My Choice

Nidhi J
What is Power ? To some, it is money, social status, family, command over others whereas to others it might simply be living the life of their choice without having to worry about other’s judgement.

Who says elegance and strength can not be possessed simultaneosly? Time and again I have seen that people believe an elegant lady is fragile, delicate, dependent and a strong, independent, outspoken lady is not elegant enough. How do you define what she is? A women is as strong as you can imagine and as delicate as she needs to be.

Judgement from the society, relatives, acquaintance, friends and even your own family is very generic, when I speak of India. I’m sure it is similar in other states too, however, the intensity of it may vary. So it is best to let go of the judgements and comments they make on you and go ahead with the life of your choice because that is all that matters end of the day.

My elder sister is a fashion model, based in Mumbai, India(Yes, that’s her in the picture).She chose this for herself- fought against our father’s decisions, societal norms and pre-set beauty standards. She has come out to be a strong lady, all she did was followed her dream, believed in it and worked hard towards it.Mother has always been her support system.She believes it is important to do what we love instead of what we must.

A message to all the young girls out there: “You are beautiful and strong.Just believe in the power within yourself and follow your dreams. You got this. “

RED

Nidhi J

“When in doubt, wear red”. – Bill Blass

Red- the colour of love as they say. In our country, this is often considered as the sacred colour, the bride’s colour, the colour of danger. Whatsoever may it be, this is one such colour that people of all skin tones can carry with grace.So all you gotta do is choose your Red.

Maroon: a dark bluish red, it denotes controlled and more thoughtful action. It is slightly softer than burgundy and not as dramatic as true red.

 Burgundy: a dark purplish red, it is more sophisticated and serious and less energetic than true red. It indicates controlled power, determined ambition and dignified action and is often favored by the wealthy.

Crimson: has a little blue in it. It indicates a determination to succeed but without upsetting anyone else. It emits sensuality rather than sexuality.

Scarlet: has a little orange mixed with it, giving it a richness and brightness. It indicates enthusiasm and a love of life. It is a little less intense and more fun-loving than true red, tempered with a degree of defiance.

My Canvas

Nidhi J

Add colour to your life wardrobe.

Is the soon-to-be-everywhere spring trend that’s lifting our spirits caught up in a still-overcast February? Even though pastels will likely be sticking around this spring, both high-end designers and fast-fashion retailers are also starting to go all-out with statement shades. And while warmer temperatures may still be a solid few weeks away, I’m already looking to dive headfirst into these bold shades in a big way.

My ‘paintbox’ – Red, Yellow, Blue, White, Pink, Black, Metallic .Details coming up in the next posts. Keep reading.

Spring up!

Nidhi J

It’s flower o’clock

As the weather changes, we enjoy showing more skin and wearing vibrant lipsticks that bring out our skin tone. Dresses that feature flowers and floral patterns are often our spring and summer staples. Floral print dresses paired with the right accessories and outerwear are easily worn to alleviate the gloom of winter and fall and are reliable style options throughout the summer and spring.

Floral print in ethnic have become trend and is adopted used by every designer from Sabyasachi to Rite Kumar. Neutral halves and heavy jewellery complete the look .Neutral colors such as black, beige, white, nude, and silver compliment floral patterns and are often closet staples (so no extra shopping is needed). From your shoes to your jewelry to the bag you decide to carry, adding a dollop of neutral shades ensures the floral print is balanced and in harmony with your style.

Floral does not mean it has to printed all over the outfit. Patches and patterns are also being liked by young girls. Used in dresses, blouses, jackets & gowns, these have flooded the market.

The Best Makeup Trends For Floral Dresses

Bold floral patterns have a show-stopping presence that is difficult to imitate. Most makeup artists recommend opting for neutral shades to avoid conflict with the print colors. However, it is also a smart idea to pull one shade from your dress that lends itself well to your preferred lipstick hue.  

Keep in mind that it is best to either focus on playing up your lips or your eyes. Avoid highlighting both. Your dress is your best guide when it comes to the makeup you should choose. If it is bright and bold, opt for subtle makeup and consider a seductive lip gloss pout. On the other hand, if your dress has a lighter print or softer floral patterns and hues, then take your makeup up a notch with a bold lipstick shade or soft smoky eyes to pull the look together.  

Breaking age barriers

Nidhi J
Lyn Slater giving dynamic poses off the streets of New York

With age comes grace, wisdom, and razor-sharp style. At least that’s what we’ve gathered from senior fashion influencers like 63-year-old Lyn Slater. The university professor and social worker runs a blog called Accidental Icon and has an Instagram account that rivals any street style star.

Though her journey to becoming a fashionista was accidental — a paparazzi mistook her for a celebrity — Lyn’s part of that special group of older women who naturally exude confidence. We guess it just comes with time. And she isn’t the only stylish senior out there; we have many such women here in India too.

Our evergreen Bollywood stars are an example for the same. So here’s to all the women who are young at heart and love themselves.

Say ‘yes’ to…

Nidhi J

Jewellery- every girl’s best friend.I personally am a very big fan of jewellery of all kind- ethnic or contemporary, I love them all. So, people have been wearing jewellery for centuries to enhance their overall look or to make a statement of status. While trends come and go, there are still some basic guidelines that are timeless. One of the most important things to remember is that you need to be aware of what is considered proper for each situation and choose your jewellery accordingly.

My favourite thing in my wardrobe is my jewellery. -Kate Reardon

Many of us think wearing jewellery is over the top but here I would like to correct you , its never too much if worn rightly. In this contemporary age, we love infusing our mother’s or granny’s jewellery with our Western outfits and to my surprise it works really well and has got on the trend list. I love how a maharani choker with a semi formal suit and you’re ready with all eyes on you. White shirts are the epitome of formal, office wear and professionalism. However, they can be quite drab after wearing them multiple times. Give new life to your well-worn white shirt by pairing it with a stunning statement necklace. You could continue the Indo-western vibe by wearing an ethnic skirt, or you could opt for jeans to keep your necklace the focal point of your outfit. Pairing your white shirts with a statement necklace can give you an edgy look and can be worn to work, family get-togethers, functions, etc.

Fusion – stir & wear

Nidhi J

Apart from wearing traditional clothing, these days, women have switched towards Indo Western styles which are a huge trend in India as well as other parts of the world.Today, women don’t stick only to one genre of clothing ; crediting to the advanced day and age struck by cinema influence, women wear concocted dressing styles like choli and jeans, short kurtas with formal pants, sleeveless kurtis and pants along with dupattas and so on. Even the most traditional attires of Indian fashion like lehengas and ghagaras are also coupled with halter tops and tank tops, thus revolutionizing trend altogether. Indian fusion wear is something we can all create on our own. It ensures that your style is unique and has a touch of ‘you’ in it.

TIPS: > Club prints with basic contrasting solids >To complete the look wear an ethnic jewellery , be a jhumka, statement ring or neck piece if the Indian touch seems to be missing or else go with funky statement pieces. >Wear minimalistic makeup with bold eye and lips if wearing bright colours, for pastels, stick to blush and nudes. >Keep in mind to balance the western – Indian ratio. For instance, wear a white shirt tucked in a printed Lehenga and a maharani choker instead of wearing a printed blouse.

For more ideas check https://youtu.be/uSZxcmnb47E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzvcRJB0zP4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz2czJ_cJrA

Make them wonder

Nidhi J

“Just as pure abstract art is not dogmatic, neither is it decorative.”

Piet Mondrian

Abstract prints are all the rave this season! You know those crazy galaxy, paint strokes and non geometric shapes . Well, there is now a much easier way to describe them and it’s the broad term ‘abstract.’ Abstract can be used to describe a world of different fabrics that you can’t find an exact print name for. The beauty of this type of print is you can be as creative as you want with what you decide to pair it with. Ethnic clothes have taken up the trend too. Top designers have been using such prints in accessories like bags, scarfs, shoes other than western and ethnic wear.

Club a printed shirt or blouse with a solid, preferably contrasting colour lower- be it a skirt or pants.
Abstract can become way too much if not balanced with a neutral base.



She’s clothed in Strength & Dignity

Nidhi J
Judgement
In a country like ours, it doesn’t matter if you are born rich or poor, pretty or ugly, straight or gay, you are ought to be judged if you’re born a girl. You still owe an explanation for almost everything you do and this leaves you with two choices – explain all your actions and end up giving up a few things cause ‘they’ want you to or simply do whatever you want and give up on ‘them’. ‘Them’ could be the society, your peer, you guardian or your family. Yes its 2019, we’ve all evolved, feminism is at its best, we’ve excelled in every field;I am not talking about how women have won their rights or done wonders but how they are answerable for everything.Its time now that women stop explaining everything asked and the rest stop questioning. Let’s respect their choices.

I am not very good with words ,but this is dedicated to my sister and every other human who live life on their own terms, have the courage to choose what’s best for them , stand for it and love themselves. So, know yourself – be authentic – embrace yourself.