Dressing up:

Dressing is the fourth bodily function. After breathing, eating and sleeping and excluding a couple of delicious optional extras – one of the fundamental pleasures of human body is to clothe it, which makes fashion it’s closest relation – pretty important.

History:

The history of fashion touches everyone in its orbit. It runs far deeper than hemlines, silhouettes and colours. It is intrinsically caught up with social mores, and mood changes in everything from food to mannerisms, music to sex. It lives and exists not only as one of the most ravishing and compelling of entertainments, but as one of the surest indicators of time.

Fashion has changed with every passing era. In 1909, electricity was a new sensation, and it was shocking if women showed an ankle. By 1916, if she smoked in public, people called her an actress, and if she wore red lipstick, she was the next big thing to a prostitute. Today, following the new millennium, a considerable amount of skin show prevails. But nudity – the natural conclusion – will never be in fashion, not just because the weather wouldn’t allow it, but because it is the only style that will put the whole industry in a social security.

Fashion, an expression:

Fashion is no rocket science. You don’t dress to impress, you dress to EXPRESS.

Ever since eve wore a fig leaf, fashion has been associated with two things – defining sexuality and committing outrageous behavior.

What fashion can do to your life?

For those of you who think dressing up every day in the morning is a daunting task, there can be no better example than Princess Diana.

Diana, princess of Wales, had everything – genetic perfection, model dimensions, royal connections and the mystique of a silent movie star. Add fashion, and the result was that she became the most photographed woman on the planet!

YOU’RE GUIDE TO DRESSING

Style:

Style is independent of fashion. Those who have style can indeed accept, or ignore fashion. Fashion for them is not something to be followed. It is rather something to be set, to select from, or totally reject. Style is totally spontaneous, inborn. It is gloriously deliberated, unpremeditated, but a divine gift of a few.

So first and the foremost, you need to realize what your style is.

Kiss:

This is your absolute mantra to get every look right. “Keep it simple, stylish.” The simpler your look, the more you can enhance it by using the right accessories. So always go in for the neater finish and clean cuts.

Gestures:

In accepting an attention from others – a drink, a light for a cigarette – it is young to look pleased, gracious and confident about it. Of you hunch forward, it not only adds years, but marks you as a person to whom such attentions come seldom. A poised head, a straight back, and a smile will make you look nice and confident, even when you don’t feel it.

Dress the Parisian way:

Parisians do not have nightmares about being run over, rushed to hospitals, and caught out wearing holey grey knickers. It couldn’t happen; Parisians never leave the house in anything less than a perfect state of attire. Secondly, they don’t possess holey grey knickers. Their reasoning, you wear grey knickers, your man has an affair.

These are the golden rules that will never fail you.

THE ESSENTIALS FOR A WOMAN’S WARDROBE:

Come what may these are the must haves in every girl’s wardrobe:

1) The white shirt: This piece always comes to your rescue at the oddest of the odd hours. Be it the board meeting or your regular girls’ day out, this one thing can come as your one stop solution to most of your dressing woes.

2) A good pair of jeans: When it comes to jeans, always go in for the branded ones with the right fit, shape and in the right shade. Jeans can be worn at semi-formal and casual do’s.

3) The little black dress: However clichéd it may sound, the little black dress is an absolute necessity and can be worn at more than one occasion in different ways.

4) T-shirts: Casual, comfy and very very chic. T-shirts in solid bold colors are a must have.

5) Accessories: When nothing goes your way, your accessories help you to find your way out. They can spice up any outfit. So always keep your belts, watches and jewellery handy.

6) Footwear: Always opt for comfortable footwear, the happier your feet, the happier you are.

Three looks of the season for the guys

1) The preppy look

Spotted at: Paul & Joe, Thomas Burberry, Zara

The boys are also going back to school this season. Sharp cuts in navy and charcoal grey are in, brought up to date with military or sporty details that make all the difference between schoolboy and oh boy! Watch out for piping, flannel and wool, along with retro chic short jackets and duffel coats.

2) The rocker dude

Spotted at: Thierry Mugler, Agnes b, APC, Bershka

Long live rock! Jeans are rock uniform, if u have done your homework you’ll know that this season they’re narrow (but not skinny), in blue or faded grey. Don’t forget matching items are the key to the ‘arty but rebellious’ look: wear with a coordinated or rock slogan T-shirt (The Stones, Bowie, etc.). The classic black leather jacket is also making an appearance in grey, white, and blue, and a Blues Brothers hat is a must-have.

3) Vintage

Spotted at: Paul Smith, Kenzo, Christian Lacroix Homme, Desigual

Notes for the guys:

a) Whatever is in fashion will not necessarily look good on you. While shopping, relax, take your time and try out things before buying them.

b) Pink is not gay: just because you are a guy that does not mean you are not entitled to your share of happiness that comes around by adding a little colour to your wardrobe. I’m not telling you to go out and get the choicest of reds and oranges, all I’m saying is experiment a little with the colour palette that ranges from various tones of blues to browns.

c) Just as clothes maketh a man so do the hair. A nice clean haircut is the best accessory that you can sport.

So this is it for this time being…..till then show the world that you have arrived!!

Useful Resources:

Interesting ways to wear the black dress
Must-Have Basic Wardrobe Pieces for Any Woman
The New Classics: 10 Pieces For A Timeless Wardrobe
How You Can Improve Your Style and Appearance with Little Effort