Lakme India Fashion Week 2011 Decoded for Indian Men

Whoever said that men have very few options when it comes to fashionable clothing need to eat their words! The recently concluded Lakme India Fashion week bears valiant testimony to this very fact. We here make an attempt to deconstruct and then rebuild the various looks that were on display to make it fit in the wardrobe(and also the budget) of the young Indian male.

Energie men’s casual wear. Almost everything in this section is top notch and ‘wear-worthy’! From the cool capris teamed with bermuda shorts in eye-popping colours, printed T-shirts, denim and leather jackets to checkered scarves, golf caps and hats, muti-colored belts and shoes, college-goers and, for that reason, just about anyone looking for some funky casual wear has lots of reason to cheer. Here are some of the few that got our vote...

The Street Rocker Look
Team blue casual pants with a blue checkered scarf, black themed T-shirt with a dash of the same blue, a black leather jacket and black leather shoes. The reverse can also be done, by using a white T-shirt instead of a black one and wearing brown or brown blue keds minus the black leather jacket. This look is sure to rock the scene and what’s more, it isn’t too over-the-top to fear not being able to pull it off. All you’ll need is a sprinkling of a confidence to go along with it.

The Uber Casual Street Wear or Carefree on-the-road Look
A ripped low-neck T-shirt can make you look cool when paired with bermudas worn over capris (yes, you heard it right!). Throw on a dark denim jacket, long-lace keds and a golf cap of the same colour as your capris and you’re ready to go. This look is guaranteed to attract attention and bring your bold streak to the fore!

The Easy College-goer Look
Couple a checkered cloth jacket in subdued hues with vibrant T-shirt and cargo pants in muted, earthy shades. An absolute college-goer’s delight and  great daily-wear.

The Geeky Friday-dressing Look
Want something cool and casual yet sophisticated to wear to work on a Friday? Try this look. Checkered scarf, a comic hero inspired T-shirt, a black sleeveless jacket, grey, torn jeans and black and white high top sneakers. Wear a pair of black-framed, thick-rimmed glasses or sunglasses and you might feature on the best-dressed list at work.

The Casual Quick Outing or Holiday Get-up
A white or light hued T-shirt with huge prints in energetic colours and a cap in bright tones would not only add to the already high appeal of a normal pair of faded or acid-washed jeans but also provide a little burst of color to your regular attire.

The Rugged made-for-the-outdoors Look
This is our all-time favorite as it has the masculine element at it’s centre. One look and the ladies would be falling over themselves to get to know you better. Group a high- collared or polo-neck T-shirt in shades of electrifying though slightly muted blue, brown green cargo pants with multiple pockets and a checkered golf cap and Woodland shoes.

The ready-to-tee-off Look
Checkered, knee-length shorts with a theme printed or plain T-shirt, a denim jacket(optional) and a chunky belt in punchy hues will be great for a day at the golf course.

The Daring yet Under Stated Biker Look
A horizontal stripes T-shirt with fitted jeans having long zippers can work it’s magic for those wanting to achieve this particular look. Simple and sleek.

So, didn’t all that take your breath away yet? What are you waiting for then? Go ahead and paint the town red with these trendy style ideas this season.
Watch this space for more hip style trends of the season. You can also follow these web links for trends and ideas on accessories and shoes.

Hottest Autumn/Winter 2011 Looks For Men

So far I have only been discussing style tips for women. But guys I understand that being stylish is equally important for you. So here I am with some of the most stylish looks for men this Autumn/Winter season.



#The Charming Gentleman:

If you thought looking fashionable at work is not possible, think again guys! Leading men’s wear brand have been trying hard to make office more fun and comfortable for you. When it comes to men’s formal wear, Arrow is my favourite brand. Try this premium Arrow shirt with regular-fit black Arrow trousers for a well-groomed look. Put on this tie and an elegant belt to enthrall the boardrooms with your persona. Complete your formal look with shining leather formal shoes.

#The Handsome Guy Next Door:

In order to look handsome for your date, try this sure success look to impress her with your fashion sense. If you are hesitant to wear a green pullover, I suggest you wear this elegant United Colors of Benetton sweater and put on a green muffler. You can wear your Arrow trousers and these cool Rockport shoes to complete the look.

#The Urban Dude:

The hip-hop generation guys dare to experiment with their looks and proclaim their style quotient. If you liked this uber cool look, you can easily recreate it with this striped sweater and Arrow trousers. Make sure you get your trousers hemmed from bottom to get the right look. If you fear looking outrageous, in the white black loafers, you can try one these casual shoes to play it safe.

It’s time for men to catch up with their female counterparts in the style race. If you don’t like to go from store to store to buy stuff your yourself, go online shopping guys! Go ahead, get fashionable and surprise all the women out there with your amazing dressing sense!

The Cool Casual Looks For You

Weekends are so much fun! You don’t have to get up early and rush to the office and can spend the entire day chilling and partying out with friends. However dressing up for weekend is always a problem. I can find the right clothes for work but when it comes to looking good for weekends, I lose all my fashion sense and stand in front of my wardrobe for hours in search of perfect clothes. Most of the times I eventually give up and go out in my jeans and tees only!



But I recently spotted some cool casual looks which are really easy to portray. Check these cool casual looks for women and make them yours in no time.

# The Fail-safe Western Wear




Jazz up your casual wear by teaming your slim-fit Lee jeans with a checked shirt to look casually chic! Carry a sophisticated Hidekraft bag to keep your lipsticks, comb and credit cards safe. Complement your looks with funky Fastrack shades and high heeled shoes to rock the day with your charm and style.




# The Evergreen Indian Look





The bright and colorful kurtis of 60’s era are back in fashion! Team your hip cotton kurtis with sexy leggings to look saucy. You may also take a dupatta along to add more glamour to your attire. Accessorise your dress with elegant flats, some chunky jewellery and a cool handbag to proclaim the diva within you!



Every women loves to dress up to her best everyday and get compliments. However it is difficult to go shopping for yourself. I recently got hooked to shopping online at Myntra.com and I am enjoying the experience of online shopping in India. I no longer have to beat the traffic to reach the shops and stand in queues to get the billing done, all I have to do is checkout the online shopping websites to order the stuff I like and it gets delivered at my doorstep! Shopping was never so much fun. You too can go shopping online and save weekends for flaunting the beautiful clothes you buy!

Gorgeous Winter Looks

For some, winter is that exciting time of the year when they can walk down the road in their chic fur coats or new pair of boots. But for others, winter season is an inevitable crisis situation that requires all their fashion sense and investment to look presentable. If you suffer from winter fashion blues, fret no more for it is possible to look stylish and stay warm this winter season within your budget.

Check out some of the hottest looks from Autumn Winter 2011collection and get an insight into how you can make them your new style statement:

#Look one: Sumptuous and elegant winter look

For this sassy and classy look, get a pair of shiny black stockings from United Colors of Benetton and elegant high heeled shoes. Don a swanky Forever New skirt and striped Adidas women's sweater to add style and sophistication to your looks. You can wear a cosy United Colors of Benetton coat on top of your dress to keep the chill at bay. Complement your plushstyle by taking a sexy Hidekraft leather bag. You can also put on a cute crochet cap hand knitted by your grandmother to increase your charm, not to mention to protect your ears from the cold winter breeze!

#Look two: Cool and casual winter look

If you wish to keep your winter look simple and stylish you can try this cool casual look. Pair your United Colors of Benetton stockings with a funky Adidas multi-colored striped sweater. Put on an a warm knitted bolero shrug on top to add some glamour to your casual wear. Finally wear your rugged high heeled shoes and take a funky Puma handbag to paint the town in rainbow colors with your enchanting style and appearance.

It’s time to let go of your winter fashion worries and get ready to flaunt the coolest look this season. Start scrutinizing your wardrobe to find all the stuff you need to portray these fabulous looks or go shopping online in India to find some amazings bargains and great steals. I recently got into the habit of shopping online at Myntra.com and I'm loving the entire experience. Let go of your inhibitions and get ready to chill out this winter season in style because fashion never came as cheap and conveniently as NOW!

I Feel Cold No More!

Its winter time again! The days have become shorter and there is an envelope of mist shielding the city every morning. Winter is the most serene season of all. The feeling of sipping coffee cuddled in your quilt and walking down the roads on those quiet moonlit nights is simply enchanting!




But for me winter used to be that awful time of the year when I battled between looking good and staying warm! I hated the idea of looking like a giant bear in those over sized men's jackets and on days when I steped out in my cashmere sweater I came back home shivering from head to toe!

Thankfully I have found a solution to my winter dressing problem. Now I resort to jackets for keeping me warm and stylish in winters. Jackets come in various styles, patterns and materials to sizzle you in your winter Avataar. 

The other day I was looking for winter jackets online, and found some really cool stuff at Myntra.com. Check out some of the most ravishing looks for this winter season on Myntra.com, India's favourite online shopping destination.

For office wear put on a long winter jacket with formal trousers and heels.

And when you go out for shopping or to gym, wear a Reebok jacket with casual sneakers.

Thanks to Myntra.com, I reinvented my winter style statement. Now I chill out on cold winter nights looking stylish and keeping warm. I just discovered that there is an invincible summer inside me!

Forever yours...warmly!

It was a bitter cold night...wolves were barking, sorry howling...my insides were frozen with dread and cold...lonely and scared I kept staring at the blank TV screen in candlelight, for there was no electricity...and then I found a little friend. My faithful sweater! 

 

True, there's nothing compared to the warmth of a mother's love, but sweaters come real close. When I wear a sweater I feel like my mom's right there with me, hugging me, protecting me from all the bad stuff on earth. That's the power of sweaters!

Sweaters can be front-open, fastened with buttons or zippers (called cardigans). 

 

They can be worn by pulling over the head, with no front or back openings (called pullovers, jerseys or jumpers).

Wear them tucked in or out with jeans, shorts, skirts, formal trousers...basically with anything!

Typically sweaters are made of wool, cotton, cashmere, polyester or a combination of these, and other synthetic materials. Cashmere sweaters are light-weight and incredibly soft. Needless to say, they are more expensive than others. Remember to check the composition of cashmere sweaters before buying them, for they may have only 10% cashmere and the rest cotton! It happened to Rebecca in "Confessions of a Shopaholic", you don't want that happening to you!

Experiment with necklines, sleeves, patterns, colors, fabrics to pick sweaters that complement your personality. Though their primary function is to protect you from the biting cold, it doesn't imply that you wear something hideous just because it keeps you warm. Go for a great looks-plus-practical combo! And remember to care for your sweaters; you can either dry clean them or use a mild detergent and hand-wash them at home. Check the wash-care instructions to be sure!

 

And what better place to check out stylish sweaters for men and women online, than Myntra.com, the best online shopping destination! With their latest collection of sweaters available online in India, Myntra gives you a chance to dress warmly yet smartly this season. To feel some glorious warmth, like butter on hot toast, buy sweaters from Myntra!

Check out this bright sweater for men from Adidas:

Buy multicolored sweater for men from Adidas online at Myntra

Or look at this chic white sweater for women from Scullers:

Buy white sweater from Scullers for women at Myntra

  That's not all, you can also buy sweaters from leading brands like United Colors of Benetton, Puma, Flying Machine, Spykar, Jealous 21 and more! All you need this winter is a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows, and sweaters from Myntra to keep you cozy!

United Colors of Benetton: One World Many Shades!

If there is a brand that appreciates the spirit of humanity and celebrates the cultural diversity world over, it has to be United Colors of Benetton. With its subtle yet impactful advertisements the compnay does more than marketing, it leaves you pondering about them! UCB believes that communication should not be commisioned from outside the company but conceived from within its heart. Thus United Colors of Benetton's Ad campaings speak alot about the brand's ideology and philosophy.

Check out some of the UCB's most popular advertising campaigns:

If these pictures left you feeling awed and speechless we understand. United Colors of Benetton can feel the pulse of its buyers and is able to strike a chord with them trough its vibrant and colorful products.

Buy United Colors of Benetton online

When I wear UCB clothes, I feel proud to be connected with a brand that loves people and unites them. You too should buy United Colors of Benetton products online at Myntra.com and experience the feel and charm of this amazing brand. As for me, the world is divided by borders but united by UCB!

Wrangler Jeans for All!

It's all in the Jeans!

Most of you would ask, “Whats so special about a pair of jeans? You know your size and budget, so just pick up the shade you like from the stacks at the store and swipe in your card!”

Alas! It is not so simple. Look around and you would see people in their various denim avatars but only a few manage to get the perfect fit and right look out of their denims.

No doubt men’s jeans are the most practical and comfortable garment ever designed. However it is important to select your jeans wisely as a perfect fit will not only offer you great comfort but compliment your physique as well. When it comes to a well-fitting men’s jeans, Wrangler is my favourite brand. Slip into the stylish and comfortable Wrangler men’s jeans to indulge in the ultimate cowboy spirit.


Hundreds of years ago, jeans were picked up by cowboys for their ruggedness and rustic appeal and has continued to enthral the youth till date. Experience the same thrill as you sport your Wrangler jeans. The adrenalin fuelled iconic denim brand Wrangler salutes the zeal and heroism of a true man. With its striking trend setting collections, this legendary denim brand has managed to impress the fashion buffs for over hundred years now!

The Autumn/wintercollection 2011 from Wrangler is inspired by the fervor and enthusiasm of a true wanderer and is all about the comfort and versatility of the denims.The brand new collection from Wrangler ensures that you get a perfect fit coupled with a great style. Try on an utterly stylish boot-cut jeans or a super sexy slim-fit jeans in a variety of shades from the darkest midnight blue to lightest power blue to match your mood and persona.


Quest for the perfect fit: Jeans are the elixir for guys! Stylish and comfortable a great pair of jeans feels like your second skin. Boot-cut jeans are perfect for a guy hoping to look fashionable without looking outrageous. It fits closely with a slight flare towards the leg opening and suits all the physiques. If you wish to play it safe, Stick to Straight leg, slim-fit jeans. A straight leg regular fit jeans looks great on people with athletic or average frame as it helps them show off their sculpted body. Bulkier people should try on a straight leg jeans with large pockets in the back as it would help to deviate the attention from their large bum!

 

While hunting for my ideal pair of jeans, I stumbled on the Myntra.com and found some interesting stuff from Wrangler online. Skeptical about online shopping in India, I opted for the cash on delivery option and guess what, the jeans landed on my doorstep the very next day! Delighted with the convenience and choices available at Myntra.com, I also ordered some funky tees, casual shirts and cool sneakers to team up my Wrangler jeans. Why go to a regular store, when you can shop for it all online at Myntra.com, India’s favourite online shopping destination!  

Jeans is an eternal piece of garment, they go well with everything, and if you buy the right style, they will always be in fashion and look good on you. You don’t need anything expensive, or exuberant to make a style statement, just something durable and well-made. As for me, I found my ideal jeans in Wrangler!

Aurelia kurtas: Traditionally hip!

Western wear is super awesome! But it gets a bit boring when all I can do is put on a pair of jeans and some random tee. Where's the fun? Where's the color? Ooooooh wait I just found it in kurtas! Yes! Kurtas are super cool. 

You can wear them with jeans:

 with salwars:

with churidars:

with leggings:

 

I dig kurtas for I can so easily reinvent my style with them. Add a stole, or a dupatta, pair them with funky leggings, wear chunky jewelry...the world of kurtas beckons me! They're soft, comfortable, colorful, and look great. I'm kinda slim, but even if I were plump they would look cool on me, unlike a body-hugging tee. Plus, I can wear kurtas even when my legs aren't waxed, and nobody would know!

And while I was scouting around for pretty kurtas I came across this brand called Aurelia. Interestingly, "Aurelia" means golden, and I think it sounds so girly and faddish! They have gorgeously hip kurtas in pretty colors and such feminine designs that it's difficult to stop yourself from falling in love with them! 

Latest collection of Aurelia at Myntra

Embroidery, mirror-work, zari, floral prints, chic patterns...Aurelia has it all. Snazzy or dapper, I get the look I want in a jiffy! Aurelia kurtas are a refreshing change from mini skirts and fitted tops, why wear them all the time huh? These kurtas bring me closer to my roots in a very trendy way!

Buy Aurelia kurtas online at Myntra.com

And you know where I found a HUGE awesome collection of Aurelia kurtas? Online! Yes, the best collection of branded clothing in India is online. Tough to believe, but that's true honeys! Who has the time and patience to go to a mall and battle it out with thousands of people trying to buy the exact same stuff as yourself? Well, at least I don't. 


While hunting online for branded women's clothing I came across Myntra.com. It seems to be the best online shopping store in India, with the latest collection of apparels, footwear and accessories, including some very dandy Aurelia kurtas . I think I'm going to buy truckloads of stuff from Myntra, including Aurelia kurtas! What about you? Fallen for Aurelia kurtas yet? No? What's your fave kurta brand in India?