Dressing Slimmer

POWER DRESSING FOR THE WORKPLACE
Image isn’t everything. But it is the entity that can make or break a first impression, especially at interviews, meetings and business parties. It reflects upon you as an individual, just like your business card. Attire is one aspect that contributes towards building your image. You need to put together a wardrobe that makes you feel comfortable, suits your body type and empowers you. The key lies in finding the balance between professionalism, feminity, fashion and practicality. Some guidelines to tip you off while planning your wardrobe… Saris and Style Cotton saris no doubt symbolize timeless style. You must have some in your wardrobe and don’t be inhibited when it comes to experimenting with bright colours like reds, peacock blues and emerald greens. Beyond the traditional Sari Try teaming flat front trousers with a three-fourth length top. If you like cotton then you could invest in some bright coloured cotton wear which could include wrap around skirts and shirts (with smaller prints). Multifunctional jacket suits are also handy. Look chic with an Indo-western fusion ensemble You can match a short kurta with pyjama pants and instead of a conventional dupatta, you can throw a stole or a scarf around your neck. Experiment with necklines, buttons and materials. Multi-purpose wear for business and pleasure If you have to rush to a party after work, plan ahead. Transform office wear into elegant eveningwear, by accessorizing with a set of diamond earrings, a silk scarf, a pair of heels or even a string of pearls. In case it’s Indian attire then put away your dupatta and don a stole or a scarf instead. Add some Colour If you’re bored of black, navy blue and grey, you can be adventurous with colours without appearing too loud. Reds, rusts, maroons, darker shades of greens and blues are some good colours to choose from. Ultimately you need to create your own style that will go with the kind of work you do. Good luck!
THE WEDDING SEASON FOR WOMEN - By Meera Mittal
A riot of colour, with the glitter of gold and the intricacies of embroidery; Indian weddings are nothing if not spectacular. The wedding season is upon us once again, urging us to delve deep into the recesses of our wardrobes, and air out those silks, organzas, chiffons and brocades and don them for more nights of ceremonies and revelry with family and friends. So what shall it be, turquoise and fuchsia or the more traditional purples, pinks and gold? Backless cholis and spaghetti straps or demure cap sleeves? Post some intensive trendspotting, here’s your guide to the hottest colours, the chicest silhouettes and the latest in accessories to pick from this wedding season. Read on and let your senses feast... Colour According to fashion czar Tarun Tahiliani, multi-colours are completely outdated, and contrasts are in. Jewel tones like emerald, ruby and amethyst remain but this year sees them more muted and even monochromatic. Conventional colours such as pinks, blues, and lilacs find unconventional combinations with midnight blue, beige and mustard. Traditional reds and maroons continue to be popular in muted tones. Fresh greens contrast beautifully with purple, orange and fuchsia. Silhouette The lehenga choli and sari retain pride of place in the Indian wedding scene, with corsets tube tops and halter necks replacing staid blouses. If you’ve shed those extra kilos then let the world know. Low waist fitted lehengas and well-constructed cholis do just that. Just be sur e not to offend the purists! Now that the Indian wedding comes packed with a number of related events, one can experiment with different looks. You can pick from chudidars and tunics or kaftan tops and fitted pants for a chic cocktail look. For a funky sangeet look follow Ritu Kumar’s youthful mantra with voluminous tiered skirts, finished with light embellishment and teamed with short kurtis. Drape & Embellishment When it comes to occasions like the mehendi and engagement get creative with your sari or dupatta drape, but for events that involve dancing, keep the drape practical. There are a myriad ways to drape the sari today; it’s all up to your creativity and a little effort. Give it a shot! You needn’t go all out on embellishment unless you’re the bride or the wedding is within the family. Heavy embroidery sparsely applied should be the way to go. Machine embroidery, patchwork, sequins and zardosi motifs with borders look elegant, while traditional embroideries like chikan and kantha go classy with diamantes and sequins. Accessorising The antique look rules in jewellery. A heavy centre piece will be the focal point of an outfit. Avoid wearing to many pieces of jewellery. They will only distract the eye. For a bit of pizzazz you could even try wearing a conventional piece of jewellery in an unusual manner. For example have a pendant that’s gorgeous, fashion it into a trendy amulet or headpiece (mangtikka). Coloured stones remain hot as ever with corals, turquoise, rubies and sapphires adorning many a neck. Jewellers believe these colours will never go out of fashion at a traditional wedding, so don’t fear stocking up. Gold-plated silver or base metal sets are affordable and give you the freedom to co-ordinate your jewellery with each outfit and not break the bank! A batua or ornate handbag is perfect to tote around as you breeze through the festivities.
FALL FASHION 2005 - By Meera Mittal
There is a slight nip in the air, telling us that Fall is here, and this year it returns with a whiff of the romantic, glimpses from the past and subtle hints for the future. Purple replaces pink this season, dark hues for the winter and pale lilacs for spring. The other colour palette emerging is muted metallic. Even black which makes a comeback this fall returns in a non-gothic way in ruffled, beaded and pleated forms and graphic prints with white. Chocolate brown gets a feminine twist when paired with deep turquoise and other warmer hues such as dusty rose and earthy greens. As a return to feminity, lace and net appear as the popular fabrics for the season updated with bright colours and modern cuts. The casual Bohemian trend comes in the form of luxurious layering (cashmere knits paired with silk dresses) and an assortment of prints from folk to graphic to eastern influence (read Indian influence) all culminate in silhouettes mixed with knits, leather and other solids. Flared skirts remain an important element of the wardrobe, though updated with evening fabrics (lace, net and chiffon) and interesting cuts. Pants show a dual trend. They either go the Spanish gaucho way, and are more tailored at the waist with a slight flared drape down the leg to allow for plenty of mobility, or are slim fitted and fall in gathers at the calf like our very own chudidar and Jodhpur pants. Skinny pants work only if you have legs like Angeline Jolie. Rich jewel tones like emerald, ruby, turquoise, amethyst and topaz are subtly woven into wool and silk to add luster to jackets, blouses and dresses. The final statement comes from accessories. Beaded necklaces fall lower, two belts instead of one work better, hobo bags, super sized shades. It’s all happening this Fall. Top 5 Picks #1 Boxy Jackets The boxy jacket is this season’s jacket update. Combined with well fitting jeans and a round neck t-shirt, it’s more defined, and more defining of you. Look out for military detailing like epaulets, flap pockets and big brass buttons. When worn, this jacket should be the star. Add a touch of feminity to contrast with the boxy lines with a pair of jeweled chandelier earrings and high heels. Alternatively, wear boots and go monochromatic (all shades of one colour). For the Aviator look steer toward brown, while for the Army, go blue/ black. #2 Empire Waist Line The empire line is still reigning as the silhouette for the season. An ode to the romantic and bohemian mood of the moment, these low cut tops gather just below the bust and give many a wardrobe a stylish and chic edge. Embroidered lines, embellishments, seams and panels, all provide the accents giving way to pretty party dresses and flowing tops as well as casual statements with jeans and cords. This is the most flattering and forgiving silhouette to a variety of figures.

GYM WEAR FOR WOMEN - By Meera Mittal
With health, nutrition & stress relief taking centre stage in our ever more frenzied lives, gym, health club & fitness are more than buzz words today. Getting with a fitness regime is today seen as less a fad and more a necessity of life. Dressing for Exercise Before starting a fitness routine, you need to determine what kind of clothing and shoes you will need. Here are some tips for dressing for comfort when you work out. Shoes These days, it seems like they make a shoe for almost every activity. It’s important to wear the right shoes depending on your activity of choice. For example, for running, you might want a lightweight shoe; for kick boxing, ankle-high sneakers will help protect your ankles. But the most important thing is to choose shoes that fit well and are comfortable. Make sure you have enough room for toes with socks. Choose shoes that give your foot enough support, especially the arch. Choose between traditional lace up style shoes or contemporary slip-on styles with elastic cording. If lace ups are your style of choice, then be careful to keep them properly tied while using gym equipment. If you don't, you may risk an injury. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a sturdy pair of athletic shoes. Factory outlets are increasingly the best place to get branded shoes, at earthly prices. Do check the shoes carefully before purchasing though, as there maybe minor visible defects. Clothing What you wear will depend on what your activity is, whether it's indoor or outdoor, and what the weather is like. When exercising you should make sure you don't get overheated, or too cold. When exercising outdoors in chilly weather or indoors in air conditioned environs, make sure you wear enough layers. You can shed them if you feel too hot. Several light layers often work better than one heavy layer. • The layer closest to your skin should absorb moisture & take it away from your skin. This could be a spaghetti strap top or t-shirt. • Another layer should provide warmth (if needed) and support to keep you comfortable as you move, such as a zip front hoodie. Most importantly make sure your exercise clothes are comfortable. Loose-fitting track pants, capris or shorts, paired with a comfortable t-shirt or sweatshirt are best. These work for most activities like aerobics, cycling, yoga, tai chi and weight training. Your clothes should allow you plenty of room for moving and stretching. Avoid pieces that have unnecessary cords, tight elastication and fastenings, especially around the neck, wrists and ankles. These could restrict your breathing, movement and circulation or get caught in equipment and cause injury. Fabrics like cotton that breathe (allow air to circulate) are best, so that your clothing doesn't stick to you too much when you sweat. It’s best to take into account a sports bra for high intensity cardio activities like running, kick boxing, aerobics and cycling. Remember, you don't need to dress to impress just to be at ease and active! Most importantly make sure your exercise clothes are comfortable. Loose-fitting track pants, cargos or shorts, paired with a comfortable t-shirt or sweatshirt are best. These work for most activities like weight training, hiking and kick boxing. Your clothes should allow you plenty of room for moving and stretching
HOW DO I DRESS TO LOOK SLIMMER ?
Have tried hard to knock off the extra pounds with little success? Wide hips, paunchy bellies, fats calves—they are the bane of every woman’s existence. Feeling fat—it’s a frame of mind. Why not turn it around? Well, you can still look slimmer by just changing your dressing styles. All you have to do is be a little imaginative with colours and patterns and hey presto! You’ve cut a real slim silhouette. For Accessories • Do not wear broad belts that draw attention to a broad mid-riff • Avoid fancy and jarring jewelry or accessories. Make sure that the jewelry is simple, small and elegant. Too much clutter only adds to the bulk. • And if you wear less jewelry, use good makeup to highlight your eyes. Clothes And Colours • Golden rule. Dress in one colour--from shoulder to shoe. It streamlines the body and makes you look slimmer instantaneously. •If you want to get more adventurous, don't limit yourself to just one colour. But choose tones that are closely matched. • Wear the darker colour below the waist and lighter one on top • Another golden rule. Stick to dark colours. • If you are on the heavier side and short too, avoid contrasts, opt for a single colour instead. So rather than a white blouse and black skirt, opt for full black Clothes And Cut • Avoid horizontal designs, bold/big designs and circles completely. Stripes along the length of the outfit or `V’ shaped stripes will help in cutting off inches from vision. • Choose V or scoop necklines to camouflage chubby necks. Be sure to continue foundation into the neck area so that there is no colour change at the jaw line. • A loosely-fitting vest can hide a thick waist if a jacket is not warranted. • Wear smaller prints. • Use straight cuts and no horizontal stripes. • A-lined outfits are best. Avoid frills, gathers and layers as far as possible • Avoid tuck-ins, go for blouse styles that can hang loose (if you have a paunch) • Wide neck-lines, particularly V-necks are great for heavy bust-lines and those with thick necks. If you must add trimmings to the garment add them along the neckline. Scooped necklines and frills are a strict no-no. • Clinging fabrics are bad news for stout people as are tight fitting clothes. These only help in accentuating the bulge, wear fabric that hangs loose, with cuts that are not too tight. Crisp fabrics are best suited for over-weight people since the fabric manages to keep its shape. • If you are fond of sleeveless garments go in for straight cuts at the shoulder which makes the shoulders look naturally rounded, minus the darts and gathers.