Wardrobe Resolutions 2015

As the New Year begins, I feel like instead of pretending to myself that I can change my life completely, I decided to start small - and fix my wardrobe. And a by-product of this is learning where to invest and where to budget. Which my parents will be thrilled about, no doubt.


1. Buy more investment pieces
  Don't get me wrong, I love to street shop. But when I moved out, I realized just how much I had amassed over the past few years. I wanted variety, sure. But a lot of those chiffony-flowy-printed pieces were getting quite old. I still, however, would probably buy export rejects. Purely because they followed SOME quality standards before they got tossed on the 'Discard' pile.

2. Be open to trying stuff out of my comfort zone A.K.A Never judge a garment by how it looks on the hanger
   Being a short, small person, options are limited. The skinny-bitch hating is all well and good in songs, but ain't so funny when we don't have options in terms of dresses, or well fitting pants. I tend to look at stuff in 'hanger mode'. And I don't bother trying it on. Need to change that!

3. Capsule wardrobe
  Popularized by Donna Karan, the capsule wardrobe concept is based on the principle that you only need a few basic staple pieces, and augment it every season with more color-specific pieces. I need to toss/donate a good amount of my stuff out in order to streamline my wardrobe.

4. Get more work-appropriate dresses
   As I work in a place where I deal with clients a lot, it's essential that I present myself well. Another option to pants and skirts are good work dresses. You can wear this with or without a blazer/cardigan, as is appropriate for your work environment. I recently got a BARGAIN dress online from a brand called Mast and Harbor on Myntra - check out some of their dresses here. Less than a grand, and really lovely quality.

5. Invest in shoes
    When I was in college, I traveled a lot everyday, so I never really bothered dropping cash on my everyday shoes. But now that I can actually wear nicer shoes, I feel like I need to invest more. Not only do better quality shoes last longer (provided you take care of them enough)

6. Stop falling for the online sales unless they're offering something that is cheaper that the store price

Well, this point is pretty self-explanatory, but I've felt myself being completely sucked in by the online e-tailers off-late. More often that not, though I've picked up some good bargains. For example, Only/Vero Moda had its 70% off sale in December and I picked up a few good pieces from the online store as opposed to the outlet purely cause of stock and sizing - I hardly find my size in stores. But online, I always get lucky *cue Daft Punk*

Anyway, I hope this helps some of you detox your wardrobe and your wardrobes, so to speak.

Good luck, and a Happy New Year!

Tied Up

Most young men don't seem to own more than a skinny black tie and a vague printed one they stole from their dad for that one annual day.

I think (and this has to do with girls too), once we hit 20ish, we need a grown-up wardrobe. And we need to stop borrowing. I know for a fact that my mother keeps her cupboard keys with her at all times so I can't steal her perfumes or jewelry.

Anyway.
I hope this infographic (That I made - CC ONLY PLEASE) helps you guys out.
It consists of ties that you need to kind of build a collection instead of blindly buying them for occasions.

Good luck!

MFA.

I’m fortunate enough to have male friends who let me play dress up with them. I have gone shopping with more of them than I have with my girl friends.

And what I’ve noticed is that very few of them know:

1.       What is on trend

2.       What actually looks good

3.       What looks like s***

4.       90s revival isn’t an excuse to be wearing what you wore when you were 14 because you can’t be bothered to shop

And many, many more.

So I decided to make a list. As usual.

And boys seriously, take note. This will change your life. And you won’t have to drag your mom shopping (she DOESN’T enjoy it.)

1.       Shirts have different fits – slim, extra slim, medium, regular, traditional . So telling me your size is 38 doesn’t really mean much. You need to look into what kind of fit suits you.

2.       Perfume is mandatory. I do not need another rant.

3.       Graphic tees are acceptable. But stay away from low quality rubber print options that peel off like nail varnish after one wash.

4.       Don’t be afraid to wear colors other than blue or black. Pastels are a good alternative for wardrobe expansion if you’re looking at formal/semi formal shirts.

5.       Pink is manly. It’s the new white.

6.       Stop buying stone washed jeans.

7.       Please.

8.       Your jeans should fit one leg properly, not have room for another.

9.       If the hem is ripped, throw it away.

10.   Invest in pieces like a waffle knit sweater or a v-neck to layer up looks

11.   Stop running to your dad for every tie, cufflink or formal shoe need. It’s time you built your own collection

12.   Stop saying you don’t care. It isn’t cool. People will not take you seriously as you get older. Effortless style takes skill and effortless does not mean LACK OF IT.

13.   Buy a grown up boy belt. That one with the car print? NO. Get one formal and one informal.

14.   Chappals cannot be worn with everything.

15.   Invest in a blazer from Zara or a similar brand if you don’t want to buy a suit. Make sure it fits you well. You can throw it on during interviews and look like you know your shit.

16. If you Reddit, go on MFA. Or Lookbook.nu for some styling options.

17. Don't be scared to take a few risks. 

Godspeed.

12 essentials for your grown-up wardrobe

This post is dedicated to my cousin who gave me the idea.

I claim no credit. :P

Okay. So I moved out of home…yesterday? And when I was packing, I realised that I have some semblance of a big girl wardrobe. It is by no means done, but there are a lot of staples I feel will really fit into my post-22-working-girl set of clothes. They’re a lot of basics, which multitask and can be used with a wide variety of looks, no matter what your style spirit animal is.

If any of you are making the transition from college to work, I think this list will help you.

1.       A Blazer

I’m an extremely small person, so most blazers drown me – especially with the shoulderpads. I found this gem in Delhi on the streets. It’s cropped, and it fits like a dream. I throw it on whenever I want to fool people into thinking I have my life together. Works every time.

2.       A well fitting black tank

A MUST HAVE. It goes under tops, sheer shirts, blazers, cardigans and with skirts, jeans, trousers…it’s endless. Invest in a couple.

3.       A silk or silk imitation non-iron blouse

This is a lifesaver for when you’ve got an impromptu meeting and nothing to wear. Very low maintenance, looks extremely chic.

4.       A transition blouse or top

On those days where you know you’re going to be going out after work, this top does the job. Still fits in with the semi-formal work restrictions and can be styled up with some jewellery and darker makeup for the evening.

5.       Black pants

Goes with everything. Be it work or play. Get something stretchy so you can show off them legs.

6.       A printed skirt

An alternative to a dress for an evening/night out. Not exactly work appropriate (mine isn’t, purely because of the length) but can be worn with a multitude of tops and you can dress it up or down as per your liking.

7.       Bandeau bra

This is a lifesaver for those sheer/low armhole tops when you don’t want to wear a slip, but you still want to cover up your chest business.

8.       Kurti

The best option for those days where you want to look like you made an effort but you really didn’t. A nice kurti can do wonders when you’re over the whole formal wear situation and want something a little different.  Slap on some kohl, put on some nice dangly earrings and you’re good to go.

9.       A nice statement necklace

Always have a couple handy to add some drama to your outfit. Keep a couple in your bag/workplace to throw on when you need to go out.

10.   Nice perfume

It’s just right of passage to have your own ‘smell’ when you get older. Invest in a nice perfume that becomes your signature scent.

11.   Grown up watch

I know. We all have cellphones that tell us the time. But a watch is irreplaceable. There’s something really nice about wearing a watch on your wrist. I tend to look at that more than my phone these days.

12.   Pair of black heels

Invest in a pair of nice heels that you can wear to work (yes, work) and still wear with LBDS/LSDS/LRDS. Makes you feel like a million bucks.

The deal with deos

I am going to try and keep this post as rant-free and emotionless as possible, but this is something that I feel so strongly about, that I don't think that'll happen.
Apologies in advance.

I do not know what it is about some men and women in India. Without the fear of sounding like I'm pulling statistics out of my ass, I can safely say I am talking about a good 60-70% of the population.

When. When did it become alright, in a country as humid and sticky as ours (especially the southern states) to NOT WEAR ANTIPERSPIRANT? WHEN?

Yes, I am going to go ahead and add a disclaimer here and say that I am aware some people are allergic to roll-ons and I obviously cannot aim this at you guys.

I have gone to both school and college in Chennai, and I have had my fair share of bad body odor experiences. Girls AND boys, I'm talking about here. Socially aware and educated. The need to wear antiperspirant is equivalent to the need to brush your teeth with toothpaste. Imagine if we all rinsed our mouths with mouthwash every morning and didn't brush. That kinda thing.

Let me blow your mind.
Most companies/websites sell you the picture that Deo sprays are antiperspirants. No. They're not.
IT'S A TRAP.
Spraying Axe or KS or Wild Stone or any other weird sexually innuendo-ed sprays do not stop you from sweating, hence the that is what ANTIPERSPIRANTS do.
So spraying yourself with that isn't going to do shit for you once you head outside and get your sweat on.

Dousing yourself in perfume is NOT the way to start your day, idiots. Your 5K Cool Water isn't fooling anyone.

I know that aerosol deos are deemed as harmful and all that jazz. I don't use it anymore, myself. But there are roll ons.
And god, the number of times I've gently tried to hint at it, asking people to wear deo, I get 'Oh, I don't sweat that much.'

That doesn't mean you don't smell like day old garbage under your pits. It's offensive and unfair.

It isn't fair that certain people think that B.O isn't even a problem and that they can subject the person sitting or working around them to it.

Your underarms pack in a tremendous amount of heat and ferment the bacteria that hang around there or some really gross shit and hence, let off stink waves. #sciencereference #credibility

People please. Wake up. This isn't something I can go around telling individuals and I'm sure a lot of people have been in the same boat as me.

Share this post on your wall, maybe and people will take a hint :P

EDIT :
For men : Highly recommended from well, man sources. Old Spice and Nivea
For women : I love Nivea Whitening and Sure (couldn't find a link but it's available any old where!)

Why every girl needs bold lipstick

I was someone who didn't for the life of me know how to lipstick on till I turned...19?
They scared the living shit out of me. And the whole lipliner deal. And bold lips? Forget it.

I think it changed because I thought I was ready to buy some 'big girl' make up so I went to MAC at Express Avenue and bought (of ALL the colors) Russian Red. :P

After that, the lipstick buying started. I wore lipstick if I was going out at night ONLY cause I didn't have the guts to pull off a bold lip during the day :P
Then I was like, to hell with it. If I want hooker lips at 1pm, so be it.

But to the girls who want to buy a bold lipstick but really don't want a red - I suggest this.
A wine/berry shade. It's SO flattering. It's dark, yes, but I find it so sophisticated.
I steal my mum's lip liner if I'm really going all out, but I usually apply it without anything (I know, I know, that's not the best). But I'll get there :P

I recommend a matte lipstick over glossy/creamy because it's a lot less INYOURFACE and you can stain it out if you chicken out (I've done this MANY times :P)


I'm wearing L'oreal Moist Matte Lipstick in Arabian Nights (bit of a discount here :here)
Perfect for holiday lips :D

Happy Diwali!

Bombay Shopping Diaries - The highlights

Street shopping for me is a source of delight. If I come across one of those shops with export rejects (yes, there's a difference between the fake ones that claim to be 'H&M' or 'Zara' and the actual export rejects).
Thankfully, 4 years in fashion design school taught me what to look for, which ones to ditch and how to drive a really hard bargain.

I did buy a considerable amount in Bombay this time but SURPRISE SURPRISE, 50% of the stuff wasn't for me :P. In fact, I think the presents outweighed the haul I got for myself. That's okay.
There's always a next time :P

I am not including the stuff I got at malls, cause I went basics shopping, and I don't want to bore you guys with the Extremely Exciting Black Pants That Fit Perfectly (being a 26 really f&^#s with your options) or the White Top That Can Make Even Me Fake A Figure (trust me, Nicki Minaj can go around hating on us 'skinny bitches' all she likes, but finding a well-fitting top is almost impossible)

Here are a few pieces that I thought were pretty different from the stuff that I'd usually pick up when I go street shopping. I'd definitely consider these the highlights.

A huge thank you to my best friend for taking these pictures. And for waking up.

I am pretty camera shy when it comes to the whole 'posing' deal. Excuse the lack of face.
I will hopefully get better with the next post :P

Look! Detailing!

Awkward pose 1

Should've steamed this top damnit

I carry far too much shit in this bag.

Shit where's my phone

All three tops were a whopping 250 INR each (yes, I had to haggle).

Skirt was 500 INR.

Brilliant quality, all of them.

Really happy.

Happy Friday!