BFFing your body

Right from discount store to the designer shops, everywhere we see, there is colorful display of apparel.  Have you ever wondered why there are so many?  Is it because of the color?  If so, then the apparel should be in a few “perfect” colors.  If not, then is it because of the shape or style?  Then again, there will be a few, in so-called, "perfect" style or shape.  What is it then, that lets the designers create so many varieties?

It’s the amazing, one-of-a-kind thing called one’s own body type.  Every body or structure is so beautifully unique that it can be compared to a stained glass, where no two colored glasses can be produced identical.  With such a humungous positive, there lies a disadvantage.   Dressing it up.  There is no pre-defined template, which would suit everyone.

I have few tips and tricks that will come in handy, while dolling up.

Before that, I have few homework assignments for you.

1.  Bring in the image of yourself in your brain as close as possible to what you see in the mirror.

2.  Dress for the person you see in the mirror and not for the person you wish you are/wanted to be.

3.  Stand in front of the mirror and jot down all the positives you see in yourself.  Trust me, statistically, your positives are at least 42.6% more than your negatives.

4.  You try on something, and instantly if it reminds you of your positives, then it’s a keeper. 

5.  Of course, eventually, you’ll dig deeper and deeper until you find some faults.  Relying on eventual identification of negatives will leave you with no dress.

6.  Most importantly, keep in mind that you are your worst critic.  If something passes through your criticism, then you will be the bell of the ball, as other do not have the time or patience to see what you saw and hated in yourself.

In this post let me talk about the issues around the mid-section and quick fixes for it.

If you think you have a little extra fat around your waistline:
Key:  Do not hide it, just throw the focus somewhere else.
Dos:  Long skirts with pattern, chunky jewelry, Boot-cut or flare jeans and A-line dress with geometric pattern.  Long top layered with cropped jacket would look amazing.
Don'ts:  Jersey material is an absolute Don't.  Stitch, elastic or lace tie-up in the hip is also a thing to avoid.

http://fabulousfinds4.blogspot.com/

If you think you are too skinny around your waist:  

Key:  Mimic a hip.
Dos:   Layered skirt, boyfriend jeans, cropped pants, capri, shirt dress and asymmetric closing dress.  Again, layering helps.  Shirt top and a voluminous skirt will look graceful.
Don'ts:  Keep away from figure hugging dresses, pants or skirt.

If you think you are curvier around the hip:
Key:  Again take the focus away.
Dos:  Wide-leg or boyfriend jeans, bright color or pattern top, high heals shoes, empire or high waist dress and princess dress, high-low skirt and long skirt.  The top should be a tleast till the mid section of the hip.  Statement necklace is a plus.
Don'ts:  Any pants that narrow down around the knees is a big no.  It's better to avoid the sheath dress.

www.slimskii.com

www.niemanmarcus.com

If you think you are skinnier around the hip:
Key:  Create focus around the hip without being vulgar.
Dos:  Skinny to super skinny jeans, volume-enhanced patterns around the hips, pants or skirt with too many details at the hip, gauchos, pencil skirts, peplum top or peplum skirt, sheath/wiggle or column dress and mermaid dress.
Don'ts:  Dark colored clothing, shift dresses, boyfriend jeans and boot-cut or flare jeans.

Valentino Sheath dress

ASOS peplum skirt

Irrespective of the body type, feeling confident from inside is the best tip to look good.

Code Ethnicity for better weather

The weather is getting warmer and girls gravitate towards ethnicity, especially with the attire.  Either be a formal party or just an informal gathering in friend's place, I see ethnic wear all around me.  With the busy schedule of their's, the ladies doll up with all the accessories from head to toe and still feel comfortable and at ease.

While going ethnic, the key is to edit the look with the right amount of accessories.  The right selection of the attire will do the magic and let's you be the bell of the ball.

If the choice is elegance, some of the colors to lean on are white, pink, purple and gold.  Few friends of mine personified elegance with their looks.  

The pinkish purple saree brings out the softness she's emitting while reflecting her pride as an educator.  

The white and gold anarkali Salwar delivers royal and stately look in her, while hint of velvety red and green accentuate her rich complexion.  Antique jewelry choice gives the perfect out-of-the-world finish.

If you want to play with bolder colors, thumb rule is to stick on with one color scheme.  Neutral colors can accompany as a secondary ones.  In this case, tactical addition of black subtly credits the bright red color.

Photo credit by Jay Srinivasan

If you gravitate towards multicolor, it is better to keep the accessories to minimal and just metallic with no colored stones, so that the attire tell the story you wish the onlookers to know.   The model here has brilliantly dialed down the accessories and kept it to plain gold.  With the right choices made, she looks like Raja Ravi Varma's painting.

It's only natural to revisit your ethnic roots.  In the process, one can either thoroughly mimic the traditional look or add contemporary touch to it.  Some of my friends channeled the popular 19th century female character of Indian literature.

The fabric and the color of the Ghagra is contemporary, but the Ghagra by itself and the jewelry are classic.  This technique works for young girls like my friend, while wearing traditional attire.  She looked ravishing and emulated the youthful vibe all around with her choice.

She mixed the traditional Gujarathi style of draping saree with costume jewelry and hence creating a beautiful and modern take on a traditional style.

She took the traditional look to the T, and looks ethereal.  She's channeling the gentle heroines of Sarat chandra Chattopadhyay.















But, I found one thing common in all these beautiful women and that's their confidence and feeling secure in their own skin.  Isn't that the best accessory one could possess?

Thanks Gauri for sharing your pictures.
Thanks Jyothi, Ankita, Geetha, Praveena and Roopa for letting us take your pictures.
Big round of applause once again for Aditi Sheth for creating magic with her lens.

Love-in Pink

It's already February, month of  cupid.  Love is in the air and so is pink.  Pink is the color of Kindness, affection, sweet, pretty, and many more softer expressions.  An absolutely perfect excuse to add the pink hue through out this month.

But how to rock pink and be elegant?

The classic route of pairing it with black makes you a timeless beauty.





Black acts as a catalyst and moderates the bright magenta blouse.


Add a black jacket, and you are the next face of Dior.
















Are you in the mood to experiment, but still stay closer to safe zone?  Here comes black and white pattern and monotone pink.

The patterns, especially bright ones conceal the trouble spots in our body.

Black and white striped blouse and a reddish pink skirt gives an elegant yet flirty look.











If you are hopelessly romantic and a free spirit, try a pink patterned dress and brisk accessories.

www.lipstick-boutique.com

With a pink and white polka dot pattern dress like this, metallic accessories like silver belt and a metallic blue necklace would pop the otherwise subtle dress to a diva level.

www.lipstick-boutique.com

Or choose accessories from the other end of the spectrum.

An yellow monotone belt or a dark green scarf would add sophistication. But in Tim Gunn's words, this is a "make it work" look that needs lot of confidence and smile.








Coming back to our roots, accessories.

Let me introduce to the term James Bond piece.  James Bond piece is something you'll fall in love and spend sleepless nights, but will not acquire it.  There can be ample reasons for it, like it might be very pricey or non-utilitaran or high maintenance.  It is "for your eyes only".

James Bond pick of the post is a beautiful Valentino lace cut pink hand bag with metallic shoulder straps.

Sporting a warm tone blouse and a bright coral hand bag is the best way to be effortlessly chic.

On a final note have fun, take risk and set new limits.  Happy Valentine's day.