Do-It-Yourself : Crop Up

                                                                                

Cropped tops have been the hottest trend this summer with celebrities, fashionistas and bloggers adorning the same with complete aplomb. I have simply grown to love this trend and cannot have enough of it. There are cropped T-Shirts, button-downs, knotted plaids, turtle necks, bralets and corsets…et all. What’s better is that cropped tops which ruled the roost this summer are sticking around for spring 2014 as well. So, ladies let’s keep those crunches going!

Whether paired with leggings, shorts, a high-waisted skirt, palazzo pants or a maxi skirt, a good crop top will never let you down. You can show a little or a lot of skin depending on what you’re comfortable with and you can even opt for half or full sleeves, cutouts, embellishments — pretty much anything! However, this doesn’t mean that you have to burn your pockets to fit the bill. All you need to do is some chopping and cropping and this runway to street style trend is all yours! 

You’ll need:

1. A top/T-Shirt – I picked an old body suit.
2. Measuring Tape
3. Scissors
4. Needle
5. Matching thread
6. Some sewing skills - If this part is a little tricky, you always have your local tailor.  

                                                                            

                                                       

                                                                    

                                                            

                                                                   

                                                          

                                                                     

Steps:

1. Using the measuring tape, measure the length that suits you. Ideally, a cropped top reveals only the midriff.
2. Mark the length.
3. Using a pair of scissors cut along the mark. If you cannot cut along a straight line, you can give it a curved shape.
4. Once done, simply hem the top/T-Shirt.

                                                                                

Trousers - Tailored (here), Top - DIY, Neck-piece - ZARA (here), Pumps - Marie Claire (here)

Style Tip:

If you wish to show less skin, always opt for something high-waisted to go with your cropped top – an A-line skirt, skater skirt, trousers or palazzo pants. This is the easiest way to rock the look! For regular updates on my personal style and much more don't forget to join me on Twitter - @TrimmingsNdLace and Instagram - @trimmingsandlace.

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Neon-O-Matic : Acid Orange and Grey's

                                                                              

                                                                           

                                                                        

                                                                       

                                                                           

                                                                           

                                                                                 

Elle describes wearing neon as the style equivalent of texting in all-Caps. Neon is the one trend that doesn’t seem to be on its way out, but you can’t blame any for loving it. Neon has its elements of risqué but when worn right the powerful punch of neons cannot be missed. Just like a red lipstick, a shade in neon – be that hot pink, acid yellow or a vibrant orange complements all skin tones.

An all neon look calls for a rave blast, but I personally loved how its mash-up with pastels and monotones was presented on the Spring/Summer 2013 runways. Hence, the minimalism and slate grey finish of this dress made it an instant grab. To add in the pastels, I carried this mint clutch (from here) and finished off with mint nails, something I haven’t gotten over since last year (Check!). Further, neon’s foray into leather makes it a perfect addition into the Fall wardrobe.

On another note, with “orange being the new black” and taking the New York Fashion Week Spring 2014 collections by storm, I can’t wait to add more of it into my wardrobe and up on the blog. These being my favourites (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

I hope you liked the look. Many thanks for the wonderful wonderful response on The TrimmingsAndLace Collection. The collection would be updated soon so stay tuned.

Wearing - 

Dress - Sher Singh (bought off Myntra.com)

Heels - Myntra.com

Bracelets - ALDO and Accessorize

Clutch - Nine West

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace : Pep-Up Your Everyday Outfit

I have confessed this before that a regular T-Shirt and jeans hardly becomes my outfit of choice. No, that doesn't mean that I am always dressed up in dresses and skirts. Infact, like many of you, I too believe and swear by the effortlessness and uber comfort of that 'favourite' pair of jeans (and sometimes that old, like really really old, T-Shirt). But still, I always try and add one such element that enhances the look and feel of this basic attire. Be that a semi-formal meeting, quick run-down errands or a last minute date plan, I have realized or rather identified these elements from my wardrobe that can pep up my jeans T-Shirt/top look in an instant. My list might vary from yours but I largely believe that we all have this list. Read below and let me know!

DRESS-UP SHOES 

                                                                              

Top - Esprit | Jeans - Jealous 21 | Pumps - Dune 

PEARLS

                                                                              

Ring and Bracelet - Gifted | Aviators - RayBan

RINGS

                                                                                    

Rings - Claire's | Thrifted

STATEMENT JEWELLERY

                                                                             

Neck-piece - ZARA

BAG

                                                                            

Clutch - ASOS (Another favourite here)

NAIL-COLOUR

                                                                                 

Nail-Colour - Viviana Feisty Fairy

Checked out the new additions to The TrimmingsAndLace Collection? Hop here.

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Love

Agam

Postcards From My City

                                                                         

                                                                   

                                                                           

                                                                       

                                                                        

                                                                         

                                                                       

I have been wanting to do this post since my very first. And, as it would turn out, this happens to be my 100th. Many thanks to Abhishek Bali for sharing his brilliant work with TrimmingsAndLace. You can view more of his work at - baliabhishek.com. You can also join him on Instagram - @baliabhishekcom.

4 Fabulous Hair : Full Himalaya Anti-Dandruff Kit Review

How To Wear Red Lipstick To Work

Have a great time enjoying these images from my city - Chandigarh. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

The Right Balance : Aller à pied

                                                                         

                                                                        

                                                                           

                                                                      

                                                                       

                                                                              

A walk along the lake or my favourite parks in Chandigarh on a breezy evening makes these scorching summer months bearable for me. Summer fashion, especially, is all about finding the right balance between style and comfort. And, nothing is more symbolic of the same than outfits in flowy silhouettes. Case in point this kaftan dress from The TrimmingsAndLace Collection. On a day the city had been washed by rains, I felt this bright coral colour was perfect  to walk through the greys. An embellished antique gold neck-line adds the right amount of texture and laid-back glam to this dress. These sleek sandals offered a subtle contrast and minimal accessories notched up my comfort factor. And, all I had to do then was to allow the fresh, chilly breeze to soak me in.

Welcome To TrimmingsAndLace

HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON STICK CANDLES: 7 STEPS

Wearing - 

Kaftan Dress - TrimmingsAndLace (Shop)

Sandals - Marie Claire

Rings - ASOS and Mom's

Have a great week everyone and stay tuned for all the action coming up on my page.

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

                                                                         

                                                                                

Never A Grey

                                                                              

                                                                    

                                                                      

                                                                     

                                                                      

                                                                         

With great respect, all fashion forwards know I cannot talk them through it. I am late! Patterns and prints have always been the fashion world favourites, but Spring '13 saw the rise and glide of stripes to take over the former domain by storm. From luxury brands like Etro, Michael Kors, Oscar De La Renta and Marc Jacobs to high-streets like ZARA (love) and Tommy Hilfiger, there has been no stopping this trend. I picked up this shirt way back in March and since then have worn it with colour, prints and denim alike. That's until I decided to settle with the classics (much like this) for a meeting. That's the thing about stripes I believe. You do them in colour or in monotones, during the day or the night, they are enough to keep the 'geometric glamour' intact. Not to forget, the lovely slimming effect they add when worn vertically. 

Which is your favourite stripped piece from your closet? Don't forget to share it with me in the comments section below!

Have a wonderful week ahead.

Wearing - 

Shirt - ZARA

Skirt - Forever New

Pumps - Marie Claire

Bag - Dune (here)

Neck-piece - Claire's (here)

Sunglasses - RayBan (here)

Ring - Thrifted

On my nails - FACES Ultramarine Blue

P.S. Don't miss The TrimmingsAndLace Collection - Summer ' 13 and The TrimmingsAndLace Collection - Spring '13 SALE!

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Chained Love : TrimmingsAndLace For ShopImagine

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If not a lover, I have been a forever admirer of baroque prints and chain prints. For me, they are reminiscent of the 16^th – 17^th century French royalty, perhaps from what I remember from my History textbooks. These prints undoubtedly spell creative genius as they involve completely different elements put together to create some harmonious artwork. Made covetable in the 1980s by Gianni Versace, chain prints advanced from the classic blacks and golds to the reds, blues, greens and even fuschias (love this). These prints particularly experienced a revival and a transformation from the couture to the wearable segment, a likely result of the Versace for H&M collections last year.

I couldn’t lay my hands on any such piece last year, so when I saw this play-suit at ShopImagine as part of their California Collection, I knew this one was an instant grab. The wonderful team at ShopImagine were extremely kind and generous to send it across to me. The laid-back drive of this play-suit crafted in a semi-silk luxe fabric, makes it my favourite for all those evening into the night events. Having worn it for a casual day-out and an evening getaway, for this particular look I just wanted to sit back, enjoy the monsoon showers over some hot chocolate. I added a mix of gold and silver via my cuffs, a neck-piece for texture, zipped up my gladiator flats and was on my way. 

ShopImagine houses the latest in chic fashion with pieces so multi-faceted that you can transform them from day to night and from formal to informal with minimal effort. The ordering process is easy and the delivery is prompt. But what makes you the happiest is the package your product comes in – neat, classy and simply beautiful. Also, ladies ShopImagine provides you with a lingerie shopping experience like no other. With much to choose from and a lingerie stylist on the go, your shopping woes are sorted with a mere click.

My ShopImagine  love affair now extends to all of you. Yes, all you lovely TrimmingsAndLace readers can avail an exclusive 30% shopping discount at ShopImagine. All you need to do is shop and use the discount code – SISTYLST30G

Wearing - 

Play-Suit - c/o Shop Imagine (Shop)

Bag - Forever 21

Flats - Thrifted (here)

Neck-piece -XOXO Accessories

Cuffs - Westside and Mom's (here)

Bracelet - Gifted

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam