Wardrobe essentials

MUST HAVES

They are clever yet plain staple pieces that never go out of fashion and go with everything.
   They enable you to dress for either comfort or style and cover most occasions and weather fluctuations. They are also outfit fixers helping to tone down flashy outfits or give plain ones a boost.
‘‘With certain essentials in your suitcase you can travel the world and look well-dressed. A well-dressed man needs a pair of lightweight blue jeans, tan khaki and formal black trousers, two good branded tee-shirts, one white cotton shirt, one slim fit black formal shirt, a short sleeved printed shirt, a light cotton jacket and a white churidaar-kurta (which he can team up with his wife’s dupatta),” says Prasad Bidapa, who never travels without these wardrobe basics.
Susan Fernandes a fashion designer feels, “A range of tees and shirts in solid black or white matched with jeans, black or tan trousers and accessorised with a good belt can see one through most occasions.
Shoes lend a certain something to the whole ensemble and change the look depending on whether it’s strappy sandals or ballet flats. Well designed saree blouses in gold, copper or black look dressy and lend versatility to your evening wardrobe quite effectively.”
Here are some simple advice to keep your style statement going and your wardrobe essentials practical and versatile:
 A plain, simple, black outfit can be dressed up with trendy jewellery and a pair of flashy shoes.
 Shiny, printed or bright fabrics must only be worn if they can stand up to being in the limelight. Textured fabrics and wrap-around tops help conceal a round tummy and love handles.
 Avoid clinging clothes but wear clothes that are well fitted, gently skim the body and show off shape.
 Wear colour with colour. Combining black with bright colours makes the black look boring and the colours look cheap.
 A chubby face goes with longer earrings. A short neck should avoid large, choker-style necklaces.
 Black shoes don’t go with light-coloured clothing unless they are extremely dainty sandals. Black shoes look best with darker colours.
Black tank and white tank tops, short sleeved black and white tee-shirts, fitted black and white long sleeved shirts, well tailored jeans (preferably with two per cent lycra to follow your curves), tan khaki trousers a few boldly printed tops will cover most of your wardrobe requirements without unnecessary clutter.