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)

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TrimmingsAndLace For Vajor : Once Upon A Princess

This remains my favourite look from the Vajor series because it gave me a chance to exhibit my inner Dolce and Gabbana girl. I absolutely love the gold tones in this outfit which so gracefully reflect the setting golden light of Fall. A textured skirt and a stylishly structured top calls for smidgen yet impactful styling. This look is perfect for all those card parties you'll be hosting and attending. Add on a pair of statement earrings or a neck-piece or a headband like me if you reckon, and you are bound to make many heads turn. I am sure you've experimented and explored multiple dressing options when it comes to festive dinners and parties - from completely Indian to completely western - a look like this stylishly sits in between and is a winner in all respects. We know that during this period, your routine gets happily hectic. With all the running about, it can be difficult saving those feet for the dance floor. Which is why, I finished the look with those gorgeous wedges that are extremely comfortable and give the outfit the proportions it demands without making it look bulky. 

Especially during Diwali, when the time comes for action, the last thing you want is to worry about the multiple elements in your look. Which is why an outfit that speaks for itself is ideal. It lets all the fashion trends do the talking while you head-out for the hustle, bustle and bang and to life in its complete glory.

Wearing - 

Royal Blooms Skirt and Top - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Victorian Tiara - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Metallic Gold Wedges - c/o Vajor (Shop)

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Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For FrenchConnection : Entwined

         

So it’s taken a month to get back to this space, and to those who read me regularly the guilty is charged. The past one month has been a whirlwind of a time for me as I embarked upon several life altering changes, situations and lessons – personally and professionally. So much so, that they deserve an individual post of their own. It isn’t a fallacy that all good things are worth the wait, and I couldn’t have asked for a better “comeback” post. 

About two weeks back, the wonderful team of FrenchConnection India, invited me to their Chandigarh store to ransack their shelves and my styling cells and pick pieces that will make for ideal sale buys. The FCUK sale begins this week and here I am ladies, making your shopping experience a tiny bit easier. 

Blame it on my current state of mind and a clean slate hiatus, I picked up three statement pieces which are a canvas in their own right. They checked the bills of being wardrobe essentials, can be styled as per individual tastes and their simply structured silhouettes are bound to compliment all body types. 

Look 1

My first pick was a pale pink, lace overlaid top which is an easy, no-brainer when it comes to styling. For starts - your favourite jeans and a pair of sneakers and/or printed pumps, cutesy shorts and skirts for those Sunday picnics, tucked into trousers or pencil skirts for the week’s work routine. A breezy colour and a stylish cut, this top pretty much completes your outfit with comfort and style playing peek-a-boo. I decided to go boho with this top. I added a head chain as an accessory of choice, pairing the top with jeans and my favourite leopard pumps. I added a pop to the look with the classic red lips. 

Wearing - c/o FCUK (Top), c/o FCUK (Sunglasses), Forever 21 (Neck-piece worn as head chain)

Look 2 

My idea for this look was a semi-formal brunch with the ladies. If you are someone who stammers when it comes to accessorizing or simply wish to avoid layering, the safest bet is to invest in a dress, skirt, blazer or even a pair of trousers in a statement colour. For this very look, I picked this cherry romper in cobalt – a colour that suits every skin tone and has a mystical effect in lifting your moods. To let the beauty of the colour stand out aloud, I accessorized with these subtle faux pearl earrings and added a minimal contrast detail via the cuff. To keep the look easy and relaxed, I skipped my heels and wedges and opted for my very dear brogues. This look can also be adopted for a movie and/or a coffee date. 

Wearing - c/o FCUK (Romper), ZARA (Brogues), Forever 21 (Cuff), Ginger (Earrings)

Look 3 

For this very look, I decided to ditch the quintessential FCUK bodycon and opted for a relatively relaxed silhouette of the LBD. Yet again, the edgier shoulder details make this dress a statement piece in its own right which is why it doesn’t demand any heavy accessorizing. Keep it classy with a pair of simple studs or solitaires. If you may choose to go a little heavy, I’ll suggest you avoid some strong contrasts so that the focus stays on the dress. I added a studded belt to clinch the dress at the waist and extend the edgier details of the dress. To render a sleeker illusion to the entire look, I wore these trusted single strap stilettos. A satchel sling carried as a clutch and a diamond cocktail ring were my additions to the look.  

Wearing - c/o FCUK (Dress), River Island (Sandals), c/o FCUK (Bag), Earrings and Ring (Gifted), Belt (United Colours of Benetton)  

I hope you all like the effort behind this fashion film. All suggestions and comments are welcome. Don't forget to connect with FCUK and me on Instagram - FCUK, FCUK (Facebook) | TrimmingsAndLace

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Agam 

 

 

 

Culottes and Lilac Love

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                 

                                                                             

                                                                               

Shot By - RanaGurtej Photography

                                                                             

Trust your mom to give you the best fashion advice for life. She can battle all the notch heads to be a visionary when it comes to trends, statements and come-backs. Case in point these culottes, which my mom insisted me to HAVE and since then have been lying shunned except for those lazy days at home. Skinny and ankle-cropped pants have held the court for years now, and though they will never go out of style, it’s time to welcome some drama with culottes.

Culottes are a mark of innovative design. Cropped, wide-legged and falling a little lower than the Bermuda shorts, culottes encompass these stylish elements and spell élan and comfort in one.

Casual, sporty, sleek or tailored, I personally feel that the demure of culottes call for sophisticated dressing. Also, the silhouette and an over-flow of fabric can seem a little intimidating. Hence, minor attention to details never harms. A tucked boxy-top, a well-fitted top or T-Shirt or even your perfect fit button-down is the best way to accentuate the structure of culottes. Since I wore this outfit to a celebratory brunch, a little show of skin suited the occasion. Unlike the last time, I teamed this outfit with heels as they not only help elongate your frame and render some balance to the look, but also define the mid-calf area better. Now who can possibly mind that? 

With temperatures soaring I kept the tone of the look very monotone (and soothing if I may call it myself) with statement earrings, a printed clutch and a pop via the heels providing the adequate amount of colour and break.

However you may choose to wear them, I vouch that culottes are a summer staple. Besides, isn’t culottes a cool word to say? Your dependable fashion idol, breather for legs and a cool word…I hope the post has been worth a wait!

Don’t forget to tell me about it in the comments section below. Also, you can join me on Twitter and Instagram for everyday updates on fashion and more.

Wearing - 

Top - Forever21

Culottes - Mango

Sandals - Myntra.com (worn here)

Earrings - H&M

Clutch - ALDO

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Love

Agam

 

    

Denim Reflectors

                                                                            

                                                                     

                                                                            

                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                           

                                                            

                                                          

Much like many qualitative and abstract things in life, there are certain fashion trends that seem to grow on you. You know that one song you didn’t like in the beginning but its eventual replays made you love it, similarly there are certain pieces in our closets that make you cringe and ask yourself, “Do I really own this”, albeit you cannot stop styling it in your head and working out occasions where you can possibly wear them. That has pretty much been the case with these trousers. I received these in December last year courtesy Front Row Shop, and they have experienced some massive dressing room sessions. From crisp monotones to acidic neons, from subtle prints to bright ombres they’ve been introduced to many possible combinations, before they clicked well with the good lord denim.

The metallic trend’s got a whole new motto for Spring 2014 with designers (love this and this) pedaling up mirror metallic and iridescent fabrics. Once reserved for accessories and jewellery alone, this space-age inspired, playful candy-wrapper foil trend prompts a fresh sense of escapism to the always colourful spring season.

With the pants finally out of the dressing room, I can’t wait to style them with simple button-down shirts, crop tops and ethereal white kurtas. If you’ve been considering, picking up on this trend but doubted its wearability, I suggest dive in unabashed. Keep your look simple complimenting it with minimal make-up and fuss free hair and trust me it’s the shine you’ll never regret!

Wearing - 

Trousers - c/o Front Row Shop

Shirt - Ralph Lauren (here)

Peep-Toes - Mango

Haathphool - ALDO

Neck-piece - XOXO Accessories

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Agam

 

Colour Musings

                                                                            

                                                                         

                                                                       

                                                                           

This particular outfit is having a resurgence from the drafts (Read: long hair). The neon palette has stayed around stylishly for a long while now and is surely befriending us this Fall. Collections like those of Tanya Taylor and Victoria Beckham have incorporated neons by complimenting it with the classic plaids and checks. A streak of neon among the winter darks' and monotones is always enough (and safely enough) to make a statement.

Currently, with the wedding season in full swing and most importantly my bridesmaid duties in force, I have had a lot of encounters with fuchsia pink in Indian wear. It is the hue you cannot help but fall in love with over and over again. Its a shade that complements all skin tones and tends to reflect that rose blush glow on you. Treat it with a neutral or contrast it with another bold colour, fuchsia is surely a winner.

If you have been a regular reader of the blog, you must be aware of my indispensable love for skirts. Having put together a contrast here, I matched the solid fuchsia with this printed, fuller midi-skirt. The midi skirt may seem more 1950s than 2013, but has taken the runways and street by storm (love this one). If a mini skirt gives you shudders and maxis seems overwhelming, then midi is the length to be. I always feel that the choice of colour makes styling very easy. Colours like fuchsia, royal blue, emerald green and red suggest minimal accessories. Hence, for this outfit I accessorized with these chandelier statement earnings. To add a different dimension I wore my pair of metallic silver heels (much like here) keeping up the power of colour! 

Wearing - 

T-Shirt - ZARA (last seen)

Tank (Underneath) - Aeropostale

Skirt - Gifted

Slingbacks - Local Store (Chandigarh)

Earrings - Gifted

On my nails - China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint

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Agam

Fall Wish-List : TrimmingsAndLace For Sheinside

For all those who feel like a novice in the big, lustful world of online shopping, here is a 'style-for-less' website for you - Sheinside. Discover and shop the latest trends without burning a hole in your pocket. A quick look at what made into my wish-list.

Happy Monday Everyone! 

Clockwise - Shop, Shop, Shop, Shop, Shop, Shop

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Agam

It Is Okay Being Okay

                                                                           

                                                                              

                                                                               

                                                                                

                                                                             

Mostly, we are believers of the extreme. We believe that there is either a certain yes or a certain no. We are preached to keep our emotions and thoughts clear and transparent - this way or that way, black or white. A middle path - the grey's, neutral's or okay's - many a times define the weak. Those who allow the clouds of ambiguity to overpower them. Those who are uncertain and incapable of choosing between an obvious yes and no, correct and incorrect, right and wrong. But is being okay, is being amidst the greys and is holding a neutral approach really wrong? I feel that the real power or sign of strength actually comes by being okay. Okay defines the state where the threshold of your acceptance for things, circumstances, situations and even thoughts is higher than the consequence off them. Okay is the state of being YOU. I feel it is always easier to choose between the correct and the incorrect, but to choose the better of the correct and worse of the incorrect, accepting it and choosing the direction of your life from that cross-point is what demands strength. Success, failures, happiness, sadness, memories and regrets are the inescapable realities of life. Acceptance of either comes from being okay and being at a place where the difference between either is dissolved. That's a state where you become fearless and confident of your thoughts, actions and self. A fearless person doesn't judge and is often rewarded with the highest karma and that is of compassion. The strength to accept things in totality, respect the perspective of others, forgive and be at peace for ones own self.

Above are the thoughts from a week of 5am walks amidst the autumn chill and wrongly timed downpour. The unexpected always spurs new beginnings. All fashion posts back soon!

Wearing - 

Dress - TrimmingsAndLace (see me do a similar outfit here) (Shop)

Clutch - Gifted

Slingbacks - Local Store (Chandigarh)

Bracelet worn as a neck-piece - Gifted (here)

Rings - Thrifted (Australia)

On my nails - O.P.I Alpine Snow

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Love

Agam