The paradox of dressing up

It often strikes me as extraordinary, the paradox that comes along with the phrase 'dressing up'. Especially, given the context dressing up has been placed in, in this day and age. Where dressing up is mostly dressing down, keeping it clean, minimal chic and the other unending list of synonyms fashion bloggers use in their common parlance to describe effortless looks. Its a paradox that we have found ourselves completely intertwined in and at some levels, I am enjoying blurring the lines between dressing up and dressing down.
When I look at inspirations such as Jamie Beck of Ann Street Studio, I realise fashion editorials can be so much more than beautiful locales. And more often than not, Ann Street Studio does a beautiful version of minimalist photography on the blog and it still manages to capture the essence of inspiring fashion from across the world. Currently obsessed with the Cuyana campaign shot in Bali. The lethal combination of lush greenery, waterfalls and the simplicity of the clothing is enrapturing.
Now that I have disclosed that part of my brain that houses these fashion visuals, let me share the outfit that got me thinking about this paradox. I couldn't have epitomised this paradox anymore, even if I tried.

Wearing:
White peplum Top: New Look, Dubai
Blue distressed cut outs: Forever 21
Tan gladiators: Forever 21
Aztec printed summer jacket with neon trims: Street find, GK-1, M Block Market (Delhi)
Layered Necklaces: Shorter (Australia), Longer (Street pick, Khan Market, Delhi)
Hand harness: C/O Youshine
Tote with sweet lime print: C/O Uff Shop at The Mill
Sunglasses: C/O American Swan

These sunglasses are my newly added babies to the ever increasing collection. Maybe I should share all my favourites one day. These ones are from American Swan and till now, I have had a pleasurable experience wearing them everyday. Easy on the pocket too, so there is always that option of diversifying your collection. This shape is perfect for thinner face structures like mine.

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Five things we learned from Sex and The City

A girl is basically falsifying the truth, if she claims to not believe in the almighty power of a good few hours of a Sex and the City Marathon. You might watch it with your good ‘ol dependable girlfriends in your favourite pjs and stained tank with all that wine and ice cream. Or you might watch it all alone and cry everytime Mr Big breaks Carrie’s heart. Or you might even watch it with your kids someday, teaching them the harsh realities of life albeit Carrie’s life is nothing short of a dream run. We all watch it, hormonal or not and it is about time we sat and evaluated all the wonderful things that we have learned from this heart warming and sometimes rib tickling tele series.

1. Being a woman is never easy but we get by with the help of friends. Lets face it, all the Manolo Blahniks of the world do not make up for blatant sexism at work or the loneliness syndrome most single girls in their mid 30s or in our case (mid 20s) go through. It is painful to the extent that on some nights we believe we are going to die alone with our pet cat (picturing the pet cat gnawing at my face as I lie dead, undiscovered). But a good group of girl friends who know exactly what to tell you, when to tell you will get you through these rough waters.
   
2. There is nothing a good Cosmopolitan cannot correct. When the world seems the most cruel place to be or when the Gods of kindliness and compassion shine on you, one thing you can always count on is a good Cosmopolitan. For the uninitiated (or boyfriends of the girls reading this), it is a cocktail made out of cranberry juice, triple sec and some vodka. I also take inspiration from Carrie since she whips up her own Cosmos at her swanky pad once in a while. Take a bartending class, go out if you have to but perfect that damn blush pink poison.
   
3. Dress well or go home. Well, technically her Dior skirt sometimes stays on indoors too, so I will go with Dress well or die trying. This one I’m taking to the grave for there is little or no exaggeration when they say, dress like you will meet your worst enemy. Given the countless times the girls run into their despicable and not so formidable exs on the streets of the Upper East Side, you do not want to be caught dead in that boyfriend tee and PJs from the Flintstonian era. We live in a small, almost incestuous (what? Its true) world where everyone knows the other in some ambiguous form. If you are counting on the six degrees of separation to save you from that bad outfit day embarrassment, I suggest you watch Season 1 and 2 and all the others again.
   
4. There are fish aplenty in the sea. Sure, Carrie had her happy ending but what it took for her to get there is what us lower mortals in Zara shoes instead of Blahniks, trotting the streets of Hauz Khas Village not Upper East Side Manhattan, go through everyday. Boy troubles are omnipresent and all of us have at some point wished for a world with only women and so on and so forth. Does it mean it is the end of the world? Well not for the girls and neither should it be for you. Bounce back like Samantha with her libertine sensibility or maybe like Miranda by drowning yourself in work but do it because what our local funny guy Karan Johar forgot to mention in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is that love happens, and it happens as many times as you open yourself to it.  
   
5. There is always hope. There are times when we are certain that this is the end of the road and no good can come out of a particular situation. Enter the fabulous foursome in their ‘clackers’ who make you realize that it is never that bad. It is never the end of the road and to the extent that it is, there is always another road…leading up to the nearest watering hole. Or even the closest Barneys and Bendals. There are more than enough sex columns to be written, many hearts to be broken, parties to be crashed, spring affairs to blossom and many a shoes to be hoarded.                                                                                                                                 

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Slick as a fox

With some things in life, you just know. It is much like love at first sight. The first time you see a movie trailer and just know it is going to blow your mind. The first time I saw green and blue reflectors on pinterest and I knew I had to have them. It was difficult to pick the colour. Much like picking between your two children but eventually I knew that the green was the colour after my heart. Then came along this maxi dress from Shopnineteen's new collection called Moonstruck which seemed to want to really get it on with my sunnies. I could not describe it better even if I tried. I just knew they belonged together. At least I came around long enough to get this interesting paint stroke print maxi dress with a thigh high slit. Its sexy and summery at the same time. I love the black full sleeved bodysuit top and the flowy silhouette from the torso. I would save these for the days when I step out in the evenings this summer. Given its black colour, its not ideal for the scorching summer heat. Shopnineteen definitely has a lot to offer and their Moonstruck collection is fun, easy peezy to style and supremely light on your pocket. Like I always say, if I don't have something to add to your shopping list, I would rather stay shut. ;)

Wearing:
Maxi Dress: C/O Shopnineteen
Green reflectors: Ray Ban
Earrings: Suhani Pittie
Block heels: Forever 21
Portfolio clutch in leopard print: ASOS

Photography Courtesy: Riddhima Arora Behance or reach her on email at riddhimarora17@gmail.com

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