coats

Ahh, the lovely winter days. The mercury dips, you pile up on the layers and sip on hot chocolate. If you hate the cold weather, why not let these stylish choices perk you up? Indulge in one of these stylish knits, jackets, coats or accessories and look chic!

Knitwear- The basics

Long camel knit from Zara

Round-neck sweater from Arrow

Zipped white knit from Calvin Klein Jeans

Funky sweaters- for the teenager in you

Animal print sweater from French Connection

Christmas hoodie from B: Kind

Jackets that spell C-h-i-c

Jacket from Splash

Puffed jacket from Guess

Statement coats- The real head-turners

Edith Wrap Coat from Forever New

Greene Coat from American Swan

Furry styles- Faux, of course!

Animal print coat from French Connection

Abstract print furry jacket from Guess

Camouflage print fur coat from Splash

Cool leather jackets- ‘Coz biker chicks rock!

Leather jacket from Calvin Klein Jeans

Boots to make your feet look sexy

Thigh-high boots from Clarks

Fur-trim ankle-length boots from Clarks

Blue boots from Metro

Accessories- To complete your winter ensemble

Hats, gloves, scarves and snood from Accessorize

In 2012, Fashion

Chic Guide: 5 things you need this December

Speaking ChicDecember 4, 2012December 3, 2012Leave a comment

Winter jackets and coats

For the cold, cold weather! Choose from leather, faux fur and wool.

French Connection (wool)

Gas (faux fur)

Blingy dress

To party the last few nights of the year away!

Vizyon

Mango

Vero Moda

Embellished lehenga

There will be plenty of weddings to attend this month- and you need to dress to impress!

Pallavi Jaikishen

Manish Malhotra

Shyamal-Bhumika

Gorgeous earrings

For party nights (diamonds), for sangeet (jadau and polkis), and for weddings (traditional).

Myra by Tara Jewellers

Neety Singh

Nizam Collection by Ganjam

High heels

Special occasions call for special shoes… who knows, your Cinderella story might come true. 😉

Metro

Steve Madden

In Fashion, trends

Winter picks: Have you chosen your coat yet?

Speaking ChicNovember 21, 2011November 21, 2011Leave a comment

If you haven’t chosen a jacket or coat to keep you warm this winter, then here’s a guide to help you choose. And if you’ve got a coat already, maybe you could consider these for your next purchase this season. Either ways, I’ve got some tips to help you decide what to look out for while buying the perfect jacket or coat.

Neutrals

Black, grey and beige coats are winter wardrobe essentials—they’re excellent for office, college or an evening out.

Chic tip: While you can’t go wrong with black or beige, look for a coat that has some interesting details—like a matching or contrast belt, decorative buttons and shiny zippers.

Below: Black belted coat from Sisley, beige coat from Benetton, Colour Block Wonderland coat from French Connection.

Patterns

While prints for the cold season came into vogue in Fall/Winter 2010-11, they haven’t made as much impact on coats and jackets. Even so, you can look for coats with subtle checks or patterns.

Chic tip: The animal print trend refuses to die out (pun unintended), and you can choose to wear one if you’re bold enough.

Below: Coat from Marks & Spencer, Houndstooth coat from Zara.

Anoraks

If you live in a cold town with strong winds, you will need an anorak for cold weather protection. Some anoraks are also water-proof and hooded.

Chic tip: Anoraks can add more bulk to your body than other types of outerwear for winter, so opt for one only if absolutely needed.

Below: Anorak from Mango

Which winter coat do you choose?

In LFW W/F 2011

Day 1 at LFW W/F 2011: Rina Dhaka, JJ Valaya dazzle with their Indian wear

Speaking ChicAugust 24, 2011Leave a comment

Two veteran Delhi designers (Rina Dhaka and JJ Valaya) showcased their collection in Mumbai on the first day of Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 and lived up to their reputation.

Rina Dhaka

Rina Dhaka’s collection of easy-to-wear court couture was completely feminine in colour, silhouette and fabrics. The colour palette included delicate hues like lilac, plum, soft pink and champagne. The fabrics were sheer, and as Rina Dhaka later explained, “from the 1990s”, such as tissue, chiffon and organza. We loved the use of lace and lamé (both contemporary fabrics).

The metallic embellishments, however, were modern, with gota, plisse and sequins, along with pewter beads. While most garments were simple straight-cut kurta sets, Rina Dhaka also sent long sheer skirts, lace and cut-out tops and even a pre-stitched sari.

JJ Valaya

Meanwhile JJ Valaya, who loves photography almost as much as fashion, showed his collection in a viewfinder-and-lens themed set as giant screens played a series of photographs in black and white, sepia, colour and digital formats. Each theme formed the colour palette and mood of that segment. The garments included saris, lehengas, churidar-kurta sets for women and bandhgalas for men.

Hence there were waistcoats with white motifs, paneled sheer kurta and black churidars, brown and off-white printed saris with crystals, lehengas and cholis with net dupattas and paisleys for men’s Raja coats.

Taking a step forward into colour, Valaya used red and blues in long coats, jackets with saris, bandhgalas and lehengas. Embellished yokes, printed saris and floor-length kurtas decorated with rich crystals, stones and sequins rounded off the Tasveer collection. Embellishments also included precious stones, gold detailing and velvet embroidery. BTW, we especially loved the waist pouches and hair jewellery.

The mainstay of the collection was JJ Valaya’s Alika jacket in raw silk, shot silk, brocade and lame, pairing it with a variety of garments—saris, lehengas and tunics. Can’t wait to get my hands on one!

In Fashion, trends

Winter Layering: Dress smart for office

Speaking ChicJanuary 20, 20112 Comments

Everyone complains that layering during winter can be tough. And when you’re headed to work, layering is all the more tricky. Layer too casually, and you can look sloppy. Layer too formally, and your colleagues may think you’re snooty. And you don’t want to look bulky or resemble a fashion victim.

Speaking Chic has put together some key looks for office. So bundle up just right for work, and let your clothes speak for themselves.

Look 1: Sophisticated

Rock the next big meeting or sales pitch with an uber-sophisticated approach to winter dressing. The key is to opt for neutral outerwear with minimal, yet eye-catching detailing. The faux fur on the belted camel coat and the metallic buttons of the knit cardigan will add a dash of refinement to your office look.

Shopping Guide:

Camel coat from French Connection

Deconstructed knits cardigan from French Connection

Studded gloves from S.Oliver

White shirt from S. Oliver

Coming soon: More winter looks for office!

Related Post:

Winter Layering Trends: Go Casual

In 2010, Fashion, trends

Trendy winter dresses: Fun with details

Speaking ChicDecember 14, 2010Leave a comment

Yup, it’s winter, and we’re all busy paring down our wardrobe to focus on simpler outfits that will take us through the next few months. But simple (and simplified) clothes need not be boring.

After all, it’s all in the details: opt for dresses with detailing that add an interesting touch to your outfit.

We’ve dug up some trendy winter dresses with detailing that you can wear to work, a formal event or just for the day you want to adopt your understated style.

Trendy Winter Dress 1: Ruffles

Ruffles are ultra-feminine and a fun touch to a knee-length dress. Pair this purple Marks & Spencer dress with a neutral jacket, but keep the buttons open to let the ruffles show.

Trendy Winter Dress 2: Rosettes and flowers

This is the perfect dress to take you from office to business lunch drinks to dinner and coffee. The floppy flower on this Vero Moda dress breaks the monotony of the black and white palette. Avoid a statement necklace with this dress. Instead, pile your wrist with thick bangles, choosing colours that depend on your mood and the occasion.

Trendy Winter Dress 3: Accordion Pleats

Pleats are not just for high school uniforms, as this knit dress from Zara shows. I also liked the fabric detailing around the neckline. I’d carry a catchy oversized bag with this dress, or wear sensible Mary Janes or pumps for a schoolgirl look. 🙂

Which chic trend do you want to wear?

In 2010, Fashion, trends

Winter Wear: Fur coats, anyone?

Speaking ChicDecember 8, 2010Leave a comment

This season, more than any other in recent times, designers rocked the ramp with fur. Yup, protests, processions, anti-fur campaigns, PETA notwithstanding. Fur appeared on coats and jackets (the obvious), skirts, boots and hats. Here’s Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano.

Taking a cue from the top-notch international designers, high street brands have introduced faux fur in their winter 2010 collections. The presence of fur on the high street ranges from fur trims to full fur coats.

Check out Zara’s anorak with fur collar and French Connection’s Laura faux fur coat.

Faux or real, will you wear fur this winter?

PS: For the record, Speaking Chic is anti-fur.

Related Posts:

Trendy winter jackets: Guys get quilted

Chic Winter Picks: Top 3 trendy coats

Chic Winter Picks: More trendy coats

In Fashion, trends

Chic Winter Picks: More trendy coats

Speaking ChicNovember 24, 2010Leave a comment

In a post last week, Speaking Chic picked out three trendy coats for winter. We bring you some more trendy coats to bundle up in.

Trend 4: Military

Anything to do with the military style is still in. Here’s a coat with metallic buttons, epaulettes, and a belt in (military) green. (Available at Zara.)

Trend 5: Ruffles

Why should ruffles be restricted to dresses, gowns and blouses? Check out this wool coat with ruffle detail (from French Connection).

Trend 6: Camel

Vogue.co.uk on camel coats: “If you buy only one coat this season make it camel.” Camel (the colour!) is bang on trend this winter. ‘Nuff said!

Related post:

Chic Winter picks: Top 3 trendy coats

Which coat are you buying/ wearing this winter?

In Fashion, trends

Chic Winter Picks: Top 3 trendy coats

Speaking ChicNovember 18, 20105 Comments

As promised, we bring you the best of winter wear to gear you up for the cold weather. The season’s trendiest coats kick off our winter wear series.

Trend 1: Sharp lines

A streamlined coat in solid colour is a winter wardrobe basic this year. Sophisticated and smart! (Below: Straight coat from Zara)

Trend 2: Colour

Remember Kajol in My Name is Khan? She wore pop-coloured coats, and reds are really popping right now. Warning: for the bold woman only. (Below: Red coat from S.Oliver)

Trend 3: Double-breasted

Why should this trend be restricted to old business suits? (Below: Double-breasted coat from French Connection)

Which coat will you wear?

Showing all posts tagged coats

WINTER TIME: 20-plus chic essentials for the ladies

Chic Guide: 5 things you need this December

Winter picks: Have you chosen your coat yet?

Day 1 at LFW W/F 2011: Rina Dhaka, JJ Valaya dazzle with their Indian wear

Winter Layering: Dress smart for office

Trendy winter dresses: Fun with details

Winter Wear: Fur coats, anyone?

Chic Winter Picks: More trendy coats

Chic Winter Picks: Top 3 trendy coats