Pencilmania : why the pencil skirt is forever chic.

If I was told that I could keep just three bottom wear items in my wardrobe; guess what they would be? They would be- my favorite pair of straight-fit classic blue jeans, my well fitting black trousers and my well-fitting black pencil skirt. That’s how indispensable I think pencil skirts are.

Descended from the venerable “hobble skirt” that was designed by the legendary French designer Poiret in 1910s, the pencil skirts have become a staple in every office going woman’s wardrobe for their simple stylishness and ability to go from season to season without ever looking out of place. Of late women seem to have rediscovered how amazingly versatile this garment and they are everywhere.

Having said that, there is absolutely no need to stick to the black skirted secretarial look, in fact pencil skirts look great in just about every color and length; even printed versions can be refreshingly pretty. The trends keep fluctuating and right now, both short and below knee hemlines are in, though the mid-calf length does not flatter most people.

But it’s not about the skirt; it’s about you, so make sure you choose a shape and length suitable for your body type, get a few good quality skirts in a few solid neutrals and watch your wardrobe anxiety vanish. Mid to high waisted styles, with hemlines that hit the middle of your knee, or a couple of inches above, would suit almost everyone and never go out of style.

Once you identify the shape and length that works best for you, stick to those, where you can experiment safely is – fabrics, colors and styles. Think dull metallic brocades and

Jacquards or soft clingy jersey with a little draping detail, if that’s not your style you could consider crisp khakis or nautical looks with a large pockets or a double row of brass buttons and so on.

I personally love the taffeta silk skirts in jewel tones, with a few well placed pleats or the large tie-on bows at the waist - fabulous.

Apart from the office look, there are endless casual looks you can create by pairing the skirts with tops ranging from simple sleeveless vests, long sleeved T-shirts & lacy blouses to cardigans.

For the evenings opt for rich jewel colors and luxurious fabrics, add dark tights and sky high heels. You could throw on a plain satin boyfriend jacket or a sequined blazer for added glamour.

Equally open is the option of footwear, pencil skirts look best when paired with slim heels but I have seen amazing looks where they have been styled with shoes ranging from gladiators, derby shoes, ballerina flats to clogs and uggs. Belts work really well with these skirts  as  do most kinds of bags from over-sized to evening clutches.

Look here for some tips on choosing and wearing it right-

 

http://www.thechicfashionista.com/pencil-skirt-2.html

http://thedailyobsession.net/2009/01/five-ways-to-wear-a-pencil-skirt/

http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/dresses-skirts/pencil-skirts-shopping-guide-00000000022438/index.html

http://blackpencilskirt.net/tag/pencil-skirts/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBdmKuXw1hM

Skinny Jeans Rock: why the skinny style refuses to go away.

Let’s accept it-whether you are a size zero or a size twelve, you have tried them and even felt good in them. There is something undeniably cool and sexy about skinny jeans, a rock-star attitude, which the classic straight legs and boot-cuts can only dream of matching.


It’s about time they be given their due as a modern classic. Ladies, just because they don’t look good on you don’t mean they aren’t classics!!


I know, with the classic pleated pants and billowing draped trousers doing the rounds, this might not seem like the best time to write about skinny bottoms, but that’s the whole point -I am saying the skinnies have moved beyond “trend” territory into “modern classic” territory


Want proof? Despite dire predictions that skinny jeans are “so over”, bad for health and anti curvy women and suchlike, and despite the imminent threat from boy-friend jeans, return of the flared 70s jeans, ripped and torn denim and what have you, they haven’t slowed in terms of sales figures and they still have the best shelves reserved in the closets of fashion icons.


Trust me, only a classic can surf the ups and downs with such grace.
And here’s the clincher- it’s become a bonafide menswear trend for the coming season. How can women traipse around in large, torn, elephantine jeans while the men run around looking all dressy in dark and tight, peel-off jeans? So here’s my conclusion- as long as “Rock Chic” is in, skinnies will always be in.


How did the skinnies burst on to the fashion scene, anyhow? Jeans were always relaxed and grungy casual wear right? Well, the “anti-fashion” tight Rock & Roll jeans of the 70s and 80s was always hot on the music scene and thus with rebellious youngsters, these tight jeans slowly mated with spandex and over time the modern skinnies were born.


By the early 2000s, they had gone mainstream, with the top designers showing them on the ramps and a lot of celebrities adopting them. By 2006 they had hit the top of every denim wearer’s wishlist and were the top selling style. Their popularity might be plateauing off right now, but like the story of every classic, the popularity waxes and wanes but never quite dies off.


Oh and nothing stops you from slapping a trend on to your classic plain skinnies right? Try torn, distressed, whatever- perfect Sunday afternoon DIY fashion project!


Personally, I am waiting for their next avatar, it’s just a matter of time before some young designer decides to reinvent them and they will be back with a vengeance. Btw, I find the picture with the steel plates sewn on to the knee area, quite striking.
I’m thinking of trying it with an older pair I have…maybe even studded leather patches, why not?


There are three grades of skinny- narrow straight cut/ drainpipes, and then, depending on the percentage of Lycra there is the skinny and the super-skinny (the super skinny jeans look painted on-definitely not for the plump).


Please choose the one that you can carry off with ease because if you look uncomfortable it will show and nervousness is not a rock start quality at all.


Just a couple of tips from me- if you aren’t blessed with endless, perfectly toned legs, stick to darker washes which are easier to carry. And if you are short, do not pair them with flats.


For more ideas on what to wear them with and so on, please check these links-
http://www.denimology.co.uk/skinny_jeans/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/trendspotting/3346989/How-to-do-skinny.html
http://misschrisssays.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/skinny-it-up-with-skinny-jeans/
http://www.edubook.com/how-to-wear-skinny-jeans-at-any-size/10786/

White heat: the classic white shirt and why it’s always in.

Okay, so I won’t lie this post comes at this time because when I recently (finally) got to watch “The September issue” - which by the way , I loved- I was thrilled to see the scene where Thakoon ( a young upcoming designer) is asked to work with Gap and create a new line inspired by the classic white shirt. What an utterly exciting project. 

 

But aside from the timing, many friends of mine will vouch for me when I say this- I have always been a huge fan of the classic white men’s shirt. According to me the white shirt is not a garment; it is a philosophy, an attitude and a way of life. The white shirt is a symbol of “Pure classic style”. Easy, natural, chic and brilliantly versatile. 

Because, like black, white is not really a color in the technical sense-if black is nothing or the absence of color, white is everything or the merging of all the colors (we can perceive) into one non-color. And so, it goes with everything and suits everyone (well, almost). 

Apart from all that symbolism, the fact remains, that a good white shirt like the LBD is one of the hardest working items in your closet if you know how to use it. It never goes out of style, it looks classy, it works with every size, shape and skin tone and with everything else in your closet, it can be dressed up or down depending on your need... the list of plus points is endless.

But a little warning here, unlike black it isn’t easy to maintain …and there is nothing worse than a tacky white shirt. 

Here’s the trick- keep a couple of well cut and expensive (think classic designer labels and silk) button-downs as staples that you dry clean at the best cleaner you can afford, these will never let you down. And then, keep adding a couple of good quality but not-so-expensive white shirts, blouses or T-shirts in the season's trendiest shapes and fabrics, to your wardrobe every season. 

Every once in a while, make sure to get rid of the outdated styles and the stained or yellowing pieces (if it's really an expensive piece ask if your cleaner will dye them in a darker color, yet another advantage of white) because sometimes no amount of dry cleaning will bring the brilliance back. 

A small price to pay for looking immaculately stylish, I say!

More here-

http://www.thechicfashionista.com/how-to-wear-womens-dress-shirts.html

http://iamfashion.blogspot.com/2007/04/6-ways-to-wear-white-blouse-ss07.html

http://inlifeandinfashion.com/2009/04/ode-to-the-white-shirt-five-ways-to-wear-one.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1187198/Model-outfit-Guide-best-ways-wear-white-shirt.html