I have great admiration for celebs who land up at airports looking straight off the pages of a fashion mag, skin impeccable, hair impeccable, clothes designer. Me? I’m a ragtag of what is warm, comfortable and clothes with enough, err, give, considering I’m going to be sitting for a while. So here’s me with black lycra enhanced ankle cropped jeans, a black turtleneck pullover, grey oversized handbag, patent leather camouflage print jacket, my old, old, retinal damage inflicting neon orange Nike shoes, but with the best accessory ever, my latest bestseller, #13StepsToBloodyGoodParenting co-authored with Ashwin Sanghi in my hand. No label can ever top that.
Photo#1 Whenever there is a program or event where I need to go on stage the first thing that strikes my mind is the question, “what should I wear?”. I feel that once the dress appropriate to the program is fixed the rest would fall into place smoothly. Though the façade doesn’t carry more weightage than the core, but it surely aids in boosting my confidence. This was an award function where lots of eminent people were coming. Formal dressing looks good in such functions. Being a lazy saree dresser, I prefer wearing stitched dresses or suits making it easy to wear, travel and rush for the program. The milky ivory hues of this anarkali suit allured me instantly when I saw it in a nearby boutique and ushered the boutique assistant for trial. Fortunately, it fitted me perfectly without a single alteration and fitted the bill of my urgent requirement. It had a big organza dupatta which was seeming a big hassle as I prefer to keep my hands free, nothing to handle than the books, award, miscellaneous stuff. and which helps me to walk fast on stage etc. I asked to convert the dupatta into a sleeveless long jacket and the outcome was brilliant. This is a floor length anarkali with a dupatta converted into a sheer jacket/cape. I accessorized this look with a pearl necklace my husband brought from somewhere in South Africa, a blue bindi and a statement ring bought from Dilli Haat to complete the look.
Photo #2 This look has a little story behind it. In my daughters’ school function, students performed on a song “Makeba “composed by Jain. The song influenced me and sounded quite cool to me. Inspired by Jain’s B&W look in the song on YouTube, I searched for a collared black and white dress. I am not a brand conscious person as the quality and the look matters to me more than any label. I found this on a popular online site either Romwe or Shein costing remarkably less than Rs 1000. I didn’t mind that. White pumps, golden sunglasses, a multi-layered silver necklace, a pale pink sturdy handbag shopped from USA, a white stone ring bought for Rs. 100 from the stall outside Beatles café’ in Rishikesh and my smile completed the look for a lunch date at Impromptu café with my best friends.
Photo #3 This was clicked in City Palace of Udaipur during the winter vacations. This is a dress from “AND”, Anita Dongre’ special collection and the fit is awesome. I have worn this dress in summer without the leggings and jacket as well as in winters and it does brighten up my look. Wearing it with a jacket bought from an exhibition in Gurgaon, long black leather boots from H&M, and a LAVIE sling bag gifted by a friend on my birthday. Since hoops are in vogue these days, I wore big ones in silver from H&M realizing it later that almost 5 out of 10 girls were wearing hoops. Hoops were in fashion in 2005-2006 and again this trend bounced back. Since the dress has a pastel pink beaded neckline, necklace wasn’t required. Wearing “Relentless Red” lipstick from Mac and my smile again to reflect my happiness when I am a traveller.
(Meenakshi M Singh is an author, poet, a software professional, director of ShetheShakti – women empowerment centre and a mother. She is based in Gurgaon with her husband, raising herself with her daughters.)
A popular or latest style of clothing or a manner of doing things, what is your definition of fashion? I have never been the type for whom the latest style or cuts work perfectly. For me, fashion was and is defined by clothes in which one feels comfortable in one’s skin, confident to take on the world and challenging situations, and feeling that I look my best without worrying about unsightly curves on display or seams that could burst anytime. It is not just about high-priced labels but also about quality, workmanship and the right fit. My fashion choices have always been safer, hesitant and predictable so far.The forties, however opened the floodgates. I began to think bold splashes of colour, explore racks that I would have never stepped close to in the previous decade and experimented with different kinds of attire like skirts and dresses that I had not worn for nearly 10 years. Look 1
The all-forgiving, ubiquitous sari. Saris to me was about if there is no matching blouse I cannot wear that sari. It was something that one wears on special occasions and only the fancy silk variety that looks grand and well-set on the body.In my forties, I learnt to step out in a sari that boldly draped over shoulders that showed a blouse with colours that had no connection with the sari. In fact I rebelled in the blouse does not match proclamation! I got a selection of blouses stitched in bold hues that could work with saris of colours that were either bright and flashy or dull. Blouses that lit up the sari in a manner in which the attached blouse we buyers are so fond of, would never do. This look is put together with a bright rani pink Bengal cotton sari. which is buttery soft and cocoons the wearer in the folds. Nothing describes fuchsia as well as rani pink, a colour so named because it was a combination of rare purple fit for royalty and pink. This is worn with a yellow blouse that doesn’t really match exactly with the borders but still works. I teamed it with a chunky silver floral filigree necklace, an antique finish bracelet a setting of fuchsia stones, from GRT jewels, white gold and diamond hoops from Carat Lane and silver sandals from Clark’s. After years of snobbishly wearing only gold, I hesitatingly moved to rose gold and then white gold to try whether I could work with colours that only the fair-skinned people seem to feel confident with. One day, I graduated to silver- a metal I fell in love with all over again when I discovered the variety I could play with in accessories and style without draining my savings. I also discovered that I could no longer rely on flimsy footwear that gave up on me on the second wear and have permanently moved to sturdy brands like Clark’s and Hush Puppies.
Look 2 Simple, Smart and Comfortable The Kurta revamped.In my previous life, I always went with simple, straight cuts with side slits that in my opinion gave me the illusion of a better figure. I never touched those in which the side slits were given a miss. Fab India was my friend because of their cuts, prints and overall looks. I felt comfortable in their silks on formal occasions because of their no-nonsense cuts with three-fourth sleeves and sometimes high necks and prince collars. It made me feel in command in official meetings. Then I stepped into Sanginee, a boutique that works with bold cuts; I have noticed inspirations from places one would not have imagined taking. I learnt to wear Anarkalis after 25 years and worked with bolder necklines and patterns.This mustard and red cotton number has been on my to-buy list for almost six months. I loved it yet never felt I could carry it off. In fact I bought it when other pieces of the same or similar cut were already sold.The kurta has pleats that are similar to box-pleated sports skirts of my school. I had instantly seen the possibilities of traversing this look to a dress however to do that I needed to live in the dress. I am glad I bought this, even though it needed a few tucks and stitches to get the cut lengths of the box pleats to my liking.The Kalamkari print also was not the run-off-the-mill kind and the material hugged the body well without being stiff in places. Bright red churidars completed the look.The wooden beads necklace is my go-to necklace for attires of all kinds – western or Indian. Yes, I graduated to wood, seed and cloth jewellery even, in my forties though I did team it up with a gold jhumka and bracelet because it was Diwali and the mood was celebratory.
Do you know what your body shape is? Well, broadly speaking (pun so not intended), they are apple, banana, pear and hourglass. As you might have guessed, the hourglass is the one to aspire to quite simply because it doesn’t make you feel like one of the key ingredients in a fruit salad.
Now, depending on hormones, The Bloat, last night’s all-you-can-eat-buffet and whatever evil, twisted mirror is fat-shaming my near-naked body, I alternate between apple and pear. In plain speak, that means “very fat” and “how are you not a meme yet”.
So, as you can guess, finding clothes which I look presentable in is a tremendous challenge. Lately, thanks to our Calcutta winters, I have been hiding my layers under layers. You know, shawls, ponchos, jackets, and the like.
However, as winter fades, the warm woollies must slowly start to make their way back to their hideaways, rooming with neem leaves and sandlewood sachets.
This Sunday, the husband and I had organised a garden party for friends. A winter lunch in the outdoors while it was still possible before the sweltering starts. Deciding the lunch menu wasn’t as difficult as deciding what to wear!
Luckily it is EOSS time, and I was able to lay my hands on this fabulous boxy dress from Zara. Perfect for my shapeless shape. Good for days when I’m an apple, a pear or a prickly pear-apple. Definitely good for all those days when I’m a pumpkin too!
So I wore this lovely, brown, boxy, checked number with tan shoes. I carried my red, handloom (Kesh) bag from Shantiniketan to add a pop of colour (and also because I’m as lazy as a sun-bathing pig when it comes to changing my bags — but luckily, this worked!)
So there you have it! Fruit salad wrapped up in a checked napkin
I have a terrible soft corner for satin, it is a one shot no fuss elevation of a look from the ornery to the dressy, with minimal effort, which is what a sloth like me needs. Pair a satin top with smart trousers and fancy shoes and you’re set with no need of anything else to lift up the look. Here’s a satin balloon top with a tie waist bow, and three fourth sleeves. I wear it over everything, black denims here, blue jeans, grey formal trousers, brown corduroy skinny fits and it works.
What’s that one top you have in your wardrobe that is your go to to lift a last minute get dressed look?
I am not a brands person, except handloom perhaps.
The saree is from Co-optex, my long time favourite, just like my mother. Aai gifted this saree for birthday last year, so more special. The jacket is from Mahalaxmi Saras exhibition many years ago, my annual shopping pilgrimage where I get stuff made/sold by women’s self help groups. The pic was clicked on 31st December last year, as if waving bye bye to 2018! The blue long dress is from streets of Dadar Have recently started wearing such dresses. No longer bothered about what others – read in laws – think or will say. (on second thoughts, i am more concerned about what the daughter will say now 😛 ) The teal dress is Biba, fits me perfectly. Clicked on 47th birthday. The pocket is added my myself from some leftover material.
( Mrinmayee Ranade is a journalist, reader, traveler, who has recently found love of crochet and making simple jewelry. )
I was off to moderate a conversation at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival last evening, for the SheThePeople Women Writers Fest pop up with veteran journalists Rashmi Saksena and Teresa Rehman. I was in a jeans and Tshirt mood, so did exactly that and threw on a long line Pierre Cardin jacket I’ve had for ages, probably college days. The tshirt is a hand me down gold foil print Superdry from the offspring (he has outgrown it without using it twice and I’m damned if I’m going to let a perfectly good usable tshirt go waste). Low waist ankle cropped mid wash jeans from Only, raw leather belt from I forget whom, Bulchee I think, and my good old Tstrap Bata wedges because I knew, it being Kala Ghoda fest, there would be a fair amount of walking involved. Like?
At best I am a lazy dresser to be honest. Most of my clothes are in the same colour palette of neutrals–black, brown, beige, as are my shoes, so everything goes with everything. But the one thing I know that can spark up any outfit is one kick ass neckpiece. This one though, is not mine, bummed it off my niece who was visiting those days when this was clicked. It is a rasta piece, picked off Hill Road, and just adds that little extra making a plain black top and biscuit trousers a little dressed up. Shoes are white and biscuit wedge heels by Sonali Dalwani of Crimzon.
I completely swear by the power of one strong piece of statement jewellery to pull your look together–it doesn’t have to be something expensive or exclusive or designer, though of course, that won’t hurt. Simple rasta stuff, worn well and with a fair degree of sass can work just as well.
I rarely wear a saree but I think it is one of the most graceful garments ever. I love the easy drape of this chiffon Jaipur lehriya, paired with a pink Banarasi brocade blouse. On my wrist the traditional Kumaoni ponchi bracelet.
This dress from M&S is a simple sheath that has a flattering fit, and is easy day wear. I pair it with a bright pop of colour in my handbag.
Another comfort look is denim and black. A denim jacket from Only, with my regular jeans and a black top, worn with sneakers. Perfect for a busy day out and about.
(Chanda Bisht is a former education professional, now settled in Gurgaon.)
If its a quick meeting up with friends for drinks and dinner, I’m the one who prefers to be in my good old jeans. Sometimes, I might just make the effort to pull out a lovely burnt orange embroidered sleeveless top by Namrata Joshipura, that falls straight to the hips, paired with these skinny fit denims, a simple similarly embroidered motif clutch and my good old favourite golden Kolhapuri chappals.
What’s your quick fix night out with friends go-to look?
Forty+Fashion 