Go chic with street fashion

FASHION FILE : Are you  getting it wrong with accessories? That’s because you’re probably following the rules. Embrace street fashion and see the difference, says Soumya M Nair .

Haven’t you faced the wrath of a celebrity from the cover pages of a glossy fashion magazine, instructing you never to step out of the house without the right handbag? No? well I have. And it’s time we showed them that it is not entirely practical.

Now if you’re looking for advice on what to pair with your Chanel suit or which Ferragamo shade of red presses best with your Nina Ricci lip stick, you’re headed for disappointment. This, dear friends, is all about attending to the ‘budget-driven’ working girl’s wardrobe and her tiny wallet.

And this can be achieved without discounting the value of earrings, necklaces and bangles. While we don’t like to admit the importance we give our accessories, remember this: accessories top the list of things dug up by archaeologists! So what does this mean?

This simply means that instead of fighting it or ridiculing the amount of time spent in front of a mirror, mixing and matching, this was something that was handed down to us by our forefathers! We women have devised a whole culture, fashion movement, even a career out of accessorising. So why fight it? It’s time to get it right. Here’s how you can get street fashion into your wardrobe and  bust a few fashion myths:

Scaling your accessories to line with facial features. This is not always the case. That single, large accessory can be worn by those with fuller features and by those who have small faces. Try it. Pair big hoops (those red, green, bright ones from street shops) with a kurta or a tunic and note the difference.

Using accessories to create a unified mood to the outfit. Well, while experts will try and classify bags into seasons (summer totes/ winter bagettes), feel free to mix and match. Yes, you may not want to drag along an over-sized bag with your neat cocktail dress, that does not mean you cannot carry a bag that can fit more than just your lip gloss. Just make sure it has a strong zip to conceal everything that’s sticking out! These medium-sized, regular-use handbags are available every where these days!

Metal and wooden accessories won’t go with a professional attire. It’s time to let go off the old school of fashion. Replace the string of expensive pearls with a giant, stone pendant. String it on a simple silver chain. This not only adds glamour to your work clothes, it also shows that you’re brave enough to pull off the look. 

Keep it even. Street stalls are overflowing with those multiple string neckpieces and you should take your cue from them! Uneven numbers are more pleasing to the eye, like five chains or three bangles. Leave behind the boring!

Use accessories to focus attention. Focus attention? Don’t bother. Remember you can get away with radical, unique and the diverse! Feel free to match a pair of olive-green harem pants with a red top and a black belt. No one’s going to jail for that.

Balancing accessories and outfit. Let’s take the case of bangles. It’s the most ignored piece of jewellery and always left behind on the counter at the last minute. A single, bold bracelet is more than enough on a weekday to spruce up your otherwise regular get up. Show a little faith. And the best place to find them is at the local fashion street.

Now, a few tips...

While street fashion is easy on the wallet, it also means collecting too many of each kind. The best way to ensure you use all your junk jewellery on a regular basis involves:

Arranging your accessories in boxes and compartments.

Avoid buying accessories that match only ONE outfit. This leads to overcrowding in the closet.

Pairing cheap with the costly. It is possible to wear expensive jeans with an exotic printed top.