Friday, 17 December 2021

Women's Hats: The complete buying guide

Author of this post - Sanskriti Kapoor

Winter is here! You must surely notice a sudden nip in the air, along with falling leaves and the beautiful colors of nature. Although the sun’s rays have begun to weaken, they are not completely absent. So, you must save your skin from the sun’s rays, and a fall hat does the job beautifully! Even though these are not as big and floppy as summer hats, the Winter hats add a touch of classy elegance to any outfit while being functional. Hats are a fashion girl's best friend! If you've been on Instagram lately, or watched a music video, you know that fashion influencers and celebrities have decided that hats are a super important accessory. Plus, sometimes you just need to wear one, whether it's to protect your head from cold weather, to shade your face from the sun, wind, or rain, or just to hide a bad hair day. If you're not sure which types of hats for women you should try with your outfits, we've got you covered with our handy guide to every stylish option.



Heads, like fingerprints, are unique to each person. When you buy a hat, it should be suited to your face, personality, and body type. Unfortunately, when you go into a hat store, the employees don’t always remind you about these key considerations.

Classic Fedora
It used to be only men who wore fedoras, but stylish women have definitely claimed this accessory as their own. When a woman wears a fedora, regardless of the fabric or color, she's making a confident style statement. You can spot this elegant style by its folded top, short rim, and distinctive ribbon around the base. We're big fans of this hat worn with pants outfits, such as jumpsuits, trousers, or jeans as pictured, to add a cool edge to your look.


Wide Brim Fedora
The wide brim fedora, sometimes called a safari hat, is one of the trendiest accessories for fashion girls right now. You'll spot it easily by its medium to high crown, center dent, and wider brim that slopes gently downward all around. It makes a great winter hat in a heavier fabric, such as wool or felt, as pictured here. Wear it whenever you want to jazz up your outfit, or hide unwashed hair.


Schoolboy Hat

The schoolboy hat, also called a newsboy, can be dressy, or more casual, depending on its color, fabric, and style. Here, one of our favorite fashion influencers wears a schoolboy cap in wool, with a Chanel-inspired tweed dress, and layered gold chains, for a look that's very French girl goes shopping.


Floppy Hat

If you think wide brim hats are just for summer, or on beach vacations, here's some new fashion inspiration. A soft, wide-brimmed hat has a bohemian vibe that makes it perfect for wearing with all your outfits in natural fabrics, such as the furry vest pictured on this fashion blogger. You could also wear a floppy hat in the winter with a dark floral dress and cute ankle boots, for an effortlessly feminine look.


Fur Pill Box Hat

When the temperature takes a dive, keep your noggin warm and cozy with the most stylish and high fashion of winter hats for women, the fur pill box hat. Also known as a Zhivago hat, after the 1965 movie starring Julie Christie, its soft furry shape is flattering to every face. Wear a fur pill box with casual outfits to instantly upgrade them, or with your fanciest going out outfits this winter.


Trapper Hat
The trapper hat is one of those happy winter fashion trends that is both super cute, and practical for women living in a cold climate. Modeled after a traditional hunter's hat, this stylish outdoor hat for women is usually made of shearling (as pictured), suede, or leather. You can wear a trapper everywhere in winter, from forest hikes to the skating rink.


Cowboy Hat
The trick to wearing a Western-inspired cowboy hat fashionably is to dress against expectations. Sure, you could wear this style with a flannel shirt and jeans for a home on the range outfit, but it's so much more stylish and modern to pair this type of hat with dressier looks, such as the fur vest and cashmere sweater combo pictured here.



Snug Beanie
A head-hugging knit beanie is a super useful hat to own. You can pull one on when you're having a bad hair day, and need to run to the store. Or, wear one over long hair, especially if it's wavy or curly, to create a winter look that is youthful, and fun. Beanies are available in a variety of colors and patterns to suit everyone's style. They look cute with just about any fall or winter outfit, and are especially great for accessorizing casual weekend looks.


Pom Pom Hat
The pom pom hat, known as a "toque" in Canada, is probably the most popular winter style for women across the board. It is a close-fitting knitted cap, just like a beanie, but with a fuzzy bobble at the top of the crown. Ideal for jazzing up any winter outfit, these hats are widely available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. If you're only going to buy one, make it a neutral-colored knit such as the one pictured here.


Beanies: These hats are specifically worn to keep your head warm, especially during winter, and to keep your hair out of your face. There are various types of beanies, including skullcaps as well as slouch, roll up, and pom pom beanies.

Fashion Hats: Fashion hats are worn to match your clothes. There are various types of fashion hats, including bucket hat, bowler hat, fedora, ascot, beret, and more.

Choosing the Right Hat

When selecting the right hat, you have to consider the shape of your face. There are specific hat styles that fit every shape of the face.

Square: If your face is square, you’ve most likely got a wide forehead, cheeks, and a strong jawline. Look for hats that soften all of your angles such as floppy hats or hats that have a curvy profile.

Diamond-shaped: A diamond-shaped face’s most prominent feature is its angles. It comes with a narrow forehead, wide cheekbones, and a pointed chin. If you have a diamond-shaped face, look for something with a medium to wide brim.

Round: A round face has almost the same dimensions from side to side as top to bottom, so you want to shop for something that will break up the symmetry. Look for hats that can be tilted forward or to the side or that have a slanted or peaked brim.

Oblong: If you have an oblong face, your face is significantly less wide than it is long. Your face is all about the long, parallel lines between your forehead and chin and the left side to the right side of your face. Look for hats that even out these lines and draw attention away from the long lines. Wide brim or newsboy hats should do the trick.

It is also important to consider the size of your head. Your hat needs to fit the circumference of your head because an overly large hat will look sloppy and won’t stay in place, while a too-small hat will feel tight and may appear disproportionate to the rest of your body.

Here, I am mentioning some of the Hats that fits almost all the above parameters. In my experience as a fashion designer, I have come to find the designs mentioned below to be in trend these days. You may take a look -

Hats - https://amzn.to/3E93J5ihttps://amzn.to/3yEnwZi, https://amzn.to/3FmaQsshttps://amzn.to/3p9pZb4https://amzn.to/3se0LdDhttps://amzn.to/3paNkJD, https://amzn.to/30FcmXPhttps://amzn.to/3EapOkbhttps://amzn.to/3miWIc5, https://amzn.to/3e2FhYO



Wednesday, 15 December 2021

Women's Blazers: The complete buying guide

Author of this post - Sanskriti Kapoor

Blazers. We know them, we love them. But what's the best way to buy them?

What is a Blazer?

Let us start by first addressing the most vexing question – what exactly is a blazer? One might be tempted to think it is any jacket that happens to be worn without matching pants. The Oxford American Dictionary describes it as a “sports jacket not worn with matching trousers.”

Meanwhile, the Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “a coloured jacket worn by schoolchildren or sports players as part of a uniform” or “a plain jacket not forming part of a suit but considered appropriate for formal wear.” The Free Dictionary describes it as “A lightweight, often striped or brightly coloured sports jacket having pockets and notched lapels.” And the Merriam-Webster dictionary describes it as “a jacket that is worn over a shirt and that looks like a suit jacket but is not part of a suit.” Clear as mud, eh?

What kind of women's blazers are in style?

Both Vice and Erlanger touched on how this year is all about comfort. "There's going to continue to be an ease to dressing, but that's why a blazer is perfect: it's season-less and transitional truly all year round," Erlanger said. She also mentioned that softer, relaxed silhouettes are going to be popular for that exact reason.

Vice mentioned that he's seeing a lot of oversized blazers, ones you can roll up to your elbows and even cropped blazers on his radar. "The houndstooth pattern is in [and] the jacquard pattern is in, [along with] a lot of that '80s funk appeal," is a classic pattern comprised of pointed shapes, typically black and white in color. Jacquard, on the other hand, is a detailed, raised pattern that is typically woven into a material.

How to style a women's blazer

Vice said it's typical to keep the clothing underneath your blazer simple, especially if you're sporting an oversized blazer. "It's been minimal underneath, like a crop top or a bodysuit," Vice specified. "The underpinnings are a lot slimmer, but the blazer itself is big."

Speaking of comfort, Vice mentioned he loves pairing blazers with sweatpants and a pair of pumps. You could also wear your favorite blazer with some dad or boyfriend jeans, a T-shirt, loafers and a fun belt to bring it all together. "It's chic but comfortable," Vice said.

How to shop for a women's blazer

There are a few things to look out for when you're shopping for a blazer. "People should be conscious of how the blazer is hitting their body," Vice said. "It should be a comfortable moment for them, and [the fit] will be subjective for each person."

To get the most use of your purchase, Erlanger also advised looking at the inside of blazers. Ones that have an inner lining are typically better because they will hold up better, wear longer and are easier to slip on and off.

Types of Blazers

Blazers, like many other types of coats or jackets, come in a variety of styles, silhouettes and fabrics. Depending on your personal style and lifestyle here are some of the most popular types of blazers to consider adding to your wardrobe.

  • Single breasted blazer
  • Double breasted blazer
  • Leather blazer
  • Printed blazer
  • Cropped blazer
  • Oversized blazer

Single-Breasted Blazer

The most classic type of blazer, single-breasted, is one you have likely seen. This type of blazer can be designed in a variety of different fabrics, colors and prints. Furthermore, it’s a type of blazer that can be easily dressed up or down. Because this is such a classic type of blazer it’s not uncommon to have a couple of different single breasted blazers in your wardrobe.

Double-Breasted Blazer

Somewhat similar to the classic aesthetic of a single-breasted blazer, the double-breasted blazer has two very distinct rows of buttons on each side. Because of the double breasted element this type of blazer tends to act as more of a statement piece. Recently, double-breasted blazers have become a huge trend with styles including gold buttons for added style.

Cropped Blazer

Cropped blazers are a trendy statement style. If you want something that looks fashion forward and shows of your shape, cropped blazers are for you.

Even though cropped length are shorter than regular, full size blazer, they can still come in different lengths ranging from at the hip to just at your belly button.

Generally, it’s best to select a cropped blazer that rests right around your natural waist. This will help you to benefit from the fit and enhance your shape.


Leather Blazer
Leather isn’t just for moto jackets. Blazers are a great garment to use to embrace your unique sense of style, opting for blazers in different fabrics like leather is a great way to do that.

Leather jackets as a whole tend to be synonymous with edgy style. To add a bit of edge to your wardrobe, with a garment that’s versatile and classic, leather blazers are a must have.

Printed Blazer

Printed blazers are favored among fashionistas everywhere. Much like blouses and dresses, blazers come in a wide variety of different prints to give you a chance to get creative with your blazer collection. Whether you resonate with feminine, edgy, classic or something in between, there’s a printed blazer that you can have fun styling.

When adding a printed blazer to your wardrobe just keep the color scheme in mind. It’s best to choose a print that has colors that are easy to mix-and-match with everything else in your wardrobe. For example, if you have a lot of black and white pieces you won’t want to add a chocolate brown printed blazer into your wardrobe as it can be harder to wear.

Oversized Blazer

Also known as a boyfriend fit blazer, the oversized look has grown to become a huge trend this year in fashion. With so much 90’s influence in fashion, the oversized look is really fun and fresh. The key when choosing an oversized blazer wearing it with pieces that are more form fitting to create a balanced look and ensure you’re not lost in a lot of oversized fabric.

Blazers are a tailored garment, which is why it’s essential they fit properly. There are a few key areas to pay attention to when determine whether or not it fits you.

How Should a Woman’s Blazer Fit

Shoulders

  • Shoulders are one of the most important areas when determining fit of a blazer.
  • The shoulders of the blazer should rest where your own shoulder ends.
  • If the shoulder seam is above or below your natural shoulder bend the fit isn’t right.

Bust and waist

  • The fit of the bust and waist areas of a blazer will vary depending upon the type and style of blazer you wear. Regardless of the blazer style, the key thing to keep in mind in regards to fit is ensuring that it’s not too big or too small.
  • If the fit is too big in the bust and/or waist it will often slouch and fold around that area of the body.
  • On the flip side, if the bust and/or waist is too small you will notice pulling.

Sleeves

  • Now sleeve lengths and styles are going to be different by nature depending upon the overall style of the blazer.
  • When you have a full length sleeve blazer it should rest right at the joint of your thumb.
  • To properly check the sleeve length, stand straight with your arms down at your sides.
  • It’s not uncommon to need some sleeve length tailor and is often an easy fix.

Length

  • Length is another element that’s going to differ based on the type of blazer. A good rule of thumb when checking the length of a blazer is that it doesn’t rest in an unflattering place.
  • More often than not, the most flattering placement of a blazer will be just above or just below the widest part of your body where the blazer lays.
  • If you have an oversized blazer that’s on the longer side and rests around the hip area, make sure it’s just above or just below the widest part of your hips.

Here, I am mentioning some of the Blazers that fits almost all the above parameters. In my experience as a fashion designer, I have come to find the designs mentioned below to be in trend these days. You may take a look -

Blazers - https://amzn.to/30D2MVchttps://amzn.to/33Ibov5https://amzn.to/3mgFzzhttps://amzn.to/3qbG0wihttps://amzn.to/3yEvYryhttps://amzn.to/3siqDF2

Saturday, 4 December 2021

Women's T-shirt: The complete buying guide

Author of this post - Sanskriti Kapoor

I think most everyone I know has a T-shirt story to tell –  a favorite t-shirt and a story to go with it. Even your t-shirt can tell you one – a very fascinating story of an underdog starting out as an underwear and then going on to superstardom as a coveted outer garment – the stuff blockbuster movies are made of.

A T-shirt can adapt itself to any situation, be it a political rally or disco party or as a corporate uniform – the versatility of a t-shirt needs not much validation. An affordable good quality t-shirt is a go-to clothing for a lot of people around the world.

But not all T-shirts are made alike. Some are more equal than the others – How to know these differences – What do you look for when you buy a T-shirt? This post aims to look at these simple but effective factors.

1. Fabric type

Choosing the T-shirt according to the fabric and the fiber content is number one on my considerations list.

T-shirt fabrics are usually 100% cotton or a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers or 100% Polyester or a mix of synthetic fiber, cotton and rayon; For thinner cheaper t-shirts a jersey material is used, for thicker t-shirts a sweatshirt jersey is used; for more drapey and costly t-shirts an interlock fabric is used; Cotton spandex is also used for stretchy t-shirts.

Interlock knit (double-knit fabric) is densely made, durable and will not curl like a jersey knit t-shirt would. Jersey fabric is thinner and not as durable.

So, How do you know if you have interlock fabric or jersey fabric – Interlock will have Two series of knitted loops per course whereas Knit fabric would have only one series of loops. Interlock fabric will look more or less the same on the face and back of the fabric whereas jersey fabric will look different on face and back if you look carefully.

Your comfort level, if it is important to you, will depend on the fabric your t-shirt is made of – and this depends on the place where you spend your time when wearing the t-shirt.

A 100 % cotton fabric is a must-have fabric configuration for a T-shirt worn in hot climates. But if you are going to be in an A/C room, even if you live in a tropical climate it does not matter if your t-shirt has Polyester fibers or other synthetic fibers mixed to the cotton fibers.  And you may even welcome the synthetic fibers because of the additional benefits they provide – like colorfastness, less shrinkage after wash, stability, wrinkle resistance and easy maintenance.

The cotton fibers give the t-shirt comfort and water-absorbing properties. A Ring spun cotton t-shirt is the softest and most durable as well as lightweight- so if you find these types of t-shirts look no further. Combed cotton is another superior cotton type.

A blend of cotton and polyester fibers make t-shirt fabric easier to care for and durable than cotton ones. A blend of rayon-polyester-cotton makes the t- shirt fabric the softest and very comfortable to wear. This type of t-shirts (50% polyester, 25% ring-spun cotton and 25% rayon) are called tri-blend t-shirts are considered very good as they have the good qualities of all these fibers – the durability of polyester, the absorbency and comfort of cotton, and the softness and drape of rayon.

100% polyester fabric t-shirts may not be very comfortable to wear for day to day wear, but they are great for sports activities as they are lightweight, stretchy ( maybe with lycra) and wicks away the sweat from the body and takes it to the surface where it evaporates. This does not happen with cotton. Cotton, even as it absorbs sweat, stays wet for longer. Polyester t-shirts dry quickly. And when you are sweating it out on the field you want nothing to do with that wet feeling on your body.

Another criteria is transparency – can you see through the material?. 

2. Printed Designs

The designs printed on the t-shirt can sometimes take precedence over even the fabric type or anything else. The artworks, cool texts, quotes etc on the t-shirt fronts are usually what attracts you to one in the first place and all other considerations can pale and fade away if you have fallen in love with one. The above t-shirt is worth its weight in gold for my husband.   

3. Size & Fit

I once read of a trend among women to go and shop in the young teen section – apparently, those impossibly small clothes made them look fitter or whatever. Size and fit are important to some more than the others. If you belong to the latter category, just select one in the same size as the one that you wear all year around.

Otherwise you can go to the shop and try them one by one. But this becomes a problem when you are buying online. The size will vary between brands. The best thing is to take a measuring tape and measure your shoulder width and chest size and then double check the measuring chart given for each brand. 

Another thing to note is that cotton shrinks so a t-shirt with more of cotton fibers will need a larger size to account for future shrinkage.

When measuring the chest, measure around the fullest part of the chest under armpits keeping the tape flat across the back.

General T-shirt sizes for men.

Chest 76/79 cms ( 30 -31 inch)  – XS

Chest 80/88 cms ( 32 -34 inch)  – S ( same as a 36″ shirt)

Chest 89/97 cms ( 35-38 inch)  – M ( same as a 38″ shirt)

Chest 98/106 cms ( 39- 42 inch)  – L ( same as a 40″ shirt)

Chest 107/115 cms ( 42- 45 inch)  – XL ( same as a 42″ shirt)

Chest 116/124 cms ( 46-49 inch)  – XXL ( same as a 44″ shirt)

Chest 125/133 cms ( 49 – 52inch)  – XXXL ( same as a 46″ shirt)

Women’s T-shirt sizes

Chest 30 -32 inch  – XS

Chest 34 -36 inch  – S

Chest 38 -40 inch  – M

Chest 42 -44 inch  – L

Chest 46 -48 inch  – XL

Chest 50 -52 inch  – XXL

Chest 54 -56 inch  – XXXL

4. Occasion

I am talking about the purpose of you wearing a particular t-shirt – though even before this, occasion is a consideration. You will not usually be wearing t-shirts to formal events. But where you are wearing one, the type of occasion matters. A trip to the gym or playing a game of football or a night out with your friends – all need different considerations.

For sports, you need t-shirts that will disperse perspiration and dry quickly. A 100% Polyester with these properties is used for Football Jersey t-shirts. For relaxing in your home this may be uncomfortable – you will be more comfortable in a t-shirt made of natural fibers. For winter outings you need a long sleeved t-shirt or even one with a hoodie or even may layer more than one t-shirt. 

5. Cut of the T-shirt & Styles

The most common style of t-shirts involves a crew-neck and short sleeves. But it does not end there. There are so many different types of t-shirts and many styles of wearing them including layering many t-shirts one over the other – these are dependent on the trend of the moment and individual fashion style.

6. Color of the t-shirt

This again depends on your personal preference – and a lot of other factors like the best color combinations according to the color wheel and some others as mentioned in this post on choosing the best color for your clothes.

7. Fabric Quality – construction, Shrinkage, Pilling & Color fading

A t-shirt that becomes an impossibly wide, crop top after one wash – the nightmare and reality of some of the t-shirts you buy. 

This is a very common thing seen when you wash a new t-shirt – it starts to become wider and shorter- this is usually due to a fault in the knit fabric construction – the already overstretched fibers when washed return to their un-stretched position and make the garment shorter and wider.

So take a look at the fabric structure when buying t-shirts – The knitting should be relaxed, round in shape and not overstretched. Also if it is unevenly knit this maybe a sign of poor fabric construction. Holes may develop after some time. 

Know beforehand that cotton fibers are prone to some shrinkage So your 100% cotton will shrink a lot more than a polyester cotton blended one . If the cotton one is not marked preshrunk, choose a larger size. 

Another problem is over stretching on particular areas like the neckline armscye etc. Quality t-shirts will have a stay tape around the neckline that will prevent the overstretching.

Shrinkage and overstretching depends on the fabric construction in the first place but can be prevented to an extent if you take some precautions when you care for the clothes.

If you buy t-shirts made of cotton choose one made with long staple cotton fibers – they will pill less than any other.

Regarding colorfastness, my advice is to buy from reputed brands.

This one did not bleed in the wash at all despite me being almost sure it will because of the vivid colors ( As it usually does with inexpensive t-shirts).

As for fabric quality, 180 gsm is the minimum you can look for in a good quality t-shirt.

8. Care Label

t shirt

Though the spelling of sequins is quite wrong this care label of a t-shirt does tell you how to take care of it properly. There are other things the clothing label may tell you.

Fabric fiber proportion – If you see 50/50 written it means it is a blend of 50 % cotton and 50% polyester or a synthetic fabric.

If there is a mention of Gsm it refers to the fabric weight.

Fabric weight – Fabric weight is usually considered as an indication of durability. A 180-200 Gsm is preferred for a heavy t-shirt fabric and 130-160 Gsm is alright for a medium weight good quality t-shirt. Usually, this is indicated on the care label. The heavyweight t-shirts will shrink less than lightweight t-shirts.

Fabric maintenance – Shrinkage, colorfastness etc will be indicated in the care label clearly. If you live a very busy life and you would want to spend the least amount of time in care and pressing of your countless t-shirts you will be better off with blended t-shirts rather than 100% cotton t-shirts which wrinkle a lot after a wash.

Another sore point in maintenance of t-shirts is the prints which need real good care which can cost you the most precious commodity of all – time. They ought to be hand washed to prevent color fading and ironed from the backside, especially vinyl prints. This will be indicated in the care label. Are you up to it ?  If yes, buy it.

Spend time finding a T-shirt brand that works for your body type. Use the following guidelines as a checklist when trying out any new tee:

  • Does the t-shirt fit you closely without tightness around your chest and waist?
  • Do the shoulder seams line up with the ends of your shoulders? The shirt may be too loose if the shoulder seams are low, or too tight if the seams are closer to your neck.
  • Do the sleeves cover about 1/3 of your biceps? If the sleeves cover more than half of your biceps or touch your elbows, they're too long.
  • Do the sleeves lightly hug your biceps? Loose sleeves flap around and sleeves that are too tight can cut off circulation.
  • Does the T-shirt subtly drape over your chest and follow the curve of your torso? It shouldn't reveal the outline of your stomach too much.
  • Does the T-shirt go a couple of inches below your belt line, slightly covering your waistband? Ideally, it should be long enough for you to raise your arms without exposing your midsection. Do not wear one that goes all the way to your crotch area.

Here, I am mentioning some of the T-shirts that fits almost all the above parameters. In my experience as a fashion designer, I have come to find the designs mentioned below to be in trend these days. You may take a look -

T-shirts - https://amzn.to/32lzN9ahttps://amzn.to/3F9YzYhhttps://amzn.to/3E3139qhttps://amzn.to/30CXGZ4https://amzn.to/3e5Gz5ohttps://amzn.to/32jhiCdhttps://amzn.to/3p7R3rdhttps://amzn.to/32fK06Ohttps://amzn.to/30FrTGZ

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Women's Skirts: The complete buying guide

Author of this post - Sanskriti Kapoor

Skirts come in a wide variety of lengths and types. This comprehensive guide explains the differences and how to wear them. As with all apparel, skirts can be made in a variety of different fabrics -- which typically determines if the skirt is casual, professional, or suitable for evening wear.

Find the right print – be it floral, abstract or animal – and the printed skirt can become a regular in your wardrobe. Surprisingly versatile, it can be matched with a complementary colour, downplayed with more muted tailoring or, for the real fashion-approved interpretation, contrasted with a different print on top.

Renting is a way to take advantage of the imaginative prints produced by high-end designers without committing to price tags. Dig into rich florals or try brands that made their name with prints, such as Pucci.

Print is a genre that vintage excels at – retro prints are all the rage this season. Look for bold florals, classic paisleys and curios from the 80s. But take your time to look: it’s worth shopping around for a retro print that fits your personal style. Finally, combine with something minimal and modern to bring it into the 21st century.


Short Skirt Styles


Nothing showcases a great pair of legs like a short skirt. These hit above the knee, but they still come in several shapes and fabrics to suit almost any occasion (except maybe school or work).


Mini-skirt

The term mini-skirt is used to describe skirts with hemlines that are well above the knee, often halfway up the thigh. This skirt was popularized in the "Swinging Sixties," with designer Mary Quant and model Jean Shrimpton bringing the style into prominence.
Mini-skirts can be paired with a variety of different tops, depending on the situation and one's personal style. For a night out with friends, a tighter, more fitted top would be appropriate; for a more casual day out, it would be best to wear a more conservative top - long sleeved, with a looser fit - to balance out the shortness of the skirt.
The mini-skirt is best worn by younger women with either an apple-shaped body type or boyish shape.
To pull off the mini-skirt style in a more modest way, pair the skirt with leggings or tights for a stylish look that doesn't show extra skin.

Skater Skirt

Also known as a circle skirt, the skater skirt is a casual skirt with a waistband that sits at one's true waist and is flared so that it will form a circle when laid flat. Because of the way the skirt is cut, it often falls in an a-line shape.
This casual skirt is extremely versatile and can be paired with fitted tops to contrast with the flared shape or even looser tops tucked into the waistband. It has become trendy to wear skater skirts with a fitted cropped top, showing off a sliver of skin.
The skater skirt comes in a variety of lengths, and is universally flattering for all body types.
Longer skater skirts can be worn by women of all ages; shorter skater skirts should be worn by younger women.

Skort

Also known as a scooter skirt, a skort is a combination of shorts and a skirt. It is usually designed as a pair of shorts with a piece of fabric over them, to give the appearance of a skirt. This style was particularly popular in the 90s, when they were knee-length and were most frequently paired with a polo t-shirt. The skort has seen a recent revival in more recent spnigs and summers with the popularization of Zara's modern version. It has a mid-thigh length, with the "skirt" having an asymmetric hem.
This style is suited for women with an active lifestyle - it has the style of a skirt but the ease of a pair of shorts, and is to be worn only in the daytime and for more casual occasions.
A more modern way of wearing this style is with a loose t-shirt or a cable-knit sweater.
This style suits all body types.

Bubble Hem

The bubble hem skirt puffs out at the bottom due to the hem being tucked back under, resulting in a voluminous style. This skirt was originally popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but has since experienced a resurgence in popularity after being seen on the runways. While its original style was short, it is also now seen in longer lengths.
This skirt is best worn with a fitted top to balance out the rounded shape of the skirt.
This style is best suited for younger women who have apple-shaped body types.

Knee-Length Styles

Knee-length styles are versatile enough to be casual, work-friendly, and also work in more formal settings. As the name suggests, these are a modest length without being too long.

Bell-Shaped

The bell-shaped skirt, as the name implies, resembles a bell in that the skirt flares from the waist but falls in a straight line to the knee from that initial flare. It is typically made from heavier fabrics that hold their shape well. The most famous proponent of the bell-shaped skirt is Jackie Kennedy, who frequently wore dresses with bell-shaped skirts to glamorous effect.
This skirt is best worn in the evening at formal occasions, with a fitted top.
It is best worn by apple-shaped ladies.

Full

The full, knee-length skirt is flattering for all women. The waistband of a full skirt typically cinches at one's true waist, the smallest part of a woman's body, with the rest of the skirt falling to the knee.
Its conservative length makes it extremely versatile - depending on the fabric and the print, it can be worn to work and to religious and family occasions, and even to formal evening events if made in a fabric like jacquard or lace.
The best way to wear a full skirt is with a fitted top tucked into the waistband in order to highlight the nipped-in waist.
This skirt can be worn by ladies of all ages and body shapes.

Pleated

Traditionally associated with private school uniforms, the pleated skirt has become ubiquitous in recent years. The effect varies based on size of the pleats. For example, thicker pleats are more reminiscent of schoolgirl days, whereas thinner pleats are more contemporary and on-trend. The pleated skirt can come in a variety of lengths - mid-thigh (mini), knee-length, calf-length (midi), and even maxi. A more modern take on the skirt is using fabrics like leather or chiffon, as opposed to the more traditional wool-blend.
This type of skirt is best worn with a top tucked into the waistband.
Pleated skirts can be worn by women of all body types and shapes.

A-Line

The A-Line skirt, when laid flat, forms a triangle shape where the skirt flares out gently from the waistband.
The A-line skirt is traditionally knee-length, making it an appropriate choice for most occasions.
This style is perfect for pear-shaped ladies as it emphasizes the waist and does not cling to the hips.

Pencil

The pencil skirt is a staple for many professional women closet - and rightly so. This style is cut straight down, and when laid flat, forms a rectangle.
Often paired with a suit jacket, the pencil skirt is best worn in professional environments. A pencil skirt in a suiting fabric is appropriate for business formal dressing, and an appropriate top would be a formal button-down shirt or a silk shell to be worn under a suit jacket.
Retailers like J.Crew have started making pencil skirts in a variety of fabrics, including colorful wools, printed cotton blends, and heavier jacquard prints. These skirts are better suited for business casual environments and, in the case of the heavier jacquard fabrics, at nighttime professional events. In these situations, a loose silk top or a sweater in a complementary color would work best.
Women of all body types and all ages, with the exception of pear-shaped figures who might find it challenging to find a well-fitting pencil skirt, can wear the pencil skirt.

Having discussed the various types of skirts available in the market for purchase, let us understand the following -

How to buy the right Skirt for each Occasion

  • Workwear: Your skirt should be long enough to say “business”. That means: knee-length or slightly above the knee. Some companies have their own rules for skirt length, so check them out before you start buying clothes for a new job.
    Best are classic cuts, e.g. a pencil skirt. They are flattering on almost everyone.  For pear shaped woman, a slight a line skirt that does not follow the hipline is also a great option.
    When wearing a thin fabric, makes sure it is not see through. Go into a very light place and ask a friend or your partner (you will most probably not see it in a dark room).
    If the skirt has a slit in the back, ensure the slit does not show your upper thighs or even more.
  • Casual: Skirts are the feminine alternative to trousers – even with casual wear. You can even get skirts in jersey!
  • Special occasion (date, dinners, holiday parties):  Lace, silk.. anything goes! Just make sure the style is appropriate for your body shape.

Choose the right Fabric

You can buy skirts in a huge variety of fabrics: twill, silk, linen, wool, cotton, cashmere, viscose, polyester and gabardine.

Softer fabrics will hug the hipline – some bodytypes (pear!) should be careful with that.

Find your skirt style

  • Skirts that fall just above the knees are flattering on most women and easy to style. With a knee-length skirt you can wear heels, boots or flats.
  •  Long skirts are a great opportunity to wear your flat shoes (as long as the skirt is long enough). Long skirts can be dressy as well as a great garment for the beach. Just make sure it has a slit so you can walk in it.
  •  Short skirts are for beachwear, casual wear and party wear. Some people say you should not wear mini skirts after a certain age. But there is no need to adhere to that as long as you have beautiful slender legs and do not show much skin on other parts of your body (big cleavage and mini skirt is a no go!).
Vast Selection

With so many styles to choose among, there are plenty of skirt options to suit everyone. No matter what your taste or body style - or the type of occasion you are dressing for - there's a skirt that will meet your needs.

Wednesday, 20 October 2021

Women's Scarf: The complete buying guide

Author of this post - Sanskriti Kapoor

You’ve put together a stunner of an outfit and are ready to show the world your style. You’re on your way out, but one last look in the mirror and you realize something’s missing: your ensemble could do with a touch more colour and texture. Say hello to scarves, those ingenious accessories that can do wonders to instantly ramp up your look. Maybe you could use a luxurious polka dot silk number that immediately puts the fun back into formal wear, or a funky geometric printed one that your friends will absolutely envy. Whatever your style is, scarves can take you from blah to fab in a snap. Find out what’s trending and how to make every outfit rock with these mini marvels. 


Best Scarves for Summers

Come summer and there’s nothing better than slipping into light, breathable clothes that keep you cool. Scarves of the sheer, gauzy variety are what you need to accessorise summery ensembles. This means cotton, chiffon, and other cooling fabrics. You can go wild with colours and prints as well as with embellishments and embroidery. We’re partial to scarves with funky prints and short knotted numbers that easily put the zing back into everyday outfits.

Chiffon

Who can say no to chiffon? The gorgeous fabric is a designer’s dream, which means you can get your hands on numerous fabulous creations without any trouble. This easy-to-maintain fabric works great with both casual and formal attire. You can pick a multi-coloured chiffon scarf to wear with a solid black shirt and a pair of cream trousers for an office look that blends professionalism and fun. Knot it around your neck, leaving the ends loose to casually fall over one shoulder. The splash of colour will get rid of any drabness that office wear can sometimes have.

Cotton

Cotton scarves are must-haves, especially if you live in warm regions. They keep you cool, last long, and come in many colours and designs. Pastel colours, ombre styles, and delicate prints are our favourites. They look amazing with Western and ethnic casual wear like T-shirts and kurtis. Loop a lovely cotton scarf around your neck to pep up a neutral-toned khadi top and a pair of skinny jeans. Give the outfit even more desi flavour with a pair of mojris and silver jhumka earrings. Slinky cat-eye liner and a loose bun will add the right amount of sexiness that your date will find irresistible!

There are a few reasons why they are so widely popular and equally important to own. Cotton, as a fabric, is a warm-weather favorite. It keeps pesky sweat at bay and allows your body to breathe free.

  • Not only will a cotton scarf shield you from the sun, but it will also add a touch of effortlessness to your outfit. Regardless of what color or pattern you choose, these scarves are extremely versatile and the question of ‘how to wear a scarf’ doesn’t arise at all with them.
  • You can choose to pair them with a dress, a shirt, a t-shirt or pretty much anything you want for casual outings or daytime events. Go in with no holds barred, and you’ll see how cotton scarves transform your look into something that deserves to be on your Instagram feed stat!

Linen

If there’s one ace summer fabric, it’s linen. Very breathable and cooling, it looks gorgeous on everyone. Choose a linen scarf in a vivid colour such as red or orange and drape it around your neck to bring alive white tops and grey shirts. For a formal affair, we suggest going for a two-toned scarf with a striking border, or a printed scarf in rich colours. Guys can prepare to look utterly dapper when pairing one with a grey suit and a black overcoat. Ladies can look just as stylish and show off their new buy with a boat-neck top and lightly printed palazzos. For a formal look, slip into slim-fit trousers and a smart jacket.


Best Scarves for Winter

You may think it isn’t worth the bother of having separate scarves for summer and winter, but trust us when we say it is! Fabrics like cotton, chiffon, and linen are cool to the touch, which means one of these around your neck in winter will probably leave you with the shivers. Instead, pick thicker materials that keep you warm and help you look super fashionable. The best winter scarf fabric is–you guessed it–wool. Thicker and usually closely knitted, it will chase away the chills. However, prepare to shell out a bit more for it because pure wool is expensive. If you don’t want to spend big bucks, woollen blends work almost as well. They also come in numerous colours and prints and go excellently with most winter outerwear, especially stylish coats and jackets. Choose a soft red scarf to peek out from under a fabulous top coat or a winter jacket. We recommend choosing warm leggings or wool blend trousers and boots for the finishing touch.

How to Style Scarf


Scarves can be worn all year round and are one of the few accessories that you can go all-out with. Let’s say you have a meeting to get to and want to spice things up without seeming too wild. Just pick a scarf in a fun design and it’ll jazz up your look like little else. Most women’s pantsuits could use a bit of oomph; a zebra print scarf would do the trick. Solid men’s business suits can be given terrific texture with a paisley print scarf. These and more come in several styles, all of which we love and recommend!

Bandana Style Scarf

Forget trying to shape a large scarf into a neat triangle; with the bandana style, a quick fold is all it takes. We love edgy designs that give voice to your inner rebel! Think graffiti prints, skull and bones, and multi-colours that accentuate any outfit. Tie a bandana style scarf around your head the next time you’re headed to a happening concert. Let it accessorise a fitted black jacket, skinny jeans, and ankle boots for the perfect rocker-inspired look.

Stole

If elegance is the need of the hour, nothing says it better than an elongated scarf or a stole. The large piece of fabric can be styled in a multitude of ways. Longer scarves look amazing with tunics, kurtis, and fitted tops. You can wear one with its ends hanging loose over your shoulders, or tie the ends together to create a cosy wrap. Shorter scarves can be worn with T-shirts and cropped tops for a fun and playful touch.

Infinity Scarf

A third style of scarf, known as the infinity scarf or more commonly as the snood, is our top pick for anyone looking to enhance casual and smart-casual wear. It can be looped around your neck to keep you warm or around your head for a slouchy beanie effect. Choose a vibrant printed snood to pep up a solid white T-shirt and ripped denim shorts for a spunky, casual style. You can also team up a dressier design with a tailored dress and a collarless jacket or with a light pullover and trousers.

Scarves are one of the easiest accessories to buy online. You don’t need to worry about size or fit. Just pick a design you like in a fabric to suit the season and you’re done. Get out that drab top that’s been gathering dust in your wardrobe and watch it come alive with a stylish scarf. Give conventional business attire a much needed edge with a printed chiffon scarf in rich maroon. Stock up on different styles from our gorgeous selection and discover the fun of accessorizing. Buy scarves and let them weave their magic.


Silk Scarves 

With historical significance attached to them, silk scarves are easily one of the most opulent wardrobe items to own. There was a time when they were worn to denote ranks in society, with only upper classes flaunting them. Now, the entire dynamic has changed and they’re more of a symbol of fine taste in fashion than anything else. It’s impossible to watch a movie with the elite in focus and not spot these types of scarves on any of the characters. Whether they’re in the form of a necktie or stole, their icon status is never up for debate.

  • Just like cashmere, investing in a silk scarf can cause a dent in your wallet, but if you’re someone who enjoys the finer things in life, then you’ll find that they bring you immense joy and also put you high up on the style ladder! Always buy ones from trusted brands though, you don’t want to be stuck with a blend.
  • They’re good for your skin and for your body, so that’s a bonus and the right motivation to get yourselves at least one. We’re all for printed silk scarves but you can give into your favorite solids. We’re also suckers for the luster, and we know that you will be too.
Now, having learnt about the various types of scarfs and the seasons they best suit in, let us proceed to discuss the ways in which one can tie a scarf -

Interesting Ways to Tie a Scarf

There are myriad ways to tie a scarf around your neck for the best effect. You can style the scarf into different shapes employing a variety of knots and loops. With the help of one of one of the many online tutorials that abound, you can create chic twists, braids, ‘necklaces’, shawls and wraps without much effort.

In addition to a simple loop whereby you double the scarf and hang it around your neck, pulling both ends through the “loop” in the front, here are a couple of other easy styles to get you started:

  • Pretzel’ Loop – As a variation on the simple loop above, double the scarf and wrap it around your neck. This time rather than pulling both ends through the loop, only pull one end through the inside of the loop and pull the other end over the loop and through the other side.
  • Simple Knot – Hang the scarf around your neck. Tie a knot near one end of the scarf and pull the other end through the knot, making it even with the knotted end.

Depending on the shape of your head and neck and your hairstyle, these different styles can be more or less flattering. And the heft of the scarf should relate to the rest of your outfit. For example, wearing a bulky, intricately tied scarf with a skimpy summer outfit would look unbalanced.

So go ahead and wear that gorgeous scarf that looks so pretty against your face, and don’t worry about matching it to the rest of your outfit. Or, rather than trying to match a scarf to your outfit, maybe you want to match your outfit to your scarf!

Spoiler Alert: a Woman's Scarf Doesn’t Have to Match

Many of us have been brought up to believe there are rules against mixing and matching certain colours and patterns. These rules can hinder us, especially when it comes to choosing a scarf to perk up a dress, a top, or an entire outfit.

Some of us feel a pang of anxiety doing something so seemingly simple as figuring out what scarf to wear with a black or camel coat or jacket.

We’re happy to report those old-fashioned rules no longer apply. You can mix non-complementary colours and patterns with impunity. So go ahead and choose that beautiful scarf you’ve been admiring. We have some recommendations to help you make it work so you look your best.

Your Scarf Should Flatter Your Face

The most important consideration when choosing a womens scarf to wear around your neck or on your head, is whether it flatters your face. That means choosing colours and patterns that complement your skin tone and hair colour. The good news is that choosing the right scarf lets you wear an outfit in colours that don’t normally suit you.

For example, if you long to wear black to achieve a chic look, but don’t because you believe black makes you look pale and washed out, go ahead and pair that cute black dress or other outfit with a scarf in your special colour(s) – and you’ll end up looking fabulous.

It’s the colour next to your face that makes the ensemble work. For a huge selection of different colours where you can choose your favourite, have a look at our Linen Scarf with Textured Finish – which is available in a huge selection of 28 different colours.

Women's Hats: The complete buying guide

Author of this post - Sanskriti Kapoor Winter is here! You must surely notice a sudden nip in the air, along with falling leaves and the bea...