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 :-) ..

Winter LookBook #2 - For Her

I am all for mixing two different kinds of silhouettes to create a complete and complimenting look. Team up your stoles with your regular jeans for that casual look. Think solid colors - can't think without black, white :-) some pretty pink, and may be, slate color.

image courtesy - karlascloset

You can also opt for front-open cardigans with real straight lines and narrow sleeves. It creates the optimum effect for those blessed with a petite frame.

This winter, try out denims in red, military green, or camel color - save your blues and blacks for summer.

 image courtesy - chictopia 

If it’s your comfy, slouchy denim, go in for a slightly dressy top. Add a little bling with your earrings and you are ready for an after-office evening-do! And, if you think skinny is in for denims, wear it with loose, longish, baggy tops – think of retro, disco balls, and swinging 60s :-) !!

Choose tees with girlie frills or pretty prints. But, don't go for anything that looks too busy on the upper part, that can kill the look! Do a lot of layering - basic black/white tees with colorful slashed ganjees to look rock-chic. 

image courtesy - astylishmixture

And, if you are not that much into experimenting, go for a clean, feminine get-up with simple tunic-type of layering.

Rely on your converse shoes or if you are an open-toe chappal-devotee like me, keep them on and bring out the colors. Anybody for kolhapuris here :-) ? Yeah, you heard that right – theses can be a lot of fun – c’mon, no one’s going to label you a behenji for that! And, by kolhapuris, I mean the authentic ones with that one-and-only camel-color hard pattern. They still look so classy when you wear it with a white churidar and can add that straight-out-of-college edge when you do it with your denims!

Let me know if you have tried out any of these looks. Or, share if you have anything to add here. 

Winter LookBook #1 - For Her

If you are still holding on to your stoles/shawls/cardigans (the ethnic/semi-ethnic, more commonplace variations of it) over block-printed kurtas, it's time to say bye to them. Show off your silks and chiffons instead of re-doing the cotton. The color palette must be rich giving you scope for layering. Cuts should be clean, straight, rather A-line or if it’s a little voluminous, watch out for the right length – ideally, it should not go below your knees unless of course, your height matches that of Sushmita Sen :-)!! But hey, no one’s going to run after you with a measuring tape and be it short or not-so-short, just keep it fuss-free, that’s all :-) !!

Think beyond lycra (read, leggings, tights). For longish kurtas, or if it's an anarkali, go for custom-made churidars in silk. Get one in sheer chiffon to show off some hint of skin if the occasion demands a bit of glam. Slip into a fitted biker jacket or cropped slim-fitted blazers with sharp lines over your regular kurta to give it that slightly tough touch which can eventually balance out the all-ethnic element. It sort of creates a lovely delhi-wallah look :-) !! 

 image courtesy - vanessajackman

If you are wearing khadi or a solid color kurta or something with small prints, you can go for leather jackets with zipper or some other detailing. Make sure that the collar is not too heavy, it might give it a closed look. Throw in some colorful bangles and a big embroidered jhola with patch work, and may be, a mojri for that smart desi look. Wrap around your neck a pretty silk scarf in a side-knot for that fun-quotient!

You can still wear your short chiffon dresses that you invested in last summer, with soft and short, not-too-fluffy at all leather jackets. No cord, please – save them for some other look ‘coz if the cord is not of the right thickness, it can create a somewhat stiff silhouette. 

 image courtesy - brooklynblonde 

Leather or bicker jackets are not always grunge, make it look feminine in your own way!

Show your True Color

Let go of your whites and predictable blacks. After a bit of dilly dallying, winter is finally here! :-) Okay, now anything I say in praise of the season and the thousands of possibilities it throws up in the name of styling, might sound like clichés since we all know that winter is THE SEASON to look fashion-focused and let your wardrobe do the talking!

You have done your whites and blacks, and we have seen it all! Give it  a break. Think of red, purple, wine, pink, and lots of green - olive, emerald, and more. If red is your color and you can't think of anything else other than black or white to go with it, take a fresh look. Go for green instead. If you are into ethnic, make it emerald green, and if it's denim for you, make it work with olive green. You can always avoid the in-your-face combination of bright lime green with red.

Keep the color palette neutral if you want. If your earthy tones are too dear to let go of, throw in a dash of color somewhere like a bright purple bag, a red scarf, red nails, or just killer red lips! Try out tan or camel color and accentuate it with red. Trust me, it looks stunning! I have two lovely red bags and one big jute hobo in red, I love to take these with my pale green or bright blue kurtas - they kind of highlight the color blocks without making it look too jazzy.

Choose ochre, burnt orange, purple over pastel tones and candy shades. Rich colors can leave lots of room for layering - but, read the color-scheme well - otherwise, you run the risk of overdoing it! But, hey why be so serious about fashion! Make it fun, and do a little experiment, I bet, you will end up feeling G-O-O-D!!

So, what's you color-story this winter? Share with me, and do let me know how it goes..Take care and keep looking pretty!!

Men..They never fail to amaze me.. :-)

Guess what!! Here's my first blog, first post, and the first four comments are all from men :-) Delighted that my primary effort didn't look like aimed at girls solely but that also brings me to a rather crucial question - where are my girls??!! :-) C'mon girls, let me see what you all have to say on this...

First Scribble...

Come peep through my window and sing me a song – a song that sings of you - a song that goes, you are beautiful, you are precious – okay, can we have those lovely sepia-tinted images playing at the background please? :-) ..We all have our favorite shades, favorite corners, favorite lists, and even favorite bites, right? Ohh, and don’t they make us feel good?! So, let’s hear about all those stuff you love.   

Yes, we’ll talk about style, about fashion, and all the other things too that come in between and pass by – it could be anything, and everything – an offensively pretty dress on a display, a totally out-of-the-calendar break you want to take, a familiar place you rediscovered and fell in love with all over again, or an amazing new flavor you simply chanced upon – something to talk about while we take a walk together. This should give us, and I hope, it seriously does so :-), one more reason to smile and celebrate, celebrate the self, soul, and beauty. Let me see what you have got in your closet there, I will show you mine, and who knows, together we can come up with some crazily wonderful ideas to light up the whole corner!!