Just saw "3 idiots" a few days back; being a Mech. eng. from IITD myself ,not only I felt nostalgic remembering my tough/sweet/full of energy college days but I was able to emphasize with Madhavan the other protagonist of the movie, who has a penchant, de facto, passion for wild life photography and how he was made to realize his true potential , post factum he abandons his degree and embarked to pursue what he believed in....
I wish if could have done the same but I have no regrets, life is not that bad for me , people say I am doing well and I surmise, they aint all wrong!!
Anyway, I didn’t completely give up my passion when I was working hard to climb up the corporate ladder to earn more and more moolah , I started to design apparels for myself, started giving fashion tips to my pals and colleagues, assisting them with their wedding shopping et al.
I did all this to keep my passion alive. I mean, u should have something to keep you going when u don’t have that great social circuit accopanied with oodles of work stress.
A few days back, I was speaking to one of my college batch mate and thanks to her as she advised to expand my horizons and share my designs and thoughts via this medium of blogging, so here I am sharing my fashion gyan to try to help you become more stylish and presentable without emptying your wallet.
My style is to design sassy and trendy clothes with easily affordable price tags , its like " fashion for everyone", I also want to share my so called 'expertise' in styling people in corporate world who are so much busy with their SLAs, Target and deadlines that they forgot how to look good. And I must apprise you with the fact that 'its your appearance" that makes the first impression and which are sometimes last forever.
I surmise, you can completely transform your look by just wearing the right kind of clothes to hide your week areas and accentuate your strengths. When I say right kind of clothing, it should be apt for the occasion, should suit your bod and complexion and most importantly you should feel comfortable wearing that and should be able to carry that off well for e.g. wearing waistcoats as a part of your formal office ensemble can not only make you look lean and dandy but it also spices up your looks similary Sari on a beach would be rediculous.
One of the most common foux pas , I should rather say 'fashion crime’ that I have often observed in IT corporate world is to wear almost same colored shirts and trousers like light grey shirt with pants in similar grey shade , there has to be a contrast and a right mix n match. In corporate dressing, the trouser has to be black, blue-black and that should be teamed up with light colored shirts like sky blue, white, light peach, greenish white et el. light Pink can also do, one who can carry pink is a real macho, way say?
To add up some spice, one can wear a thin tie which should mach with the color of the shirt. Double cuff shirts can be paired up with American fold flat front pencil trousers (Again, pencil cut trousers doesn't suit everyone, if one has got some extra pounds, he/she can go with straight cuts).
Fitted italian cut jackets can also be worn. I like velvet clothes especially evening jackets as it has a glamour and sheen attcted to it.
Now a days, slim fit shirts are in the vogue but once must envisage his/body type before choosing the shirt. Dark colored shirts, albeit are not recommended for formal attire but they will make you look slim, anyway who adheres to corporate dressing standards these days unless ones clients are visting;)
Though striped trousers are out of season but if you still want to wear it, pls don’t team it up with a striped shirt.
Another observation that I made that people don’t wear the trousers of right length, the length has to be perfect, not too droopy not too short and stiff.
I don’t personally like the readymade cotton trousers, they are so wrinkle prone and doesn’t look neat at all, one should go for cotton+sythentic mix or polyester mix as that will give a very good fall and fitting to the trouser.
Guys, most importanly, the shoes has to be neat and polished (most of the gals believe that a character of a man can be known by the shoes he wears). Narrow/pointed shoes are in, squared and rounded toes are completly out. Sport shoes, even if they are black or plain, are a big NO on a formal trouser, if you need to travel a lot, keep one pair of leather shoes handy in your office drawer, even gals should keen one pair of high heeled stilettos/wedges or a pointed high ankle boots( Must have this season)in office.
For gals, they have umpteen choices over the limited options available for men. Everything for women falls into formal category, be it a sari, churidars, patiyala, anarkali, formal trousers teamed up with t-shirts, long/short skirts and the list goes on.
I personally like plain full sleeves light colored shirts tucked in, teamed up with low waist straight cut pants with matching high heeled pointed boots. A big dial crono watch with a simple pearl necklace and earrings could do wonders (Slim and feminine watches are history now). Big spunky and shiny bags are in. Go for slim leather belts and its color should match with your trouser and not with your shirt.
They way men do, women can also team up their formal shirt with a contrasting waistcoat.
Nails are the least cared of our body parts , gals make sure to get a manicure and nail art done, it surely catches the whims and fancies of many guys like me:). If you like it simple, grow your nails and keep em clean and in shape. Lasses who work in IT industry and who have to juggle with keyboards everyday, hard luck to you.
A most often committed fashion mistake is to wear white socks with black shoes. Guys need your attention here, you should match the color of your socks with your shoes/pants and pls don’t wear white sport socks with formal shoes.
Gals, pls don't wear white/black socks with stilettos, it’s such a turn off. Even if you have to wear it, don’t wear the full length and only opt for skin color stockings.
If your feats sweat, then put some talc inside your footwear but no more white socks.
Who doesn’t want a good fragrance around? All women like men who smells great and vice versa so all you brunets make sure u have a perfume/ deo handy in your hand bags and guys start using a fragrance, newly launched Nike perfume are great and comes too with a easy price tag.
Just one thing about the casual dressing, wear only plain jeans, jeans with embroidery, studs, designs, crush, wrinkles are a passé. Torn/Worn out jeans can still be worn once in a while.
Check narrow pants are also hot this season ( but only large and light checks)
Women can team plain jeans with a corset, tube, halter or a shirt with some jewelry.
If make up has to be worn, it should be minimal and as per the ocassion and the attire if you are wearing jewelry u can do some lip gloss, eye liner and mascara, a bit of concealer only if required.
Heavy face make up and full jewelry doesn’t go hand in hand. Avoid foundations and if required, it has to be very light and neck should also be covered otherwise it can sabotage the look.
My personal choice it to keep that simple and natural.
And yes,one of the main issues with Indian women is ..hhmmmm 'WPL', pls do take care of that and make sure thats not apparently visible.
You can also experiment with your tresses, posh cut is in, Curls are in, layered with highlights can also turn eyeballs, rebonding is passé and it actually ruins your hair.
I reckon, enough said, I have many more style tips and ideas to increase your style quotient (both for Men n Women) but too much too squeeze in here.
Should you need any free fashion/wardrobe consultancy, pls mail me your queries at akshay.fashionguru@gmail.com , pls feel free to post your comments in my blog.
Here are some of the waist coats/jackets/slim shirts designed by me
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/home?tab=mq
Friday, January 15, 2010
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