JOIN USCome Saturday evening, a question that nags you no end is what to wear for a night on the town and how to jazz up a drab outfit. Most of us don’t have the luxury of owning a trendy wardrobe nor do we have the money to spend on a new dress every week, and repeating an outfit of course is a complete ‘no-no’. As a frequent party-goer, you must own a few essentials that will prove to be a saving grace for times like these, as they will keep you on top of your game, giving you a fun, yet classy edge.
The classic LBD
Surely you have heard of the Little Black Dress aka the LBD, a staple for anyone who wants a versatile collection of party attire. This classic will never go out of style and can be worn on any occasion. “Your little black dress is the only outfit that can be worn over and over again without seeming repetitive. You can team it with a leather jacket or a simple coat in either a formal or laid-back look. You can also throw on a pair of shoulder duster earrings to up your game with it,” says Patricia D’costa, a freelance model. Black suits all skin tones and also makes one look slimmer than usual.
When you are shopping for a black dress, make sure it ends slightly above the knee and complements your body shape. Fashion designer Neeta Mehta further adds that while you cannot go wrong with an LBD, it is important to always pick one that will look great on you just as it is without any accessories. She suggests a plain, minimalist dress as less is more, when it concerns the LBD. “A lot of work on it will kill the purpose, as adding accessories or layering it with another piece of clothing will make it seem too much,” she adds. There are several ways to style an LBD; you can go minimal and wear only a ring and a chain or you can choose to layer it with different jackets to suit the season and the mood of the party. A pair of cap-toe pumps and a fancy clutch will do wonders, by making you look effortlessly elegant. However, ensure that you accessorise with complementing colours to avoid committing a faux pas.
Pastels rock
Never underestimate the effect of a simple plain top. White, grey, black, beige and light-coloured tops are like blank canvases and can be styled the way you want. They give any woman, irrespective of her size and shape, a chic look.
Subtle colours can make one look elegant and dressing well for a party is important. Bright colours and too much sparkle can look too gaudy. “I’m a big fan of pastels, I usually tell my clients to go for light-shaded sleeveless tops if they are not too conscious of their arms. You can complete the look with a light-coloured blazer and skinny jeans. It’s a style that looks good on all. However, if you are conscious of your arms and do not want to go with sleeveless blouses, you can try on different sleeve styles and accessorise them smartly,” says Neeta.
Like an LBD, pastel blouses too can be styled for any occasion. Patricia says, “When I have to head to a party after hard day’s work, I prefer a simple and elegant look. I choose a subtle-coloured blouse, wear a blazer over it and repurpose it for a party. You can even pair these tops with skirts or shorts.”
Go skinny
The talk of tops makes no sense without a mention of the staple in every wardrobe — jeans. Skinny jeans in blue and black are life savers. They can be worn on any occasion without a second thought.
“If you want to get away with wearing the same pants more than once, be sure to go for basic skin-tight jeans. You can wear them with long linen blouses, crop tops or even sweaters and still look chic enough for a party. Try the essential pastel blouses on skinny jeans and you won’t be disappointed with the result,” Neeta suggests.
Most often, people get the fit of the jeans wrong. While it may cling to your thighs, it loosens at the bottom near the ankle. Ensure that you own a pair that is fitted from the waist till the ankle. This will make you look taller and slimmer. Own a pair in both black and blue with variations like ripped, low-waist and high-waist. These will give you more curves and make you look more shapely.
Throwing more light on the fit of the pants, Aloka D’souza, designer at Aloka’s Fashion Studio, says, “A low-waist skinny jeans suits all body types. If you have a paunch then a pair of high-waist pants will definitely show a bulge.” Many may agree that high-waist jeans are comfortable, but if you have a flab to hide, wear a longer top to cover your tummy, instead of a short one or crop top.
The peplum look
Peplum tops are known to accentuate your figure. They can be of any colour and you can buy bigger-sized cotton peplum tops and style them as well. They go well with skirts, leggings, shorts and wide-legged trousers. You can layer them too.
Aloka prefers flowy fabrics like rayon, georgette or chiffon. “These tops look great on slimmer women, but if your waist is the narrowest part of your body, a peplum top will only add more volume to your figure,” she says.
Let’s bag it
Bags are extremely important to complete an outfit. It is not a good idea to carry a heavy bag around when heading out for a social evening. Clutches, envelope bags or minaudières are ideal for parties or to go clubbing. They are easy to carry around and they also complement any look.
“I always choose minaudières in block colours or those that have beads or loads of sparkle. Block colours make the bag suitable for any outfit. You can never go wrong with black, silver or gold,” explains Patricia.
Every woman wants to dress her best for a party. With these wardrobe essentials, you will always look effortlessly gorgeous. Just remember the mantra “Keep it minimal, keep it chic”.