As a self-confessed shopping addict and fashion lover, I must say shopping for me is the greatest pleasure-seeking activity! I shop–when I am happy, when I am frustrated, when I have had a bad at work, when I have had a really good day and sometimes just because I can. The other day, after a cleaning spree, channelised by watching Marie Kondo on Netflix, I realised that I actually have clothes enough to fit a little town. This made me uncomfortable.

This discomfort is amplified when I read about how fast-fashion is destroying the planet. If you have been living under a rock for all these months and have missed these reports, here are some sobering facts:

These numbers are staggering and if the fashion industry and fashion lovers like me do not take this seriously, we would just end up contributing to this problem more.

I have taken a conscious decision that I would stop impulse shopping and only buy things I genuinely need. The key thing I would ask myself before buying a garment would be: Will I be wearing it at least 20 times? The other thing, I have promised myself is that I would restyle and recycle clothes. I am actually quite excited about the restyling element because it means really expanding my style creativity to come up with various looks without buying anything.

breton top style

So, this is exactly what I did whilst on holiday recently. Instead of buying “at least one new piece of garment for the holiday” I decided to restyle my old Breton (striped) top. This is an old one and you can see how I wore this few years ago (pictured above). Breton top is one of those classic style items which every woman should have in their wardrobe simply because they are versatile.

This time, I wore the top with a skirt and red boots both which I bought last year.

So, you see you do not have to keep buying stuff in order to be fashionable/stylish/trendy/happy. I know this promise to buy something only if I really need it, is going to be a tough one but I am determined to make it work.

And yes as I just showed you, you can be stylish and save the planet too because hey it’s the only one we got.

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Dear A,

Despite my best attempts, I cannot keep time still. There is nothing more I want than asking time to slow down a little so you and I can enjoy your childhood a little more. You, darling child, have started asking some mind-boggling questions: Like why are there no girls in your football class? what happens to people when they leave this world? Why your best friend (who is a boy) not interested in ballet? I love these questions and these are just somethings I want you to learn, in no particular order.

  1. You can like dolls. You can like spiderman. And both are fine.
  2. There is nothing like a boy colour and girl colour. Colours are fun, enjoy them.
  3. People will eventually forget who you are but never how you made them feel. Make their memories unforgettable (in a nice way).
  4. Kick ass and don’t be a kiss ass.
  5. Rebel (but try not to do it against me) ;).
  6. Laugh, breathe and let go.
  7. Learn to deal with failures.
  8. Failures don’t make you but neither does success.
  9. Comparisons will steal your joy.
  10. Some girls will have sugar daddies. Don’t be that girl. Work hard and carve your own path.
  11. Despite what they say, feminism is not a bad word.
  12. Do silly things.
  13. Travel.
  14. Run, dance, lift weights. Move your body,  Love your body. It is the only vessel you have. Valentines Day unique ideas
  15. Love food. Don’t make it your enemy.
  16. Have friends from all walks of life.
  17. Speaking of friends; always remember quality over quantity.
  18. Sunscreen and some kohl. And of course red lipstick.
  19. Looks do fade. Character doesn’t.
  20. Love unconditionally. Love deeply. And Love yourself.
  21. Be strong, be gentle and be brave.
  22. Be your own cheerleader.
  23. Don’t dumb yourself down for anyone.
  24. Be Kind. Always.
  25. Be proud but not arrogant.
  26. Use your voice.
  27. You matter.

  28. If someone tells you that you can’t do something because you’re a girl, do it anyway, and do it better.

  29. Learn to say no.
  30. Love does conquer all.

With love, always

Your mum.

In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different–Coco Chanel 

I must confess that I have been in love with Polka dot style ever since I was a child. My favourite dress as a child was a pink polka dot dress which my grandparents had gifted. Some things remain unchanged no matter how far you go and how grown up you become; my love for polka dots have only grown with age. Whilst on one hand, there is something wistfully nostalgic about polka dots, if done wrong it can look exceptionally juvenile too. 

How to wear Polka dots as an adult

How to wear Polka dots as an adult

So, the question remains: how to wear style polka dots as an adult? My best advice would be to link its playfulness with an edgy element. A tie-in waist belt, cold shoulder or ruffles are little details which will give polka dots style the classic je ne sais quoi quality whilst making it delightfully chic. The second tip would be to go for classic silhouettes like an A-line. And when in doubt: opt for monochromes. 

How to wear Polka dots as an adult

How to wear Polka dots as an adult

I got this black and white polka dots dress few months ago. It has the classic A-line silhouette and the tie-in waist-belt gives it an edge. When it comes to accessorising this style it is best to go less. Here, I have opted for statement earrings, an embroidered bag and wedges in millennial pink. If you have been following me on my blog or instagram you would know that I love adding pops of colour to monochromes.

How to wear Polka dots as an adult

Dress: New Look (also like this one), Bag: India, Shoes: Deichmann (old)

Polka Dots were sashayed down once again the runways of Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Balenciaga (to name a few) this year, which only proves that no matter what, this sartorial favourite is here to stay for few more years. 

Thank you reading. Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a great week. Don’t forget to follow me. You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

 

Fashion changes, but style endures–Coco Chanel

If you have been wondering why sleeves–one of the most unassuming things in a garment–is becoming longer and longer then it is not just you. Bell Sleeves silhouette has been doing the fashion rounds for almost two years now. And why not? Bell Sleeves are fun, dramatic and makes the right style statement. 

How to style bell sleeves

Yours truly here has been experimenting with dramatic sleeves right from the beginning of this year. You can check out my gingham blouse look. Bell sleeves might look really overwhelming at first. But my top tip to pull this look? Keep everything else simple. 

How to style bell sleeves

 

As said before, bell sleeves are all about drama you need to make sure that it remains the focal point. You can pair a bell sleeve shirt with colourful jeans (like Pink) or ripped jeans for an edgy yet casual look. 

How to style bell sleeves

You can wear it with sleek trousers for a polished office-look. You can even use a bell sleeve top/blouse underneath a slip-like dress. As I always say, possibilities are endless if you just let your imagination run wild. 

How to style bell sleeves

Here, I have kept everything else simple with pink khakis, nude shoes and a simple clutch. This is the kind of look I would go for if I were going out with my girlfriends for a lunch. Although my style changes according to mood, I have an edgy kind of style and bell sleeves allow this without much effort. A win-win, don’t you think?

So tell me, would you be belling the cat on bell sleeves or let this trend pass? 

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Elegance is the only beauty that never fades: Audrey Hepburn 

Every year, the fashion circles makes a certain colour their favourite. This year power pink and mellow yellow has taken the centre stage. Earlier this year, Yellow lit up the Golden Globe awards when Viola Davis, Natalie Portman and Reese Witherspoon sashayed this bright hue on the red carpet.  At the Runway, we saw Cate Blanchett in Valentino, Rosamund Pike in Alexander McQueen all strutting in Yellow. Before we knew it, Yellow became the favourite colour of bloggers and style mavericks alike.

For ages, women have held this colour with suspicion as a hue which is difficult to pull off. And does little to their natural skin tone. But now the table has turned. And women across the spectrum have realised that there is whole gamut of yellow shades that will help them to serve the sunny side up.

Personally, yellow is a colour that I feel can instantly brighten up your mood and your wardrobe. It reminds me of sun, beach and happiness and that alone makes yellow a wardrobe hero in my eyes.

Yellow fashion trend 2017

 

Yellow Fashion Trend 2017

 

The trick to wear yellow is to stick to the right shade. Mustard and dark yellows look best on light to fair skin tones whilst medium and olive skin tones should go for bright and vibrant yellows whilst almost all shades of yellow suit tanned or dark skin tones.

 

The beauty of yellow is that it can be easily paired with neutrals or even other fun colours like blue, orange, pink or purple to get a striking statement look. And if you are still in doubt, then you can add yellow accessories like a little clutch, boots or a statement scarf.

Yellow fashion trend 2017

Top: Matalan (old, similar), Skirt: (Next), Shoes: Debenhams. 

So, you see you don’t have to dread yellow. This beautiful shade can bring a ray of sunshine to your wardrobe and your mood in seconds.

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