jeans for thunder thighs like mine. Their store is in Sarojini, GK and DT City Center in Gurgaon.

StyleTip: As workwear classics, I would suggest that you buy one well fitting jacket and 3 pairs of pants along with Brogues. These classics can be worn with anything from your wardrobe!

When buying a shirt, try getting interesting buttons on it. Wearing it straight out, the buttons add an interesting touch as well as make you look taller- it’s like a vertical line that refines your posture.

Sumangla is a very dear friend who worked with me at The Danceworx and is currently my colleague at Suneet Varma Design, where Im interning. She follows a very simple dressing rule:

MONOCHROMIC KURTA+ MATCHING TIGHTS+CONTRASTING/FUN STOLE= EASY ETHNIC WORKWEAR

I love love love this colorful double stiched stole that she got from a handicraft exhibition- its very fresh and can go very well with most of the things in your ethnic wardrobe. Try and look for interesting dupattas so that you can repeat the same kurta churidaar with a completely different twist.

That’s all from me today! Hope this post helped you a bit. Let me know what you think. Pretty please J

Love to you

Colorcrazy

Black is simple, black is easy. If you're feeling queasy- Black is breezy :)

You can easily call me a fan of black and blue.They're the safest colors to work with on any given day. In the last week though, I figured an all color outfit could speak about who you are in a much better way (don't start rolling your eyes!) check these dressing ideas.

This definitely is the weirdest outift i wore in the longest time. Also, my most favourite :) If you notice carefully, there's a mix of prints with the kurti and shorts that Im sporting.

Wearing shocking colors like Pink or red for skinny tights shouldn't be paired as is with black boots. Make sure your boots have a layer of fur/some other fabric or colors to coordinate with your leggings. In the above look, I wore grey leg warmers to mix the boots in a more subtle way.

Incorporating ethnic elements in your workwear is easy and works very well. When at Delhi Haat or any handicraft fair, pick up strange looking/ contemporary bits and pieces that can go well with your casual wear. Its a nice way of making corporate kitsch :)

Vrinda is a teacher at Delhi University. I love the way she's paired up Pink with pink without looking like cotton candy. Her basic pyjamas and pullover have been accented with her white top with sleeve details. A very smart dresser I must say!

The Naked Truth

With the summer kicking in, its time to start saving up for your first shoe purchase of the season! In the mood for some nude, I thought i'll let you ladies in on the hottest shoes doing the rounds. Now most of these are aspirational purchases, but make sure you keep it for reference when you're digging through Sarojini or your neighborhood shoe store.

Ps. click on the image to see the details :)

Flats

Platforms & Wedges

Play of Texture

Platform Pumps

Just In

Britney Spears- Hold it against me

After 14 days of 5-second promo trailers, Britney's new single, 'Hold it against me' is finally out. Styled by B. Akerland, Jonas Akerland's wife and the stylist for Lady GaGa's videos, this video definitely pulled Britney out of the closet.

Falguni & Shane Peacock designed Britney's costume for a major sequence in the song, where Britney fights her alter ego. The song has been choreographed by Brian Friedman, who promised that he’d "get [Britney] dancing really hard again."

I like the song, and I love the costumes by Peacock Couture, but somehow this video wasn't exciting for the Britney fan in me. I was really looking forward to seeing her dancing much more and with abandon. But all is not lost, because GaGa is soon going to come out of her shell to show us what she's got with her 'Born this way' video. My fingers are crossed and all of you- you've got to come back here so we can discuss which one's better!

much love

Hello? Yes? Hanji!

Looking so effortlessly stylish, this girl made me feel almost uncomfortable in my jeans. Love the kohlapuris that are going so well with her formal shirt.

The most indie of all the fashionistas I see in the metro- this woman was almost quirky yet elegant; she was a strangely interesting muse :)

If you notice carefully, you'll notice the illustrations on her wrap around which says, "hello? kaise hain? wrong number?"

Most Wearable Spring Trends

We all know that the stuffed up metro and dilli ki ‘roads’ are no place to strut your chic. Most of your high street purchases lie at home as our fashion worries on the streets of Delhi. Worry not; girls- I’ve personally handpicked 8 looks that you can’t go wrong with in this crazy city!

So hear goes- most wearable trends this spring, where and how you can get them.

1. Traveling pants

For all the no nonsense girls, this one’s my favorite. Casual khakis from Janpath, a loose t-shirt. Pair it up with interesting tie-ups or chappals. The most important thing in this look is the waist of the pants- they should be well fitted and defined. Tie a loose plat to compliment the look.

Dress it up!

-Introduce a basic belt with a buckle with stone details- pair the colors of the belt with the footwear

-For really slim girls, replace the tshirt with a ganji or a short crop tshirt like Rachel Green from Friends

-Add color to the look. Create contrast with accessories

-Indian Ethnic? Just wear a simple chikankari kurta and juttis

2. Shoddy Shorties

A peasant top+a basic ganji+ hot pants= bliss. The key to trumping this look is having a good sense of color and knowing your body type. Best paired with flip flops- this look will sooth your body off all the stress you settled for in workwear/uniforms.

Dress it up!

-Fat legs? Replace the hot pants with a flirty skirt

-Heavy lower body+ Super slim upper body? Replace the shorts with cargos (Yes, Cargos!

-Get a nice pair that fits you WELL) and team it up with a dressy leotard top (ZARA) or a lacy top.

-Those uber cute hair accessories from F21 are to die for. Mix and match your bangles to add to this look.

-Indian ethnic? Get a kurti top from Cottons (GK1 N block, MGF Gurgaon) to go with the shorts

3. Sheer style

Take out all those sheer dresses that you got rid of after a beach holiday! Pair them up with old scarves from your mum’s closet as sashes and voila! You’ve got a truly indie look. Sashes are very in as of now and they do wonders for refining that baby fat. Remember, this look is off shoulder, but you can work with any silhouette as long as it suits your body type.

Dress it up!

-Going for lunch with the ladies? Put on nude heels and a classy bucket or a panama hat.

-Something more relaxed? Try flat sandals with a straw hat for some fun.

4. Come-ono

Pick up a interesting Kimono. What is interesting? Try a large geometric print or beautiful florals and sport it with clogs or wedges.

Dress it up!

-My favourite look would be pairing this airy kimono with a sharp hairstyle and a statement necklace. Keep the accessories very edgy to contrast the relaxed, casual kimono.

-Thunder thighs? Wear a matching pair of tights to guise it.

5. Cute Kitsch

My favourite out of all the ones listed- I absolutely love designer Duro Oluwo’s printed dress. Im going to try stitching the slits off my interesting kurtas to create this look this summer. Hope it works out well. Let me know if you got around something this funky.

StyleAlert: Teashades sported by the model are the coolest thing on the runway. Also known as "John Lennon glasses" or "Ozzy Glasses", this is a type of psychedelic art wire-rim sunglasses often worn, usually for purely aesthetic reasons, by members of the 1960s counterculture

6. Classic workwear

Marc by Marc Jacobs has got to be one of the most amazing diffusion lines in this day and age. This look can be carried out very easily.

Styletip: You can pair your Trend#1 Khakhis with brogues/ loafers to get this look

Dress it up!

-Dig out old brooches from your mother’s wardrobe to go with this look.

7. Colorstory

Move over mixing prints, become your own painter and mix various hues. Add hints of popping colors to a classic look or if you really want to experiment try blending different colors together. A very tricky trend, this can make a lasting impression if carried off right.

Styletip Keep the accessories very basic and try not to add too much to the same look

8. Not so midi-ocre

A blessing in disguise for all us Indian ladies, the midcalf hemline is the most feminine yet conservative way to spend the evening outside. A very complimenting silhouette for most body types, this look is here to stay.

Dress it up!

-Footwear is very important in this look- so keep it cute or feminine. Carry contrasting clutch accessorize.

-Indian Ethnic? Midi skirts at Cottons and Fabindia are a treat to the eyes.