Fashion and Style, to each their own, right? What suits one person, might not work well for the other. What personality does one want to convey, what traits does one want to flaunt, what is the mood of the day, all these factors govern our style statement. However, there are certain principles which dictate wardrobe. Read on to find out the A-Z curated list for Fashion and Fashion Design, do’s and don’ts.
A for APPEAL:
Choose colors that attract you, patterns which intrigue you and basically clothes that appeal to you. Chances are, if you love what you are wearing, you’ll look great!
B for BALANCE:
A basic fashion rule states that you need to create balance in your outfit. How? Well, pair loose Tops with fitted Pants or vice versa, pair complementary colors and patterns together etc. Wearing a nude footwear with a colorful outfit, or a multicolored bag with a solid hued dress can create the right balance with colors.
C for COLORS:
Choose flattering colors which suit your body type and complexion. Black can have a slimming effect, red screams bold and beautiful, white and yellow are summer shades. Solid colors (without any prints or patterns) also make you look thinner, whereas colorful ensembles can depict a fun outgoing spirit if paired well.
D for DYNAMISM:
Who likes wearing the same type of clothes over and over again? Make sure you’re wardrobe has a variety of choices, not just in colors, patterns, prints and textures, but even in styles, sillhouttes, cuts, sleeve lengths, materials etc. Try having two of each, dresses, tops, pants, jeans, ethnic clothes, sweaters, basic tees, shorts, skirts, leggings, dupattas or stowls.
E for EVOLVE:
Fashion has seen a lot of changes since decades. Similarly, your wardrobe also has to evolve accordingly. I’m not saying follow trends blindly but atleast keep up with the latest fashion and take care to not get stuck with clothes from the last century!
F for FOREVER:
A white shirt, a beautiful saaree, a denim jacket are pieces which have a forever shelf life and it’s always good to have some basic items for a quintessential look.
G for GRACEFUL NOT GARISH:
Our attire is supposed to complement the occassion, mood and place. Dress according to the situation which will ensure you show up anywhere dressed gracefully, not garishly.
H for HAPPILY COMFORTABLE:
No one has a good day while they are wearing jeans they can’t even walk in. However, we also have to face the fact that we can’t wear Pyjamas everywhere. Find a middle ground. A happy comfortable is what you are looking for. The right snug jeans, clothes that only reveal as much as you are truly happy with so that you don’t tug at your clothes every other minute, the acceptable fabric in whichever time of the year it is, is highly recommended for a relaxed and stylish you.
I for INSPIRED, NOT COPIED:
Taking fashion inspiration from our favourite celebrities is something we all indulge in. However, inspiration is not the same as copying. Many people fail to understand this difference. Just because something flatters a movie star, doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily work for you too. Try to put your own spin on your wardrobe. Copying doesn’t do anyone any good.
J for JEWELRY:
If you’re Indian, you have no dearth of jewelry. Invest in real or artificial jewelry and flaunt this style in the right proportion. Some statement neckpieces, chokers, earrings, jhumkas, bracelets, etc. are some must haves for every day use. For special ocassions you might want to chose other options as well with these.
K for KEEP IT SIMPLE:
Mixing too much together usually results in you looking over the top and trying too hard. Take a look at any fashionista and you will know what I am saying. For example, if you go all with a dress, minimize the accessories, if you’re wearing a blod lip, slow down on the eye makeup. Simple is always in fashion and classiest too.
L for LAYERING:
From converting a day look to a night look, feeling hot/cold, looking more put together, repeating clothes there’s nothing layering can’t solve. Layer a simple shirt/jacket/shrug on a top to look more put together, layer a legging/stocking with a skirt to avoid chills, wear a leggings and kurti/tunic to work and take them off to master a day and night look in a single outfit. Layering, is your best friend.
M for MANAGEABLE NOT MALFUNCTIONAL:
Nothing ruins your day as much as a wardrobe malfunction. Don’t wear shoes that bite, dresses that prick, undergarments which are too tight (or too lose), clothes which need a million safety pins to keep in place, thousands of accessories which get stuck in the darndest of places.
N for NIFTY:
Fashion doesn’t have to cost you a bomb. Stick to a budget and be nifty with your money (not miserly). Invest in a few good all time pieces, but if you want to keep changing styles often, you can shop the sales, online, street markets to keep your fashion on point but not stress your pocket.
O for ORGANIZE:
An organized closet is a happy closet. It also helps in choosing what to wear when you’re in a hurry (which is almost everyday, isn’t it?) Categorise on the basis of occassion i.e. formal wear, travel wear, winter wear, special clothes, etc. You can further demarkate spaces for similar styles like all your tank tops in one place, shirts in the other, full sleeves, half sleeves etc.
P for PLAY:
You might never think two pieces will look good together, but they just might. So why not try? Play around with your clothes to figure out different combinations. This is the best way to experiment and bring some change to your outfits without buying more clothes.
Q for QUALITY AND QUANTITY:
Again, strike the right balance. You don’t want 4 shirts of 10,000 Rs. each, neither do you want 40 of 100. A decent number of clothes, of decent consistent quality is always a good way to go.
R for REPEAT LIKE A BOSS:
Being a fashionista isn’t about wearing new clothes every day. It’s about how you can repeat them without looking like you wear that everyday. Try layering, accessorising and playing around to achieve different looks with the same item.
S for SMART CHOICES:
Confused between another backless party gown or a shirt you really need? Go for the shirt. Always make smart fashion choices, not impulsive ones. Save money and solve the everyday what to wear crisis in one smart move.
T for TAGS AND LABELS:
Are you buying something because you really like it, or just because it has a certain tag which can earn you likes? Is it temporary or a permanent addition to your wardrobe? Ask yourself these questions before buying clothes so you don’t regret shopping later.
U for UNDERGARMENTS:
Always invest in good, comfortable, supportive and flattering undergarments. Period.
V for VINTAGE OR DONATE:
The deciding factor for old clothes in your closet should be whether it can be worn as vintage or not. (And obviously if they still fit) If both these are a no, it’s time to donate.
W for WHY, WHAT FOR, WITH WHAT:
If you have a reasonable answer for these questions, only then go for that garment. Hoarding clothes you have no use for, simply takes up space and doesn’t help your fashion quotient.
X for EXTRA:
That extra edge, like adding a belt to a loose dress, wrapping a stowl over a plain tee, putting on a shrug, a chunky necklace makes or breaks your look. So if you look at the mirror and realise something’s missing, add that. However, when you feel it’s unsuitable and a bit much, subtract.
Y for YOU:
Your clothes tell your story. Make sure they are about you and something you like, not under pressure.
Z for ZENITH:
Reach your fashion and fashion design zenith, with exclusive courses at Cindrebay School of Fashion and Interior Design, spread over 15 Indian cities. Attend Cindrebay workshops to know more about styling, grooming, makeup, design and get your fashion game on!
Over and Out!