Power dressing

Balance the androgynous and feminine to achieve a look that’s smart, powerful and stylishly you

When it comes to work wear women definitely have an advantage. There are so many choices and so much possibility for experimentation that you can never look boring unless you seriously intend to. The key to dressing right for work lies in balancing the androgynous and feminine to achieve a look that is smart and chic but never dressy or OTT. The ‘formal wear’ prescribed is definitely not to be confused with what you would wear to a cocktail do. While most organisations do insist on following a dress code, they definitely do not require you to look tiresome or drab. Business like does not have to mean boring especially in a highly competitive environment where getting noticed definitely matters

The basics
Pants
Fabrics should be crisp; colors solid; Stay away from low waist styles. Three quarter pants are now accepted in most work places

Skirt length and slits
Hemlines at knee length. Save flared skirts for salsa nights and stick to pencil styles. Slits in the center back of a skirt are acceptable. Slips are meant to be invisible.

Shirt
In addition to tailored shirts or blouses, tailored knit sweaters and high neck tee shirts in solid colours are acceptable business casual choices. Look for styles that fit well but are not too tight

Shoes
Appropriate colors are black, navy and brown. Always opt for close toed styles.



DIY

• Always remember to use one fun/ style element at a time and balance it out considerably by using other more business like pieces. A bright floral scarf goes with somber trousers, ruffled tops with structured blazers.
• Swap boring black dress pants for patterned trousers (available at Esprit, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam)
• Look for blazers with ¾ sleeves or get them altered.
• Opt for structured blazers with shoulder pads(available at Westside, Ampa mall) and team with three quarter pants
• Try teaming waist coats (available at Lifestyle, Citicentre) with city shorts or long shorts (available at United Colours of Benetton, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam) instead of the usual knee length skirts if your dress code permits
• Suspenders add interest to boring pants (straps available at Dollars & Pounds, Adyar)
• High waist trousers and 80s inspired slouchy trousers (baggy, harem pant like trousers) are very interesting alternatives to done to death slim or boot cut trousers but unfortunately are yet to catch on in the city. But that shouldn’t stop you from getting a pair tailored
• Shrugs in blacks and grays (they pair well with even kurtas) work extremely well in place of jackets and blazers for a more casual work environment

Complement
these looks with simple jewellery( studs, single line bracelets) and neutral make up

The Mad Tee Party

Market brand ‘you’ with these tees that each seem to have a personality of their own

Meet the urban T shirt, a wardrobe staple that has seen the rise and fall of many a fashion era and lived to tell the tale, while never once failing to reinvent itself. Popularised post-World War II by stars like John Wayne, Marlon Brando and James Dean, the 1960s were all about ringer tees (with jersey fabric and ribbing in different colours), tie-dye and screen-prints. While 1970 saw the introduction of the black concert t-shirt with band logos emblazoned, it was during the 1980s and 1990s that the phenomenon of ‘personal branding’ with witty one-liners and cheeky slogans first started. Although viewed predominantly as casual and informal, dressed up the right way, they are versatile enough to work their way into any look.

Inner goth


There is a history to this clothing brand and its vintage tattoo inspired designs, but that is not the only reason why we love this sequined tee. Considering the men are already doing fine we suggest women wear these with dark nails.Priced at Rs 590, available at Dollars & Pounds, Sardar Patel Road. Details: 43514080

Graphic detail

Wearable art. Need we say more? Priced at Rs 330 each available at Karma café, St Mary’s Road, Alwarpet. Details: 43060009

Incredible

Super hero tees are super cool as long as you have the right attitude to wear them with. Priced at Rs 300 available at Utkarsh, S 104, 2nd floor, 3rd Phase, Spencer plaza.


Gandhian Cool

For the love of ahimsa or simply to make a statement this karma tee shirt works just as well. Priced at Rs 330 each available at Karma café, St Mary’s Road, Alwarpet. Details: 43060009

Instant Nirvana

Affirm spirituality with an ‘Om’ tee. The sound that resonates through the universe works great as a design motif as well. Priced at Rs 330 each available at Karma café, St Mary’s Road, Alwarpet. Details: 43060009

Forbidden

Good boys go to heaven, bad boys can go grab one of these tees. Radical!!!Priced at Rs 390 each available at Dollars & Pounds, Sardar Patel Road. Details: 43514080Details:

Keepsake

Who knows? This might be the year you end up meeting Angelina Jolie/ win the Nobel Prize or maybe just land up your dream job. Ten years from now this tee will be a memento of all the great things that this year brings. Happy 2010.
Priced at Rs 375, available at Lime and Vodka, Cathedral Road. Details:9444918861

Kaftan love

From the Ottoman Empire to global fashion this bohemian cover up has come a long way and going by what we’ve seen on the runways it might just end up being the next big thing in Spring Summer 2010

Come holiday season and even the most passionate of fitness junkies stop counting calories. After all we live only once and this happens to be the time of the year when the jolly fat man in red is celebrated. But come summer and realization dawns, that adorable sundress does not fit anymore, that extra serving of dessert starts showing on your waistline every time you try to squeeze yourself into your favourite jean. Well the good news is, this year, silhouettes for Spring Summer are relaxed and loungy. Perfect time to befriend the flaw forgiving kaftan we say.
If kurtas have done you good, how could you possibly go wrong with the equally comfy kaftan? Fun, bohemian and chic this much ignored garment (especially in Chennai) works perfectly for both the anorexic and the curvaceous. By taking away emphasis from the waistline it can work wonders for even people on the heavier side. While they do work great as bikini cover-ups on the beach they can just as well take the place of ‘done to death’ kurtas when paired with leggings or jeans.

• For evenings, opt for long flowing kaftan gowns over voluminous loose tents which drown the figure.
• If you’re petite, figure skimming ones with cinched waists are the most flattering
• Balance its volume by teaming with a figure hugging bottom
• If ankle length kaftans seem too adventurous you always have kaftan tops and maxi dresses for options
• Kaftan +harem pants/ patialas = fashion disaster



Wear them with
• Broad belts
• Long beads
• Chunky cuffs
• Leggings with scrunches
• Skinny jeans
• Platforms
• Embellished Flats

Fabulously broke

Instant glam updates for the little black dress in your closet when you are on a shoe string budget

Hate being seen in the same outfit twice but in a tight spot this year end? Well, life would be so easy if all of us had wardrobes that looked right out of net-a-porter. But then again
with just a little imagination, a pair of scissors, a few inexpensive but interesting add-ons and of course some handiness, your regular LBD (even one that has seen a party too many) can be transformed into a stunning number

Smart Chic




Dress style: No frills, no fuss. A plain figure hugging knee length dress
Update: An LBD that fits well and is short enough can easily pair with leggings as a top. Bright coloured leggings and fishnet stockings are big right now and are a great way of adding interest. Cinch at the waist with a broad belt in a vibrant hue.


Boho princess




Dress style: A spaghetti strap evening dress with tiered layers
Update: Thanks to the layers this dress can be effortlessly transformed into a very flattering knee length skirt. Even teaming with a simple camisole that contrasts well can have the necessary effect when worn with the right accessories


Frock star



Dress style: A fitted dress with interesting ruffle trim
Update: Alter your dress to a one shoulder style and use a pair of studded brooches for bling and nobody will even know.



DIY
You can also work with
• Buttons
• Scarves
• Corsages
• Fabric patches
• Lace trims