necklace

Diwali! The festival of lights heralds good fortune and the upcoming Great Indian Wedding Season. So when you shop this week, make it worthwhile and shop for those weddings as well.

I headed to the Just Jewellery store expecting for a one-stop shop to all jewellery needs for the season, and I wasn’t disappointed. This ethnic-inspired store has the answer to all your needs for Indian accessories to take you through the season and beyond. Located close to Mumbai’s famous Mahalakshmi temple, the store is a little haven for the ladies who love semi-precious Indian jewellery. It’s especially a hot favourite for brides-to-be and guests headed to destination weddings.

As I walked into the store, I spotted vibrant colours, quintessential Indian styles with contemporary design elements. The Just Jewellery store houses gorgeous pieces of jewellery such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, kadas, and hair accessories.

While entrepreneur Jasmine Shah introduced me to the collection, I took in the statement necklaces, ornate earrings and super-cute rings. Keeping in line with current trends, there was plenty of play with colour and contrasting elements. For instance, bright orange with royal blue on a ring, or a Buddha motif with a wooden panel on earrings. Each piece has been made in Jaipur, using elements conceptualized or sourced by Jasmine and Sandhya Shah from across the globe (they are a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law duo). Jasmine was delighted to share that they don’t really visit Mumbai’s famous Zaveri Bazaar for their jewellery. I guess that’s what makes them stand apart in terms of design.

Jasmine also mentioned that they have private consultations for brides or anyone else who wants jewellery tailored to their specific needs.

While most of the jewellery is completely wearable and WOW, I’ve picked some pieces and styles from Just Jewellery that you could wear for Diwali and rest of the festive season.

An eye-catching necklace

The statement necklace could be multi-tiered, beaded or studded… all you need is the pizzazz to wear it. My favourites:

Traditional earrings

Kundan-style earrings are really popular right now and Just Jewellery has plenty of those. What I also also loved were traditional-looking earrings (with Indian-style beads or finishing) with a modern twist, such as a print or marble-textured pieces. Check out the ones I liked:

Hair accessories

Clips, maang tikkas and even hair bands add a dash of luxury to any ensemble. If you don’t believe me, try one of them and you will feel like a royal. These are the choices of hair accessories… cool, huh?

Hand ornaments

Bracelets, kadas and rings are easy to pair with any ethnic outfit, since they don’t need to be too matchy-matchy. I’d pick at least two of each for the festive season.

Some of the rings and bracelets from Just Jewellery could easily double up as accessories for Indo-western and boho-Indian looks. I’d easily wear this ring with a white shirt and skinny blue jeans!

What jewellery are you looking to wear this festive season?

In Accessories, LFW WF 2013

LFW WF 2013 Slideshow: Best of accessories

Speaking ChicSeptember 17, 2013September 17, 2013Leave a comment

I’ve declared Accessories Week this week at Speaking Chic! Here’s kicking off the series with my favourite accessories at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2013. Scroll down for more on the accessories featured in the slide show.

Shoes at Shantanu Goenka

Shoes at Sneha Arora

Bags at Square Loop by Kanika Sachdeva

Bags at Square Loop by Kanika Sachdeva

Clutches by Karieshma Sarna

Neckpiece from House of Chic

Accessories at House of Chic

Nitya Arora accessories at LFW WF 2013

Nitya Arora accessories at LFW WF 2013

Hair jewels at Pria Kataria Puri

Hair jewels at Pria Kataria Puri

Maang tikka at Shyamal & Bhumika

Hair accessories at Shantanu Goenka

Loved the shoes at…

Shantanu Goenka: Wonderfully embellished and to match the outfits!

Sneha Arora: No-nonsense manly shoes are required for war, even if it’s only on the ramp.

Aditi Holani: The cut-out shoes went well with the distressed look.

Noteworthy bags at…

Square Loop by Kanika Sachdeva: Neutral boxy leather bags are just right for work.

Karieshma Sarna: Her embellished clutches are winners all the way through.

And jewellery…

House of Chic: Spikes, skulls and dark metal…. it’s all goth!

Valliyan: Nitya Arora has been on the fashion week circuit for a while now… and we know why she’ll always be popular.

A word on hair accessories

I’ve always believed hair accessories are the most under-rated accessories… so the maang tikkas at Shyamal & Bhumika, bird clips at Shantanu Goenka, and butterflies at Pria Kataria Puri have made their place in my personal lookbook. 🙂

In 2012, Accessories, jewellery, makeup

Chic List: Things that shine! (Part 2)

Speaking ChicDecember 13, 2012January 14, 2013Leave a comment

In my earlier post, I shared some carefully-selected clothes that “shone”, especially those with metallic finishes. Today it’s all about the accessories!

Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough metallic-finish accessories, but there are some glittering patent-finish and croc-textured options that put gold to shame. Here are my picks:

Bags

Metallic bag from Calvin Klein Jeans (love the texture!)

Croc shopper from French Connection

Bag from Steve Madden

Shoes

Metallic finish slip-ons and heels can dress up any outfit!

Vanilla Moon

Charles & Keith

Steve Madden

Jewellery

Pendant from Myra- The New Age Chic Collection by Tara Jewellers

Bangles from Toniq

Bonus: Makeup that shines!

Maybelline hyperglossy eye liner

Body pigment powder from Inglot

In 2012, Accessories, Fashion, jewellery, trends

Chic Accessories: Jewellery inspirations and how to wear them (Part 1)

Speaking ChicJune 24, 2012June 24, 2012Leave a comment

Like clothing trends, fine and art jewellery is inspired by everything around us- from popular culture to mundane objects to wild nature. Here’s a look at jewellery inspirations and how to wear them:

Inspiration: Safari

Choose an exotic animal or bird- tiger, rhinoceros, giraffe or kingfisher. Then wear it on your wrist, finger or neck.

Chic Tip: Wear with a loose blouse, feminine skirt and kitten heels. The idea is to look cute, rather than just cool.

Below: Elephant charm and Fantasy bird ring, both from Toniq

Inspiration: Vintage

Oversized coloured rings and pendants are popular these days (I have a white stone pendant). So are faux and real diamonds designed in the 1940s style.

Chic Tip: Diamond earrings look gorgeous with delicate lace or net saris. Wear it to a cocktail, sangeet or reception. And don’t forget the red lips.

Below: Ring and earrings from Aldo Accessories

Inspiration: Horror

Skulls remind me of exorcists in old Hindi movies. But they can be fun accessories!

Chic Tip: Don’t think so much! Throw on an old crew neck cotton tee and jeans. Or better, borrow your brother/ boyfriend’s graphic print tee.

Below: Touch skull bracelet from Mango.

Inspiration: The heart and soul

If you’re a “thinker”, jewellery designs with metaphors and multiple meanings will appeal to you. For instance, Eina Ahluwalia’s recent collection presents the heart in a new form and perceives the eye to be the window to the soul.

Chic Tip: Wear unique pieces of jewellery with minimal looks, and make the accessory the centrepiece of your ensemble.

Below: Heart of Gold earrings, Door to the Soul necklace, both from Breathing Space by Eina Ahlawalia.

What jewellery inspiration are you wearing today?

More jewellery inspirations to come. Watch out for part 2.

In Fashion, trends

Kate Beckinsale wears corset in Underworld Awakening, so how about trying a bustier?

Speaking ChicJanuary 23, 2012January 23, 2012Leave a comment

If you’ve watched Underworld Awakening over the weekend, you couldn’t have missed the super-fit Kate Beckinsale dressed in an all-leather outfit and, most importantly, her leather corset.

It seems that Kate Beckinsale was more concerned about fitting into the leather corset than the daredevil stunts and the heavy-duty action scenes. Not surprising, considering that the first Underworld movie was shot almost a decade ago.

Nevertheless, if you think Kate Beckinsale looks sexy in this (I certainly do), there’s an easy way to get the corseted look without time-travelling to the Victorian era or holding your breath.

Say hello to the bustier!

Ok, not this bustier (from La Senza), but the ones I’ve written about below. Read on…

Why a bustier?

Sure, bustiers are usually associated with lingerie (they give the woman a higher bust line and a shapely waist), but as innerwear transformed into outerwear over the past few seasons, bustiers had a coming out of sorts (pun intended).

Bustier v/s corset

So what’s the difference between a bustier and a corset? For one, a bustier lacks the lacing and “boning” of a typical corset (they give shape to the wearer). Secondly, a bustier usually ends at the ribs or waist, while a corset can be of varying lengths.

If you want to wear a bustier to get a more defined torso, take your pick from the options below.

Bustier as a dress

Bustier dresses can be fitted or A-line, long or short.

Below: Denim bustier dress, Sabrina bustier bandage dress both from Forever New; Winter Love strapless dress from French Connection, gown from Jatin Varma (LFW W/F 2011)

Bustier as a top

I spotted a number of bustier tops at Bebe recently, and they looked absolutely fab! They ranged from sporty to sexy, and the satin ones were especially attractive. 🙂

Below: Space dye bustier top, Embellished pleated bustier, heart-shaped satin bustier, all from Bebe.

Bustier as a camisole or Indian-style blouse

Wear a bustier as a camisole under a sheer blouse, shirt or jacket. Or wear a bustier as a blouse with your sari or lehenga this wedding season.

Below: Lace bustier camisole from Forever New, look from Satya Paul LFW S/R 2011

Bustier warning!

Wearing a bustier as outerwear is not easy, especially in India- it takes guts and a good figure. 🙂 So here are a couple of tips when you’re buying or wearing one.

A garment can only enhance what you already have—being in shape really helps. And not all bustier garments give good support. So be careful what you choose.

Innerwear matters: A bustier top or dress may require additional support from within especially if you’re a curvy girl. So shop for the right lingerie to look shapely and smart in your bustier.

Cover up: Bare shoulders and plunging neckline are not exactly appropriate or acceptable street wear in India. So wear a matching shrug or jacket over your bustier when you’re out, which you could take off when you’re indoors at a party or dinner.

Accessorise right: There’s nothing cooler than a long necklace to go with a bustier top or dress. Very flattering if you got the right curves!

Below: Feather charm necklace from Toniq

Are you ready to wear a bustier?

In Bollywood Fashion

Bollywood Fashion: Chammak challo Kareena Kapoor shows us how to be a Diwali phataka

Speaking ChicOctober 25, 2011August 1, 2012Leave a comment

Happy Diwali, lovely readers! May you be as chic as Kareena Kapoor (or your favourite fashion icon)!

Ra.One releases today, and there’s no doubt that Kareena Kapoor’s Chammak Challo will be as big a draw as G.One’s superpowers. I’ve spent weeks trying to understand the secret behind Kareena’s gorgeousness in the song, and I think I’ve finally cracked the code. It’s all about the fashion!

Kareena’s mindboggling curves have no doubt added a major oomph to her look, but let’s not underestimate the power of fashion to make you sexy. Especially when Manish Malhotra is the man behind the clothes.

After hours of painstaking notes, I’ve drawn some fashion tips from the Diwali phataka. Use these easy-to-follow fashion tips to show off your sexy side!

Fashion tip 1: Wear red

Manish Malhotra has dressed Kareena in an attention-grabbing colour and it’s a colour that suits her. The colour that suits you could be deep blue, purple or hot pink.

Fashion tip 2: The outfit is simple yet chic

The pre-stitched sari (or shall I say half-sari?) designed by Manish Malhotra has minimal embellishment, along the border. The focus is on enhancing Kareena’s body shape rather than making her look like an OTT diva or queen.

Fashion tip 3: Cover up, but only so much

The semi-sheer blouse Kareena wears is only half the story. As the song begins, Kareena’s wafer-thin pallu is firmly in place, till she decides to tuck it into her sari. You don’t need to go all-sheer to show off your figure, but just peek-a-boo at the right places could work wonders.

Fashion tip 4: Accessorise to your advantage

Kareena Kapoor’s sex appeal is enhanced with the choice of jewellery. The absence of a necklace draws attention to her collarbones, and the dangling earrings and nose ring pull you toward her face which is absolutely gorgeous. (Intensely-lined eyes, light lips).

Tip 5: Set a trend

It’s been ages since I saw a young woman (who is not a bride) wear a bindi, and someone even told me that bindis are “out of fashion”. We hope Kareena’s bindi will make the humble red dot popular again!

Stay chic!

In Accessories, jewellery

Chic Jewellery Trends: Gold gets a twist, diamonds still rule

Speaking ChicAugust 9, 2011Leave a comment

What image comes to mind when we say “gold jewellery”? Aunties loaded with bling, boring decades-old designs and weddings, right? We felt the same, till we saw some interesting new gold jewellery late last week.

Contemporary gold jewellery is about using the precious metal as moldable clay, focussing on intricate and delicate designs with special attention given to craftsmanship.

For instance, at the recent India International Jewellery Week 2011, jewellery designer Pallavi Foley made gold into wearable art. She twisted and turned 18K gold in unexpected ways, creating 3D forms, graceful drapes and waves and dramatic movements. Her latest collection is seems fun to wear. In the pictures below, Pallavi has used fresh water pearls with gold.

And at the India International Jewellery Show 2011, the World Gold Council presented a selection of jewellery especially targeted at young Indian consumers. The selection comprised pieces from Amrapali Jewellers and Derawala Jewellers.

Below: Statement cuff; Earrings from World Gold Council

Meanwhile, diamonds continue to be a girl’s best friend as we saw at the Gehna Jewellers show last week. Here is Angela Jonnson in a gorgeous tiara, cuff, ring and necklace.

What do you think of the style of gold jewellery? Would you wear it?

In 2011, Accessories, Advice, Beauty, Fashion, jewellery, makeup, Shopping, trends

Chic guide: Fashionable (and affordable) things to do this week

Speaking ChicJune 13, 2011Leave a comment

Category: Fashion

Budget: Up to Rs 10,000

What to do: Shop designers for less

Designer steals aren’t restricted to online sales sites that deliver dresses by the time they’re out of season. Ensemble’s Styles for Less promotion is a great way to grab top Indian fashion designers like Rajesh Pratap, Wendell Rodricks, Tarun Tahiliani, Cue By Rahul and Rohit Gandhi, Savio Jon, Pankaj & Nidhi, Gaurav Gupta and Prashant Verma for Rs 10,000 or less! The range of designs will be a fashion lover’s delight: from casual tops to dressy numbers. Our cards are ready to be swiped.

Styles for Less is on till June 17, 2011 at Ensemble—Kemps Corner, Mumbai.

Category: Accessories

Budget: Up to Rs 5000

What to do: Go for blue

Oxidised silver jewellery will always be a great option to go with traditional wear, so bring a dash of turquoise to your jewellery box (we like this little set from Amrapali—below left). And while you’re at it, don’t ignore blues for casual wear (necklace from Toniq)!

Category: Beauty/ Makeup

Budget: Up to Rs 1000

What to do: Update your eye makeup for monsoon

The drops of joy every monsoon can be a nightmare for us girls who love our makeup. So stock up on Lakmé’s newest eye makeup products from its popular Nine to Five range. The Forever Silk Eyeliner and Kohl Ultimate are long-lasting, smudge-proof and water-resistant. The Forever Silk Eyeliner comes in seven metallic shades while the Kohl Ultimate is a kohl, smudger and sharpener all in one stick.

Forever Silk Eyeliner is priced at Rs 395; Kohl Ultimate is for Rs 650.

What chic things are you planning to do this week?

In 2011, Accessories, Fashion, Shopping, trends

Chic accessories for every budget: ‘Coz it’s still summer!

Speaking ChicJune 3, 2011Leave a comment

Even as the first rain showers pour down in Mumbai, we’ve not forgotten that the hot weather is still around and most parts of the country will continue to bear the heat for a few weeks. And we summer accessories continue to rank high on our shopping list.

Alas, if only there was plenty of dough to buy every accessory we ever wanted! Well dahlings, there ain’t enough, so we’ve carefully picked the coolest summer accessories, based on price!

The accessories are affordable, and will keep you well for the next few weeks. 🙂

To make things simpler, we’ve broken up our prices into categories: Rs 500-1000, Rs 1000-2500 and Rs 2500-5000. And hey, the accessories labelled “Chic steal!*” cost less than Rs 500!

So take a take a look at our accessories of choice. Enjoy! (PS—refer to the guide below the fashion board to know where you can buy them).

Chic jewellery, hats and sunglasses

Guide:

Necklace from Marks & Spencer
Cuff from Marks & Spencer
Necklace from Aldo Accesories
Flower burst Ring from Toniq
Sunglasses from Fastrack
Bleicher sunglasses from Aldo
Sunglasses from Puma
Hat from Aldo

Chic bags and shoes

Guide:

Two-tone fabric messenger bag from Zara
Floral quilted messenger bag from Mango
White handbag from Mango
Betsy clutch from French Connection
Red sandals from Tresmode
Pumps from Tresmode
Plaited sandals from Zara
Flats with floral fabric from Catwalk

In 2011, Accessories, Fashion, Shopping, trends

Chic accessories for every budget: ‘Coz it’s still summer!

Speaking ChicJune 3, 2011Leave a comment

Alas, if only there was plenty of dough to buy every accessory we ever wanted! Well dahlings, there ain’t enough, so we’ve carefully picked the coolest summer accessories, based on price!

The accessories are affordable, and will keep you well for the next few weeks. 🙂

To make things simpler, we’ve broken up our prices into categories: Rs 500-1000, Rs 1000-2500 and Rs 2500-5000. And hey, the accessories labelled “Chic steal!*” cost less than Rs 500!

So take a take a look at our accessories of choice. Enjoy! (PS—refer to the guide below the fashion board to know where you can buy them).

Chic jewellery, hats and sunglasses

Guide:

Necklace from Marks & Spencer
Cuff from Marks & Spencer
Necklace from Aldo Accesories
Flower burst Ring from Toniq
Sunglasses from Fastrack
Bleicher sunglasses from Aldo
Sunglasses from Puma
Hat from Aldo

Chic bags and shoes

Guide:

Two-tone fabric messenger bag from Zara
Floral quilted messenger bag from Mango
White handbag from Mango
Betsy clutch from French Connection
Red sandals from Tresmode
Pumps from Tresmode
Plaited sandals from Zara
Flats with floral fabric from Catwalk

Showing all posts tagged necklace

Just Jewellery: Indian accessories you need for the festive season

LFW WF 2013 Slideshow: Best of accessories

Shoes at Shantanu Goenka

Shoes at Sneha Arora

Bags at Square Loop by Kanika Sachdeva

Bags at Square Loop by Kanika Sachdeva

Clutches by Karieshma Sarna

Neckpiece from House of Chic

Accessories at House of Chic

Nitya Arora accessories at LFW WF 2013

Nitya Arora accessories at LFW WF 2013

Hair jewels at Pria Kataria Puri

Hair jewels at Pria Kataria Puri

Maang tikka at Shyamal & Bhumika

Hair accessories at Shantanu Goenka

Chic List: Things that shine! (Part 2)

Chic Accessories: Jewellery inspirations and how to wear them (Part 1)

Kate Beckinsale wears corset in Underworld Awakening, so how about trying a bustier?

Bollywood Fashion: Chammak challo Kareena Kapoor shows us how to be a Diwali phataka

Chic Jewellery Trends: Gold gets a twist, diamonds still rule

Chic guide: Fashionable (and affordable) things to do this week

Category: Fashion

Category: Accessories

Category: Beauty/ Makeup

Chic accessories for every budget: ‘Coz it’s still summer!

Chic jewellery, hats and sunglasses

Chic bags and shoes

Chic accessories for every budget: ‘Coz it’s still summer!

Chic jewellery, hats and sunglasses

Chic bags and shoes