It’s Women’s Day today! So let’s talk about men

It’s Women’s Day today! So let’s talk about men

It’s International Women’s Day today, but I’m not one to celebrate it. You can read my rant against Women’s Day here.

So to “celebrate” Women’s Day, I’ve decided to focus on men. This is a special post especially for men, based on inputs from girl friends and Speaking Chic readers. They’ve shared their views on what they like best about men (from the fashion POV). In short, they answer the question—when and how do men look their best?

This post is meant for the guys, so I’ve addressed the men, not the ladies.

Guys, here goes:

Start with the jackets: Women love men in dinner jackets, formal jackets and stylish casual jackets. My personal favourite these days is the light linen jacket like the one SRK wore in Don 2. Tres chic! (Below: Jacket from Zara)

 Zara jacket with buckle collar

Impress with your fragrance: Not one, not two, but three women told me they love fresh, clean, aquatic scents (I do too)! Which means CK’s Eternity for Men Aqua is a hands-down winner.

CK Eternity for Men Aqua

Dress down once in a while: While women love men dressed formally, they also like the guys to chill out once in a while. So wear casual shirts with sleeves rolled up, geeky tees with reference to popular culture and coloured polo tees. (Below: T-shirt from Guru).

Guru tshirt A/W 2011

Don’t forget to groom yourself: Well-groomed nails are a must. One reader even recommended manicures for guys. Also on the list are soft hands, shaven face and moisturised lips. (Below: L’Occitane Shea Butter hand cream, The Body Shop lip balm).

Body Shop lip balmLOcccitane hand cream

Hair is important: Shiny, glossy hair is awesome. So is the neat and clean gelled look. But not too spiked, thank you!

Accessorise: Sport classy belts with brands/ logos, and wrist accessories like bracelets/ kadas. My current favourite is an oblong dial watch with a leather strap. (Below: Watch from Fossil)

Fossil Roman Leather Watch Black

Rock those jeans: If a guy can pull off well-fitted jeans (not the skinny ones), the woman will be super happy! That’s because it shows the guy is healthy and fit. And we all like that, don’t we? (Below: Look from Diesel)

Diesel jeans

Try on new trends: Women like to see men who are “with it”. Think coloured shoes, boots, fresh colours, slim fits, grunge and lots more.

Health is wealth: Toned biceps, flattish abs, muscular legs. A good body and confidence can pull off almost every look. So being healthy and strong will make you look young, haute and happening! Drool… 😉

Models at LFW S/R 2012

Ladies, what are your fashion and style tips for men?

PS—Thanks to Florence, Tanveer, Harlein and Kanika for their inputs.

PS 2 —There’s a hidden message in this post. Can anyone find it?

Chic February Guide: What to do, where to shop, what to buy this month

Chic February Guide: What to do, where to shop, what to buy this month

It’s February already! And while it’s time to take stock of broken resolutions, it’s also time to figure out your fashion agenda of the month. Here’s my guide to being chic this month.

Buy Valentine’s gifts: Fragrances

It’s the month of romance so it’s the right time to buy some chic gifts for your special someone and close friends. Give your guy the newest launch from the Giorgio Armani perfume stable—Code Sport. The fragrance is a woody aromatic citrus and an explosion of freshness on a base of torrid sensuality. I know why the ladies will love this one. 😉

Armani Code Sport

Guys looking for a special fragrance for their special gal could try Ralph Lauren Romance Valentine’s Day 2012 Limited Edition, a fresh sparkling floral. The pink-silver carton enveloped with delicate metal-grey entwining flora and vines would make her swoon. 🙂

Ralph Lauren Romance perfume

Buy Valentine’s gifts: Gizmo

The Diesel Noise Division’s VEKTR headphones are the perfect gift for a fashionable music lover (or a musical fashionista). These headphones fuse Monster’s secret experimental audio savvy with Diesel’s iconoclastic design.

Diesel headphones

The gizmo has a sharp and faceted look and translates Diesel’s obsession for innovation and details: head of the Mohican inside the cushion and on the metal piece, contrasting colour, and clash of different finishing outside-inside (shiny and matt). Even the cable is designed not to tangle. Can’t wait to hear music on this one!

Shop at: Ensemble

Ensemble’s end-of-season sale kicks off today, and if I was in the mood for designer wear that’s where I’d be headed. (I shopped at their Lion Gate store during the sale last year). Running up to February 4, you can get up to 70% off on outfits from designers like Savio Jon, Tarun Tahiliani, Anamika Khanna, Gaurav Gupta, Gauri & Nainika, James Ferreira (picture below) and many more.

Ensemble Sale- James Ferreira

Attend: ‘Demystifying the Drape’ workshop

At Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, fashion designer Shaina N.C. will shed light on the different ways the sari can be re-vamped. The workshop is meant for those who wear saris regularly and those who don’t. I’m hoping I can make it to this workshop.

The workshop is on February 6, 2012 from 2 to 3.30 pm at Artisan’s Centre, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai.

Look forward to: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

FDCI & CEL AW 12 logoFDCI’s Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012 kicks off February 15 in New Delhi, and it’s going to be the fashion event of the month. Designer duo Shantanu-Nikhil will open the season and pave the way for over 130 designers to showcase their collection. WLIFW A/W 2012 promises to bring awesome fashion and fresh trends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are you looking forward to this month?

Chic Launches: Lancome, French Connection fragrances, new collections by Metro shoes, Hidesign bags

Chic Launches: Lancome, French Connection fragrances, new collections by Metro shoes, Hidesign bags

January’s been a month of launches, though February will see more as new collections hit the stores. Take a look at our picks this month.

Accessories: Hidesign Lizard Leather Collection

Fear not, animal lovers! Hidesign’s latest collection is made of faux lizard printed vegetable tanned leathers. The deep emboss and hand finished colours give the leathers a rich gloss. The bags in this collection are available in colours like midnight blue, deep red, forest green, brown and black. The styles range from clutches and wallets to totes and day bags. My favourite: Thelma grab handle bag (picture below).

Hidesign Thelma grab handle bag

Hidesign lizard leather in midnight blue

Accessories: Metro Shoes’ Bling it on collection

Drawing inspiration from unconventional prints, metallics and nature, the Bling it on collection adds a tint of azure to monotonous wardrobe colours.

Metro shoes denim ballerinas

For women, there are flats, denim textured ballerinas, polished kitten heels, gladiators, wedges and slip-ons, mostly in shades of blue. My pick- the tie-up flats (picture below).

Metro shoes blue tie-ups

The guys can choose from zipper shoes, loafers, lace-ups and boots in cobalt blues, earthy browns and burnt sienna. For men’s party shoes, there are comfy slip-ons, buckled formals and high-tops in vibrant blue.

Metro shoes mens slip-ons

Fragrance: Lancome Trésor Midnight Rose

Endorsed by Emma Watson, this fruity floral is colourful and upbeat. Lancome Trésor Midnight Rose embodies mischievous femininity and embodies romantic yet contemporary love. Rose bring playfulness to the fragrance, with deliciously tangy raspberry tones, wooden shimmers and voluptuous vanilla notes. This perfume could be your signature with its spontaneous, irresistible charms! Spray it on and feel like you’re in Paris. 🙂

Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose Fragrance

Fragrance: FCUK3

This set of fragrances for him and her is for the bold and witty. Think bright florals for the playful young lady (top notes of red berries, mandanrin oil and pink pepper, base notes of amber and vanilla), and creamy musk for the flirtatious guy (top notes: pineapple, mandarin, orange; base notes: amber, musk).

Packaged in a high-gloss shell enclosed in glass, these fragrances will add a fun touch to your life and your dressing table.

FCUK3 Packshot

What’s your chic pick of the month?