With the changes your body is going through, a disturbed sleep-wake pattern and banes like morning sickness, you anyway don’t have it easy. And the last thing you need is to feel uncomfortable in your clothes.

But there’s good news for you. You can put together a comfortable and simple maternity wardrobe that can take you through those nine months feeling both relatively carefree and chic! Yes, it is quite possible.

Status check

To begin with, banish the images of those boring old ‘maternity dresses’ and smocks our mammas and aunts wore. Pregnancy does not mean leaving fashion behind. While you can always seek refuge in the good old salwar-kameez, these will work for you only for the initial few months. After that, they get too small for you to carry off comfortably. So, spend some time exploring newer options that not only make you look chic, but also make you feel great about your body!

Before the pregnancy bulge starts showing, go out and pick a few easy dresses or tunics that make you happy just wearing them. Make it a mix of a few cheerful, solid colour pieces and some energizing prints. Keep in mind that when those numerous baby hormones kick in, your moods are likely to be all over the place. Won’t it be grand to simply throw on a chirpy dress that instantly lifts your mood? A simple remedy that!

Rule of the empire

A good sartorial option for expectant mothers is something called an empire dress. An empire dress is quite simply a dress that cinches you at the under-bust and billows out gleefully thereafter. If you learn to pick them right, the empire silhouette will be your best friend. To decide if a dress is a good-buy or a let-go-by, pay attention to the fit.

A well-fashioned empire top, dress or tunic must cup you well north side [around the chest] while giving you enough room to grow on the south side [around the belly]. Look for ones that have elastic backs or under-bust, as these will accommodate you as you grow. They are good to wear even in the early months.

Opt for soft, natural fabrics like cottons and linen as they are skin-friendly and moisture-absorbent. Polyesters and silks trap heat making you feel uncomfortably warm.

Avoid too much embellishment. You don’t want to tire yourself lugging around a dress that weighs close to a tonne or get irritated by a swatch of beads and baubles when you reach out to feel the baby.

Also ensure that your dresses are well-lined so that they don’t irritate your skin. You may even invest in a few camisole-style slips to do the job. Empire dresses are available in various styles, including with or without sleeves. Choose the kind of sleeve you are most comfortable wearing and enjoy your new look.

While expectant celebrity moms can be seen sporting ankle-grazing empire dresses, that length is not very practical for most moms. You need to be able to walk with ease, without a mass of fabric at your feet. Mid-thigh, knee or calf-length dresses are ideal for everyday wear.

Cover up

If you feel chilly in air-conditioned environs or if sporting a dress is new to you, a neutral coloured cardigan, stole or shrug jacket can provide an ideal ‘cover-up’. Shrugs come in beautiful wrap styles these days that cling to you just right giving you enough warmth and ease of movement. The cardigan-over-dress look too is very in-trend adding a soft and feminine elegance to an otherwise simple outfit.

Stoles are my personal favourite cover-up, but you might find them bothersome to manage if you move around a lot.

Legging love

Leggings come in so many varied styles, colours, opacities and lengths. What’s more, a legging embraced leg makes sporting beautiful knee or calf-length summer dresses a breeze! You might prefer an elegant vintage touch in leggings that are finished with a lace-edge or opt for more no-nonsense ones. You could go semi-sheer or stick with opaque ones as per your comfort levels.

Undercover support

A well-planned maternity wardrobe is incomplete without the right inner wear. Don’t skimp on the recommended under-clothing. Ensure you wear the correct size as you keep growing. This will not only keep you looking your best but also minimise any pain and discomfort you may feel with your new body.

Footnotes

The comfort of your feet is another important aspect you must not forget. As your pregnancy progresses, your feet will need to bear more and more of your weight. Shoes with a good arch support are essential if you want to maintain those lovely arches.

Also, put away those tricky heels, no matter how low they are, and invest in sensible and comfortable [again!] footwear. Your feet are likely to experience some swelling so pick shoes that can stretch a little and accommodate your feet at their varying size.

Remember, it’s all about feeling good, even now.

The post Pregnancy: Carry it off in style appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

“Evening red and morning grey, sends the traveller on his way.
But evening grey and morning red, will bring down rain upon his head…”

This sonnet from school time comes to mind as I contemplate the rain clouds gathering steadfastly on the horizon. The monsoons are here, bringing with them colossal cloudbursts, clamminess and general mayhem.

With the rain in your hair, and puddles at your feet, managing to look presentable – let alone stylish – can prove to be something of a challenge. So how do you manage your wardrobe in this season? The answer is somewhat tricky, but nonetheless very achievable. Some rules of logic combined with rules of physics apply.

Get your basics right

Come rain, the fabric you sport can make all the difference between soaked-and-quickly-dry, to soaked-and-quickly-got-the-sniffles. Moisture management is important. Fabrics such as poly-cottons and cotton-blends are best suited to the monsoon weather. These are less moisture-absorbent than their pure cottony cousins and thus more predisposed to quick drying. They also need less ironing so that’s an added advantage for the rainy spell. Light weight jerseys in cotton or poly-cottons are also suitable.

Indulge in colour therapy

Rainy blue-grey skies are known for bringing on the blues. Combat their mood-altering quality with colour! Inject your wardrobe with doses of electric and virulent hues. From electric green to vermilion, sunshine yellow, magenta and deep red splashes of rich vibrant colours will ensure your mood stays buoyant when it pours. Don’t wilt like a plant longing for the sun; just create your own warmth with cosy and energising colours.

Whites are best kept away during the rains, as they turn noticeably translucent when wet. Beiges, fawns, creams and other colours of the white family too are avoidable. While blacks work for most people, other dark and dreary shades are best kept away from, as when the skies darken they can bring your energy levels down faster than you know.

Silhouette speak

Good old capri pants, the new cropped pants that hit at the knee and knee-length skirts would ensure you sail through those thunder squalls. Tunics, that end mid-thigh coupled with solid colour leggings that match, are ideal as well. Heavy-weight denim jeans and capris are not the best monsoon togs as they get unreasonably heavy when soaked and take a long while to dry. Knee-length shift dresses are a fabulously updated look if you can pull it off. Stave off the monsoon wind chill with a sporty jacket or a cosy jersey shrug. Colourful stoles or scarfs too would be handy accessories to warm as well as dress-up your outfit.

For the guys, 3/4th cargo pants give a cool, almost military, ready-for-anything look. Couple these with tees in bold graphic prints and you’re all set.

Go retro

The retro style prints of the 60s and 70s are really in fashion at the moment, along with multi-colour abstract prints. Wear these as tunics, tops, blouses or t-shirts for best effect. Choose a print that suits your mind- frame, and flaunt it with chunky wooden bangles in funky colours.

Rain Gear

In order to take pleasure in the monsoons, you need to be geared with rainwear that not only does the practical job of keeping you dry and warm, but also looks suitably stylish.

Crocs [footwear with holes] are the international favourites in rain footwear these days, but you can always sport home-grown or imported floaters, sneakers or sandals. What’s important to keep in mind is that leather does not weather well in the rain, so non-leather shoes would be a best bet.

The all-essential umbrella has many an avatar in the present times. From the simple and practical folding umbrellas that neatly disappear from sight into the confines of your handbags, to novelty ones made of fabric that reveals designs when drenched in water, or those with lacy patterns cut out in them, the choices are close to limitless. Express yourself with the style of umbrella you choose to flaunt, and show-off your attention to detail.

Raincoats and windcheaters have always been colourful and fun rain accessories. They should be used to chase away those gloomy Seasonal Affective Disorder [SAD] blues! Choose colour combinations like orange with cerulean blue or yellow with highlights of red and black to make the most of your protective clothing.

Enjoy the season.

The post Vibrant hues for monsoon blues appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

“Sun is shining.
The weather is sweet yeah.
Makes you wanna move, your dancing feet.”

Finley Quaye

That Finley Quaye sure got the summer vibe with his lyrics to “Sunday Shining”.

I don’t know about you, but it brings to mind an impossibly azure blue sky, puffy white peaks of cotton candy clouds and a leafy canopy of the most virulent chlorophyll you’ve ever seen this side of the ozone. A beach chair, a cool breeze and a refreshing drink on hand to take away all those summer time blues and we’re cruising!

It’s summer time and the livin’ is easy…

Well I admit, I’m picturing more “summer holiday” and less “summertime-in-the-city”, but if images of the sun blazing a few degrees higher and apparitions of mopping the sweat off your brow obscure your mind, let me lend you a few visions of my own.

I’m a summer gal. When the heat is on, I escape into my own cloud of cotton, and I’m not talking about day dreams here. From soft wispy cotton voiles, cambrics and muls, to crisp linens, light-weight jerseys and airy cotton twills I know where I must go to keep the cool while looking my chic summery best.

The truth of the matter is that summer is a time when your skin needs to be hydrated, release toxins, breathe freely and be re-hydrated at a fast pace. Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, soy etc, aid the skin in the process of toxin release. As they are of an absorbent nature as well, these fabrics soak up those little beads of perspiration and help keep the skin cool as well. The hydration and re-hydration bit is of course accomplished by your downing enough fluids. So it really isn’t as much about fashion as it is about making yourself more comfortable in your own skin [pun unintended] for the season.

Airy tunics and breezy blouses, billowing linen shirts and soft drawstring pants then are where it’s at.

Whites

While white certainly is your best bet in beating the heat what with its heat reflecting properties, other shades closer to white are also pleasant summer alternatives. Egg shell, ivory, light turquoise, beige, icy blue, coral and mauve, and in fact all manner of pastels compliment, sooth and smooth out the often harsh quality of the season. Wear these in the form of kurtas, shirts, tunics, dresses or t-shirts and forget about the rising mercury.

In fact the new summer staple is now the little white dress [LWD]. As the name suggests it is the summery daywear cousin of the already famous “little black dress”. I opine everyone should own one in a dress, tunic or kurti avatar as it appeals and suits your lifestyle best.

I know for one, love the simplicity of throwing on a pure white shirt dress over a pair of deep blue jeans, allowing the focus to rest firmly on the intricate thread work that runs all over the fabric, while a few key accessories play the supporting roles.

Prints and embellishment

Whites look perfect with a touch of cutwork or tone-on-tone beadwork or a sprinkling of sequins and crystal, though if whites and pastels sound bland to you, surface prints and colourful embroideries can really add flavour, spice and punch up your summer wardrobe. Whether the prints take form and colour from the natural tropical scenery, mixing bright leafy greens with citrus yellows and sunset colours or embroideries in colours like teal, cerulean blue, fuchsia and red that take from the feathers of equatorial birds and fruit. The options are endless.

All you need is to keep an eye for striking surfaces on tops, tunics, dresses and shirts that whisk you away to a far off summery destination. Just keep in mind that while the prints and embroideries should look fresh and vibrant as though they’re inspired by the forests or the beach or somewhere exotic, they ought not to make you look like you belong there! So keep it tasteful. Less is always more.

Silhouette details

As fashion would have it, pleats, tucks, gathers, folds and volume are the details of the moment. Couple these with the tent or trapeze silhouette and you could say the demanding fashion beast has turned forgiving for now.

So fashion followers can blissfully go ahead and indulge in the loose and easy tunics, tops and dresses the stores should be carrying now. Think boat, square and round necks, blouson, cap and puff sleeves, peasant-like blouses and A-line skirts and dresses.

Cropped pants that end at the ankle and cropped shorts that fit close like cigarette pants but end above the knee are the key updates to pants this season. Waists are high, as in up there at the natural waist. Considering the new waist then, it might be time to clear out your closet of all those low-waist jeans and pants that don’t quite fit, but we hope to wear again someday. For the guys nothing beats the cool crisp look and feel of well fashioned cargo shorts and capris. Look for ones with an interesting combination of pockets, zippers and stitch detailing, pair with a jersey tank and an over shirt and you’re good to go.

Harem pants and variations there of are a cool Bohemian/ Rastafarian silhouette as well. Wear them with tank tops or short kurtis for a unique style statement.

Accessorisation

During summertime when the river is high, wooden bangles, beaded bracelets, necklaces and rings, really add the finishing touches to a breezy summery ensemble. Add on a pair of slippers, crochet ballet flats or latticed open-toe pumps and enjoy the season in comfort and style.

Now I hope that puts you in a more “sunny” mind-frame to celebrate the sun!

The post Summer dressing: Cool and fun appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Make the right choice

Well here it comes, secret revelation time. Smart women know that it’s the accessories that really make or break a look. A fabulous designer dress worn with the wrong accessories makes for a complete fashion non-starter. But contrary-wise, a simple dress accessorised just right can make a strong style statement.

And the serious fashionista knows that while a designer outfit has a short shelf-life, designer accessories have greater style longevity and surprise, surprise cost less than the earth! Well you may still have to part with a limb. The fact of the matter is that every streak of hair colour, piece of jewellery, bag and belt, tell a unique story. It’s all in the design. So that understood, let’s together go top to toe to understand what distinct messages your mode of accessorisation is giving out, and pick up a few tips on new ones on the way.

Hair colour and bands

Starting at the top, hair colour today is as much a statement making as say a pair of shoes, albeit more subtle. Your tresses not only frame your face, but also speak more of your personality that you might be able to frame in words. Hair colour options can be anything from feisty flaming reds to deep rich mochas to eye-catching streaks of blonde. While reds bring out the rebel in you, browns paint and air of elegance and classicism, and streaks of blonde just say, I’m experimentative, deal with it!

A retro flashback with a modern twist, headbands whether functional for day or crystal studded for night, add an elegant old world charm to an ensemble. The vintage air with a nod to cutting edge fashion comes together perfectly in the headband. Wear it with a shirt dress or out to party at night and make an adequate number of heads turn. A slick ponytail on the other hand in a non-fussy rubber band, spells pure pristine practicality.

Sunglasses and jewellery

Sunglasses are now a staple in every fashion conscious girl’s handbag, and they very rightly should be. Which other accessory gives one the triple deal of UV protection for the eyes, the ability to keep out the world from your personal space as well as make you look like a rock star!

Sunglasses range from everything retro and oversized, to the classic aviator style with graduated tints, tortoise-shell rimmed or trimmed with gold and crystals. When chosen with care, they can be nothing short of statement making. In that regard, oversized does not mean ill-fitted and buying shades should be done with patience, giving oneself enough time muse over the options at hand.

Retro bejewelled shades are for the dedicated fashion followers while aviators make for very individualistic adventurous style. The colours you chose as tints too tell whether you picture yourself on a yacht cruising in the Mediterranean or whether an African safari is more to your thrill. So pick wisely and say it right!

Big, bold and sparkly or subtle and classic, jewellery can be very personal to a woman. Some prefer the graceful fire of diamond solitaires, while others can’t get enough of crystal. Metal rings and hoops or crystal notes… Hoops, drops, studs or chandeliers, earrings are always telling tales. Be they big, oversized and flashy, or subtle and classic pieces, a piece of jewellery is a tattle-tale accessory. Chandelier earrings for example give that bohemian romanticism to a persona, while drops look feminine without being loud. Solitaires tell of a no-nonsense business woman or someone with a penchant for classic style.

While some love to highlight their ears and fingers, others can’t do without a neckpiece or pendant and something on the wrist. Choose a look according to the physical features you want to draw attention to as well as the style of garment you’re wearing. Just never wear more than 3-4 pieces of jewellery together, unless you’re getting ready to walk down the aisle! And never wear more than one eye-catching piece. You don’t want to look overdone and confuse the on-looker’s eye, all at once.

Mobiles, belts and bags

A slim and slick sleek slider phone, a clam shell phone or a large camera and music phone, or any other, your cell phone tells a lot about you. Not only does it reveal your taste and style but also where your priorities lie. Whether music is closer to your heart or capturing moments makes you tick or whether you’re the no-nonsense business woman shooting email on the go to subordinates and clients alike. Forgo fashion when it comes to the cell phone and choose one that truly reflects your needs, and it will effectively be a picture of you as well.

Belts are fashion’s latest obsession. While skinny and slick is the latest trend big and stylish buckles and tie-up ones are in as well. Just as other accessories, colour, texture and finish distinguish your style. A belt should always match your shoes and handbag or at least be in the same colour family. The natural waist is where belts are now sported and look best on shirt dresses and flowing tunics.

Bags come in more avatars than clothes now-a-days. Be it quilted, metallic, snake and croc skins, whether a tote, shoulder bag or a clutch purse, handbags are a surefire way to make a bold statement. While the multi-pocket likes of laptop bags and totes and satchels make a woman’s day life more organised, clutches are purely for fashionable nights out. Wear snake skin [faux or for real] if you want to be in with the trend now. Or get your hands on crocodile skin prints if you really want to make it like the swish set. Metallics are now being reinvented all the time, and make for a trendy look in quilted and monogrammed styles. Embellished bags are also a hot trend with metal studs, gems and jewels adding up to mucho style.

Peep toe pumps or closed ones, with or without ankle straps, ballet flats and wedges or closed toe flats. shoes are the last of the weapons in your style arsenal. Whether worked over in raffia or crystals or built atop cork wedges shoes should be ideally coordinated with your handbag and belt and more importantly should always be comfortable.

So as I was saying. go get yourself a good dose of retail therapy with a clutch of the right accessories to spruce up your existing wardrobe and you can send me the thank you card later.

The post Wear your style appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

In the same vein, it’s no secret that the right accessories on a man are details on his portrait and can make all the difference between distinguished and dismissible in the fashion world.

Be it in the office or out in the social sphere, men are increasingly being judged and judging their peers based on the quality of the accessories they sport on their person. It is no longer enough to get the “shirt-tie-trouser-jacket” coordinates right. A whole other ball game is to allow your accessories to do the subliminal talking.

As the 21st century man spends most of his time in an office or stalled in traffic, it is essential that he sports stylish accessories that conjure up the exotic images and energy of the life he aspires to lead. It’s about what enthuses and excites a man personally, that can be used to add an air of sophisticated mystique to his persona.

With accessories making it all so simple, it’s mainly about acquiring the key ones and combining them right for suitable final impact.

Let me illustrate this, so the next time you’re stuck in that boring meeting you can read the person across the table by the accessories they’ve chosen to wear or leave out.

Watches

By that yardstick, a designer watch is not merely an instrument that tells time. Far from it, a watch tells whether chrome and steel fire your belly, indicating the industrial age is where your heart lies, or whether you’re an aqua racer aspiring to ride the high seas in your yacht or avid explorer who’s about to set sail to distant shores. On the contrary, a diamond-encased timepiece, tells an onlooker that your thrills lie in the high life among the jet set. And if sporting a chronograph is more your style, it’s evident that under that suit beats the heart of a die-hard Formula One enthusiast, whose watch is capable of timing the laps at the Grand Prix with extreme precision, even though he’s usually trapped in a boardroom in back-to-back meetings that seemingly have no beginning or end.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are very useful accessories while it enhances style as well. They protect the eyes from harmful UV-rays while adding just the right hint of chic to one’s style when chosen appropriately. Sun shades come in a wide variety of colours and styles, and choosing one that flatters one’s face can be tricky. However, I’d suggest you don’t let that hold you back and instead set out and explore the options, because after a couple of misses, you are sure to hit the right note.

The classic aviator sunglasses, for instance, look best on a chiseled jaw. Slip on a pair, leaving the jaw slightly stubbly and get set to be a reflection of the dune-bashing desert traveler or the high-flying aviation aficionado. Combine these with a rugged canvas satchel or backpack, a braided leather strap watch, short-sleeved shirt or tunic, cargo calf-length pants or shorts and leather sandals or loafers and you have the contemporary adventurer, explorer, world traveller look. Or clean it up with a polo neck tee and shorts and you have the “just stepped out of my jet and headed to the golf green” look.

Leather items and bag

Crocodile leather [faux or real, as it suits you] which is a current international must-have, shown off as a wallet, watch strap, belt, key case or shoes and made somber with a solid colour shirt and a pin-striped suit gives the powerful image of a Wall Street stockbroker or investment banker, someone who controls money. Throw in a monogrammed handkerchief and paint the aura of a man who loves personalisation and doesn’t shy away from putting his name on the objects he owns.

For those aspiring to great heights, a money clip is a more chic alternative to the wallet and is the preferred choice of most CEOs and celebrities. It suggests an old-world charm of one who doesn’t count the pennies but takes care of the pounds as it were.

Be it a briefcase or messenger bag, backpack or laptop carry case, the bag you clutch tells as much about you as your words. Of course, function determines form in this case, but colour, style and pattern are the elements on your palette.

Shoes and socks

The humble but most essential socks need to always be matched or toned to your pants, the exception of course being gym socks. Monogrammed socks have the same effect as their handkerchief counterparts, spelling money. Argyle-checked socks imply a mature mode while dots or stripes point to a younger style statement.

The occasion asserts the style of shoes we sport. Golf shoes for the greens, sneakers for gym, square-toe Oxfords for the office and sandals or loafers while out on holiday.

Cell phone, cologne

The all-essential cell phone possibly is the most revealing modern-day style point. Its colour, styling and functionality, all reveal what’s of import to you. A simple unfussy blackberry tells that you’re all about the practicality of getting things done, all business. A metallic slider phone tells you’re more about music and photography. A clam shell phone spells an elegant and classic style.

Cologne is an element which announces one’s presence, and can be used to effectively project an image of the wearer. A whiff of Italian cologne for instance takes one away into the streets of Roma, adding that romantic charm to your persona.

Now that you have a clue as to the language of accessories, isn’t it fascinating to be able to start expressing yourself in greater detail without needing to utter a word?

The post What style accessories signify appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

There’s nothing like the thrill of that special date with a stimulating person; the flirting, the sparring, the eye contact and the togetherness. The visual packaging plays a key role in either nurturing a fire into a blaze or putting out even the tiniest spark. Needless to say, you need to pay attention to how you present yourself.

Most of us spend at least a good hour or two mentally or physically picking out what to wear before a date. We pay great attention to looking and smelling our best. But what’s even more important is how you feel.

You can primp and groom all you want, but if you aren’t feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing, it will show. And your date is likely to pick up on your discomfort, except, they may not know where it’s coming from. Heaven forbid that they think it is about them.

Costume

So when planning, you may want to forgo that strappy dress you’ve never worn before or that leather jacket that tends to pinch, for something more tried and tested. You’ll be happier if your date goes smoothly, with you being less self-conscious about your clothing and be more focused on your interaction.

Colour is another arrow in your quiver which you can use to great advantage. Warm colours such as yellow, vermilion, red, pink and brown make a person appear warm and inviting. Cool colours such as blue, green and purple give one a mysterious, calming presence. Depending on what you’re looking to portray, choose colours wisely and stick to a palette of no more than 2-3 colours unless you honestly want to stand out in a crowd like a Christmas ornament. Throw in some pattern by way of a printed dress or shirt, a handbag or stunning earrings. More than one pattern or print is an absolute no-no, unless the others are subtle and not visible at first glance.

Always try and spend a few moments dressing up for a date even if you’re headed out directly from the office. It’ll give you a chance to look yourself in the eye, smile, feel good and pumped as you head out the door. Also you don’t want your date to feel he or she is out with you on a business dinner. Tuck in a pretty scarf or stole or a casual shirt or jacket, or some special accessory, to accomplish that make-over in minimal time.

For women, cut is a difficult beast to conquer. If dealt with off-hand it can be your worst style adversary, unconsciously sending out wrong signals to your date. A neckline that is a couple of inches too low or wide or a hemline that’s a tad too high can redirect a potential long-term romance into a short-term association. Keep your cuts in line with the look and values you want to hold dear and would like to project and your date will respond accordingly.

Make-up

Hair and make-up too should be kept light and flirty. You really don’t want to look overly made-up. If the date is at a formal restaurant or other such venue or event, you could choose to wear your hair up in a loose chignon bun or have it styled to perfection in buoyant curls.

If your eyes are your asset, make-up can follow with base, loose powder, a warm blush, dark eyes and more neutral lips. If your lips are your wow factor, a deep, rich lip colour combined with lighter eye shadow should do the trick.

The idea, as always, is to play up your best features and play down the ones that come further down the list.

Accessories

Smelling good is important when out on a date as you tend to be in close proximity. Aroma is known to stir emotion within the human mind, just as pheromones and flowers did in the days before packaged perfume, so choose a perfume that makes you weak-kneed and that you identify with. It completes the package that is you. A walk through a cloudy mist of your favourite sensuous perfume is more than likely to serve in putting both you and your date into the perfect mind-frame.

I’m no fan of over-accessorising. So it follows, that on a date I would advise no more than two-three pieces of jewellery. For those with regal necks or a fondness for neck-pieces, a beautiful necklace in shell, beads or semi-precious stones over a scoop neck top, with small earrings and a ring would be icing enough. And for those with a penchant for jewelled wrists and ear lobes, intricately-worked earrings and bracelets would be just what the date doctor ordered.

The most vital ingredient for any date would be a warm smile and open mind, for without those elements, a potential life-altering date is likely to remain a non-starter.

So dress to please yourself, as well as to impress.

The post Dress for a Date appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

You’ve scoured the designer stores, browsed the wedding fairs and consulted every fashion magazine. Finally, you have it all covered and feel on top of things. There’s not one embroidery trend you’ve missed and not one flounce of chiffon you haven’t considered.

Finally, you’re hoping to look like the perfectly stylish bride you have always envisaged yourself as – and lo and behold, suddenly, without warning, the trends change. Now D-day is fast approaching and you’re consumed with doubt! Fish tail lehenga or a flowing sari? Mokaish work or zardosi? Decisions, decisions, decisions! You are confused about what to settle on for your BIG day. Worry not, for there is help at hand.

But before that, one word of advice: Don’t let passing trends get the better of you. Bridal trends do not change radically from season to season. Of course, we designers would like you to believe so. But, if you go with your gut and don’t let the tiny ripples of fashion sway your resolve, you’ll have a fabulous look at your fantastic wedding – minus the fainting spell.

Having said that, here’s a look at what’s in trend this Bridal season.

For ceremonies such as the engagement, pale and pastel colours tend to be ideal. These include the likes of mint green, lilac, light olive, sunshine yellow, beige gold, icy blue and light rose. A sari with delicate sequin, bead and crystal embroidery all over the body and pallu will be a fittingly demure evening look. Or go for a wide-bordered and heavily-worked pallu with butis all over the body, giving a bold and classy look. Mokaish work – which is back in fashion now – on gauzy chiffon, is a subtle and classy alternative. The fully-flared kalidar kurta, cinched under the bust and grazing the knee, worn with a chudidar is really in vogue these days. For the fashion-conscious bride, a jodhpur-style chudidar teamed with a kalidar kurta and a skinny dupatta would be ideal for the cocktail night. Here, embellishments can vary from velvet applique embroidery to zardozi, to beaten zari work in the form of butis, stripes or florals for a formal evening look.

The mehendi ceremony calls for a colourful and bright lehenga choli ensemble, complete with stylised neckline, cap sleeves, doris and latkans to add to the bride’s charm. Colours such as turmeric, sage green, vermillion, cobalt blue, pink, peach, or saffron, and combinations thereof, are ideally suited to the mood of the event. Mirror-work combined with light sequin work would add a joyous and shimmering touch to the bride’s attire. The multi-panel flared lehenga being an almost essential component of the look of the glowing bride – arms and legs bedecked with mehendi merrily dancing away to the sound of the dhol, surrounded by happy friends and family. On this occasion the bride’s comfort should be paramount. For example, the choli should have short or cap sleeves so as to be accommodating to the mehendi as it unfolds on the bride’s palms. The lehenga should not be too heavy – it should be comfortable for the bride to sit while the mehendi is being applied, and later to carry herself once adorned. Embroidered net may be a pretty option for the lehenga and dupatta, while satin for the choli would add the right finishing touch.

Ombre dyeing is the in-thing for stylish saris and lehengas alike. Geometric florals, jewellery-inspired embellishments with pearls, stripes and diamond shapes are the new motifs for embroideries. Embellished jacquards and brocades are must-haves, while intricate gota embroidery is seeing a revival as well.

For the wedding, most often it is tradition that rules, and a demure lehenga in colours from peach to red, to deep pink, to maroon are called for. Embroidery must look rich, regal and intricate and the dupattas must be full with thick borders.

Cholis can either be short or low-waisted, but the necklines should be well stylised with ties and tapes, embroidery and tassels. Scoop necklines are best for the bride to show off her jewellery.

All through, shoes should have a 2″ to 3″ heel at the most, even though you may love your stilettos. Remember, the wedding is all about you stepping into your new life, and what better way to start than with comfortable, stylish feet.

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So, what does fashion call for this festive season? From what I see in stores and on display, there’s a lot lined up for us!

The twain have met

This season traditional Indian clothing is seeing a decidedly Western twist – a blurring of lines, so to speak. Along with Western look, on the one hand, there’s an element of nostalgic mood harking back to the time of the Maharajas, on the other. Choose your story, and let’s get into a celebratory mode!

As kurtas become tunics and chudidars leggings, the good-old riding pants from Rajasthan are back. Yes, for men and sassy women alike, Jodhpuris are all rage, worn under Western silhouettes like tent-like and shift [A-line] kurtas.

The kalidar look is back with panel upon panel of embroidered silk, velvet, or brocade seen in kurtas and lehengas which flare out enticingly from the natural waist. Cholis are slim, and glitzy with deep round, or plunging V, and halter necks. Waist definition in the form of wide and intricately-embroidered waistbands on kurtas and lehengas for women is a huge rage.

For men, we see the bandhgala and sherwani, sometimes dressy with embroidery all over, but usually sporting needlework around the neck, front plackets and hems.

Mokaish work is seeing a revival as well. From being a has-been, it’s become the favourite point of shimmer and light with many designers, this season. Block-printing and khaddi printing continue to be hot embellishment options. Intricate gota work too is embellishing many a hem and sleeve. Bling in terms of crystals is totally passe.

Not patchwork, but embellishment

Patchwork, applique and a juxtaposing of different textures and patterns, is where it’s at. A plethora of colours are encapsulated in a single piece. Beaten zari work is also in style.

Earthy tones are one colour palette in the now. From saffrons and salmon pinks to taupe and matt golds, and buttery yellows, this colour story veers towards the natural. The other strong colour palette which is carrying forward from last fall is rich, jewel-like tones. Deep violets, ruby and pomegranate reds, emerald and forest greens are some of these. Black and ivory are eternal favourites when paired with antique gold and silver.

Embroideries are floral, sometimes delicate with beautiful Kashmiri motifs and other times bold and graphic floral sprays. Embroideries continue to see a melange of colour, adding to that cheery feel. Delicate and geometric brocades and jacquards are seen taking the place of embroidery, and adding a subtle, often regal air to the garment.

A sense of history and timelessness appears to be what couturiers are now inspired by. Their creations are so designed as to take one back to a by-gone era marked by palaces and princes.

Are you ready to undertake the journey?

The post Festive Fashion appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

You can imagine the neckline as it would drape down your neck and the hemline to grace your body. You know it would perfectly suit that evening out you have coming up next weekend.

You ask the sales assistant for that style in your size, try it on and, then, “poof” your happy bubble disappears!

Well, take heart. Remember, you just have to keep a few pointers in mind. Whatever your size, clothing brands today offer the customer a great assortment of styles.

From basic staples for office wear to holiday clothing and occasion wear. Fabrics on offer range from denim and cottons for pants, to soft printed chiffons, cottons, and silks, for tops.

You are bound to be spoilt for choice, amidst a plethora of options that promise to fit you just right. So, your key area of concern should lie in choosing the appropriate cut, colour, and fabric for your shape.

Fit

When we talk fit, men’s wear is adjudged by a few fit points, mainly the chest, neck and shoulder for shirts, t-shirts, jackets and waist and in-seam length for pants.

For women, the key fit/measurement points are the bust, waist, hip and shoulder for tops, and waist, hips and in-seam for pants and other bottom wear.

When shopping, it’s essential to try on clothes, more so in the case of women’s clothing. Most stores in India and abroad follow varying sizing criteria, making that trial room experience all the more important. Besides, there’s no better way to tell if a certain colour or print, you are looking to experiment with, will suit your complexion and shape. So, don’t shy away from doffing those togs as you shop, for it can save you much time and hassle in returning or exchanging pieces later, not to mention buyer’s remorse.

Silhouettes

Fashion is a creature with many a whimsical mood, especially when looking at women’s wear.

For example, two seasons ago, waists were cut high and rather fitted just below the bust, while hips were left roomy and flared. This is called the Empire Line silhouette. We saw these across kurtas, blouses and dresses.

Last season [Spring-Summer 2007], waists had more or less disappeared with silhouettes going ultra loose from the bust down, with the result that a single garment fit across two waist and hip sizes! The Trapeze look, as it is called, can best be defined as airy and loose-fitting on the upper half of the body, exemplified by garment types such as tunics and tent dresses, while it gets decidedly close-fitted and sleek on the legs with silhouettes such as leggings and slim fitted pants. Both pear and apple shapes, whether petite or plus could rejoice, for this loose fitting silhouette camouflaged all those curves, while keeping you in trend! Pear shapes can opt for some waist definition with a wide belt [say 2-3 inch in width] around the natural waist to really keep the Trapeze look up-to-the-moment.

Now, I’m in the know, that this style is set to continue on into the oncoming Fall-Winter season, pull out those pocket books because this is good news for you!

For men, the look is slim. For example, the suit jacket has gone slender and rather long as opposed to summer’s cropped jacket look, with slim collars, whether with a single button or three. Shirts are cut close to the waist. Team the jacket with straight leg or skinny jeans for casual appeal or slim trousers for a formal touch. Of course, the slim trend should mainly be sported by slender to medium frame men. It can look out-of-place on large frames.

As a rule, the more structured or tailored a piece of clothing is, it will give your body better shape and definition. Thus, a shirt will give better shaping as opposed to a t-shirt, as with jeans over trousers. Use this rule to your benefit.

Colour and print

As we’ve all heard, darker hues tend to recede, visually diminishing your size, while lighter colours tend to “pop,” thus making you look larger than your actual size. So, be sure to use colour to your advantage. Colour choices are best made by you alone, in conjunction with the advice of a colour-savvy friend. It’s important to ensure that a colour doesn’t either contrast too severely with your skin tone, or so very little that it makes you look “washed out.” Go with colours that make you feel good. And, try to expand your personal colour palette by always experimenting with newer colours.

Prints are also an element which can be used to your advantage. Small prints make a frame appear larger, while over-sized prints do the same. Medium-sized prints work to the best scale and add value to otherwise solid expanses of colour.

Fabrics

Fabric choice can make or break an ensemble. Crisp cottons are ideal for structured garments like shirts, while fluid chiffons are better for kaftan and blouse-like silhouettes. Heavier weight fabrics are most suited to garments like pants and jackets, as these tend to be tailored and help giving the body a cleaner line.

Details

Garment details like necklines and sleeve lengths are the final tipping point. While wider necks [square, scoop and boat necks] make your shoulders look broader and well-defined, they can adversely make you look wider than natural and top-heavy. Try them out and see whether they work for your frame. Narrower, plunging necklines visually cut down upper body width and accentuate the neck.

Cap, short, three-forth or full? Sleeve lengths can be tricky. While sleeveless styles should be donned with care, cap sleeves and three-forth length sleeves are a woman’s best bets. Full sleeves tend to look frumpy, and should be left to men, unless the weather demands it.

Pockets are a functional feature of clothing, but can sometimes be a bother. On trousers, especially on women, side pockets are a no-no. They open up funny, and make your hips look larger. Same goes with gathers, or pleats, and other such details. Back pockets are great. When closely placed, they help diminish the size of one’s behind. Side pockets work for men, especially on pleat-front trousers as these are roomier.

Speaking of pleats, single pleat trousers are ideal for large men, while two-pleat or pleat-less trousers may be sported by average and slender men.

As a rule of the thumb plus sizes should remember to avoid garment details that visually cut across the body, and tend to diminish your height. For example, turn-up cuffs on trouser hems for men are avoidable for a visually longer leg. For women, the turn-ups on denim jeans should be measured with care.

You are now well equipped when it comes to shopping and dressing for your size. Have a good time raiding those shelves!

The post Dressing for Your Size appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

The world over, severely formal dressing is slowly but surely going out of trend, replaced by a kind of informal look and feel to even evening clothing.

Clothing that easily goes from day to evening is where it’s at.

Dressing “casual” needn’t mean dressing down or simply slipping into those jeans and tees. That’s taking the easy way out.

While I wouldn’t want to knock jeans and denim culture all together, I, for one, know there are days when the last thing I want to wear are jeans. Or, the casual comfort of a pair of leggings under a loose tunic or the femininity of a skirt paired with a favourite blouse.

Zip, zap, groom

Fashion is constantly evolving, zipping back and forth in time and space to bring forth a variety of clothing options each season. Building up a fresh new casual wardrobe means you have more alternatives to pick from each day, whether styling yourself for work, or after hours.

Casual wear spells everything from skirts and dresses to capris and leggings for the ladies. While for men it conjures up cargo shorts and three-fourths as well as chinos and drawstring pants.

Trendy buyers. Most people I come across fall into one of two shopping categories when it comes to casual clothing. The first are impulse buyers, who want the next thing in trend. While I have nothing against that, the shopper usually ends up buying a lot of “fashion,” or trendy, pieces, which are then difficult to pair. By fashion pieces I mean, prints, embroideries and generally pieces that cannot be mixed and matched with more than a couple of other pieces in one’s wardrobes.

What happens when a person with a closet full of trendy pieces tries to put together a look? Well, usually too much texture or pattern or colour [think corduroy jeans with a striped shirt!] in a single outfit, such that the eye [of the beholder] is bombarded with too much visual data and does not have anywhere to rest. And, that is not something you want.

Basic buyers. The other kind buys separates as well, but in the form of way too many “basics.” Basics are clothing items minus the fuss of print and embroidery, in solid and muted or neutral colours like beige, black, white, grey, sand etc., And, what happens when they combine pieces? While the idea may be to keep it simple, or classic, or there might exist a fear of indulging in prints, embellishment or fickle fashion trends, most times the effect ends up looking more than a tad boring. Without any focal point of say, print, embroidery or eye-catching accessory, to punch up the look, the viewer’s eye has nothing to take in, leaving you on the wrong side of lacklustre. You get the picture.

Mix and match. A healthy casual wear wardrobe requires a good mix of both fashion and basic types of clothing. By all means buy that printed dress, if you can pair it with leggings in a solid or muted colour. Similarly, combine that funky printed shirt with well worn cargos in a muted tone. Silhouettes include the generic shirts, t-shirts, blouses, tops, as well as the more updated tunics, kaftan silhouettes, cropped pants, and jackets.

Then you have the different types of casual. These are appropriate for different occasions and situations, and don’t quite intermix.

Business casual

Business casual, or Friday dressing, as the term goes, involves dressing in business appropriate clothing which reflects a blend of one’s own persona as well as the workplace aesthetic. For example, if you work in fashion, or the media, your business casual includes t-shirts, jeans, printed, boho skirts, and the like. While if you work in banking or finance, business casual would spell casual shirts [think colourful checks and stripes, short sleeves] with pants like cotton chinos or corduroys.

Sports casual

This includes clothing you would wear to the gym, golfing or running. Pieces like tracks, funky t-shirts, polos, shorts, tank tops and tights work here. Natural fabrics like cotton, held together with some spandex [stretch] are good for allowing your skin to breathe comfortably while allowing your body adequate ease of motion. Colours should follow your mood here. I find that on hot days I prefer to wear cooler colours to the swimming pool, and rainy days see me in warmer tones. So, follow your heart and dress to get the best out of your sporting activity of choice.

Here, I have to mention [listen up guys, this is for you] that while white socks are appropriate for wearing with sneakers, they are not at all appropriate for wearing with shoes and trousers of any other colour.

There is a big mistake that white socks constitute a part of formal/semi-formal wear, which is just not true. Socks should match one’s shoes or trousers or blend with either one of those.

Day casual

Day casual is an area most of us are familiar with. These are typically clothes you would choose to sport to a lunch with friends, or hanging out over coffee with pals. Day casual should include clothing made from natural fibres, nothing too shiny or glossy. Leave the glimmer and shine for evening or for day-to-evening pieces.

Clothes should be easy on the body and not make you look like you’re nearly asphyxiating behind your collar or necktie. Try to aim for a breezy, soft look, which typifies your lifestyle and taste.

Get imaginative and breathe new life and spirit into your day wardrobe. How creative you get is up to you.

All the best!

The post Casual Comfort appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.