Do-It-Yourself : Tasseled Sandals

Tassels and fringes are pretty much regarded as the trend of the 70s, but making a glorious appearance on shoes this Spring/Summer'16 made them absolutely delectable. Laced up to the mid-calf, sitting pretty on ankle straps, platformed, wedged or stilettoed, fringes and tassels add a striking dynamism to the entire look. I've personally loved the infamous Aquazzura Wild Thing Sandals and did pick up similar ones from Daisy Street (here). But if you're wanting to embrace the trend without burning a hole in your pocket and unlike other DIYs existing on the web, don't want to shelve and cut paste your existing pair of sandals, this tutorial might be of help. So, let's get started! 

You'll need:

1. A classic pair of sandals. Try picking a pair which is simple and minimalistic in virtue. If you have a pair that fastens on the ankles, its a bonus!

2. Tassels in the colour of your choice. These are easily available at all craft stores.

3. Suede, faux leather strings. Avoid using ribbons because they tend to slide and don't really hold on the legs.

4. Tape.

5. A pair of scissors. 

6. A straightening iron (optional).

Steps:

1. I started by trimming and refining the ends of the tassels to make them look neater and even.

2. Next, I used a straightening iron to smoothen any wavy and wiggly threads and strands.

3. This step is optional. I secured the loop of the tassels with a tape to make it smaller so that it doesn't move around, once slipped through the suede strings. 

4. Weave the strings through the straps of your sandals. Pretty much like this.

5. Finally, just when you are about to knot the strings slip in your tassels and secure them between the strings. 

Though I admit that the outcome can't match the grace of the original, but I still feel that revamping your sandals once in a while can be a fun activity and an interesting change. What do you think? 

Wearing - 

Dress - Tailored

Sandals - River Island

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For JORD : Breaking A Vow

Shot By - Mr. Shutterbug

If we are 'fashion influencers' in the actual sense of the word, we do draw our outfits based on our subconscious story. This very outfit comes from a place of exploration, self evaluation, complexity and passion, which is probably why it comes this late. The only facet that runs linear throughout this outfit post, much like our lives, is time.

I say exploration because as I took time off to settle and soak in the beautiful challenges of a married life, and slowed down my 'virtual social activity' I came across the works of many a many bloggers and the endless chain of blogs that have come up. Did I go through all of them? YES. Did I like all of them? NO. Did it leave me underwhelmed and a little skeptical towards the trends prevailing in the blogging industry? CERTAINLY YES.

I say self evaluation, because this allowed me or rather forced me to go back and see what I had been doing so far. Perhaps I was too disconnected to realize how commercial the industry has become. How effortlessly that voice of creativity has been sucked in and how glamorously plagiarism, promotions and directionless styling in the name of fashion prevails.

I say complexity because in all dramatics, the content has lost its glory and what substantiates the quality of a blog are the numbers. I have a ***K following, my content is a little similar to what I wrote in standard 8th or at times better because I was able to rip it off from Vogue.com, I won't have time to style your pieces to the fullest because I have multiple projects in the pipeline but I have ***K followers...so the rest obviously doesn't matter. The scenario for me personally is very sad and disappointing because the industry was nothing like this when I started. Blogging was first a medium for self and then for anyone else. But Alas!

I say passion because, although this trend is discouraging to say the least, I believe in doing what I know and doing it right. I believe that it is the only tool you need for longevity. Yes, it might not give you a herd, it might not even be commercially viable but atleast you'll have a voice.

Thank you JORD Wood Watches and Steve Madden (Facebook) for partnering on this post. In tune with this post, I can say for a definite that your brand ideology speaks much louder than a few words from me which could have made a difference. 

Wearing - 

Dress - StalkBuyLove

Belt - Forever 21

Sandals - c/o Steve Madden India

Watch - c/o JORD Wood Watches ()

Kundan Earrings - Mom's

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For Chumbak : That World Of Colour

Shot By - Sahil Nanda Photography

For any artist, I believe, eclecticism is a challenging side of the curve to be at. Your art must thrive in its exclusiveness but at the same time must resonate with the ideologies of your audience at large. For any artist to establish this reasoning as his identity is surely a feat. But to diversify and divulge and reinvent and yet remain grounded to the aesthetics is a sign of greatness. For me the husband-wife duo, the curators, the visionaries and the artists at Chumbak fit this definition like no other. Chumbak’s entrepreneurial journey that started five years ago has always been an inspiration to me. Mainly because, it isn’t any rags to riches story that fits the texts of a case study but a narration of how far your dreams and your belief in them can take you. It is a story of what passions are made of and how sometimes it’s all about that one plunge.

The same came this October when Chumbak ventured into the apparel segment with the launch of Collection One. Collection One is your entree into Chumbak’s world of design, colour and print. Not to miss, the quintessential dose of insanity that is associated with Chumbak. So expect a whole new take on space, ocean, Pixel Art and food, all manifested into a fashion line, that has been designed to start conversations that never end and even when they do they end in smiles. 

Unlike most of my posts, I didn’t shoot this look with a prior brief or perspective in mind. My only agenda was to have fun at the shoot and celebrate the genre of outfits that I haven’t really worn before. The designs and prints have an inherent playfulness to them, which automatically gets infused into you. And that is pretty much what happened to me during the shoot. So there were twirls and pouts, jumps and misses, hair flips and virtual kisses, ankle twists and laughs and a leap into this new sea of fashion. 

You Need To Know When To Say Bye

The Rs. 100 Setting Powder You Didn't Know About

Wearing - 

Triangle Town Long Tunic - c/o Chumbak (Shop)

Aztec Cats Raglan Sweater - c/o Chumbak (Shop)

Hummingbird Leggings - c/o Chumbak (Shop)

Magical Jungle Women's Wrist Watch - c/o Chumbak (Shop)

Fox Yellow Ballerinas - c/o Chumbak (Shop)

Shirt Dress - Mango 

Neck-Piece - The Little Bauble Box

Brooch - H&M

Sunglasses - Miss Bennett 

Pumps - Done By None

Sandals - River Island (Here)

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For Lifestyle : Almost Fall

Shot By - Daas Media Works

One of the many things I missed at the onset of my blogging career was events and blogger meet-ups which gave a chance to bloggers to connect with their audience in person. Luckily, my wish wasn't kept hanging for long with the Lifestyle Style Circle event coming to Chandigarh. Like most moments in our life, when this moment actually came I was left anxious and cold-in-the-feet to say the least. From outfit fittings to media interactions, to seeing stand-ies of self to announcements in the stores and to finally meeting so many of you, these moments will remain etched in my memory to perfection and are utmost surreal. From the bottom of my heart I take this chance to thank each one of you for making this experience so memorable and every ounce of hard work put into this journey truly worth it. You all are wonderful and inspiring and beautiful. Also, many thanks to the Lifestyle team - from the event managers, media managers, store managers to the ground staff - for being on their feet throughout the event making sure, every minute of it, that we live our dream. Thank you! 

The Style Circle series was basically a presentation of Lifestyle's collection for Autumn/Winter 2015. The collection is a brilliant concoction of some timeless prints and classics like Ikats, denims, bold winter florals, aztec prints and boho silhouettes. For the main event, my outfit was a chic sequinned dress which I paired with a cheery coral blazer (both from CODE) and turquoise earrings for contrast (See look).

For this main feature story, I decided to pick pieces which the collection boasted of. No other garment makes itself so deliciously wearable and is also as uniquely reflective of personal style like denim. Denim is timeless and season-less and frankly something we cannot imagine our closets without. The designers this Spring 2015, presented denim in various iterations - from the perfect-for-all jeans to overalls, from culottes to shirt-dresses - and it seems to have transcended into Fall with perfect ease. For the base element of my look, I picked this denim dress because it spelled comfort, ease and a little surprise the minute my eyes caught it. I also felt that it is an absolute must-have for the closet because it can be taken from casual to uber glamorous and is an option that will remain safe nonetheless. I chose to complement this dress and introduce the quintessential Fall layering, with another gorgeous piece from the collection i.e. this aztec print, fringed long vest. I strongly believe that a complete closet is the one which includes statement pieces that can be styled with almost anything, and this vest/cardigan checks all boxes for me. To structure the entire look I clinched my waist with a contrast belt. Further to extend the boho element of this entire collection, I added a print contrast and finished the look with my ever-so-favourite leopard pumps (here).

For my accessories, I wanted to go a bit old school and in tune with the denim fashion of the 50s. Hence, a rush of gold, pearls and red followed with more of the fringe from the bag. Thanks to Lifestyle I am ready to welcome Fall with aplomb. 

Don't forget to check out the stores and pick up these pieces and style them as per your palette. And when you, don't forget to share it with us on Twitter - @Lifestyle_Store, @TrimmingsNdLace or Instagram - @lifestylestores, @trimmingsandlace.

Wearing - 

Dress, Vest, Bag, Belt, Earrings, Bracelets, Ring - c/o Lifestyle

Sunglasses - FCUK

Pumps - Dune

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For Vajor : Building The Empire

My second look (first, in case you missed) featuring the work-wear collection by Vajor, is a tribute to all you corporate, power women who often feel contained in the silhouette of shirts and trousers and the perceived world of monotones. The latest corporate collection at Vajor, covers this zone albeit very fashionably. From gorgeous pencil skirts to dresses, from subtly embellished peplum tops to as-good-as tailored trousers, this collection is bound to transform all the mundaneness to corporate chic-ness. Many of you might have concerns with wearing body-con figurations to their corporate workplace. I have repeatedly vouched for Vajor's understanding and quality when it comes to this. Their fabrics and cuts are extremely superior and beautifully shape enhancing. So if you are worried about any underlines or your natural shape in general, I bet this collection is definite to make you love your curves like never before. I kept this look very minimalistic and sleek. To avoid any lure to a complete black and white look, I added a subtle contrast by way of these reading glasses and these delicate stud earrings.

Wearing - 

Dress - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Glasses - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Earrings - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Bag - LIU JO

Sandals - River Island (here)

I hope you liked the look and are excited for the third. Well for those who follow me on Snapchat (TrimmingsNdLace), might already have a clue! 

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For Vajor : Girl Boss

Women and their work wear share a very symbolic relationship that has come of age. Work wear today, across our varied professional roles, is reflective of our choices, independent decision making and our capability to uphold and balance positions of power. Vajor has always rested its fashion ideology as an investment in statement and utility pieces. Vajor does apparels and accessories that are modern and structured, but find balance in the realms of femininity. The new Vajor work-wear collection is no different. The collection has been tastefully curated and thoughtfully categorized into - Creative, Entrepreneur and Corporate - to address women across multiple and dynamic career choices. The collection has been designed to include a mix of aesthetically pleasing body-con and ladylike silhouettes, structured layering pieces and preppy prints, warm neutrals and crispy colour palettes.element, which I felt pulled the look together without swaying away from the genre.  
The first in the series of these three looks is my take on the entrepreneurial tier, the role I portray in my own life. The pieces included in this genre are stylishly relaxed yet well-structured to convey a no-fuss and an I-mean-business attitude. Because the pieces in this category are minimalistic in their demeanor they give you the liability to dress up or dress down depending upon your schedules. In this very look, I paired this extremely comfortable powder blue linen shirt-dress with a pair of Ikat print sandals in the same shade. The printed sandals add a great textural contrast to the overall look. I styled this look for the day I am running in and out of meetings and it is necessary that my attire speaks professionalism but is comfortable to get me through the day. For another day, spent sourcing or conceptualizing, I would prefer pairing the dress with these amazing oxfords. A strong red-lip for contrast, a pair of sexy sunglasses and an effortless bag to hold your on-the-go necessities, this look is for those of you who like spending their day out of a fashion editor’s closet. 

 

Wearing - 

Shirt-Dress - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Sandals - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Bag - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Sunglasses - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Earrings - Thrifted (here)

Belt - ZARA (here)

On my lips - M.A.C Lady Danger

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For Meraki : Talking Aesthetics

Shot By - Sahil Nanda

Among the many valuable lessons my blogging career has taught me so far, the one I consider as the most vital - is to not forget the start. The start of a dream, the start of a passion and the start of its journey. And this is what makes any project that I work on as aesthetically relevant. For me any collaboration doesn't stop at cohesion in style ideologies but at the spark and belief in the dreams, the ones with which I started and the ones with which I wake up each day.

I fell in love with Pallavi's work the very day I came across it on Instagram - (@meraki_by_pallavikandoi). For me her work is a reflection of fluidity in technique and simplicity in heritage. From vibrant tie and dyes to delicate marble prints, Meraki curates pieces that are simple yet flattering in their silhouette. Further, you have an option to completely customize your piece depending upon your style and colour preferences.

The Order of Unusual Pairings

3 Things That Will Transition Any Summer Look To Fall

In a reflex, I am drawn towards anything blue. But for the feature, I chose this flamboyant red tie and dye maxi dress. It is always rewarding to style contemporary cuts with traditional jewellery, which is why I opted for these Patiala-sahara earrings which also rendered an element of contrast. To keep the cultural dynamics flowing, I finished the look with a pair of juttis and the classic wing-eye.

Lately, I have been having a resurgence in terms of my love for street photography. For me, this concept captures the unadulterated essence and rawness of a moment, something which is much reminiscent of our culture in prints, textiles and today in Meraki's designs.

Wearing - 

Dress - c/o Meraki (also love this one)

Earrings - Mom's

Juttis - Local Shop (Muktsar, Punjab)

Bangles - Thrifted (worn here)

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam