IPL fever!

Its sunday...and the cricket fever has reached a new high with the IPL finals being today! The stadium, cafes and homes will be packed with adrenaline pumped people...watching the match with a ball-by-ball test of endurance.

Whether you watch the game at a pub or at the stadium, make sure your outfit is bang on trend as well as sporty.

Lets do a little style check on what to wear while going with your pals for the match.

With Kolkata Knight Riders having made it to the finals, make sure you get the team’s jersey or cap at any Reebok store. Pair it with skinny jeans or ankle cropped trousers to keep the look simple. Alternatively, if your loyalties lie elsewhere, opt for a tee and shorts to help you enjoy the ambience without feeling out of place ;) 

 

If i was to keep a dress code for a cricket match evening with my friends..it would be a nice linen jumpsuit..or a bright printed dress in cotton or light chiffon paired with a nice pair of sunglasses which is fun plus comfortable. If you're going to your favorite bar or cafe to watch the game...and don't wanna look too sporty then wear something that at least blends into the energy of the game! Go for a classic crisp white shirt with denims, a shirt dress or maybe a jersey jumpsuit to keep the spirit of cricket alive! Avoid wearing shorts to a stadium with so much crowd until it's the special invitee box...instead opt for linen trousers and a racer back top. Add a pair of glam sports shoes/sneakers and sunglasses for the easy chic look.Do steer clear of open-toe shoes and high heels to avoid any injuries in the crowded stadium. Keep your accessories to a minimum and carry a simple messenger bag large enough to carry your essentials..after all it's the match that should need your attention anyways..

As for the guys...avoid polyester jerseys in the stadium..it's too hot for that and i doubt you'll be able to enjoy the match in them! Go for cotton jerseys. Put on a pair for linen trousers, light denims or cotton shorts..pair them up with half sleeve cotton shirt, a well fitted tee or a colorful polo! Put on your favorite pair of sunglasses and sneakers for that edgy look! Take inspiration here from the Don itself..

So who do you think will win the IPL 2012...i say KKR..!! All the best to both the teams..may the best player win...So go to your favorite pub, cheer your favorite team but don't forget to sip your sparkling in Style! :)

Legendary Lungis!!

I am glad to be writing about Lungis coz my friend apparently thinks they cant be stylish!!!! 

Huh…dear it’s not the clothes that are stylish..its you who make them look stylish!

Lungi is a traditional garment, actually a piece of cloth worn around the waist, and its not as simple and dull as it looks. It's super stylish.

So I was browsing for some ‘Lungi trends’…and found this ad!!

Do watch it!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVE6nQddnTk

Oh n if you're wondering..it's Shahid Kapoor.

Plus, lungi is not just about style but about substance too with its roomy, airy way of wearing it! It's a staple outfit in south India…and is worn in most of the festivals, traditional get together's and award functions of Tollywood! In south India you can see men of all stature – shop keepers, auto drivers, MLAs – sporting this revolutionary garment. 

The lungi has a sister in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia called ‘the sarong’. But none of these countries can match the utilitarian value of the the lungi in India. Did you know..In the Navy a man who wears a lungi is held in very high esteem – he is a real man.

The Lungi can’t evolve any further– it’s the quintessential of its category. It is a one-size-fits-all affair. The only thing that can change is the pattern and there are hundreds of them – checks, floral, curtain patterns, dots, stripes etc. A fancier version of the lungi is the “mundu” in Kerala and “Vaishti” in Tamil Nadu. This is white or cream with a gold or green and red thin border worn at births, deaths, weddings and festivals.

People think that wearing a lungi is akin to fashion disaster and are afraid of it falling off ;).

I would like to differ. What could be more fashionably elegant than the flowing silhouette of the lungi!!?? Not to mention its power to mutate. It goes with everything, be it a transparent baniyan(I would like to call it a vest though), a simple cotton shirt, a psychedelic silk shirt, a t-shirt, a multicolored ankle length kurta or even nothing at all on the top half of the body. Wear a pair of flip flops, kolhapuri chappals or sandals and you’re good to go!  Plus there isn’t any other item of clothing that can ensure proper air supply and let you show off your toned or tanned Malayali legs without reducing the machismo quotient by even a sliver! :p

The lungi is simple and down to earth, much like the Malayali wearing it. It is just a strip of cloth that you wrap around your waist and tie to secure. Many people will stitch the two ends of the lungi so one has a hoola-hoop around the waist till the ankles. 

Now, the technique of tying the lungi…here it goes..

A lungi can be worn at full mast or half mast. The full mast lungi is worn to show respect to elders, and hide the rainforest that coats a man’s legs. To go from full mast to half mast is my favorite part of the lungi trend….it’s called ‘The Flick’. If you don’t know what The Flick is, watch any South Indian movie scene where the hero is wearing a lungi. It usually occurs right before an action sequence and will most probably be in slow motion. The hero bends down slightly, flicks the bottom edge of lungi up from the ground with an expertly coordinated maneuver using the snap of the heel of the foot, catching the bottom edge just as it rises up for a second, tucks it in and proceeds to demolish the villains. The half mast lungi is far more versatile though. You can wear it and play cricket, jump on to a moving train, dance freely, climb a coconut tree and when you are being chased by a dog. ;) :p

P.S. Buy a lungi..go to your tailor and get it stitched as a nice Bermuda! And for all the girls out there...but a nice printed lungi..and get it stitched as a dress..save your pockets..doesn't it!

Hmm…so my friend..if you’re really thinking of sporting a lungi...I salute you! Here’s to the hope that it will weather all the storms and soldiers on to the next generation and the one after that coz personally speaking if my knight in shining armour ever comes to coax me, maybe after a fight, I’d want him to be wearing a lungi with a Polo tee maybe ;) !!!! Enjoy wearing lungis!! XOXO

Shop Monochrome!

Hola ! Happy weekend :) Hmmm...Grocery shopping anyone??? Well i did...n got something for you as well from there! :p

So, i was just standing at this grocery store today in my sector buying some stuff when i saw a girl..probably sixteen-seventeen years old...wearing an all-pink outfit...n it looked amazing!! I recall an instance of my schooling days from this..we had gone to Bombay for an educational tour and we were walking on this path to some Gorai beach when suddenly a group passing by started shouting "pinky aunty - pinky aunty"!! Okay..i might have been the 'one' called so given my stupid dressing sense at that time...but luckily they were commenting on my friend who was wearing a skirt, top and a hat <evil grin> out of which two things were pink in color!! Anyways..i will stop beating around the bush now!! What I really want to ask here is that have you ever been told that your outfit is too "matchy-matchy"...chances are that at some point in your life you might have been!

This is usually perceived negatively..but it need not be with all the pretty pastels and bold colors in everything reigning the market right now! A monochrome outfit can look super sexy, elegant and chic if worn appropriately, plus it lengthens and streamlines your body!

Choose whichever color you want..the key however is to mix and match the tones with a balance! Wear a lighter shade of the hue on top or bottom...so that either one is muted to avoid looking like an ad of nerolac paints!!

Try a white linen trouser with a casual white shirt, add a touch of color with a nude blazer or a  nice neon belt or bag to the ensemble! Or wear a royal blue skirt or printed shorts with a chambray top and a touch of sapphire accessories. If you love wearing colored denims..( I do ;)..then pair a peach top with tangerine pants or a green cotton loose fitting shirt with an even lighter mint green denim!

This summer monochrome calls for hot pinks, minty greens, ice blues, lovely lemons and nudes....of-course, all-white or pastels are always an option..however add a touch of ivory or cream to streamline your ensemble. So go shop for whatever is your favorite shade this season...rock the monochrome trend keeping these tit-bits of advice in mind! xoxo

 

Striped!

I must admit that busy has been my response for days now...bus a busy succession of quick nothings!! Went home after months..loved it :) caught an infection the moment i came back to the food here..arghh!! And finally the weekend we all wait for...have so much to post...and i assure it will be some great stuff ;).

This post is dedicated to stripes!! They are a rage this season..just visited Vero moda and saw amazingly cute dresses and tops in stripes..but mostly horizontal!! Now usually its said that don't go on board with horizontal stripes if you have a heavy, fuller body...i don't deny that! But there always lies a trick...keep reading to learn how to tame the horizontal stripes into a style that suits you!!

1)  Now if you're tall and slender..any kind of stripes will suit you..be it narrow, medium or broad! Pick up a tee , a polo or a shirt in stripes and you're good to go. I adore this black-white-orange sheath dress in stripes at Vero moda, wear it solo or pair with a nice lace shrug or waistcoat for that uber chic look!

2)  And if you have a top heavy body..you can still sport that nasty horizontal stripe without looking awkward. Make sure you opt for narrow to medium width stripes. Invest in dark or brighter colors and say a big no-no to light shades plus the neck should either be a V-neck or deep round neck. Pair it up with dark solid colored denims, trousers or shorts to balance the look. If you have those stubborn love handles, then get a top that is loose from the waist and reaches the mid of your hip, try Chemistry for casual tee in stripes, it's longer from the back and has a stylish baggy silhouette.

3) For heavy bottom body, highlight your slim torso with a nice fitted striped tee,polo or a dress with solid color below the waist and stripes only above it. You can wear stripes of any width but choose brighter vibrant colors that will draw attention to your torso. Pair up a nicely fitted striped boat neck top or tee with a pair of dark ankle length trousers, an a-line or pleated knee length skirt or shorts that fits you perfectly on your waist and hips to balance out the proportion of your body.

P.S: A must have in your wardrobe this season is the striped linen jacket and the lace shoulder striped top from Zara.

Levi's in store for men!

Hey everyone…long weekend! I was so tied down with stuff that din't get to post anything...but I definitely did my homework! :) Anyways..I've already posted about Levi's collection...but that was for all the pretty girls out there...and here i am with the collection of Levi's for all you handsome boys...Levi's has a wide range of denims and tees for men this season in new, sharper fits and styles.

Denims
Levi's is the number one brand when it comes to Denims. In skinny, straight and boot cut styles, it has introduced a number of fits for that sharp, trendy look. Keep reading to find your perfect fit…

• 501 Original: The blue jean that started it all. The button-fly 501 Original Jean is still straight through the seat, thigh and leg, a bestseller for its one-of-a-kind fit. The tilted waistband pitches toward the front. The medium stone wash finish provides softness and comfort.
• 505 straight: The Levi's Men 505 Jean is a regular fit jean with a straight leg. It features the zip-fly version of the popular 501 button-fly jean. Fits at waist with a classic fit at seat and thigh, leg opening is 16.75 inches with original Levi's jeans styling.
• 527 boot cut: Low-rise boot cut jeans that are an all-time favorite. With regular seat and thigh, it fits straight through the hip and opens into a boot cut.
• 511 skinny: Rock the skinny jean look with the Levi's quality to back it up. Skinny leg style with a rise that sits just below the waist, tailored for a slim fit, and wider belt loops.
• 508 regular: A modern tailored slim tapered you can wear for multiple wearing occasions.
• 504 skinny: Straight leg fit Indigo wash denim fabric 5 Pocket Zipper fly Contrast stitching on pockets for that trendy look.
• 531 regular straight: With a regular fit at the seat and thigh, raised at the waist, the style is perfect for casual comfort.
• 541 slim straight: It’s the perfect spot between snug and baggy. Cut low on the waist, close fit on the seat and thigh, straight leg, 5-pocket design, with a fit that's not too tight or loose.

 The range of these jeans starts from 2500 INR. 

Another new range in the store is Red Loop collection with a premium range of T-shirts and Jeans. The collection also covers pure cotton shirts in checks and stripes in semi-formal and formal look starting from 2000 INR and denims starting from 4000 INR.

Then there's the new concept of Water Less Denims, in 3 basic shades of blue regular fit Jeans. The concept apparently is usage of less water in manufacturing and washing of Jeans, thus conserving water! Well i think jeans are anyways the most water conserving garment...'coz the dirtier, the better!

Another is Red tab which is the basic collection, with a huge range of shirts in cotton and linen, in solid colors, stripes and checks. The price range for these is 1500 INR to 2500 INR. Polo Tees and Casual tees in funky prints and colors are also a must have of the collection with a price range of 700 INR to 1700 INR!

P.S.  As a promotional offer: A T-shirt is free on a shopping worth 5000 INRa Shirt, and a T-shirt + a Shirt  is free on shopping worth 8000 INR. Go with your friends, club together your shopping and enjoy the benefits. 

Come on all...go forth! xoxo

I'm color blocked already..are you???

Think hot pinks with fiery reds and royal purples with Tangerine orange....Yes! Its spring..this season is all about color and I'm so lusting after this color blocking trend..its so chic plus its so much fun creating eye catching combinations with bold colors. It's not a new trend as such but is back with a bang and has spread like virus in almost every store's spring/summer collection! So i tried to decode the trend today and it is totally hawtt!

What is Color blocking?
It essentially refers to 'blocks' or a combination of different solid colors in one outfit. Colors need to be mixed, matched or clashed for the best effect! You can start by wearing a single bold color from head to toe, like in a dress, a jumpsuit or even office wear! Or you can go on board with two or three contrasting colors, but four is the maximum limit! Well anything in excess is bad and you know that..don't you :p This could be for a top, bottom, tunic, dress, handbag, accessories, scarves, shoes and even makeup ( check out my post about nail paints @ http://stylejunkiee.blogspot.in/2012/04/add-some-color.html.) Just go out there..shop some color and create an outfit by putting blocks of solid colors next to each other. You can go for monotones, You can go for monotones, bright colors, muted colors, contrasting and complimentary colors.
Refer these inspiring color blocking looks right off the runway!

You will find every color of the rainbow  in stores this season. Stand out with this trend by complementing bold hues of yellow, orange and blue with neutrals of white, black and grey, or by creating a splashing riot of color with shocking shades of pink, orange, yellow, tangerine and green.

If you are afraid to mix more than two colors, try mixing rich shades of turquoise, blue, orange and purple teamed with gold accessories for creating the ultimate luxe look. Be a stunner by mixing tones of deep purple with salmon pink and lemon yellow with green.

Get the basics right!

Know which colors complement each other the best. As fun as it sounds, don't pile on every color you find in your wardrobe to avoid looking like a human rainbow! Start with anchoring your outfit with a neutral color like black, white, nude, grey or beige or follow this color wheel!

• If you're just starting to experiment with color blocking, always go with the Complementary colors since with them you could never go wrong. These are colors placed directly opposite to each other on the wheel. Like red and green or yellow and violet.

• Then take it to the next level by trying Triad colors. These are three colors evenly apart from each other forming a 'T' shape. Like yellow, purple and orange-red.

• And finely go with Analogous colors which are any three colors lined up next to each other on the color wheel. Example: blue, blue-violet and violet. 

• Another combination is a 90 degree angle. Combine colors that are at a right angle with each other like red and violet.

• Go for Jewel Colors which being equally rich, flatter each other, such as emerald green and ruby red.

• Keep colors in the same saturation level, pastels with pastels and neons with neons.

• Being the color of summer, White is a must have. So why not create a polished and chic look by pairing bright white with vivid colors. Try a bold pair of colored shorts or trousers with a crisp white shirt or go linen by mixing a nice white pair of linen Capris/shorts with bright colored tank or a tee.

• Or just Mix and Match by rotating the arrows around the color wheel until you find a mix you love.

How daring can you be

• Now if you're not daring (like me;) then you should opt for simple color-blocking in your outfit. This can be incorporated in the accessories; jewelry, handbag, belt, shoes,scarves etc.

• And, if you are a little bit more daring but don't want to go all out, you can add more color to the outfit by wearing color blocking accessories and a bright piece of color blocking outfit with neutral accessories like these outfits.

• And if daring is your last name and you want to go all out by Color blocking your entire outfit including accessories, nails and probably makeup..Hell no..Don't ever do that if you want to avoid looking like a Rubik's cube..Always follow this rule: Never ever use more than 3 or a maximum 4 colors in your outfit..and the count includes accessories and make up along with the clothes..:p

Some tips:

• Don’t be shy to experiment, but make sure you are able to pull off the color combination you are trying.

• Choose what you want to color block and keep the rest of your look simple. For example, if you opt for a color blocked bag, go easy on the clothes and shoes. And if you want to color block your apparel, keep the accessories neutral.

• Never ever ever combine two color blocked items. This is the worst thing to do to this trend. 

• A darker column of color down the torso will have a slimming effect on your body. You can wear a colored cardigan, jacket or a blouse worn open to give the effect.

• If you are pear shaped, opt for darker colors on the bottom half.

• If you are apple shaped, avoid horizontal blocks of color around the stomach area but do highlight legs with color blocks by wearing brightly colored pants/tights

• If you are an hourglass, a color block around the waist is a great way of highlighting it and drawing attention to your oh-so-perfect figure.

Now that you know how to efficiently use colour, it's time to put that eye-catching outfit together. 

P.S. I  paired two of the season’s favorite colors today: Cobalt blue and zesty tangerine...not bragging but i knew it in my heart that i couldn't go wrong with this winning combination. ;) Loved it totally! XOXO