Tresmode

A versatile bag is what every woman needs. The bag should be great-looking, spacious and compliment the trends of the season. I found one such bag at the Lavie store over the weekend, and the easy style, the comfortable size and the pop of colour made me want it immediately. I was inspired enough to pair this bag with the hottest trends (neutrals, prints and aqua) and the right occasions to wear them, with must-have add-ons and accessories.

Take a look.

Trend 1: Classic neutrals (for office)
The bag will hold your tablet, makeup kit and wallet. The sober colour scheme makes it an excellent pairing for classic and casual work wear, from blouses and trousers, to skirts and dresses.

(Blouse & trousers from Arrow, dress from Mango, blazer from Vinegar, Earrings from Tanishq, Shoes from Tresmode).

Trend 2: Bold prints (for leisure)
Exotic, tropical, Asian, floral… wear these prints to a movie, lunch date or shopping, grab this bag, and your look is complete!

(Top from French Connection, pants from W, dress from Zara, cuff from Juvalia & You, earrings from Aldo Accessories)

Trend 3: Aqua (for holiday)
You need this Lavie bag for your holiday– to carry your sun block, documents, some shopping and even a snack. And the aqua colour scheme is a perfect contrast for your summery bag (and mood).

(Tee from Forever New, shorts from Only, dress from Elle Fashionwear, Hat from Toniq, Sunglasses from Opium)

How are you wearing your favourite bag today?

In 2012, Fashion, Shopping, trends

Chic Guide: How to update your wardrobe for the monsoon

Speaking ChicJune 7, 2012August 1, 2012Leave a comment

The rain gods are here! And while we don’t have a “Monsoon/ Rain” Collection in India (why not I wonder?), a new season always calls for a wardrobe update. So here’s how I’m sprucing up my wardrobe for the four-month season. Hope my wardrobe transition tips help you too!

Add: Dark florals

Since the rains usher in lush greenery and blooming flowers, floral prints are monsoon-appropriate. But I’m restricting my florals during the monsoon to darker colours- like dark blues, black and deep reds. Florals have been big this season so there’s plenty to choose from.

Floral print blouse from Mango.

Delete: White and pastel-hued florals

Keep: Georgettes, polyester blends and knits

No more chiffons, cottons and sheers, please! Polyester and silk blends keep are stronger fabrics that provide a bit of warmth in the rains. Light knits (as tops or cardigans) are useful when the mercury drops after a long spell of rain.

Sarah Silk Top from French Connection.

Blouse from Calvin Klein Jeans.

Delete: Chiffons, cottons and sheers. Wet chiffon sari, Mandakini in Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Get the drift?

Hold on to: Shorter lengths

If you hate mud stains on your jeans and trousers as much as I do, then continue wearing your favourite capris in the rains. And given the fabulous colour choices we have this season, you won’t run out of cool capris to wear! Of course, if you dare to go shorter, you can wear shorts and skirts too (midi-length ones are still around).

Capris from Zara.

Don’t discard: Full-length trousers and jeans – you need these wardrobe classics for meetings, events, and the next season!

Add: No and low heeled shoes

On rainy days, I prefer closed shoes with non-slip soles and kitten heels for special days. I wore my Charles & Keith loafers yesterday during a drizzle, and they kept away the murky water and had a good grip on the ground. Even though I’m not a Crocs fan, a lot of people swear by them.

New Love Loafers from Tresmode.

Hold on to: Stilettos- need them for parties and dance nights!

How are you updating your wardrobe for the monsoon?

In Accessories, Fashion, trends

Chic List: 5 things that should not be on sale (because everyone’s wearing them already)

Speaking ChicJanuary 11, 2012January 11, 2012Leave a comment

Almost every fashion brand in the country worth its salt is on sale as you read this (see list below). Sales are an easy way for brands to get rid of old stock and for shoppers to buy stuff they don’t really need, but think they want.

Meanwhile there are some things that should never go on sale, mainly because they are almost everywhere and selling them cheap would lead to everyone wearing the same clothes or accessories. And as I wrote earlier, who wants a nation of fashion clones?

So here’s my list of five things that should never go on sale.

Angry Birds tshirts

Every day I pass by a couple stores in my neighbourhood that have proudly displayed Angry Birds tees, shorts and briefs in their window display.:-P And a young shopper at Zara was wearing such a tshirt as well. While I’m addicted to the game, I’d really be pushing fashion boundaries by wearing the cute birds. And so would everyone else. No one ever wore a Monopoly or Ludo tshirt, or did they?

Oversized / statement pearl necklaces

True, pearls are classic accessories. But I’m talking of the long necklaces with larger-than-usual pearls that every other woman seems to own. They come in different colours, sizes and strand lengths, but essentially they’re the same.

Quilted bags

Chanel’s quilted bags are not really Chanel’s anymore. They belong to almost every accessory brand and woman across the world. At the mall recently, the only good bags I came across were quilted, but in different styles. And while I don’t regret buying a rose red Mango quilted bag last year, I think it’s time to stop buying it and move on to other textures. (BTW, I had recommended quilted bags as early as 2010, so it’s time to kiss them goodbye).

Below: Bag from Charles & Keith

Polo tshirt with horse

In late 2010, the guys who wore the Ralph Lauren polo tshirt with the Big Pony symbol on the left and back were smart and suave. In 2011, every Rahul, Raj and Rohan was wearing a spin-off. And some women donned those tees too. If those tshirts are on sale somewhere, stay away from it. Please!

Fit flops

Every woman who wears a fit flop swears by it. And yes, they’re comfy, cute and stylish (especially the ones with baubles and other trimmings). Unfortunately, my love for them faded when I saw all five women in a group wearing them. Sorry, fit flops weren’t supposed to be part of the uniform.

BTW, if you’re still interested in knowing what’s on sale, here’s a quick look at some brands offering discounts right now:

Zara
Mango
Promod
Charles & Keith
Tresmode
Pepe Jeans
AND
Chemistry
Latin Quarters

What fashion item do you think should not go on sale?

In Accessories, Men, trends

Chic Trend: Are loafers the new “it” shoes?

Speaking ChicJanuary 5, 2012January 5, 2012Leave a comment

I last saw men and women wearing loafers in the last 1980s, or maybe the early 1990s. The most common ones I remember seeing were brown with little tassles. And then, those shoes disappeared.

But now, they’re in almost every good shoe store in town. I was extremely sceptical about them, but they seem to be THE SHOES for the season. Here’s why:

Reason 1: They are comfy. I’m not used to “closed” shoes being a Mumbai gal, so I wasn’t sure if I would be comfy in them. I tried on this pair at Tresmode, and they were super comfy. In fact, they seemed tailormade for my feet. 🙂

Below: Newbuck loafers from Tresmode (for women)

Reason 2: This season, loafers (also called “slip-ons”) are available in a mindboggling range of styles and colours for both men and women. Loafers can be simple slip-on shoes, with minimum or no detailing or it could have a fancy buckle or faux laces.

Below: Mockk from Steve Madden (for women)

Reason 3: You can wear them almost everywhere! I wear my Charles & Keith loafers to movies, meetings, dinners and to run errands.

Below: Loafers from Charles & Keith (for women)

Reason 4: They are great for both cold and warm weather. While I wouldn’t recommend loafers for summer, I don’t find them making my feet too sweaty in the current Mumbai weather. In Delhi recently, I wore my loafers with socks.

Below: Loafers from Carlton London (f0r men), available on BeStylish.com

Reason 5: Loafers are chic! End of discussion! 😉

Do you have your pair of loafers yet?

In 2011, Accessories, Fashion, trends

Chic ideas: Monsoon must-haves, rainy day accessories

Speaking ChicJuly 1, 2011Leave a comment

The moody south-west monsoon seems to have finally settled down, and has promised to bring with it plenty of shower spells. So now that rainy days are here to stay (for a while at least), gear yourself up with Speaking Chic’s monsoon must-haves.

Rain wear

Umbrellas should be your best friends for the next few months. Those who can’t deal with upturned and flyaway umbrellas can opt for stylish windcheaters instead. Stay safe and odour-free with quick-dry fabrics, especially at office.

And if you’re in a fun/ romantic/ playful/ brave mood, don a chiffon sari and dance in the rain with your special someone. 😉

1- Windcheater jacket with biker elements and utility flaps from Kunal Rawal.

2- Stormwear chinos from Marks & Spencer

3- Red umbrella from Zara

4- Animal print umbrella from Marks & Spencer

5- Polka dot umbrella from Zara

6- Kareena Kapoor and Aamir Khan in a still from 3 Idiots

Monsoon accessories

Whether you manage to stay dry or not, your Blackberry needs to be moisture-free at all times. So carry waterproof bags and purses at all times. Glossy finishes are especially trendy this monsoon. Your shoes must be comfy and non-slip, and get into cute gum boots for a few fun splashes.

1-Frame bag from Esbeda (Color Splash collection)

2- Shoes from Catwalk (Drops of Joy collection)

3- Beach crocs in lime

4- Bag from Marks & Spencer

5- Clutch from Miss Sixty

6- Gum boots from Tresmode

What’s your monsoon must-have?

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

In Accessories, Fashion, trends

Chic Accessories: Best buys of the season

Speaking ChicMay 4, 20112 Comments

Fashion trends according to the seasons, and fashion gurus say every season (fashion or otherwise) you need to update your wardrobe. Don’t let that scare you—the good news is that you don’t need to overhaul your wardrobe completely. Instead just update it with select accessories that give you a chic, updated and bang-on-trend look.

Speaking Chic guides you through the accessories of the season.

Day bag

Make sure it’s spacious and has enough pockets to hold your phone, keys and knick-knacks. And oh, make sure it’s coloured (keep the whites and nudes away for a while).

Below: Fern bag from Lavie; Plain basket shopper from Zara

Evening Clutch

Choose your clutch based on your evening wear. Jewel tones and neutrals in luxe styles (satin finish, embellishments) are safe choices, so are metallics. Mix and match with your shoes.

Below: Clutch from French Connection

Wedding Clutch

A bejwelled clutch at a wedding is just as important as your sari. Go crazy with shapes and colours (after all, our wedding wear palette encompasses a wide range of tones), and don’t be afraid to pile on the bling.

Below: Bejewelled clutch from Parvesh-Jai.

Sunglasses

We suggest shunning the over-sized sunglasses and instead wearing shades that suit your face shape. Ray-bans are popular again, so are colourful frames.

Below: Sunglasses from Esprit.

Sexy heels

Monotone or multi-hued—take your pick. But make sure they’re skyhigh.

Below: Both pairs of shoes from Tresmode

Comfy flats

Cut-outs, mutli-hued straps—why should heels have all the fun?

Below: Both pairs of shoes from Catwalk

Which accessories are on your wishlist this season?

In 2011, Fashion, trends

Chic summer trend: The bold and the bright

Speaking ChicApril 2, 20112 Comments

If you’re bold and you love colours, the next few months are the right time to make hay while the sun shines (pun intended!). Bright colours are a hot high-street trend this summer, and we show you how to wear them.

Solids

Take your pick of an eye-catching tshirt or tank top: choose from pink, orange, green and red. Want to turn heads? Pair two bold colours (top and skirt or tee and pants) and walk with attitude.

Below (left to right): Blouse from French Connection, orange tee from Zara, red skinny trousers from Zara.

Mixed

Tone down the boldness by choosing a garment that cleverly mixed a bright colour with a neutral (especially white) or other colours. The amount of colour will decide the boldness levels.

Below: Top from Mango, Shirt dress from French Connection.

Accessorise!

Got mostly neutrals and soft shades in your wardobe? Or going from office to dinner? Give your style an instant summer update with a large bag, belt, scarf or shoes.

Below (left to right and bottom): Shoe from Catwalk, orange peeptoe from Tresmode, bag from Guess.

How are you wearing bright colours this summer?

In 2011, Fashion, trends

Chic summer trend: The bold and the bright

Speaking ChicApril 2, 20112 Comments

Solids

Take your pick of an eye-catching tshirt or tank top: choose from pink, orange, green and red. Want to turn heads? Pair two bold colours (top and skirt or tee and pants) and walk with attitude.

Below (left to right): Blouse from French Connection, orange tee from Zara, red skinny trousers from Zara.

Mixed

Tone down the boldness by choosing a garment that cleverly mixed a bright colour with a neutral (especially white) or other colours. The amount of colour will decide the boldness levels.

Below: Top from Mango, Shirt dress from French Connection.

Accessorise!

Got mostly neutrals and soft shades in your wardobe? Or going from office to dinner? Give your style an instant summer update with a large bag, belt, scarf or shoes.

Below (left to right and bottom): Shoe from Catwalk, orange peeptoe from Tresmode, bag from Guess.

How are you wearing bright colours this summer?

Showing all posts tagged Tresmode

Chic Accessory: 1 Versatile Bag, 3 Hot Trends, 6 Easy Looks!

Chic Guide: How to update your wardrobe for the monsoon

Chic List: 5 things that should not be on sale (because everyone’s wearing them already)

Chic Trend: Are loafers the new “it” shoes?

Chic ideas: Monsoon must-haves, rainy day accessories

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

Chic Accessories: Best buys of the season

Chic summer trend: The bold and the bright

Chic summer trend: The bold and the bright