P.S. I Missed You...

image courtesy - getty images

I was away. For months. It was bad, super-bad. And, I hated every moment of it. But, now, I AM BACK :-). Did you miss me?

Of Decisions and Other Demons…

Looks like the Man (can I be excused for imagining God to be a Man – no, I hold nothing against the pretty ladies, but it’s just that every time I say the word, the benign/stern face, depending on the case, of Morgan Freeman appears on my mind-screen – too much of Hollywood I’m sure :-)…But, on a more serious note, God is just so much prone to mistakes that he’s more likely to be a man rather than a woman – I think, a woman, in a post like this, would have been more effective and just - besides, just think how much you could score on the political correctness side of it :-) - a woman on top, the top boss literally!! But, there’s another if here – a woman in a power-position, without the right orientation, could be a disaster – the scale tips more towards being emotional and may be, personal for them (this is a strictly personal opinion - due apologies for the level-headed exceptions - if you are REAL, where are you? The world needs YOU!!) while for guys, it’s like, too-hell-with-the-world, it’s just another day, another job :-) ) up above just missed the decision-box inside my head!! How else do I explain this! I just don’t seem to be holding it at one place..it keeps swaying – my mind!

image courtesy - whitezine

A dear friend of mine, Miss K (now a happy and proud Mrs.) once remarked, it’s a problem of too many choices. Hmm I didn’t agree, it’s quite the opposite rather. When you are left with fewer options, you only devote your entire concentration on going for the right thing at the right time – you surely don’t want to use words like “repent” or make it yet another case of “what if I..” – So, you think hard and think more. Think twice, and think wise. Whether or not you go for that so-called “right thing”, is so relative, always. And, what is this right thing by the way? Do you always create a case for and against yourself, your every move, and put yourself in the accusation-box before the jury panel who would give the verdict out? Some people do.

I think, the more important question here is – what is the best thing for you? Do you even know what you want or what would make you the happiest? Knowing yourself inside out holds the key. When you are your best mate, you know yourself like no one else does – then, you know what you want. And, when you know that, you are sure of it, and can tell the whole world that this is what you want – or, you don’t even TELL the world about it, just say it to yourself that YES, this is what I WANT, this is what I have always wanted – you have won it!!

Okay, confession time – I could never do this. For me, it’s always been like “yeah, THIS is it, umm, no wait, not this one, let me check out THAT instead…” Too bad, eh? Another dear friend, Mr. N, rather emphatically, commented that I like to keep my options open :-) That’s too simplistic an observation, undermining the deeper complexities. Now that I have uttered the ultimate C-word :-), you might just as well ask, what are these god-damn complexities? Your name does not start with M and you are not running for the CM’s post in Bengal :-)) (yeah, okay, okay that was a BAD joke)..See, there could be a multitude of possibilities dictating your decision-making abilities:

• you don’t know what you want
• you know what you want, but, think that might not serve an over-all good purpose
• you know what you want, will be of greater and further good, but you are apprehensive about others’ approval
• you think you are destined for something BIGGER and BETTER and you prefer to wait for the next opportunate moment (no, I can’t call you an opportunist for that)
• you feel none of the options you're given, can make any substantial difference to the situation you're in right now, and so, you deter yourself from taking a decision
• you doubt if your choice fails to work out accordingly, you have no one to fall back upon to do some damage-control, so you prefer maintaining the status quo (I know, I know where it's coming from) 'cause you don't want to make it anymore worse
• you've never been presented with a REAL critical situation and so, your abilities are yet to be tested
• you are bogged down by constant self-criticism and self-analysis
• your decisions, so far, have been met with much disappointment
• you never had anyone whom you could look up to in situations like this
• you yourself are your BIGGEST critic
• you take things TOO seriously
• you just think TOO much

I told you :-) it’s not easy…'To be or not to be' it was for a once-upon-a-time prince from Denmark - and your Hamletian dilemma remains to DO or NOT to DO..I dedicate this post to all those troubled, tortured, tormented (wow!! now that sounds heavy) souls :-) who think, THINKING is one thing, DOING it is one thing, and then, DECIDING it, is quite another thing!!

P.S. - Does my post-title ring a bell :-) ? You can't really miss that Márquez-ness (of the title, of JUST the tile I mean) :-) - remember Of Love and Other Demons?I tried to avoid, but I just had to give in...

Old-School...Oh-So-Cool!!

Guys, you too can play around with pullovers – we girls are yet to rob you off all your options :-)!! It's LOVE, you see - we love you too much to intrude into your exclusive private space! haha, yes, you are still reading my style-blog and we still are talking about pullovers :-)..

Ah, don't think of old daddy when I say, pullover - what do you say of this one?

image courtesy - famewatcher

Yeah, so what, if it's more like a morning-look, and with that pair of trainers, it's almost like you are straight from the jogging trail - but, with denims, you can always work wonders! And, this one, for me, is SO effortlessly COOL!! Not too much, not too less - just perfect - oh, and don't miss the swagger :-)..

For men, the points of concern should be the shoulder, the line along the sleeves, the middle part (obviously!!), and, as I always  say, the length. Your pullover should have strong shoulders, for that would create the base line of the structure. The lines should be straight, simple, yet, strong - not rounded. If it's of a thin material, it should flatter your arms by fitting snugly - and, if it's woolen, knit - it better be neat :-).

Take special care of the mid-part for this is where all (well, mostly) the problems begin. If your pullover is more round at the middle, you will end up looking more like Papa Bear - cuddly though :-) !! Ideally, the knit should be not too thick so that the lines are distinct and the fit accentuates your height, broad shoulders, and arms.

The length remains standard, I think - but, do layer it a bit with wearing something longer underneath so that it peeps through in a very casual manner. Just scroll up a bit to find out how to do it :-) 

image courtesy -selectism

Besides shades of grey, blue, brown (do I need to mention black separately?) - plum, olive, and wine are the tones to watch out for. Round or V-neck - anything and everything if you are lean and lanky, but, stick to your 'V's if you think looking into the mirror and frowning at your own vital statistics is something which REAL MEN should NEVER EVER do :-) - Just don't bother - we don't mind it as long as you wear it with a bit of attitude and a smile on your face :-) .. 

So, pull out all the stops, go vintage-chic this winter, and pull it off with an old-school style pullover. Spotted any interesting pullover-look anywhere? Click it and send it to me here or still better, why don't you send me a couple of your own snaps in pullovers?

That Warm Fuzzy Feeling…

Renew the 80's romantic, sweetheart look this season to add that dash of drama to your winter wardrobe! By now, you have probably tried out all the tricks in the book for doing and re-doing your jackets, blazers, and cardigans – extra marks, guys :-), if you have donned the look this time – I don’t quite understand why this option is otherwise overlooked – if used right, this indeed could be so versatile. I mean, there’s so much you could do with an open front, and rolled-up sleeves :-), isn’t it?

Rolled-up sleeves remind of another winter classic and I think, I will use this post as an ode to that :-) – Have you really ticked off your pullovers from the list? Sad, I would say, if you did so! No, it’s not passé – I reaffirm. 

While stripes spell out more formal rather, horizontal bands look PRETTY casual – yes, it’s pretty, and it’s casual :-) – Wear it over your skinny denims for a girly look. Oh, and add sneakers to that.

Who says, pullovers are not for evening blings! If the occasion permits and the crowd is fun too, jazz it up with a mini and knee-high boots. Or, may be with sheer stockings and killer stilettos - ditch your all-purpose blacks for pinks and purples. Caution – don’t go OTT – keep in mind the length factor. If your pullover is slightly longish, check what you are teaming it up with is not too long – long over long will just kill the look. Similarly, up-your-hand-and-show-your-midriff length is a strict no-no with a mini. It’s all about balance, you see :-) … 

Go get that lean, mean look with a little oversized one. But, wait – try this out ONLY if you are super-thin. Here’s my favorite one..

If you are blessed with curves, fret not, celebrate :-) – Go for thin bands in rich earthy shades and pick up one that’s not too furry and has the right length – one that ends where your leg-lines are slimmer – if it ends at the wrong point, like, slightly heavier upper thighs, the pullover-look might just add more bulges and do more harm than good.

But, I guess, you miss out all the fun if you are just too perfect! A little imperfection makes us all the more adorable, and gives us that distinct ME flavor, isn't it :-) ? Stop cribbing about those extra inches, you are beautiful after all, with or without it!

Keep smiling and be charming!! And meanwhile, let that warm, fuzzy feeling leave you not - it could be the warmth, could be LOVE, could be more...

The CORD-ial Part of It...

Are you doing denim jackets? Yes, denim is a proven classic and it never goes out of style - but, denim in the form of a jacket needs a little more attention than what you think was mandatory, like the lines, color, and what you are teaming it up with. I don't really see any problem with a denim jacket, but I do have a point or two about how you wear it.

image courtesy - fashionbeans

Well, this one looks neat - the checks kind of offset the solid blue effect. So, this one's DEFINITELY DO-ABLE!! It takes MORE to pull off the denim-on-denim look, so, unless you are too sure of it, bunk it! 

Please, this one screams BAD 80's!! Shaded, sand-blasted, or classic blue look - it runs a risk of sending the wrong kind of style-signal (read, tacky) if not done correctly! 

Cord can be a safe alternative. The vertical self-lines can break the monotony and also, you've got the colors - a whole range of it to pair it with your casual, semi-casual, or not-so-formal wear.

image courtesy - google images

If you want to make the cord-look work with an otherwise formal or semi-formal get-up, make sure that the cut resembles more that of a blazer than a casual jacket. 

While doing cord with casual, check that the shape is not balloony at the top/middle, gradually narrowing down at the waist. Ideally, it should form consistent straight lines right from the shoulder, across the sleeves, and finally ending at the right point - no flare, no fuss!!

image courtesy - google images

Here's what I think is just the RIGHT stuff! Be it your dapper denims or cute cords, do it the right way. Be charming and keep charming :-)) !!

Winter LookBook #2 - For Him

Eastward ho! If you think denims and jackets are your sole salvation point, you are just limiting your options. Score a few more fashion points as you go desi :-) and here's how..

Have you tried out short, fitted bandhgala sherwanis this winter? No, these are not the brazen pieces you see our Bollywood Khans/Kapoors don and break into pseudo-impromptu song and jig on a celluloid-shadi :-) - may I say, obnoxious? These are more Raghavendra Rathore – short, sharp, and no-nonsense! Solid colors, pin-stripes, button detailings, and yes, the length is of supreme importance - the hemline should be just around your knees or a little above (somewhere in between a western-style blazer and a full-length sherwani). 

image courtesy - telegraph

White would look summery - besides black, you can go for grey, beige, pale olive, or for evenings, muted plum or rich brown.

image courtesy - indya.com

You can get your customized one from your local tailor shop (strict supervision highly recommended), but be extra-careful about choosing the right material, color, and most importantly, the cut - else, it'll look more like a stiff high-collared kurta. 

image courtesy - dapperkid

I could not really take my eyes off this image. Its faded, mysterious backdrop reminds me of those moth-eaten frames - yellowish, crumbling, and belonging to another era. The covered head exudes a sense of impending doom; a sort of denial - denial of being acknowledged; or may be, a form of resistance - resistance of being labeled and stereotyped. I think, I will devote an entire post sometime later to this one single image :-)..Dark, intense, arresting, poignant, and powerful - this one, for me, creates a definite fashion moment! 

Don't miss the gathered look of the folds on the trouser (although, the heavy boots look more military, rather world war I in my interpretation) - perfect to go with the kind of sherwani I am talking about!

Another cool cut for kurta is the punjabi style, the typical regional version of it. The upper part looks more like a shirt - more or less form-fitted - think mid-length, folded sleeves reaching your elbow, shoulder straps, and may be pockets on chest or other detailings. Here's the image I have on my mind right now..

image courtesy - google images

Sorry, fellas, I had to crop and re-size the image a bit, the lady on the left side was taking away all the attention from the point in focus - okay, now please shift your eyes a little to the right side of the frame, would you :-)) ? See, don't you find the cut interesting! Go for the right shade and material, and it's got great style potential!

Winter LookBook #1 - For Him

No, I'm not biased, fellas :-) !! Here's my take on what your winter LookBook should be this year. Snug fit, sharp silhouette, and, an overall clean look - that's what sums up the style-story for you.

You have more colors to choose from this winter. Girls have given away on their once-exclusive monopoly rights over pink and red :-) And, pink does not necessarily have to be a shocking pink floral something! Think of candy colors or pastel shades when I say pink and try to make it work with other deeper, darker solid base colors.

image courtesy - karlascloset

A faded pink front-open cardigan or a muffler can go well with your regular blue denims.

Scarves are still scoring on. Solids, checks look cool. If you know how to wrap it, you can make your simple denim-and-tee look to-die-for :-) !! But, our city doesn't really give us that much scope to put the scarf-look to the maximum use - so, wait for super-chilly nights or year-end bashes :-) !! 

image courtesy - dapperkid

Team up silk/linen shirts (white and black very much permitted here, or in rich chocolate shade) in sharp cuts with well-cut trousers. Go in for a cool belt to pull off the otherwise-common look. Complete the look with a slim-fit short linen blazer and you are good to go! 

image courtesy - dapperkid

Invest in a well-stitched one, like this one with subtle dhoti pleats - great for evening parties or formal office-gatherings! This, I think, is a somewhat practical take on our very own jodhpuris - imagine a little more volume on the upper side-pleats and it could have been straight from a Raghavendra Rathore ramp!

If you are into the mood for a little fun-and-flirt in a la Zac Efron mode, get a single-loop necktie. Wear your glasses or go for fake thick-rimmed ones for a college-kid-meets-nerd look - second looks guaranteed :-) !!

Let me know if you find these looks useful, interesting, or a bit impractical to pull off in Kolkata :-) ..