A Hundred Hues

One of the strongest medium of expression is colour. The colours that you pick to dress yourself in reflect your personality and your mood. They also have the ability to impact those around you. With the festival of colours round the corner, this is just the time to dip yourself in hues and shades of all that you ever wished to explore.

If you’ve ever been apprehensive about putting myriad hues together, feel free to push it aside this season. The Spring/Summer runways of 2013 saw designers like Louis Vuitton, Vladimir Potop and Ermanno Scervino bring in an indulgent play of plush pigments.

There are many unexplored combinations in the expanse of colours that you can discover and experiment with. In order to do that, you need to shed inhibitions and bring your experimental self out.

Neon-on-Neon- Neon colours are vibrant, fun and are an absolute hit this season. There was a time when neon colours were paired with subtle hues. However, it’s time to break all barriers and go neon-on-neon. Vivid hues of pink coupled with orange make a dazzling combination. Pair a neon pink tunic dress with orange pumps for a bright and fun look.

A Pastel Palette- If you’re more into pastel colours, then mint green, nude shades and pasty yellows are a smart choice to make. Dip yourself in these ice-cream colours for a fresh and blithe look. A mint green collar top in sheer fabric paired with yellow shorts can make an unusual yet exciting combination.

Splash of Solids- You can also combine many colours together if you’re up for some experimentation. Pair a pastel coloured comfort top with coloured skinny jeans or shorts and accessorise it with wedges or pumps in neon or pastels for a convivial yet balanced look.

With festivity in the air and colours on your mind, there’s nothing that can restrict you from soaking yourself in all the colours that never thought you would! Pair flashy jeans with an equally flashy pair of pumps or stick to the pastel province, do what you please, for this season, there’s no rulebook to abide by!

Shrugs - The Trend That Never Fades!

Making a comeback straight from the 40’s, shrug is far beyond the category of fads. It is now considered an essential for your wardrobe. Whether in the form of a cape, fur bombers, pea coat or an evening bolero, shrug is one go-to accessory for those not-so-cold and not-so-warm days. It covers with the right amount of warmth at the right places and makes a stylish duo with

tops.

Shrugs have come a long way from being an accessory to a must-have. All women have fallen hard for the shrugged look once at least. Remember when we wear those skimpy dresses and look for some shoulder coverage before we hit the party venue? It’s a shrug that comes to our rescue. All you need to do is pick the right that goes well with your dress. Still thinking?

Well…here are some ways to partner the right shrug with your dress:

Lace Shrug

Nothing can beat the sophisticated and rich feel that a lace shrug lends to your outfits. If classy and affluent is your mood then a shrug in fine delicate lace will be your absolute favourite.

                                                
Jersey Shrug

Just perfect for layering tank tops, jersey shrugs are a college goer’s favourite. Pair it with tops in contrast colours and let the colour pop. The best would be to pair a printed jersey shrug with a monotone upper to make the print stand out! Possibilities are endless!

Knitted Shrug

Guard yourself with a woolen shrug against that morning chill while looking chic at the same time. Cozy enough for early winter time, a woolen shrug can be worn with everything from jeans to dresses. Make this piece your final winter weapon!

Sequins Embellished Shrug

Looking for an instant amplifier for your LBD? Scoop up a glitzy sequins embellished shrug. Wear it over your jeans-top combo and give an instant upgrade to your party wear. For a more fascinating approach pair it with a printed dress and wedges.

Leather Lust!

Great news for leather lovers! This Spring/Summer flaunt a high fashion statement with warm-weather leather. Yes it is officially a summer thing now! Once used to be a winter wear fabric, leather has evolved into a cool, luxurious, rich material for evening wear, no matter what season it is. Leather is now a year-round fashion staple. PU panelled leggings to slouchy jackets, trousers, tops and even dresses have a hint of leather in them.

Pretty is not cool anymore! Androgynous elements like leather, epaulettes, loose fit trousers, padded shoulders have successfully replaced the pretty things in fashion. Leather tops the list when it comes to creating a warrior look. Surprisingly the designers have started experimenting more with rare fabric unlike using more breathable materials such as, cotton and rayon.  Fashion leaders like Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and Halle Berry have confirmed that leather (or leather-look fabric) is definitely going to stay in this Spring/Summer.

Now it is a must for every designer to include at least a few leather creations in their collections for Fall/Winter 2013. 

Leather Dresses are one such trends of leather that fashionistas can’t get away without trying. Big names like Jason Wu, Mandy Coon, and Alexander Wang displayed amazingly unique versions of leather dresses. Wisely designed cuts, clean lines and sharp silhouettes made the runway blaze with sheer hotness of this thick luxurious fabric.

Coloured leather too was one of the biggest things that took over the Spring/Summer runway collections. Breaking all rules of fashion designers not only used leather in understated blacks and browns, they took it out of the box by introducing red, mustard and mint green faux leather pieces. Top designers like Reem Acra and Derek Lam were at their best when creations like bright red dresses, perforated skirts, and asymmetrical leather tops hit the runway of S/S 2013!

The Black & White Picture

Simply call it Black and White or give it the latest ‘it’ term ‘Monochrome’; the classy two-tone look has made an appearance back at the runways and streets. Big names like Balmain, Chanel, Valentino and Marc Jacobs have all stirred up the runway with Monochrome through their A/W2012 and S/S2013 collections. And why not? Since in this sea of trends it’s hard to differentiate yourself, black and white sets you apart effortlessly. After facing the print storm of Spring Summer 2012 fashion weeks, B&W runway trend has acted like a cleanser in the chaos. 

Play with contrast accessories while keeping B&W in the background. The tint of colour will make the colour stand out. You don’t have to pull out all your big guns for those special dates. Just finish the duo with bright lips, some gold-tone jewellery and pulled back hair to make a bold statement. 

Want to do the monochrome look. Take a leaf out of Koovs' Spring/Summer 2013 Monoplay collection.

1. Sequin Detail Leggings: Getting extra style points for its versatility, this pair of trousers is made for both office and out. These slim fit, mid-rise and ankle-showing pants fit the criteria of in-trend, statement pants!

Hot Tip: Pair it with a white upper and let the opposites attract. Add contrast heels and swept back hair to heighten-up sophistication.

2. Bold Striped Maxi Skirt: Stripes seem to top the never-out-of-fashion list. Tap the trend with this striking skirt from KOOVS. B&W combo makes both colours pop out.

Hot Tip: This skirt, a body-con top and statement heels, Girl, you are ready to hit the high street!

3. KOOVS Jersey Outline Midi Dress: A LBD with a monochrome twist, this midi dress is a must-have for every fashionista. Its contrasting criss-crossing lines make the dress wearable for even plus size figure.

Hot Tip: Break the lines with a bright belt or pair it with black tights fail-safe look.

4. Square Frame PrintedSunglasses: Now that’s a how classic gets new avatar. Patent square frame turns funky in B&W print on these cool sunglasses from Carlton London.

Hot Tip: Add these to your monochrome casual or single-coloured dressing and let the pair speak your style.

5. White watch with H-Shape Dial: With the dial set in the shape of brand's iconic 'H' initial, this Hilfiger timepiece works well for both boardroom & party. The rose gold finish at the edges brings an affluent feel to the watch. Sturdy white straps of this analogue complete its fashion-function feature. 

Hot Tip: Add a bohemian twist by wrapping some metal-finish bracelets along. 

6. Studded White Sandals: This season, we just can’t get enough of studded pieces in our wardrobe. These white wedge-heel sandals with studs glamorously set on the multiple straps are a cool take on the rock and roll style.

Hot Tip: Work this pair with anything from ethnic to western. Matching white accessories would be a plus point.