Getting reptilian

everyday style

I have a particular soft spot for animal print, and reptilian print. I think they are that one element that can jazz up a look with minimal effort. This is one of my favourite no-fuss tops–I’ve had it forever and forever, in a satin fabric, cut comfortably with dolman three fourth length sleeves and a snake print in taupe, black and beige. I pair it with a pair of fitted brown or black trousers, and occasionally add a neckpiece if I feel I need more fuss. But the neckpiece is completely optional given the print is busy enough to not merit anything additional. And yes, a bright red lip to spark it up. But then, the bright red lip is my suraksha kavach, seem to wear it with everything, whenever I feel I’m looking like something the cat regurgitated on the carpet.

What about you, do you have any snakeskin in your wardrobe?

Of shirt dresses

everyday style, fashion

At L’Affaire Godrej The Trees yesterday, in a Global Desi shirt dress. Yes, it is a size bigger, I prefer to wear something a little looser than my size so I can grow into it. Seriously though, it just feels more comfortable in the humidity of Mumbai to allow for enough air circulation. Paired this with an oxidised silver knot neckpiece, a structured taupe Da Milano bag and my good old brown suede Catwalk clogs that don’t really go with this, but are sky high and darned comfortable, despite the high heel. No pockets with this one. Damn.

Quick trip packing

everyday style, fashion, Flat lay

A quick trip for me is generally hell to pack for, because of the multiple events and situations one finds oneself in, and the need to carry cabin baggage rather than half the contents of one’s wardrobe. So here’s what I do. For a four to five day trip, three pairs of trousers, indigo, brown, black. One formal pair (Black in this case). Three basic t shirts. One black camisole or lacy vest. One bright pop of colour, the red in this case. One a striped one. And the third a basic plain black. Add a basic black sweater with double sided buttons (simple on one side and shiny Swarovskis when reversed) so you can dress up or down as required. One casual T Strap sandals. One pair of formal black pumps or strappy satin sandals for an unexpected invite out to dinner. That’s it. Keeping the colours neutral lets everything you pack go with every other item in your baggage, with no stress, and you can change combinations to create a completely different look each time. And of course, a couple of really funky neckpieces that can completely elevate a look without adding to the baggage.

What are your quick packing hacks?

Moto jackets save the day

everyday style, fashion

They’re not the most formal of jackets, but I have a particular soft corner for moto jackets in all shades and materials. From tan to black to red, to patent leather, to suede, to camouflage to leather, I’ve had them all over the years and used them generously until they wore out on me, and had to be reluctantly consigned to the bin. My last favourite was a red patent leather moto that I wore everywhere and with everything. My current favourite is a grey suede one which I pretty much do the same with. Throw it on top of anything one wears, and it kindly pulls the look together into not too formal, just that little bit off the prim and proper, and yes, keeps me warm given that I was probably a reptile in a previous birth and perennially feel chilled to the bone.

Do you have a favourite kind of jacket?

Black and gold

everyday style, fashion

Easiest go to evening look. Black straight fit trousers. A comfortable chiffon Cue by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna black top lined with gold fabric, perfect for those “Damn where did my waistline go?” days. Gold peep toes, gold bag (not seen here). Red lip. The nails ideally should have been red, but what the hell, what am I if not last minute uncoordinated chic. The make up could have been less Return Of The Living Dead, I agree, but camera lights and lights around my dressing table have to get in synch for that. What say?

Educationist Avnita Bir shares her preferred style statements

everyday style, fashion

Dresses. Long or short; flowing or crisp. I love them all. The little girl in me, fed on fairy tales, surfaces when I don a long flowing gown. A shorter knee-length dress, worn with high heels, feels more professional, efficient and brings a crispness to my day.

Blue jeans, Tee and Polo jacket. My all-time favorite. This look is natural, comfortable and my most sported. The Polo jacket gives it a style statement and the blue jeans keep me fit.

Saree. The quintessential grace that a saree brings to a woman, making her feel soft, sexy and complete. I wear this look occasionally as I feel a saree must be worn with an attitude to do it justice. Special occasions like school events will see me making that extra effort.

When Ajrakh meets long line…

everyday style, fashion

When all else fails, a black camisole, black skinny fit jeans and a wonderful long line Ajrak jacket in rust. Stand alone jackets and blazers can save an entire outfit, wear them over jeans and camisoles with stilettoes or pumps for a completely put together look that doesn’t take more than five minutes to throw together.

Got this one tailored from Ajrak fabric my sis in law had picked up on her tour to Kutch. It is a single lapel, with wooden buttons and goes beautifully over black, beige and grey. And yes, have a good tailor handy.

Wrap and roll

everyday style, fashion, Flat lay

Moving quick from day to night? Take a wrap knee length dress in summer colours from Lulu & Sky, add a pair of satin ankle straps in an unexpected purple, add a silver knotted choker and you’re good to go. Works?

The little grey dress

everyday style, fashion

I rarely get into dresses that end at the knee or a little above it, but this is one that I do have. And I always feel grand when I wear this, so it ends up being my last resort dress when all else fails.

A grey wool blend that slinks on like second skin, but yet manages to be kind to the lard around the waist that could have me give real competition to the Michelin tyre man. The dress is an AND by Anita Dongre, one of my favourite designers for sensible comfortable clothes, that are size friendly to not so very perfect bodies.

Paired these with solitaires in my ears, (primarily because I couldn’t be arsed to keep changing my earrings so these stay on until they fuse with my damn lobes and then I need to do a song and dance to get them off, short of surgical incisions), a pair of high black strap ons and a bright red lipper, and yes a silver neck piece that I love. Like?

Author Neelam Kumar shares her fave looks

everyday style, fashion

Black dress: For as long as I can remember, the little black dress has enchanted me as much as it has terrified me. Enchanted, because I love the way slim women look in it. Terrified because of the flab it displays. I love this pic because the wise cameraman has chopped off tons of flab from my waist and stomach. In it, I look the way I wish I was

Red dress:I love short red dresses. And that is not’ “cool” by Indian standards for a senior widow, who is supposed to be “sober, serious and spiritual”.  In short, dead.  But I love shattering stereotypes. I believe I am a Western lady trapped in an Indian body. So, on a recent trip to London, I rushed to Primark (the most affordable store) and jumped at this red number on sale. I loved the sense of freedom this Engish dress gave me. Later, I read its tag– “Made in India”. 🙂

Kurta with straight trousers.I believe this Indo-Western fusion dress makes me look glamorous. Once again, the photographer did a brilliant job of photoshopping away age-related problems. He also made me look very intellectual by digitally superimposing a full library behind me. Actually, he wanted to cover up the peeling walls of his studio. But who’s complaining?