♫ These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things ♪ ……Part I:
By Penny & Pound
So, we thought and thought about what our first article should be, and fina-ally hit on it! What would be better than to share our 10 must-haves, those essentials without which we don’t think your wardrobe is reeeaally complete??!!
So without further ado, presenting (in a 2-part series) our favourite things, fashion-wise:
1. 1. A Pair Of Well Fitting Basic Blue Denims: Well, this piece of clothing is an all rounder (style translation – wear it any time, , in any mood, any season, with any good top)…but what you MUST have is that one pair you luvh!
Here’s some pointers for you to keep in mind when you next go shopping for this fashion essential:
Denim do’s –
· Check the fit – A good pair of jeans should flatter your figure; if you think you are the athletic, good-build kinds, buy one that fits well and hugs at the right places. If you are a little on the curvier side, stick to non-stretch denim, and opt for a straight-fit, solid coloured pair. And for a final check – do not forget to walk, sit, jiggle and move around in the pair and always, always ask your friend for an opinion (yes… we strongly endorse shopping in a pack!!).
· Comfort is a must – the reason denims have become a way of life is because they are oh-so comfortable…which means when you want a new pair, you must check if you feel comfy n cosy in them. The denim should not cinch your waist too much (meaning tell-tale red marks when you take ‘em off at the end of the day) …Avoid picking up styles that are “in” if you don’t feel it’s you; this includes skinny cuts, boot leg, or extra low waist jeans.
p.s.: Mango jeans are our favourite in terms of fit & comfort – but best go when the sale is on!
Denim don’ts –
· Do NOT go for garish embroidered jeans or for shiny motifs at the back pockets. A basic pair of jeans is…well, supposed to be basic! Avoid frills and embellishments or the distressed ones; they look tacky!
· Avoid low waists if you can’t carry them off; remember – low waists require you to be vigilant and careful when you bend over or sit –bystanders need not know what colour briefs you wear! Also if a little tummy is what bothers you, a mid rise pair will be a better option to cover up bulges.
2. A Formal White Shirt: This requires no introduction – a white shirt is a style must-have!
You can choose from various styles and fabrics:
· A basic collared starched shirt in plain cotton/lycra mix looks great for office wear. Make sure the fit is nice and clean and doesn’t stretch around at the bust too much or leave peep holes in the gaps between the buttons.
· If you are the girlie type, you can pick one up with feminine frills and lace detailing; opt for soft and flowy fabrics for maximum impact.
not show through. Better still, use a neutral coloured slip especially for thin fabrics.
We also recommend adding your personal touch to your whitey whites – replace buttons with nice pearl ones or add a bit of white lace under the collar. This will ensure you stand out in the crowd!
3. Good Black Shoes: We all know black is the most versatile colour to wear, and this is especially true as regards your feet. While we’re all for cutesy, bright, and even multi-coloured footwear, a good pair of black shoes is a must.
Choose from pumps, peep toes, wedges, Oxfords, booties or even sling backs.
Of course, do not go for the shiny, plasticky looking ones; also be restrained on the embellishments – the simpler they are, the more classic and elegant they look.
Ensure some heels – kitten heels being the minimum. Ballerinas don’t work with all outfits, and we’re talking about a versatile pair here that can be worn with trousers, skirts, jeans and dresses alike.
Oh, and a tip: Always make sure your toenails are neatly trimmed, and in case of peep toes, nicely painted too!
4. Trendy watches: Hmm…your time piece should be stylish and unique and we recommend two at least– one formal, and one for casual wear.
For the formal look, we suggest you stay classic with metallic straps and classic dial shapes of oval or round (check out Titan’s Raaga collection, they have some lovely pieces). It’s also a useful practice to do a good survey (browse through fashion magazines, online stores, or window shop at malls to zero down on what kind appeals to you) since a good watch is a not-so-cheap, long temr investment.
For the casual kind of look, chunky watches with bright straps and big dials work well! For straps, opt for trendy colours like red, white, navy blue that make an impact and yet can go with a lot of clothes. Also choose uniquely shaped dials like funky squares, irregular shapes that make a statement! Fastrack has a good collection to choose from and they don’t burn a hole in your pocket.
We recommend shopping at flea markets (like the Anjuna flea market at Goa) since you can hoard up on a lot more watches that way – there are also a lot of branded replicas that you can choose from. Do remember to bargain well - P.S: we have picked up watches for as low as 500 bucks!!!
5. Pencil Skirt: Office goers – this one’s especially for you! That’s not to say that homemakers can’t have them, but we are SO tired of the formal black trousers and Fabindia kurtis that we see in office everyday. Ladies, embrace your feminine side, and flaunt your legs with a nice, well-fitting pencil skirt!
We like skirts with dark, solid colours, muted checks or pinstripes; do not go in for bright and/or floral prints.
The important thing with pencil skirts is the length: at the knee or up to 2 inches below, but never above.
We understand that this skirt type is not meant for all body types, so if you have a fuller figure or are more heavily endowed on the bottom & hips, go in for a straighter fit and even A-line skirts.
Tip-time: It goes without saying that your legs must be waxed and moisturized. No dry, scaly skin please!
