Surviving fashion

Imagine waking up in the morning not knowing if the clothes, the shoes, the bags in your wardrobe are ‘in’, ‘out’, trendy or outdated.

Surviving fashion, trends, fads can sometimes be a daunting task. Not to mention a strain on your bank balance as well. But all one needs is some advice to walk that tight rope, to manage being stylishly dressed, but doing it with financial wisdom.

Nobody wants to walk in to office feeling like Jassi! A colleague who is one of the most fashionable people I know, keeps making these frequent trips to a fashion guru. She is a pleasure to watch, but I wonder how she saves any money by the end.

She says she doesn’t! She calls fashion her weakness. I visualised her in a dialogue with her fashion guru:

Fashion Guru: This bootcut is so out!
Friend: But you are the one who designed it
FG: Like when.. six months ago?
Friend: Yaah!
FG: Well, it’s out now..
Friend: Why don’t you suggest something?
FG: Sure honey, just send me an advance and make sure you don't step out of the house. Will try to get everything done in a week. And yes, next time make sure you drop by in two months time—surely don't want to be in a situation like this, do we?

Both are happy. She has to keep up her reputation. He’s doing his work, his business. I thought to myself — deciding fashion trends is a great money making exercise. I don't blam ethe fashion gurus.That’s what business is all about. Finding people to buy your product. Calling it trends, forecasts, what have you. Getting beautiful celebs to endorse it. And making fashion more into a necessity rather than a luxury.

I, me, myself I guess I am just one of those individuals who doesn’t let all this affect me. I don't allow the fashion gurus to decide for me. What suits me(and my wallet) is something only I would know. So I decide to rule fashion instead of letting fashion rule me.

Why not go in for that super, good quality, ever stylish classic look instead of always chasing a trend? A pair of well fitting classic jeans, white T-shirt, jacket, pumps, silver bracelet, pearl earrings, classic bag, classic watch, classic everything. Always in fashion, never ‘outdated.’ Snaz it up. And you will definitely appear well dressed. Of course no one can stop you from buying that occasional trendy scarf. Or good quality stuff at sales—the feel good factor all intact.

So how about snazzing up that fitting black skirt suit with a pink scarf? Or going for the classic sari with a sexy strapless blouse for your cousin’s wedding instead of blowing up Rs 10,000 on that Anarkali churidaar kurta set. And yes, remember to have one LBD (little black number) in your wardrobe. That is a nightclub classic. You never know when you might need it.