Simple Seven Tips : Fashion is common sense

One of my “dream” job , especially in teens was to become a fashion designer and I never could pursue it. Sometimes I used to feel bad about it, but slowly I started realising that fashion is in our attitude, it is not buying the trendy clothes at stores – rather it is much much more that comes from our brain, not from our wallet. Also, after my daughter was born, I started sewing my own clothes for her. That made me understand fabrics and needles and stitching based on requirement
Give a girl any kind of clothing and she who is wise to manage to be professional or trendy or simple or elegant – that’s called fashion. It is again the intelligence expressed with right attitude and gift wrapped with right clothes that makes one ‘beautiful’
Then I recall the times when I have miserably failed and learnt about fashion myself. Years back, the first time I wore a t shirt with jean, I had a chudidhar dupatta to it. Today we use scarfs. Somewhere between pinning the dupatta to understanding which pattern of scarf would suit me, I understood fashion. I have been to places with ‘so called’ western wears, unable to carry them, found it uncomfortable, waiting to get back. Today I would never be in such a situation to put myself at uncomfort zone. I could see that unease in today’s girls who try to fit into wrong clothing. Somewhere between wearing what is /sold’ as fashion and what we are ‘capable’ of carrying as fashion, I think I learnt (still learning) fashion. I am also a regulaar follower of fashion bloggers like “The Curvy princess”, “Babitha Jaishankar” on facebook. What I love about them is they know what suits them. Clearly the point is, “not to become prey for other’s choice and definition of fashion, everyone has the capacity to discover unique style and fashion”. Lets get started with few tips, shall we :

1. Know Your Body Type : I have been to XXL dresses during my pregnancy and I slowly got back into XL, L, M and now between S and M sizes. Like how the sizes vary, the type of dresses that suited me also varied. For some of them, full sleeves would look elegant while for some, it might make them look fat. For some of them, collar neck would look professional, while some would get the school uniform silly look. Most of us have a little or big belly. The dress we wear plays a major role in hiding or gracefully placing this belly unseen inside. While I love shirt pattern clothing, it never suits me. My shoulders are not broad enough for a shirt pattern and maybe that’s why I had always looked funny in my school days 😛 So, the point is, understand your body type, you are the best person who should be knowing which dress would suit you better and which will make you look weird. And understand it before others point it out 🙂
2. Know your fabric : Like I mentioned earlier, once I started sewing for my little one, it gave me lots of insights about fabrics. The cutest dress I dresses in silk was very uncomfortable for the little one. Then I could relate it with what we wear. Our fabric’s comfort would make us accept the dress. Cotton has many varieties – while I use cotton sarees mostly, kora silk cotton is something that would never gel with me. Layered flair dresses would suit best for people with bigger waist. It would make them look breezy and graceful. But georgette dress would make the same layered flair dress look the waist bigger and odd. Have you noticed Vidya Bala’S sarees? They are more plain sarees with grand blouse as more patterned clothes would not suit her much. I admire how she knows her choice of fabric
3. Don’t wear it if you don’t like it : Now, that’s about fabric and finally we all have our personal interest. Though salwars suit me decently, I don’t like salwars, it is a personal taste or disliking. So, I don’t force myself to wear salwars, and learnt to manage according to my taste. Never try to fit yourself in a choice that you don’t like, or don’t wear a dress until you believe in it. I have seen women not liking to wear skirt and top, and though they would be dressed with perfect combination, they would not be able to carry it, because they never believed in that clothing. So, know your interest well , thoroughly well. I love indo western dressing, so my confidence would show up and energy boosted when I am on any indo western outfit.
4. Brands are just brainswashed marketing : While the best part about a brand is the machine stitching and fitting, it is just 2 to 5 % of the 100% picture we have. A simple top, branded one costs minimum 500 to 5000 Rs. and if you don’t know how to carry it well, the cost is just a waste. Today’s men and women and the boys and girls believe a lot in brands – rather they should believe more in themselves. Let me tell you a little secret – I have 45 office wear sarees – couple of them costs around 2000 Rs, which was gifted on occasions. All the other sarees costs around 300 Rs to 600 Rs, purchased in my town. I do focus a lot on blouses and accessories – though not branded ones, they play an important role in final look. I strongly believe that “Brand is what you create on yourself, not what you buy”.
5. Learn how to mix and match : The interesting tip I enjoy writing is about mix and match. Having same clothing, different accessories, creating different flavours – it is like a little girl’s play time for me. Once we know our body type, fabric and interest, once we are clear about what look we want, mix and match is fun. Let me show an example – The dress is a micro sleeve, knee length dress. But, since the neck is pretty short and the cluster pattern is on a black background, it would not look exposing. Now, mix and match :
   • Pic 1 : Have a small pearl neckpiece, a simple pearl stud and bracelet. Leave a small portion of your hair pinned with a simple white or sandal clutch, preferably straightened hair. Use mild lipstick and gentle makeup. This would enhance the elegance and best for office wear and a party wear.
   • Pic 2 : The same dress can be played a little hippieee. When I am in a trip mode, then a one sided anklet, the long double layered neckpiece, my spiral bracelet and big ear ring with few finger rings. A dark maroon lipstick and thick eyeliner would make it more stylish. Hair can be either left free or two little clips on both sides, adding to the travel hippie look .
   • Pic 3: Black lovers : When I wanna go black, this would be my choice. The simple black choker necklace, I would prefer a black bracelet or watch, a black finger ring and top head bun. My favorite purple share of lipstick, merged with dark red and metal brown eye liner, compact powder that would enhance my dark skin look. Again a single anklet but simple one would be good.
   • Pic 4 : This is the choice when I am in a family group or with people who would prefer a simpler version of dressing. So, a jegging would make the dress look like a stylish kurta, and a earring which has a little drop and a pattern clutch on hair. Normal lipshade and simple eye liner – would make this dress more simple and acceptable if the group of your company is with normal Indian mindset.
6. Dress up according to the situation : Today’s girls have to learn a lot about this element. It is not just about how you want to dress and your taste. It is also about the environment and the way people want to see you. I can’t dress up professional to a friend’s party. I don’t want to dress up grand and rich to a office meeting. Using common sense here plays a vital role. My previous blog on Dress up to the stage talks more about it. Again, the same costume can be played wisely according to situation – an example
7. Your attitude is the key to your dressing sense : A humble smile, a senior posture, a gentle friendly tone, a royal walk, an elegant look – As you read these words, I am sure different characters popped into your mind. Dressing sense is complete only when you carry the relevant attitude that suits your dress. And trust me, you have to apply difference according to the occasion and to your dress.

My dad, being from a small town, always wanted me to be in traditional attired, my husband’s choice would be western wear. Juggling between both their choices, somewhere I understood, what would suit me and what will make me confident and happy.
I know this is a lengthy blog but I believe that it gave you a little tip on dressing sense. Do share your inputs on comment section. Also if you need any customized inputs on the topic, please feel free to mail me @ tigressandbutterfly@gmail.com ! Cheers !