comfort

Teresa Rehman shares her comfort looks

everyday style, fashion

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I look for quiet and calm amidst chaos. Therefore, comfort rules my dress code.
And my wardrobe consists mostly of sober cotton, handloom and silk kurtas. I end
up wearing black more often especially when I don’t want to think through colour
schemes. My collection of traditional dupattas/stoles from all over India blends
perfectly with my salwar suits. And the latest addition to my collection is an
Assamese handwoven ‘tongali’ (worn by the farmer as a waistcloth). In this
picture, with a plain silver coloured kurta, I have wrapped a stole embellished with
kantha work around my neck. This stole is from Bengal.

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For any kind of meetings and get-togethers, I prefer the Assamese mekhela sador
(mostly the handwoven ones). And for formal gatherings I prefer a paat silk
mekhela sador. Paat silk is probably one of the lightest silks. In this photograph
clicked on the streets of New York, I am wearing a white cotton mekhela sador
with blue and purple flowers. The flower motif is a traditional design called king
khap. The Halloween pumpkins in the backdrop almost seem like an art
installation.

(Teresa Rehman is an award-winning journalist and author based in Assam. She
loves collecting ethnic accessories from different corners of India and the world.)

Pattern and denim- a classic combo

everyday style, fashion, Flat lay

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A quick smart go to day look. A satin blouse with an intense print–here I have houndstooth and polka dots, in black and white. Black pump sling backs. Deep indigo skinny fit. Small sized sunglasses. Good to go for lunch or just a day of work meetings, you could substitute the denim with fitted black ankle cropped trousers if you want to get a wee bit more formal.

Of Paisleys and prints

everyday style, fashion

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I have a soft corner for detailed prints, even though they’re really very tricky to carry off. This dress from Stylista is one from a collection designed by Monica Dogra and is in a comfortable soft crepe, with an intricate paisley print. The front slit that goes right up to well above the knees is paired with two side slits of the same length and I tackle this with a pair of brown or grey leggings within for the sake of modesty. Wore this with a wonderful ethnic neckpiece and a plain white quilted bag, and very high heels. Sorted.

My perennial airport look

everyday style, fashion

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.