Before We Say Pleats Please

You are late to the party if I have to tell you that pleats were The trend last spring/summer and the fashion circuit is going puppy eyed for them this season as well. Knife, accordion or superfine crystal pleats, this precise, fabric creasing technique takes on a sophistication that goes beyond that of plaid, school uniforms. Besides the drama when in motion and with the right hints of metallic and shine, pleats create a perfect balance of sexiness and reserve. With Issey Miyake capturing imaginations with this revolutionary label Pleats Please and bringing them back into the spotlight, this technique has progressed from the boutique curated gowns and dresses to the more wearable, accessible and affordable wardrobe staples. Pleats are a great way of fashionably hiding yourself (imagine a wide, legged palazzo pant) or being your boldest, avant-garde self (imagine an architecturally  structured top). Not to mention, their ability to elevate even the blah of outfits. Hence, the outfit. 

Metallic skirts have made quite a dent with some of the leading high street fashion houses and hence into the fashion conscious wardrobes. Pair them with a cool, graphic t-shirt or go edgy like me, they work their way to spruce the very basics. And, if pleats aren't your thing (really?) but metallics are, you might want to check out this for some SOS. As for me, there's no not loving them  - not now, not then! 

Wearing - 

Skirt - SheIn

Brassiere - Marks&Spencer

Bomber Jacket - Gifted (here)

Sandals - Charles & Keith (here)

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

To Talk Or Not

Shot By - Sahil Nanda

In a very long time perhaps, penning a post (again) seemed liked a challenge. With the exploding real-time bomb a.k.a the social media you already know about the Spring/Summer'16 trends, must-haves, dos and don'ts. Is there any particular trend this outfit conveys? Lace, crop-tops, culottes...you get the clue. Should I talk about life post marriage? Do readers really have time for it? Should I create a 'virtual' zone for my wedding festivities? Or should I tell you about the projects I am flooded with with or how stressful March endings are supposed to be with all the tax returns. Should I interest you with projects in the pipeline or with selfies at the fashion week. Maybe, I can do a house-tour and delusion you guys with the fanciness of a blogger life. I can pitch in my wedding outfits, venues and jewellery too. Do I sound cynical?  Does the blogger life seem much of a fad? Maybe you can join me on Snapchat (@TrimmingsNdLace) to have a glimpse of mine. Subtle Marketing. Or maybe for now, we can just hope for India to beat Australia in Cricket tomorrow.

Wearing - 

Top - Forever 21

Culottes - ZARA (Also wearing here and here)

Pumps - Naturalizer for BATA (here)

Sunglasses - Miss Bennett (Available at Jabong)

Accessories - Bonia Watch and Mom's Bangle
Bra - Marks&Spencer 

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

The Working Girl Ideas To Wearing Lace

     Shot By - Daas Media Works

Dressing for work comes with a different yet defined set of rules - some that we make for ourselves and some laid down by our work environment. Thinking about what to wear for work can feel like a job in itself. Undebatably, LACE is a tricky fabric to adorn as it always transcends the fine lines of sophistication and provocation. Some may argue that lace shouldn't be included in the work wear, but I believe that wearing lace is all about finding the balance. So for all you working girls, wanting to tune-up your work-style-quotient in lace, here are a few of my styling tips -

1. If you've always been conservative when it comes to lace and are now fancying an experiment, start with delicate yet well structured lace tops/shirts in basic colours. You can pair them with your favourite pair of trousers, a pencil skirt or underneath a well fitted suit. 

2. If lace pencil skirts are your thing but you still want to remain in the "safe" territory, pair your skirt with a basic shirt or, if your work place allows, a T-Shirt. However, avoid printed or graphic T-Shirts in this regard. You can finish your look with a tailored blazer and a pair of pointy pumps. 

3. When it comes to jewellery/accessories, less is always more. Much like my look, try sticking to minimalistic and dainty pieces. Yet again, if your work environment permits, you may experiment with contrasts in terms of colour.

4. The same principle as above applies when we talk of make-up. We ofcourse want our skin to look fresh and awake, but remember less is always more. I added a strong red lip for the purposes of this outfit. You always have a choice to go in for a more natural or a lip stained look. 

5. If you choose to stray away from the basics and pick lace in shades of wine, aubergines, maroons or coloured pieces with a nude lining, anchor the rest of the look with muted accessories. 

6. If an all out lace top, shirt or a skirt is not an option you can follow due to work constraints, a little peek-a-boo always works and adds so much textural and visual impact to the overall look. A lace hem peeking from just underneath your blazer or a structured jacket is an interesting dimension to the overall look. 

7. Another interesting pairing can be to wear a lace blazer over your regular shirt, top or T-Shirt. It's safe and spot on chic. 

8. Coming back to pencil skirts. If you feel that your skirt in any way is overwhelming, pair it with a top/shirt of the same colour i.e. ditch contrasts in terms of colours and textures. This shall render a very sleek and minimalistic look to the overall outfit. My personal tip would be to stick to minimal jewellery as well.

9. Whenever in doubt, add your favourite blazer! 

10. Last but not the least, if your work place is a fancier version of what most of us would envy, go ahead and try this girl! 

Wearing - 

Skirt - Myntra.com

T-Shirt and Scarf - Old (Gifted probably)

Bag - ALDO

Jewellery and Watch - Mom's

Sandals - Jabong

On my lips - Neutrogena Merlot in shade 90 

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

 

Lifestyle #InstaLife - The Yellow Life

                                                                   

                                                                 

                                                                        

                                                                

                                                                

                                                    

                                                                  

                             

                                                              

Spring marks an enthralling transformation in the life of the living beings and in the many processes of life. The gloomy days of the winters begin to fade in memories, the frozen earth sprungs new buds in anticipation of growth and brightness and the senses of sight, sound and smell rejoice in absolute harmony. As the living beings delight in resurrection, quickened sensibilities and youthfulness, the fashion world opens new reins to colours and prints. Like fashion and style trends, the glamour of spring remains unchanged. But it seems to have found a lasting companion in colours, textures, prints, cuts and Instagram. In March, I associated with Lifestyle International to showcase their Spring/Summer'15 collection which celebrates the energy, zeal, passion and immense talent hosted by individuals across varied fields and how dynamic is their #InstaLife. True to idea, the Spring/Summer collection at Lifestyle is an amazing conglomerate of trends and fashion moments. From florals to stripes, from fringes to laces, from yellows to summer whites, from military to denim, from crop tops to culottes, the list seems endless. But if you are someone who wishes to be bang on trend without burning the pocket, this collection is surely a haven for you.

For this styling project, I stuck to the books and trend reports and picked up pieces in yellow, a pair of denim culottes, a basic white lace dress and an Aztec print blazer (here). For this very look, I decided to keep the whole look very minimal and carefree and paired this lace crop top with a pair of culottes. The day started with clear skies but quite unlike my idea of spring, it suddenly changed into one downpour of sorts. Which is why, unlike last time, I decided to keep it relaxed in brogues with my messy, wind affected and half wet hair as company. But isn't doing it 'now' and capturing the real time is what #InstaLife holds for? To finish the look and still keep it a little dressy, I added a contrast by these purple statement drops.

Though, our shoot was a pack-up in 15 minutes, I am thrilled with the job done by Saajan (@sajanaroraphotography) and Ravit (@ravkdesigns) on the pictures. Don't forget to stop by their work and show some love. I hope you enjoyed the post and my experience of it all!

Wearing - 

Lace Crop-Top - c/o Ginger

Crop-Top (underneath) - Own

Culottes - c/o AND

Earrings - c/o Ginger

Necklace worn as bracelet - c/o ToniQ

Brogues - Own

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Layering Essentials : Ten on Ten

                                                            

                                                            

                                                        

                                                           

Shot By - HimShootz

So it's been a while. Between the weather that forces you to stay stuck to your bed, blankets and coffee, and shuffling through the work and to-do-lists for the new year, I haven't really been able to put together my thoughts for the maiden post of 2015. The past few weeks and this unplanned sabbatical worked wonderfully for me since it gave me time and reason to sit back and be a spectator. Blogs, books, television, nature, stores, displays, architecture, shopping sites, makeup counters, virtual travel diaries and what not, I've been in a world of my own. And this really with a hope that all my thoughts and actions are channelized towards making TrimmingsAndLace an experience that you enjoy.

Unconsciously, winter does confine you to the monotone basics in terms of colour palette and all that layering and texture play does come at a cost of turning you into a human artichoke. But winter is also one season to do a wardrobe rain-check and stock yourself with essentials that can easily take you one season after another and prove to be an investment you wouldn't regret. I've picked a quick list of essentials for you to take on winters and pile on fashionably.

1. The Perfect Trench - A trench/overcoat is literally my saviour for the winter season. Trust you me when I say that you can get away with wearing anything underneath, as long as you've polished and concealed your look with that quintessential overcoat. Need proof?

2. A Thick Cardigan - A thick, warm, long cardigan for me in an extension to the trench. Besides the fact that it is super warm and again gives you the leverage to be less fancy in what you wear underneath, I feel it looks ideal (in terms of length) with a pair of leggings. 

3. Leggings - Coloured, printed or leather, leggings for me are an absolute must have. I say a big no to jeans especially during winters, because denim by nature does very little to protect you from the chill. Leggings on the other hand, take your body shape and hence shields from the cold keeping you warm. And, if you are someone like me, you've also been wearing two pairs to fight the cold.

4. Turtle Necks - A turtle-neck T-shirt or a pullover is the ultimate winter ninja. For me, this piece in the wardrobe is something I can tuck myself in to stay clear of the cold. I would suggest investing in basic, simple silhouettes and colours since they can be styled and worn in multiple ways either as an outer layer or underneath another cardigan, blazer or a coat.

5. Wrap Scarf - Blanket scarves and belted scarves are a rage in the fashion circuit at the moment and rightly so. Remember that feeling of not letting go yet and wanting those extra two minutes (this could have been less dramatic though) in the blanket every morning, a good scarf lets you live in that feeling a good deal.

6. Flannel/Plaid Shirt - A flannel/plaid shirt is an extremely utilitarian wardrobe essential for all seasons. Wear it on its own or play peek-a-book under your layers, it helps create a print contrast like no other. Make sure you pick the one that fits like a dream. Pay extra attention to the length you choose.

7. A Sweater Dress - A sweater dress for me is a fancier version of the long cardigan. Bright stockings, boots, accessories - a stylish sweater dress is your call to be the Serena van der Woodsen.

8. Faux Fur - Having worn a faux fur cape here, I feel this indulgence shouldn't pinch. A faux fur cape, poncho or a scarf adds a great textural dimension to your outfit, looks highly classy and sophisticated and undoubtedly stylish. Did that pinch? No!

9. Parka - For me personally, a parka doesn't score full points when it comes to being on the higher end of being "fashionably stylish", but if you are looking for that one wardrobe essential which is your absolute must-go to bear the chill, this is it.

10. High Socks - From pajama nights to that hint of leg or adding another layer beneath your jeans or leggings, we girls have a trusted friend from our good old school days in knee-high socks. 

Wearing - 

Look 1

Cobalt Trench, Plaid Shirt - TrimmingsAndLace

Pullover - ZARA

Scarf - Marks&Spencer

Bag and Peep-toes - Mango

Trousers - Local Store

Look 2

Lace Moto Jacket - Mango

Sweatshirt - Gifted

Jeans - Levis

Pumps - Done By None (here)

Earrings - Gifted

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

The Monsoon Slouchiness

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                        

                                                       

                              

Although our part of the world stands rain deprived, the scorching heat and rising humidity calls for some comfort slouchy dressing. I feel, cotton and linen trousers/pants are an ultimate staple for this season, more for their weather friendliness than the style quotient they impart to the whole look. While khakis and whites  find a permanent place in the closet, I was tempted to try linen in colour. Luckily, the wonderful guys at b:kind sent me a pair in cheerful yellow which not only is a statement piece in itself but also the smile to be worn during the gloomy, rainy days ahead. Rather than going in for a T-shirt or a crop-top, with this look I tried my hand at some summer layering. I opted for a textured net wrap over a nude lace camisole which like these pants kept the whole look light and breezy. Nude pumps and minimal accessories finished the look, much so reflecting my mood for all things simple, stark and minimal.

Wearing - 

Pants - c/o b:kind (See me wear yellow here)

Camisole - Marks & Spencer

Wrap - Boutique in Dubai

Accessories - Thrifted

Peep-toes - Vero Moda (here)

On My Nails - China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

                                                                     

                                                            

On The Street...Verka Girl

                                                                    

                                                                      

                                                                     

                                                                               

     

                                                                 

                                                                                 

Blogging has always enchanted me with new and exciting experiences along the route. A few months back, Baliabhishek.com and I went to the streets to capture the impulse of fashion from ground zero. An uncontrolled environment with no monitored poses and expressions was not only a fresh experience for me, but also made me liberal and free in the posts that followed. This weekend, sharing our experience with you. 

Wearing - 

Top - Forever 21

Skirt - Thrifted (Wore it back here)

Sandals - From a vintage store in Shimla (like these)

Bag - Stradivarius

Necklace - Forever 21

Brooch - Gifted

Bracelets - Assorted

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam