Work It: Internship Lookbook

I'm sure a lot of you (especially juniors from my college) are interning this year in various parts of the country/world. And I think, in a lot of offices, there is a more relaxed outlook on what 'workwear' really is. 

When I was interning and later on, working, I felt like I had a lot of freedom in terms of the way I could dress. Granted, I work in fashion, so they're pretty lax about rules in terms of dress. 

But I do know that on the days where I dressed sharp, I felt more awake, more productive and more professional. And that is what a good outfit can do for you.

I know a lot of you will still have to follow some sort of semi-formal dress code, so maybe only a couple of these ideas are good to go for you. But this is the kind of stuff I loved wearing to work. It's easy to put together, comfortable for the whole day, and makes you look like you actually know what you're talking about. I'm not a person that can wear a skirt that hits below the knee because I prefer my minis. So  I end up wearing dresses instead. Sigh. Short people problems. I hope you guys get some inspiration in terms of what to wear during your internships or your new jobs!

I adore this dress. It's from Mast and Harbor, Myntra's in-house brand. A simple a-line dress with a nice little skinny belt that came with it. The fabric is super soft, and for the price, the dress is amazing quality.

You can't go wrong with a nice shirt. This light blue striped number from Chemistry is so lightweight and delicate. I am not a fan of those super heavy cotton shirts that Van Huesen sometimes do. So I tend to look at lighter cottons, they're a lot more flattering on my figure and easier on my skin. I've paired them with these cropped navy trousers from Mango who I want to give a HUGE shoutout to - they do the BEST formal trousers and pants, especially for petite sizes.

 I love blazer days. Makes me feel all professional and shit. I picked this up in Delhi a year ago, for some throwaway price. And I adore it. Paired it with a printed top to make this look a little more semi formal and fun and them blue trousers again. 

Finally, this jersey skater dress from DressBerry (another Myntra in-house brand). I am obsessed with this dress. It's so easy to wear, and so drapey. This is for those days where you really don't want to wear an a-line, maybe it's Friday and you want to go out with you friends after - throw on a pair of heels and a nice necklace with this and you're good to go!

I hope this has given you guys some sort of inspiration for what to wear. I realize that I tend to veer to wearing blues to work (I have no idea why). Of course, you guys can wear neon pink if that suits your fancy. You don't need to stick to your safe 'formal shirt-formal skirt/pant' combination - have fun with it! And make sure you're comfortable, cause you're going to be in these clothes all day.

Good luck with your internships/jobs!

More Summer Staples: Keep it Light

I find myself going with the whole 'less is more' concept during the summer. I mean yeah, I love wearing pops of color (OCCASIONALLY). I don't know if it's a placebo thing, but I feel myself wearing dantier jewelry, nuder nailpolish, lighter perfumes and floatier scarves. I think I trick myself into believing that the less shit I put on myself, the less heat I will feel.
And it works!

Here are some lovely products that I'm sure you can get a hold of, and if not, anything similar works too!

So the scarf that is playing background is this lovely sheer one from Delhi which cost me all of 70 INR. It has some fancy label attached to it also. Export reject WIN. I love dark florals for summer, so this had to come home with me. Whenever I wear a tank, this usually goes over it. I need to find more of these.

I love this delicate art-deco-ish number from Forever New. I somehow CANNOT do chunky statement pieces during the summer months, so this does a great job of dressing an outfit up. I usually pair it with this midi ring from Forever 21.

Lovely, light fragrances. The Lychee Blossom Body mist from the Body Shop  is for those days where I want something refreshingly cool - it has a permanent place at the bottom of my bag (thank you to Dipali who got me this for my last birthday :D). The Aqua Lily Eau De Toilette (Discontinued)  is what I use as my 'going out' perfume during the summer. I simply cannot do those heavy, sweet scents that I enjoy during the cooler (cooler being 39 degrees) months. Very sophisticated, and boy, does it linger.

Best. Nude. Ever. Revlon nailpolish in the shade 011 Sheer Rose. Suits my skin tone. And it just is WONDERFUL when you want something clear, but with a hint of color. 

So there we have it. A few summer bits I've been loving over the past week of this lovely Agni Nakshatram that the universe has blessed us with. Stay hydrated!

- A

The Summer Staple: Denim Shirt

While looking through my wardrobe on this fine Monday afternoon, because I had nothing else to do, and I feared that going outside would actually vaporize me (thank you and your f***ing 41 degree weather, Chennai), I realized that there was one staple item that I have been wearing at LEAST once a week since I got it.

It's this absolute bargain export reject from Bangalore (250 INR, ladies and gents). I own a fair few of these denim/linen overshirt things and they're perfect for days when I want to be able to have the option to either bare all or cover up. But this one is hands down my favorite. It's this PERFECT transitional wash (not too light, not too dark). Really good quality. And the perfect weight - not to heavy, not too light. And very, very durable. I've trekked with this, thrown it in the wash on high and it's come out just the same as it went in.

Honestly. If you're looking to add something to your wardrobe this summer - let it be a denim overshirt. 

Black for Summer

When I see all these videos and posts about people doing 'Summer Shopping sprees' to add 'color to their wardrobes'. I die inside. Because:
1. I cannot afford to change up my wardrobe every six months because budget.
2. I do buy a few colorful pieces but not enough to really make a dent on all the black that I find far more sensible to buy.

So, to all of you who still want to wear black this summer, in the Chennai heat, because you're as loony as I am, I hope this helps you to style up some of those darks in ways that are bearable and will not make you feel like a broiler chicken. The key here is to make sure you choose light, breathable fabrics which do not require you to wear a black cami inside. If you can get away with just a bra or a bandeau - do it.

The mesh trend was so big last year - I think it's a brilliant way to play a little hide and seek and get away with no cami.

Who said you can't wear an LBD for the summer? Keep it loose, keep it airy. I think this dress is super versatile, and God is it breathable. Works for a night out, or hell, even a beach barbecue outdoors.

A sleeveless button down can be turned into a tie-up top for those days where you want your midriff getting some respite. I used to wear this top to work a lot, and now that I am completely unemployed, I tie it up and prance around town instead. My parents are so proud.

Lace inserts are another great way to keep things light. I love how this shows off your chest-but-not-really.  The material is great, and again, is opaque enough for the whole no cami situation. Another work top that I've converted for the summer. It's actually pretty formal, but tucked into these shorts, I feel like it really gives off that dressy-casual vibe.

So fear not, wearers of black. With a little restyling, you don't need to pull out pastels and corals this summer if you don't want to!

- A

New Hair + Viva Glam Moment

Two major life-changing things happened this week.

One. I cut my hair after a year.

Two. I discovered the perfect everyday lipstick.

Well, it's not as dramatic as all that, but for someone who thought a light pink would be the perfect everyday color (I have tried and failed to find this perfect everyday light pink) - when I came across

this lipstick in my mum's makeup stash I was like meh, mom color. Then I tried it on. Now she keeps it under lock and key.

MAC describes it as a 'foxy brown plum lipstick'. And I think that's pretty accurate. It's got this brickish, neutral thing going on with a hint of a deeper red. And the best part about this lipstick is that you can really play with the intensity. I'm wearing one coat here (blotted) so it stains out to this really nice brickish wash. Almost a MLBB moment.

 

And of course, if you want to go more intense, a couple of coats gives you this gorgeously stunning lip that you can pair up with a nice bronzey makeup look.

I'm wearing a hint of golden eyeshadow from that trust Wet'N'Wild Comfort palette and a liner/mascara situation. Another point to note here is being a girl that has been shoving kajal under her eye since she was 12, this whole transition to upper lid make up only is a big step. And I'm kinda liking it.

And the hair. This is the first time in almost 8 years that it's been completely black and free of some form of hair color. I don't think it's even been this healthy. I'm growing it out so I chopped the dead bits off in this kind of blunt lob situation. And the best part? I CAN STILL TIE IT UP.

- A