TREND ALERT FOR MEN: Style tips to go short or long

Since it’s halfway through the year (what? June already?!), it’s time for a guy to update his wardrobe. There will always be tshirts and shirts to help change a man’s look, but how about updating your style with fashionable shorts and pants instead? From easy going shorts to comfortable jeans, here are some top choices and handy tips for the boys.

Shorts

Prints, checks, or good ol’ solids. Great for chilling at home, stepping out in the sun or for a beach vacation.

Trend Alert: Quirky prints on shorts (and shirts) are really hot right now. Play safe with polka dots and textures or go crazy with florals, camo prints.

Military print shorts from Ed Hardy

Ed Hardy mens military shorts

Linen shorts from Selected Homme (available on Jabong.com)

SHDott dark blue linen shorts H RS 3995

Denim shorts from Superdry

Denim shorts Superdry

Chinos

They’re comfy, easy and available in a range of colours. Chinos are quickly replacing jeans and formal trousers as the “smart casual” alternative to everything!

Trend Alert: After building up your chino collection with basics like khaki and black, stock up on bright blue, wine and olive green.

Complete look from Arrow

Arrow SS15 - Arrow chinos

Trousers from French Connection

FCUK blue chinos

Red chinos from Breakbounce

Breakbounce red chinos

Jeans

A man needs his jeans, no matter the season, the shade, the style.

Trend Alert: Skinny’s still in style, but wider leg and relaxed fits are slowly making a comeback. Look fashion forward already!

Complete look from Killer Jeans at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015

Killer Jeans Lakme Fashion Week SR 2015

Jeans from John Players

Mens Jeans John Players

Jeans from Lee

Lee mens jeans

Style & Shopping Guide: Deepika Padukone’s Piku look

FOUND: Deepika Padukone’s kurta from Piku! (Read on to know more).

In Piku, Deepika Padukone has one of her most unglamourous on-screen avatars. Here’s a complete style breakdown of Piku and where you can shop Deepika Padukone’s look.

Deepika Padukone in Piku

Deepika Padukone as Piku

Deepika Padukone’s character Piku is a working woman and always in a rush due to her father’s morning drama. No high-end designer wear or heavy makeup for her. Instead there’s minimal styling and accessories. Piku’s look is relatable and girl-next-door and indo-chic but deliberately non-colourful.

Clothes seem to be thrown together, her hair is almost a mess, and there isn’t much time for makeup and accessories either. She carries one big bag in which she can dump everything.

Deepika Padukone in Piku fashion

Piku (Deepika Padukone’s) complete style breakdown

Minimal no-fuss kurta

Loose pants (salwar pants or palazzos), sometimes skinny jeans

Long printed scarf/ dupatta tied on bag or loosely draped on her neck

Footwear: Flat sandals/ chappals

Bag: Large leather carryall/ tote/ shopper

Jewellery: Small drop earrings that go with almost everything

Sunglasses

Makeup: Almost none. It’s mostly a nude-ish lipstick and a small bindi

Shop Deepika Padukone’s Piku look

Blue and white kurta-pants set from Biba

Biba kurta set

Black kurta from Aks (available on Jabong.com)- exactly the same Deepika Padukone is wearing in Piku (see the first picture above)

Aks-Black-Kurti with pants

Maroon palazzo pants from Soch

Soch Maroon Palazzo Pants

Bag from Elespry

Elespry bag

Glares from Titan

Sunglasses by Titan

Drop earrings from Tanishq

Tanishq- drop earrings with pearl

 

My favourite winter fashion trends from Guess

Guess is synonymous with music, grunge and rock ‘n’ roll. This American label’s line-up of denim and casual wear is understated, chic and edgy season after season.

For AW 2014 Guess has given their own grungy twist to hot international trends for men and women. At my visit to the store, I found it hard to choose a favourite trend or outfit, because there was so much to choose from. Here are my top picks of the trends you need to check out at Guess, and style tips on how to wear them.

New collection Guess AW14

Prints, prints, prints

You can never have too many graphic print tees, so check out the cowboy prints for girls and the outdoor travel prints for the guys. Besides these, winter florals on crop tops, dresses and tops bloom in the Guess collection (pun intended), while men have a choice of paisleys and abstract patterns, with updated check shirts.

Guess AW 14 prints florals tees

Guess Mens prints checks graphic tees paisley

Style tip for women: Don graphic printed tees with your favourite jeans and a backpack for college-y cool.

Style tip for men: If you’ve never experimented with printed shirts before, this is your chance. Play it safe with a small print, paired with a basic pair of jeans.

All-new winter wear

I love the idea of experimenting with personal style in winter (sadly, Mumbai doesn’t have one). I love the versatility of the denim shirt I saw at Guess, which I paired with a Guess tshirt and later with a knit dress. For the guys, there are plenty more options- light and heavy jackets along with chunky knits in classic winter colours.

Guess womens jackets

Guess winter wear for men

Style tip for women: Denim jackets are great for almost any look, so keep one handy at all times!

Style tip for men: A textured knit or jacket with lots of zip, button and pocket detailing is a great buy this season. Throw it on over a tee and swagger!

It’s party time

Slim fit shirts + straight fit jeans = Party wear for guys.

Embellished tops / dresses + fun detailing (like fringes) = Party wear for girls.

It’s all there at Guess, and that’s where you go when you want to rock the party this winter. Plus, sexy mini skirts and feminine dresses are always a great party option.

Guess womens party trends

Guess party trends for men

Style tip for women: Girls, you can rock a party in jeans and edgy tops. Choose a funky print or embellished top (like the one in this picture), strap on killer heels, apply red lip colour and let your hair down!

Style tip for men: Look classy- throw on a cool jacket or sharp blazer over jeans for a smart look.

Denim (as always)

The Power Skinny is Guess’s answer to super skinny for the ladies, and these jeans look great. Of course, being a casual wear brand the store had plenty of options in each cut and wash. I found the Power Curvy option suited me quite well.

Guess womens denims

Guess jeans for men

Style tip for women: Darker washes are great for evening wear and make your legs look slimmer. Look out for metallic finishes, and complete the look with a thin belt.

Style tip for men: Men, watch out for the Regular Boot style- this trend is on the rise.

What trend are you going to wear from Guess AW 14 collection?

Chic Trend: Take a bite of your favourite citrus fruits!

Chic Trend: Take a bite of your favourite citrus fruits!
Orange, lemon and sweet lime are juicy, sweet and the right of sour. And this summer, they’re delicious enough to wear. An easy balance of colour between neon, sorbet and pop shades, the citrus colours of orange, green and yellow can easily be worn as dresses or separates, and can be paired with each other.
Take a look at Speaking Chic’s citrus picks and read some handy style tips below:
Some tips to wear citrus:
  • These colours should be worn with a light neutral shade like beige, white or khaki. So if you’re wearing an orange top, try on a pair of beige slim fit trousers.
  • For citrusy pants, you could wear a contrasting coloured top or printed blouse.
  • Citrus + citrus = Yummy! (Warning: Take your husband/sibling/ mom’s opinion before you step out in a top-to-toe citrus ensemble).
  • If you’re wearing a bright orange or yellow dress, make that the key piece of your look. Which means your bag, shoes and earrings should be subtle. Nude pumps or a tan belt would look great!

Chic Preview: GAS Spring / Summer 2013

Chic Preview: GAS Spring / Summer 2013

What to Expect

How much can you experiment with denims, especially in summer? After all, denims are not usually the right fabric choice for warm weather. But with light washes and a strong focus on the colour offering for both men and women, the casuals at GAS seem interesting this season.

lookbook 13129 - Copy lookbook 1315 - Copy

The GAS Spring/Summer 2013 collection experiments with all shades of indigo, and treatments of varying intensity from raw to a strong wash. The bright colours of the women’s collection are a homage to spring, playing with strong contrasts between light and dark colours. The GAS folks call this the “chiaroscuro” effect (pronounced kia-ros-kuro).

Meanwhile, the surprise addition is pastels for men, since lighter hues have not exactly been the choice of colour for Indian guys. But I think at least a handful of cool Indian men might be willing to wear coral, peach and aqua green. The “raw used” look continues, and so do dusty, neutral shades of gray and light blue.

What to Buy and How to Wear

lookbook 1318 - Copy lookbook 13130 - Copy

Wear the GAS fluo jeggings with sleek printed tops; or pair neon blouses with neutrals.

The printed reversible jeggings are best worn with feminine blouses in light hues of yellow, pink, green and light blue

Pastels for men: Pastel chinos + denim shirts OR Pastel tees + dark jeans.

Chic Guide: Fashion to invest in this season (for women)

Chic Guide: Fashion to invest in this season (for women)

October’s just begun and Autumn/Winter 2012 collections are in stores. But with so much choice and a limited budget, what should you buy this season? I’ve put together a guide to help you decide what clothes will take you through the season (hence a good fashion investment).

The idea is to select pieces that you can wear from October till January based on function, fashion and wearability.

The Winter Dress

Cold weather calls for knit or wool fitted dresses that can be paired with opaque tights or even slim-fit trousers. Depending on the weather in your city, choose a dress in a neutral or favourite colour in solids or simple prints, but with a great fit or interesting detailing.

Below: Cable Knit Dress from Mango

Mango Cable Knit Dress

The Evening Dress

It’s still too early in the season for bling, and heavy sequins are not something you really wear too often, unless you’re a party animal. So smartly choose an elegant luxurious and feminine dress that says it in style. Lace is the best bet- and it will take you from evening to night!

Below: Lori Lace Jersey Dress from French Connection

French COnnection Lace dress

The Knit Top

A knit top is the building block of winter layering. Before it freezes over, you can wear it under a light jacket or blazer, or as it is. A print, pattern or hint of embellishment would add some life to an otherwise basic piece.

Below: Knit top from Allen Solly

Allen Solly knit top AW 12

The Jeans

You can never go wrong with classic blue skinny or bootcut jeans. But with the range of options in colours, fits and textures, what should you choose? For daily wear, try a new fit you haven’t worn before- like the high waist or the flared styles.

Below: Bootcut skinny jeans from Levi’s.

Levisbootcut skinny jeans

The Light Cardigan

You’ll need plenty of light cardigans and sweaters over the next few months. Choose pieces with interesting details like zippers, buttons or even embellishments. Hot colours this season? Bold, brights, jewel tones!

Below: Cardigan from Sisley

Sisley cardigan

The Jacket

In the past couple of years, blazers have slowly crept their way into every woman’s wardrobe, and not just as office wear. For this winter, try a wool-based blazer to keep you warm and stylish. Choose either a subtle pattern or an eye-catching monotone. Androgyny is in so wide lapels and a slightly oversized fit would work well.

Below: Checked blazer from Zara

Zara checked blazer 3990

The Pre-Christmas Must-Have

Gold and silver metallic finishes will be hot this party season, not just on dresses and tops, but also on jeans! Buy gold finish jeans in the run-up to the party season (which means right now!) and get labelled a trendsetter.

Below: Liquid metal jeans from Calvin Klein Jeans

CWA702-EW1-PQ-D39-3 YES 6899

The Footwear

No more open sandals or chappals. Switch to boots, booties and closed shoes to avoid getting cold feet (sorry, pun unintended).

Below: Shoes from Vanilla Moon

Vanilla Moon booties

The Day Bag

I believe bags are seasonless, but there’s something about soft textured bags that say winter. Subtle prints make them all the more desirable.

Below: Bag from Lecoanet Hemant

Lecoanet Hemant bag

What are you investing in this season?

 

 

 

Denim Campaigns: Autumn/Winter 2012

Denim Campaigns: Autumn/Winter 2012

Denim brands usually have the best (or most interesting) campaigns. They can be bold, provocative, fun and unconventional. Here’s a look at some denim campaigns for Autumn/ Winter 2012, dissected by category.

Super premium: Diesel

Shot by: Steven Meisel

Key model: Coco Rocha (the social media darling)

Diesel AW 12 campaign 3

This season’s Diesel campaign is a tad retro, but with the Diesel attitude intact. In the portfolio-style pictures, the models seem to be part of a screen test showcasing looks that range from edgy to Western.

I first noticed the accessories- sexy black sandals, oversized watches. And then the decades-old props- Polaroid camera, microphone and riding crop. Pieces to grab are the women’s jackets, and the black cropped top with lace sleeves.

Diesel AW 12 Campaign 1

While this campaign is not as eccentric as last season’s dollhouse-burning, giant hammer toting models, it’s got a lot of spunk and chutzpah, just what you would expect from Diesel.

Diesel AW 12 Campaign

BTW, the campaign comes alive on their website– check it out!

Premium: Calvin Klein Jeans

Shot by: Steven Klein

Key models: Lara Stone, Myles Crosby

CKJ AW 12 campaign

Twenty-first century grunge meets sex appeal in the Calvin Klein Jeans campaign! The dark ambience and the prison/ underground setting provide a stark contrast to the shiny textures in the pictures.

There’s clever play on shiny and matte textures, while the fiercely unconventional CKJ models ooze sex appeal even while underground. You just can’t miss the shiny gold pants and the reinvented skinny jeans for the season.

CKJ AW 12 campaign 2

On my wishlist is Lara’s denim shirt, while the guy’s denim shirt seems super cool too. As for the shiny pants- I’ve seen them and they are wearable if you style them well.

CKJ AW 12 campaign 3

And if I didn’t know better, I’d say this guy has got an eye on me. 😉

Mass appeal: Pepe Jeans

Shot by: Alasdair McLellan

Key models: Edie Campbell, Claude Simonon

Pepe Jeans AW 12 campaign

Pepe Jeans has been trying hard to upscale its image, starting with campaigns that have global appeal. In their Autumn/Winter 2012 campaigns, the models look for their “friend” Pepe around London’s Thames-side landmarks.

Pepe Jeans AW 12 campaign

While the showcased looks don’t really make a strong impact, the iconic London imagery (London Eye, Tower Bridge) and camaraderie among friends may draw the attention of Brit-inspired denim buyers. On the other hand, the London setting could backfire, since several high street and mass market brands have featured Brit themes in the recent past.

Pepe Jeans Aw 12 campaign 3

In the campaign images, the focus is on knitwear with a modern twist and a quirky outerwear. The one really cool piece – a shaded faux-fur jacket – may not be available in India.

Chic Trends: The other 2Ps to wear this summer- pastels and printed pants

Chic Trends: The other 2Ps to wear this summer- pastels and printed pants

In my previous post, I introduced you to the 4Ps of summer 2012 trends– pleats, peplums, pastels and printed pants, highlighting the first two trends.

Here’s my take on wearing pastels and printed pants this summer. Enjoy!

Trend 3: Pastels

Yes, we Indians love bright colours, but fashion mags have declared summer 2012 as the season of pastel colours. I say, why not give bright colours a break to try something that makes you look a bit more dainty?

How to wear: Wear pastels any which way- blouses, skirts, dresses, accessories!

Chic tip: Mix solid pastels with light or delicate prints. Opt for a casual breezy fit to get in the summer mood. 🙂

Top from Sisley

top from Sisley SS2012

Jeans from United Colors of Benetton

UCB jeans

Tshirt from Jealous 21 (available on Myntra.com)

Jealous21-blue-tee-Myntra

Ribbon bracelet from Swarovski

Swarovski RIBBON Bracelet - Copy

Trend 4: Printed pants

Rihanna’s worn them, so has Jessica Alba. From floral to tribal to geometric, prints on pants and shorts are rocking this summer. This promises to be a super fun trend and I hope to get my hands on cool printed trousers soon.

How to wear: Pair with solid blouses or fitted tshirts. Printed pyjama-style pants are also in, and you can wear them with a similar-print blouse. If you plan to wear a bold print, wear minimal jewellery and makeup, and a simple no-frills blouse.

Chic tip: Printed trousers come in a range of fits—from fitted (like skinny jeans) to flowing. Choose one that suits your personality and mood (Bohemian girls will love printed palazzos).

Printed pants from Vizyon

Printed shorts from Esprit

DC1093 - Copy

Pants from Remanika

image

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 Find: Stylish casuals from Guru (yes, we mean fashion)

Chic Find: Stylish casuals from Guru (yes, we mean fashion)

Jeans and tees are everywhere! Name a brand, and it’s the casuals we all wear. But if you’re looking to be casual without looking like a clone, it’s time to explore another brand.

And here’s a cool casual wear brand I discovered recently: Guru.

Guru t-shirt

So what’s Guru?

Don’t get fooled by the name. Guru is of Italian origin, though it’s now owned by Bombay Rayon. Present across Europe, Guru ventured into India a couple years ago. The Guru store is a wonderful place to step outside your casuals comfort zone. BTW, the Guru logo is a daisy.

Guru store in Mumbai

What Guru stands for

High-quality denims and casuals. Guru is for the fashion lover who values quality in fabric, print and style.

Denims at Guru store

The Guru style

Casual, edgy yet understated. In other words, very European. You won’t find the “typical” tshirts and jeans at Guru.

Menswear casuals at Guru store

Girls casuals at Guru

Must-try clothes at Guru

Denims: The white pair of jeans I tried at the store seemed a tad tight, but they fit me perfectly when I wore them couple days later. Also, the denim is super light, so I don’t feel hot in them despite the Mumbai heat. BTW, I also loved this denim jacket and trousers:Deim trouser and jacket at Guru

T-shirts: For their autumn/winter 2011 collection, Guru has tied up with the Paramount Pictures for movie-inspired t-shirts, from Grease, Footloose and Escape from Alcatraz. They were fun, vintage-looking tees. My favourite one was from Forrest Gump:

Guru Paramount Tshirt

The autumn/winter 2011 collection had waistcoats, jackets, jeans and tshirts. For girls, there were also a few dresses. The colour palette was muted with dull blues, greens, pinks and greys. Of course, black played an important role too.

One great thing about the store is that they have selected the right clothes for Mumbai. For instance, the heavy winter wear was kept to the bare minimum though the manager informed me that some customers did buy their winter clothes.

Don’t miss:

The visual merchandising and the interiors. The creatively-displayed garments and the strong Italian and international theme resonates throughout the store. I saw little bowls of pasta and coffee cups displayed with the garments. Besides, the colour-coordination is wonderful and the styling is just what a collegian would want to do with her clothes.

Visual display at Guru store in Mumbai

What’s missing:

Even though there are plenty of belts at Guru, I’d love to see more accessories like shoes and bags. Being a casual wear brand, it’s unlikely you’ll get a party dress or classic black trousers here.

The price:

Prices at the Guru store are higher than the most popular high street casual wear brands like Levi’s and Pepe Jeans, but lower than Diesel. For instance, a couple pairs of jeans were over Rs 3000. Some things at the store have “surprising” pricing, like a belt for Rs 1495. But the guys at Guru are confident that the Guru fan appreciates the quality that he gets.

Final word:

If your typical style isn’t casual, then Guru may not be the place for you. But Guru’s casual wear will excite those who love denims and t-shirts with attitude.

Speaking Chic was invited to review the Guru store by the brand. As a goodwill gesture, Guru gifted me a pair of jeans.