Fashion forward

Go from drab to fab with tips from our expert

I have always been a jeans & t-shirt kind of guy. But I really want my casual wear to also look fashionable. What kind of shirts should I buy for casual occasions? — Samhi
Legendary fashion photographer Bill Cunningham once said, “Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life.” To get a fashionable yet casual look, you could opt for a denim shirt with jeans. For a more polished outfit, you could wear a white slogan t-shirt and an unbuttoned checks shirt with a pair of jeans and white shoes. You could also opt for prints like checks, stripes and tropical motifs.

What are the best ways to pull off an all-black look? — Girija
Black is the queen of all colours. These are few things you need to keep in mind while you’re carrying an all-black look:

• Show some shape: If you wear a loose outfit, you’ll end up looking messy. Try to keep it simple and wear a pair of jeans or jeggings with a black semi-loose fit t-shirt or shirt.
• Wear the right makeup: Keep your makeup toned down to balance the all-black outfit.
• Jewellery can be a great way to spice up an all-black outfit that could otherwise be boring.

What does layering lend to an outfit? What kind of staple jackets and shrugs should I invest in? — Sohini
Layering an outfit is in trend these days. If you wear a simple t-shirt and jeans, your outfit looks casual and normal. However, if you layer it up with a denim jacket or a checked shirt, it looks very trendy and fashionable. You can invest in a cool and funky denim jacket, which can be worn with a regular t-shirt or crop top.

I am a plus-size person and I have always found it difficult to find the right clothes. I have an important formal party coming up. What kind of dress should I pick for the occasion? — Malini
It is important to feel comfortable and confident in whatever you wear. Try a wrap dress to add definition to your figure, with a platform or wedge shoe. The criss-cross V formation of the wrap will provide a flattering shape on the top, while the shoes will complement your legs. However, avoid the following:

• A fussy detail like pleats and pockets around the fullest areas, as they’ll draw attention and add bulk.
• High-cut necklines, which will highlight your upper half.
• Pencil skirts will showcase your disproportionately smaller lower half.
• Boxy jackets (the name says it all).
• Belts that are worn at your natural waistline. A straight horizontal line highlights the span of the midsection; if you’re a belt lover, wear one slung low on the hips instead.

I have bought this lovely kalamkari dress, which can be worn as one piece. What kind of footwear and accessories should I pair with this dress? — Anusha
Indo-western has been taken to a completely different level these days. You can wear a nice kolhapuri jutti with your dress and can pair it up with silver oxidised jewellery like earrings, rings and nose pin.