CUFF PARADE

So unless you’ve been in concentration camp or sleeping the beauteous sleep, you can’t have missed the trend of the last few seasons – the cuff. Any metro bred girl who grew up during the 80’s will scoff at it being called a ‘trend’, for she knows this accessory has been around for decades. Truth be told, this iconic accessory can trace its origins back to 7,000 across Egypt, Greece, Rome among other countries, and hasn’t gone anywhere since!

So, ignore her and get ready to ride the bracelet wave, for it’s surely here to stay. Wear ‘em loud and proud, stack ‘em up or choose a single highlight piece – whatever you do, do it with a cuff.

Here are a few tips to take this fashion accessory to keep that style quotient scorching…

1.       Double the fun by doubling the cuff. Make sure you wear the exact identical accessory on each wrist, lest you end up looking like Pummy aunty next door with her ever so many gold kadas.

2.       Step into the shoes of princess Leia by flaunting the gold hammered cuff. Edgy and fierce – this accessory is sure to acquaint you with your wild side. You can order them online on several sites including www.etsy.com

3.       Brace yourself for the bracelet trend. Hermes and Tods have stocked these darling leather accessories at their stores and online.

4.       Ear me out – Just in case you’ve been thinking of this update as a pointless archaic one, let me introduce you to the ear cuff. Comfortable wraps around your ear all the way till the lobe, the ear cuff comes in all shapes and sizes now. What’s more, you don’t need pierced ears to strut in them. Just pull your hair back, take off your regular earrings and put these on. Just don’t go OTT on other jewellery and you’ll definitely make a statement, wherever you go!

 

5.       Embellished with jems and jewels, well fed and skinny, cream and coloured, you’re sure to find a plethora of these silver babies everywhere you go. Walk in to a store at Janpath or log on to www.asos.com  - you will undoubtedly meet your beloved cuff bracelet there.

SHOWER POWER

Maxjenny's riot of colours - an amalgam of art and fashion

Brew that invigorating cuppa and sit by the window watching clouds shower their kindness upon us. Breathe in the heady mix of rainwater and earth. Admire the rustic landscape in all its beauty and splendor as the water unleashes all its might on the beach, for it’s that time of the year again! A time when the world seems to have been washed down with a hose pipe. A time when grass looks a Photoshopped green. A time when you can almost hear the rain gods cheering, up in the sky. Yes, it’s Monsoon time.
But let the weather not be a dampener to your fashion sense. Dig out those zany colours, paint those toe-nails a bright jungle red, pull out your waterproof mascara and procure that anti-frizz hair shampoo. Bring out those galoshes, those coloured raincoats, mix retro classic with uber chic and up the style quotient with these easy-breezy tips. Read on, and be a diva this monsoon -

Dazzle that frazzle
Frazzled hair comes as a dark cloud over your ostensibly jolly mood. But fear not, for there are many ways to keep that mane tame this monsoon. Sport drippy wet hair (a look au naturelle for Goa) with the help of a handful of mousse. Scrunch it up to make the look nice and natural. You can also opt for the many anti-frizz shampoos that are available in the market, but beware of spurious products parading under the garb of the originals. Go for the Mini Label hairspray by Toni and Guy or the Liss Ultime shampoo and masque from L’Oreal Professionals to discipline those rebellious unruly tresses. Cleanse and calm your hair and your mind will follow.

Splash that crazy colour:
Nothing captures the spirit of fashion in Goa as much as colour does. Colour blocking as a trend that caught the world by storm in SS 2010-11 was practically invented here! And you know the best part? There are no rights or wrongs. Just mix and match different palettes – canary yellow with pucker red; blushing pink with midnight blue; vivid neon with tawny amber - experimentation is the name of the game. Jazz up your khakis with a dash of shocking pink or wear a tangy coloured raincoat over subtle colours. Shock and awe by mixing gold, black and green for that exclusive party at night. Psst… want some quick suggestions to create that cant-take-my-eyes-off-her look? Just highlight a few strands of hair with brightly coloured hair mascara. Or you could throw on an eclectic mix of beads – take 3-4 beady necklaces, twist them around to form one highlight piece over your outfit, and sport it like a fashionista. You can never go wrong if you don’t follow the rules.

Bring out that zany avatar in you this monsoon and splash that hue with unabashed abandon.

Boot up!
Baroque leather Jimmy Choos may be a tad too opulent and impractical for the weather, but boot up, you must. Flat-heeled rain boots or wellington boots as I rather dotingly refer to them as, are the perfect style accessory this monsoon. Wear ‘em transparent and funky in multitude designs. Go polka-dotty in pink or eccentric in graphical patterns. But beware; don’t go OTT with your attire if you’re experimenting with your footwear – one highlight piece at a time! Hide those expensive leather boots this monsoon for you don’t want it to actually look like animal carcass!

A wondrous invention - the Shuella!

Psst… want another fashion tip to not just look uber-chic but also as to transform from boho to prima donna in a matter of seconds whilst playing mommy to your precious heels? Go for the Shuella galoshes in bright neon shades. It protects your heels from mud and slush, provide perfect durability and what’s more – even come with a tiny towel to wipe that stubborn gravel, if any. A raincoat for your shoes! Who would’ve thought of that?

Coat of Rain
Man-up - it’s haute this monsoon. Quirky patterns over diaphanous garbs can look dangerously awesome. What’re more; you can even flaunt those washboard abs and that chiseled bikini body over a fun, transparent number! Throw them over jeans and sneakers or leggings and wellies, they’ll serve you well with each look. You can even scrounge for some recessionista rainwear in one of the flea markets. Wear your coat long like a trench or short like a motorcycle jacket, just make sure the material is waterproof and you’re soaked with compliments and not rainwater. So, don’t wait - don that raincoat with unassuming élan and watch heads turn wherever you go. Go Shorty Get flirty and feminine in a sexy pair of shorts. They’re the most practical option for the rains. Sport the casual fun look by throwing on a pair of cargos with nautical striped tees or get cosy in hot pants worn with Peter Pan collared tops. You could also officialize the look by pairing high-waist khakhi shorts with a black rucshed long-sleeved short. Chuck modesty out the window, keep the hemline short and the spirits high!



WAG me good!

The more popular Gauri Khan and Suzanne Roshan have oft been spoken of, but what about our other slightly lesser known WAGs? And um, think less painfully anorexic lasses lurking around football fields trying to make it the popular tabloid and more Bollywood! They make heads turn with their red carpet appearances and pose for the shutterbugs just as well as any leggy model would. Chic or otherwise, they have their own unique style. Here’s what I think of ‘em….

Avantika Malik

Avantika Khan
Errrr… personal style, yes. Haute and happening, decidedly no. I love how she embraces her petite, yet fullish frame, but despise some of her choices for Bollywood events. She must ditch the kind of dresses which bring attention to her shoulders or torso.

Verdict - The yellow Lanvin (for H&M) dress looked absolutely adorable till she put it on. Love the emerald eye-wear but the ruched shoulder attracted far too much attention to her top than necessary. Not more than a 5/10

Kalki Kochelin

My personal favourite, Kalki embodies individuality like none other. Her style is truly hers, as she wears her clothes and attitude with equal panache. What I love most though, is that she makes her own rules. Not in an i’m-so-blasé-I’m-quirky-kiran-rao kinda way, but with enviable flair and élan. Perhaps it’s her French heritage coupled with her unassuming personality that does the trick. But whatever it might be, it’s working!


Verdict – Be it the Dior gown or the Sabyasachi half-sari, Kalki was a stunner on the red carpet in Cannes this year. Some thought her hair accessory to be out-of-place, but I think it’s just right for that goddess look. A 9/10.

Amy Jackson

Every bit the British bombshell, Amy oozes sensuality, oomph and confidence. Love her love for black and colour alike, her effortless numbers and her exacting fashion sense. Big thumbs up to her fabulous style (and her arm candy isn’t too bad either) – surely an 8/10 – this Jackson is quite the Pretty Young Thing. Sure, she’s made a few mistakes and has gone OTT more than once, but how long can an ethereal beauty like her remain at fault?

Amy Jackson

Nodding in agreement? Vehemently disagree? Tell me your opinion either way..

Gawd, it’s Gaudi!

Nature inspired Gaudi and Gaudi inspired Alexander McQueen (among many others). Be it the wave strappy wedges or the powder pink scarf with skull imprints aka McQueen style, this Catalan architect sure could influence. A shell-like heel and Organic and naturalistic imagery replicates Gaudi’s signature architectural style. Even Christian Louboutin recently showcased his ethereal collection at the London Design Museum. Little wonder then, that arches, tombs, pathways, domes – do and will continue to have an immense influence on couture, textures and patterns.

Jeepers Creepers!

Platforms took a while getting used to, and I ‘meh-ed’ a little when Flatforms came into fashion, but Creepers is where I unblinkingly draw the line. True to their name, sole ‘creepers’ seriously give me the heebie-jeebies. Imagine this – a pair of brogues (which are bad enough to begin with) get a life of their own until they develop a spongy bottom, Jennifer Lopez style –and voila, you have what they’re tenderly referring to as creepers.

Sure, if you’re going punk or goth for a masquerade party, go right ahead. But if you ever so much as think of stepping into them for that well-heeled do, may the almighty have mercy on you! Asos’ business may be thriving thanks to these monstrosities, but have compassion for fashion before donning a pair yourself.

Watch your tongue!

Ooooooh! Did you finally acquire that to-die-a-million-deaths-and-then-some-more salivation worthy horologe? Will you be subtly, albeit a bit pompously yet casually, throwing in the name of that beautiful thing that adorns your wrist? Then watch out – not knowing the pronunciation could be a big, fat dampener to your proud moment. A ready reckoner to become a linguist in 5 minutes….

Audemars Piguet: OH-duh-MAHR PEA-GAY

A.Lange & Sohne: AH Lung-Geh Oohnt Sew-neh
Corum: Core-oom
Girard-Perregaux: Jee-rar Pear-ago
Jaeger-LeCoultre: YAY-ger Le-Cool-ter
Ulysse Nardin: YOU-lis Nur-den
Vacheron Constantin: Va-sher-own Cone-Stun-tuhn
Raymond Weil: Ray-mand WHILE
Breitling: brEYE-tling
Blancpain: Blon-pan
Audemars Piguet: awe-de (short e on de)-MARR pee-GAY
Paul Picot: Paul PEE-coe

Ferragamo - my personal fave!

http://luxpresso.com/news-luxe-list/where-to-spend-it-on-leather-strap-watches/11453