United Colors of Benetton

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

Jeans from United Colors of Benetton

Tshirt from Jealous 21 (available on Myntra.com)

Ribbon bracelet from Swarovski

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

Pants from Remanika

In 2012, Fashion, trends

Chic Trends: 4Ps for summer fashion (Part 1)

Speaking ChicMay 1, 2012August 1, 2012Leave a comment

Ladies, I’ve just coined a simple term to remember the hot trends for this summer: the 4Ps (not to be confused with the 4Ps of marketing!).

And the 4Ps for summer 2012 fashion are

Ta-da!

Pleats
Peplums
Pastels
Printed pants

Now, repeat the 4Ps over and over again till you know the list by heart.

In this post, I’ve highlighted the first two trends (or Ps): pleats and peplums.

Trend 1: Pleats

Pleats this summer are all in the skirts! Long or short, bright or pastels, regular hemline or asymmetrical, wear pleated skirts with grace. The other day I saw a woman wearing a maxi pleated skirt that was transparent below the knee, and it didn’t look as funny as it sounds. Really!

How to wear: Wear a bright pleated skirt with neutral or printed blouse.

Chic tip: While accordion pleated skirts are hot right now, they may be fashionably far-fetched from some. You could opt for a formal box pleated skirt or a pleated dress instead.

Skirt from Mango

Skirt from United Colors of Benetton

Dress from French Connection

Trend 2: Peplums

Peplums came in to serious public view after Michelle Williams wore a peplum gown to the Academy Awards in February, and Kate Middleton has been spotted at least a couple times in peplum-ed outfits.

So what is a peplum? It’s a strip of pleated, gathered or flared fabric that is attached to the waist line of a skirt, dress, jacket or top. It could even be an overskirt of sorts.

How to wear: Wear a peplum on a dress or skirt that ends at the knee or just below. When wearing a solid dress or skirt, wear classic jewellery.

Chic tip: A peplum can be unflattering if you got zero curves around the waist and hip area- so wear with caution. Also, choose a peplum dress or skirt that is sleek and sculptured rather than slouchy or loose.

Dotty peplum dress from Fever London (available on Rock.in)

Zara skirt with frill

What’s your choice among the pleats and peplums?

Coming soon: The other 2Ps- pastels and printed pants!

In 2012, Fashion, Men, trends

New collections Part 1: S.Oliver, Esprit and Benetton (with summer trend quotient)

Speaking ChicMarch 23, 2012March 23, 2012Leave a comment

This is the first in a series of blog posts covering the Spring/Summer 2012 collections hitting stores this season! Take a look at the collections and our summer trend quotient to know how trendy it is, decide what you like, and go shop! Happy shopping! 😀

In this post, I’ve written mostly about casual wear brands.

S.Oliver

s.Oliver Casual brings the joy present in nature to their clothes.

Summer trend quotient: 7/10 (florals and greens)

Selection by s.Oliver (the premium line) is about holidays, luxury and being relaxed and carefree in style.

Summer trend quotient: 6.5/10 (resort and relaxed wear)

QS by s.Oliver is for those outdoor summer days with friends, enjoying music, love, spontaneity and youth.

Summer trend quotient: 6.5/10 (lots of colour, non-seasonal prints)

Esprit

Women’s wear at Esprit is about whites– formal and informal summer dresses, elegant blouses and jackets. And then there are the audacious flower prints on chiffon, linen and soft silk—seen on skirts, shorts, blouses, leggings, jumpsuits and dresses.

Summer trend quotient: 6/10 (needs some excitement!)

For guys there are daring plaids, box checks and chess board prints. The colour of choice is blue—from light to navy! Laidback guys will enjoy the Jamaican short pants and trousers in a range of colours, best worn with Esprit’s hats and tees.

United Colors of Benetton

It’s a season in Technicolor, says Benetton! And they’re right.

For men, there are bold chromatic combinations, multi-coloured solutions, with cable-knit designs, patterns and vibrant stripes.

Summer trend quotient: 9/10 (love that they’re big on patterns!)

For the ladies, the explosion of colours and prints continues at UCB. Don’t miss the spots, stripes and bold colours (orange, pink and blue).

Summer trend quotient: 9/10 (dots are hot this season!)

More collection updates coming soon!

In Fashion, trends

Chic Picks: Casuals for winter 2011!

Speaking ChicNovember 16, 2011November 16, 2011Leave a comment

The mercury is dropping, which means it’s time to update our wardrobe! This week, we bring you our picks for the season, starting with casuals.

Below: Look from Guru

Tees and jeans

You gotta have tshirts and jeans in your wardrobe, no matter the season. And for winter, the full-sleeved sweatshirt is a must.

Below: Tshirt from United Colors of Benetton, jeans from Sisley, Beryl Denim leggings from French Connection, sweatshirt from Zara

Skirts and shorts

So what if it’s cold? Women with gorgeous legs always want to show them off! Wear skirts or shorts with tights.

Below: Look from S.Oliver, tights from Marks & Spencer, shorts from Guru, skirt from United Colors of Benetton

Dresses

Striped dresses and LBDs are ideal winter choices. And don’t forget the casual and party dresses. Pair them with jackets, leggings or skinny trousers.

Below: Diagonal striped dress from Sisley, Dress from Zara, Sidney Jersey dress from French Connection, dress from 109F

Which of these makes it to your winter wishlist?

In Fashion, trends

Chic Trends: Marine Life (Nature Week)

Speaking ChicMay 13, 2011Leave a comment

This post is part 3 of Nature Week on Speaking Chic.

The underwater world is hidden hundreds of feet below, but fashion seeks insight even from the deepest waters. Think beyond mermaid gowns and typical blues—replicate scenes of marine life with your fashion choices.

From left to right: Lehenga close-up from Satya Paul’s Lakme Fashion Week S/R 2011 collection, look from Parvesh-Jai’s Lakme Fashion Week S/R 2011 collection, Ocean Deep Clutch from French Connection, Printed tshirt from United Colors of Benetton.

How is the sea inspiring you this weekend?

In 2011, Fashion, trends

Chic trends: The long and short of summer wear (part 2)

Speaking ChicApril 20, 2011Leave a comment

Yesterday we introduced you to long hemlines for summer; today we bring you the short side of the hot season.

You’ve probably already begun seeing images of hot models in bikinis, blink-and-you miss shorts and tiny dresses and skirts in your favourite fashion magazine, on TV and all over the fashion web. The sad truth is that most of those clothes are not wearable (for most women). For instance, even the most well-toned woman couldn’t walk in Mumbai’s Chowpatty beach in a bikini and beach wrap.

But if you’re:

a) Very very bold

b) Going on a holiday away from prying eyes or

c) Own a private beach;

Then feel safe to wear whatever you like!

Fair warning: The short-in-summer trend is not for the thunderous thighs and cavernous calves gals. So if you’re fit and ready for summer, get a dose of our chic picks for you.

Casual shorts

Ideal for daily wear, meeting with friends or a stroll to the neighbourhood cafe.

Below: Shorts from United Colors of Benetton

Formal shorts

Wear it to a formal lunch with the gals, pairing it with killer heels and a loose blouse. A few daring ones in the media and fashion industries would wear shorts to work with a formal shirt.

Below: From Vineet Bahl’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection

Mini dress

A colourful, printed dress with an easy silhouette (skip the body con, please!) is versatile. Wear it with minimal accessories and makeup to keep it casual or dress up a bit with a blingy accessory (a bag or pair of sandals) for the evening.

Below: Dress from Chaitanya Rao’s Summer/Resort 2011 collection

Mini skirt

Mini skirts are almost always in fashion. Make sure your summer mini is in a sunny colour, or team your neutral skirt with a bold top.

Below: Sheath skirt from Zara

What’s the shortest garment you’re wearing this summer?

Showing all posts tagged United Colors of Benetton

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

Chic Trends: 4Ps for summer fashion (Part 1)

New collections Part 1: S.Oliver, Esprit and Benetton (with summer trend quotient)

Chic Picks: Casuals for winter 2011!

Chic Trends: Marine Life (Nature Week)

Chic trends: The long and short of summer wear (part 2)