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

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Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For Vajor : Focused Bohemians

My final take (first, second) on the series of work-wear from Vajor has been to style a look for the freelancer in you reflecting an un-curbed, undisturbed creative personality. I chose to keep this look a little edgy and androgynously sexy. The pieces in this collection are designed in relaxed and breezy fabrics and are a blend of some gorgeous earthy tones. With sharp cuts and a tailored appeal, these pieces can take you throughout the day and do not demand any specific accessorizing or detailed styling. On viewing the collection, I could label it belonging to the ‘focused bohemians’.To do justice to the same, I styled my favourite pieces from the collection and finished the look with one contrast element, which I felt pulled the look together without swaying away from the genre.  

Wearing - 

Jacket - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Crop-Top - c/o Vajor 

Trousers - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Bag - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Oxfords - c/o Vajor (Shop)

Ring and Bracelets - c/o Vajor (Shop, Shop)

Neck-piece - Forever 21

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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

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 

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Love

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

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam 

 

 

 

Transitions : From The Woods

                                                     

                                                                  

                                                    

                                                             

                                                             

Shot By - HimShootz

                                                     

 Sharing this outfit post today, seems ironic to an extent. Here I was reciting the melancholy of an extended winter and here I am today, experiencing the temperatures sky rocketing by the day. What did it leave us with? Well, a few days escape which we could proudly call as spring. We shot this look a few weeks back and it lay in my drafts since. Well, this kaftan dress makes for a perfect beach escapade, edging it up with the 'boots of the season' on a scouting spree didn't seem like a bad deal too. For the shoot, I quickly tied my hair in an a.k.a Serena bun and wore these stunner of a statement earrings. A very casual and an easy look, perfect for running weekend errands or a carefree stroll to the local market or for that late Saturday movie. You can always throw on a denim jacket or a casual blazer for evenings that turn a bit chilly!  

On a side note, I am so exciting to share that TrimmingsAndLace will be on YouTube soon. I can't wait to explore and work in this creatively channeling genre of fashion and personal style. Don't forget to catch a glimpse here. 

Wearing - 

Dress - Forever 21

Stockings - Forever 21

Boots - Marks&Spencer

Earrings and Cuff - Vajor

On my lips - Non-Stop Red in 510 by Maybelline

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

                   

                                                             

Double Take Denim

                                                    

                                                         

                                                            

                                                             

                                                          

                                                                

                                                                  

                                                                 

Shot By - HimShootz

                                               

Let's accept it. Fashion rules are meant to be broken. Broken, because if they aren't the infinite possibilities in trends and styles cannot emerge. Once a faux pas, the denim on denim trend has come a long way. Thanks to thriving street styles, A-listers and bloggers, sporting a chambray shirt with jeans feels fresh again. Having done stronger denim on denim looks here and here, I personally feel that a double denim look is all about finding a balance and identifying pieces that suit your body type the best. Lighter shades of denim tend to draw attention to the body areas they cover, while the darker washes create a slimming effect. My personal favourites in this regard which I deem as wardrobe essentials would be - a light wash chambray shirt, deep denim skinny jeans, a denim skirt, a denim jacket and distressed, medium wash shorts. Make sure you mix your denim wash-wise or weight-wise. If you are going in for a single tone look, add elements to break the monotony.

Wearing - 

Camisole - Marks & Spencer (here)

Cardigan - Tommy Hilfiger (here) (here)

Denim Jacket - Lee

Denim Skirt - Levis

Scarf - Gifted

Socks - Forever 21

Mary-Janes - Marie Clair

Cocktail Ring - Thrifted

Rings - Romwe

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