Top Bag Trends 2015

A bag can make or kill the look. The most beautiful dress can look devastating with a wrong bag. A bag should complement the attire, be utilitarian and also look chic at the same time. To be on top of what to carry with your favourite dress, let’s have a look at the top bag trends, 2015.

The bags on the runway this year brought back many elements from the past and also added some new twists to the conventional. The runways of Milan and New York presented the following bag trends, 2015:

• Clutches: The clutches are all about evening wear and class. This season the clutches went from tiny to over sized, solids to printed and sober to blingy. The notable trend was the incoming of round clutches. This season clutches also give the convenience of cleverly designed handles that help in multitasking.

Spring-summer 2015 round Clutches

J Crew hand held clutch

• The Bucket Bag: The spring-summer bag trends, 2015 brought in the bucket bag. It seems to be a must-have this season. Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Chloe, Mansur Gavriel, etc have a great collection of buckets this year that you can choose from. The bucket bag is not too structured, so it makes you look chic with a casual, cool look. Some buckets also give you the flexibility of being hand-held or wearing it on the shoulder or across. Anytime you do not mean business, you can just pull the drawstrings and you are good to go!

Louis Vuitton Bucket Bag

• Saddle Bags: These bags give you an advantage of going hands-free. They can be carried on the shoulder and worn across the body. Available with different options of metallic chain, leather or fabric straps, they are good friends of the woman on the go. Its structured look makes it a great workplace bag. This retro bag has a revamped look this season to suit today’s fashionista.

Chanel crossbody saddle bag

Bag trends 2015 on the runway also saw backpacks, duffles, hobos and totes. Irrespective of the bag’s make and style the noticeable bag trends 2015 are as follows:

• Go full circle: This season round clutches and bags entered the fashion scene breaking the bag’s standard mould.

Karen walker Round Bag

• Fair and Square: The runway also saw very sleek, defined rectangular bags. The sharp edges give these bags a very sophisticated look that will win you any negotiation that you carry it to. Vertical rectangles against the conventional horizontal, are also gaining preference this season.

Versace spring 2015 bag

Versace 2015 vertical rectangle bag

• Pick the Print: Prints give character to the bag. They are ranging from bold floral prints to abstract. Well how can the spring-summer bags shy away from flowers and colours.

Printed bags

• Fun with Colours: Adding colour to the bag is also one of the bag trends 2015. A bit of colour is good any season, it drives away the winter blues and adds to the summer fun. Whether it is in the form of print or solid, colour will make a bag lover happy this season.

Desquared2 solid yellow tote

• Animal Instinct: Imitation crocodile leather bags in different colours and monochrome python print bags are still very in for bag trends 2015.

Crocodile print bag

• Material Girl: Apart from leather this season suede is also ruling the roost. As technology is working with fashion we can enjoy bags in lot of new materials like nylon and PU (reconstituted leather). Bags in fabrics like cotton, canvas, jute, denims are also trendy this year. Metal, bead, gem accents added to the bag is popular. Patchwork, weaves, cut-work and embroidery on the bag will always be in, as far as bag trends 2015 go.

When bags are concerned as long as you know how to work it, they are always in trend. The bag trends 2015 are all about how you match the bags with your personal style statement. A bag walks hand in hand with a girl everywhere, in style. So a good bag is definitely a girl's best friend!

PS: You can also read an old blog post of mine about Bag Trends and Indian Handbags


Image source: theguardian.com, elle.com, pinterest.com, afmu.net, cinefog.com, www.popsugar.com

The Best and the Worst Red Carpet Short Dresses

When it comes to the red carpet, a short dress is considered a risk against the long cascades of the gowns over the red carpet. However there are some red carpet short dresses that will make you go, “wow”. Let us first have a look at five red carpet short dresses that rebelled against the tradition and still managed to come out winners.

1. Zoey Deschanel, BAFTA Brits to Watch, 2011

Zoey in her Oscar de La Renta gold dress from fall-winter collection 2011 was a sight to take in. She looked amazing in the midi length dress with scalloped hemline. This dress can give any gown a run for the money.

2. Taylor Swift, Vanity Fair Oscar party 2011

Taylor swift looked gorgeous in a Zuhair Murad’s strapless, short number in gold with silver beads. She proves that red carpet short dresses do not always disappoint.

3. Jennifer Lawrence, Vanity Fair Oscar party 2014

The “American Hustle” actress wore a Tom Ford mini dress. It was a work of art with asymmetric mirror embellishments and sheer fabric on the side and back. It was an out of the box dress and it still managed to get thumbs up from the fashion critics.

4. Kate Bosworth, Vanity Fair Oscar party 2013

Kate carried a Giambattista Valli with intricate rose and silver embroidery to the Vanity Fair Oscars party. She nailed the look with berry lips and perfect hairdo.

5. Miley Cyrus, People’s choice awards, 2012

Miley is growing up into a style icon. The Hannah Montana star was seen in a white David Koma dress with plunging neckline covered with sheer panel. The bottom too had sheer panelling and overall her look was very chic.

 

Let’s now shift focus to the extremes whose dare-devilry failed to impress. Here are five red carpet short dresses that did not do justice to the celebrities donning them. You can also read my previous article about the Ten Worst Red Carpet Dresses Ever

1. Geena Davis, Oscars 1992

Designed by Ruth Meyers and Bill Hargate, Geena’s dress became memorable in the Oscars’ worst red carpet short dresses Hall of Fame. The satiny white dress looks like a can-can costume, short in the front and long behind. Also matched with white gloves and see-through black stockings, the look was a disaster.

 

2. Diane Kruger, Vanity Fair Oscar party, 2013

Diane Kruger’s Giambattista Valli dress was a caped very busy black and white ill fitting ensemble. It is definitely ill-fitting for the great red carpet short dresses list.

3. Cameron Diaz, Vanity Fair Oscar party, 2011

Cameron wore a Carolina Herrera pre-fall 2011 dress. It was an off-shoulder leopard print very short dress. Though Cameron has a great pair of legs, the dress was too tight across the thighs and bit trashy for the red carpet event.

4. Lara Flynn Boyle, Golden Globe awards 2003

Designer David Cardona dressed Lara in a ballerina inspired outfit for the event. She even complemented the outfit with Chanel ballerina shoes with heels. The look was different for the red carpet but not interesting at all.

5. Paris Hilton, Grammy awards 2009

Paris wore a Versace spring 2003 mini dress for the event. The dress is too tiny, revealing and has cheap shimmer on it.

 

From best to the worst, red carpet short dresses are becoming ubiquitous. There is a growing popularity of red carpet short dresses at events like Grammy and People’s choice awards.

The red carpet short dresses are also a popular choice for after event parties. Whatever the length, the dress should exuberate class and look red carpet ready. After all the celebrities do not want to end up as teenagers heading to proms!

Image Source: www.huffingtonpost.ca, fashionistabarbieuk.com, www2.guestofaguest.com, stylefrizz.com, www.ew.com, metro.co.uk, www.thefashiondealer.com

Mother of the Bride - Indian Aunty Sarees

A wedding affair is mostly all about the bride. However, the mother of the bride ensures that her daughter does not stress out for her big day and irons out all the creases cropping up at the event. So this lady needs an outfit befitting a queen when she is bidding adieu to her princess.

The famous Indian designers like Neeta Lulla, Manish Malhotra, Ashima- Leena, etc. offer an amazing collection of Indian aunty sarees that the mother of bride can pick from. She can follow these guidelines in choosing one of the Indian aunty sarees:

Go Pastel

When her daughter is going for bold colours she can opt for paler hues. Very light tints of blues, greens, beiges, peaches and pinks are great choices for the mother of the bride.

The fabric can be sheer or opaque with crystal embroidery or applique work. The light tones of Indian aunty sarees do justice to the age of the wearer and glorify class and grace at the same time.

Hema Malini in pastels

Easy on Embroidery

Indian aunty sarees with lighter embroidery work on just the borders and the pallu is a nice choice for the mother of the bride. On these lines, the website Strand of Silk offers an amazing collection of sarees from the Indian designers, for the mother of the bride.

 

Neon Pink Saree by Anita Dongre

Gold and Off-white Saree

Like Mother, Like Daughter

The mother can match her saree with her daughter, by choosing a common colour theme. She can go few shades lighter in the colour choice. When the bride is going for lehengas with bare midriff, the mother can go for sarees in similar colour and same type of lighter embroidery.

Hema Malini with Esha Deol

Aishwarya and Jaya Bachchan

Tread the Tradition

The mother of the bride can go for the traditional Indian aunty Sarees like Kanjeevaram, Banarasi, Chanderi, Sambhalpuri, Bandhani, etc. Each of these sarees, uses traditional Indian weaves, prints or fabrics. The traditional Indian sarees always look amazing on elderly women and brings culture to the traditional wedding affair.

 

Paithani saree

Kanjeevaram Sarees

Blouse it Up

The Blouse for Indian aunty sarees should be one that gives coverage to the arms and adds drama to the saree. For leaner arms the mothers can go for sheer fabrics with borders and shorter sleeves.

For heavier arms a more covered look with opaques and embroidery depending upon the saree is a way to go. The veteran actress Shabana Azmi is seen a lot in full sleeves or three-quarter sleeves and she looks very classy wearing sarees with longer sleeved blouses.

Shabana Azmi at Lakme Fashion Week

Pull an Additional Pallu

An additional stole added to the other shoulder without pallu (saree pleats on the shoulder), with matching embroidery and colours gives a regal and commanding look. It adds dimension to the saree and takes it to a different level.

 

Waheeda Rehman with the extra Pallu Saree

The Indian aunty sarees are definitely a more popular and suitable choice for the mother of the bride over lehengas and anarkalis. The mother of the bride’s saree does not intend to take the limelight away but it subtly speaks for the woman behind the girl, who has begun a new journey in womanhood.



Image source: www.bollywoodvogue.com, www.designerblouses.co.in, www.indianweddingsite.com, www.metromela.com, bawree.com, bollyspice.com

Ten Worst Red Carpet Dresses Ever

Every year the celebrities walking on the red carpet feel the pressure to stand out among their peers. When the paparazzi is clicking and flashing away and the star-struck gaze is piercing them, the usual just won’t do.

In their attempt to get noticed sometimes celebrities actually end up in weird outfits. Here are some of the top ten worst red carpet dresses that we have seen ever!

1. Bjork, Oscars 2001 

One of the most famous faux pas on the red carpet is by the Icelandic artist, Bjork. She wore a swan outfit designed by Macedonian designer, Marjan Pejoski, with the neck of the swan wrapped around her and fluffy white ruffles below resembling its feathers. She even pretended to lay an egg on the red carpet! Bizarre!

2. Lizzy Gardiner, Oscars 1995

Lizzy, the Australian costume designer, designed her own outfit made of American Express gold cards and carried it to the Oscars to win the award for the best costume design. Taking the best costume design award in one of the worst red carpet dresses ever, now that is ironical!

3. Demi  Moore, Oscars 1989

For the 61st Academy awards Demi designed her own outfit which comprised of bicycle shorts wrapped halfway behind with a black and printed metallic skirt. Bicycle shorts and Oscars; definitely not made for each other. After her dress became a part of the historically famous worst red carpet dresses, Demi left design to the pros, for her future red carpet looks.

4. Cher, Oscars 1986 

Cher is known to break the rules as far as dressing is concerned at the red carpet. Her 1986 Bob Mackie black dress with magnificent headdress is still remembered for being outlandish. It is a bit too much.

5. Whoopi Goldberg, Oscars 1993

An outfit from Beverly Hills’ boutique, it was a purple full length robe tied around waist with neon green lining. The robe was worn with brocade pants and top. It was too bold and busy. Maybe Whoopi wanted to play clown at the red carpets too!

6. Celine Dion, Oscars 1999

Celine Dion wore a satiny Christian Dior jacket backwards with pants, sunglasses and a fedora. It was difficult to understand why the classy performer chose that outfit?

7. Hilary Swank, Oscars 2003

Hilary’s Christian Dior dress for the Academy awards 2003, made it to the worst red carpet dresses list as it looked like tulle wrapped over a pink cami-slip. It was a fashion mistake for this otherwise well dressed actress at the red carpets.

8. Uma Thurman, Oscars 2004

Uma Thurman wore a Christian Lacroix at the Oscars 2004. The dress looked like it was a homemade costume made by an amateur. It did not do justice to Uma Thurman’s great figure at all and was a complete mess! Uma admitted that the embarrassing dress was a bad choice and definitely it is one of the worst red carpet dresses ever.

9. Lady Gaga, Oscars 2015

While her Azzedine Alaia gown was stunning white with crystal studded embroidery, the red gloves killed the look. The gloves looked like a deliberate attempt to make it to the worst red carpet dresses list.

10. Amber Rose, MTV Video Music Awards 2014

This look magnifies the definition of the worst red carpet dresses. Well it is almost a no dress look. The hip hop star Amber Rose walked down the red carpet in silver chain ensemble designed by Laurel Dewitt. She showed a lot of skin in this barely covering bra-top and thong dress which is definitely a no-no for a red carpet event.

 

These were the worst red carpet dresses, which were definitely a miss. What the celebrities didn’t miss though was the attention and they will be remembered forever, for their unforgettable and disturbing worst red carpet dresses.


Image Sources: nydailynews.com, www.guardian.com, www.telegraph.co.uk, www.people.com, fashionilluminati.com, www.foxnew.com, www.fashion365.ro

Indian Bridal Wear 2015 - From Ramp to Reality

Every bride dreams of looking like a million bucks on her wedding day. When a sea of people are looking and analysing your choice of hairdo, make up and bridal outfit, you surely feel a lot of pressure. And to make everyone go gaga over you, one has to look the best on the D-day. So, if you are walking down the aisle this year, let us help you take a cue on the trending Indian bridal wear 2015.

This year, both Lakme Fashion Week and Amazon India Fashion week 2015 showcased plethora of trends including outstanding bridal wear for all the fashion savvy bride-to-be’s out there. Here’s the list of awe-inspiring Indian bridal wear 2015 trends that are beyond obvious and will win your heart:

Feed your soul with more than one Colour
Gone are the days when brides used to choose just the shades of red for their bridal outfit. The new age bride is all about experimenting with colours and cuts. The ace designer Ashima Leena worked on this idea and presented her multi-coloured collection for the Indian bridal wear 2015.The collection featured contrasts in hues like bright yellows and pinks and some metallics tuned with subtle pastels. Go beyond the obvious with this multicolour trend and stand out!

Ashima Leena Design

Gold never goes out
Gold and silver motifs, beads and embroideries never go out of vogue. Indian bridal wear of 2015 also emphasised on the golden accents to the large extent. Gold embroideries are perfect for occasions like cocktail and reception parties.

New hue on the charts
Channel your inner diva by opting for Anamika Khanna’s black and white risque collection for your wedding functions. This classic contrast will surely make you a head turner and crowd-pleaser.

Anamika Khanna Design

Add neon to your wardrobe
Indian bridal wear 2015 is not restricted to the usual colours but a lot more than that. This season you can get bold and beautiful by adding the splash of neon colour to your wedding wear. Anushree Reddy showed us how neon colours can brighten your wedding attire with bright pinks and sunshine yellows.

Anushree Reddy Design

Let Prints do the talking
When larger-than-life prints are combined with sophisticated fabrics like silk, the result is just spectacular. Neha Aggarwal displayed her latest collection of lively prints which is perfect Indian bridal wear 2015 for outdoor weddings and brunches.

Neha Aggarwal Design

Simplicity at its best
Indian bridal wear 2015 is not just about over the top embellished outfits, but sometimes a simple garment speaks volumes. Gaurang Shah’s collection is one such kind. Simple patterns and minimal designs along with deep colours are a great choice for occasions like your mehndi or bangle ceremony.

Gaurang Shah Design

Time to flaunt your abs
If you are sweating hard in the gym to get the envious abs, it’s time to flaunt it. Here, crop tops and cholis come to your rescue. Crop tops paired with high-waist lehengas or palazzos is definitely the most ‘in’ thing for the season . It hides the stomach while showing just the right amount of skin.

Mix and Match
Indian bridal wear 2015 calls for creativity by playing with different fabrics in one garment. Designers came out with an edgy concept of combining different fabrics in one outfit either by layering it up one over the other or by pairing heavy fabric along with the soft ones to create an illusion of volume.

So all you gorgeous brides-to-be, embrace these styles and put your best foot forward!