12 Fashion Rules To Live By

When it comes to fashion, there are set formulas. It works every time too – wear stripes to look taller, black to look skinny, play up your dangly earrings at the cocktail party etc. But fashion is also about departing from tradition, breaking style myths and go into an avant garden space where rules make no sense. This year, we’re revamping the style sheet. Here are 12 fashion rules to get you through 2016 in style.

1)  Invest in good underwear
What you wear inside defines you on the outside! Those unseemly panty lines, ill-fitting push-up bras… banish them! Invest in two things: well-fitting cotton panties for comfort and a good nude bra to go with your every outfit.
Shop: Pretty Secrets t-shirt bra, ₹649

 2) Block heels are for work and play
So you need a set of heels that are comfortable, but not boring; glamorous but not OTT, and functional but not traditional. Your perfect match? Block heels. These give you a bit of height but are comfortable enough to make great work footwear. And of course, they’ll carry through a party without putting a kink in your style.
Shop: Dune Joro block heels, ₹4199

 3) Add some camel to your wardrobe
2016’s must-have colour is also your ticket to sophistication. With its muted and subdued feel, clothing and accessories in camel add a touch of classy minimalism to any wardrobe. It’s also the perfect way to channel that Scandi-chic aesthetic.
Shop: Dorothy Perkins jacket, ₹2712

 4) Colour-block liberally
Don’t be afraid to play with your colours. Who said pink and orange are way too bright to be a team, or that fuschia and tangerine never go together? Some of the hottest colour-block combinations right now include pumpkin orange and eggplant purple, sunshine yellow and aqua, mustard and inky blue. Go play!
Shop: Next colourblock dress, ₹3563

 5) Accentuate just one feature at a time
Whether it’s your decolletage or your long, long legs, highlight just one feature at any point of time, so you’re drawing the eye to where you want attention to go. If you’re wearing a plunging neckline, balance it out with full-length trousers. If you’re wearing a short, short skirt, team it with a turtleneck or a mandarin collar top. Remember: scanty on top and scanty on the bottom is skanky all over.
Shop: MissGuided cut-out midi dress, ₹1645

  6) When in doubt, wear monotone.
Going top-to-toe in one colour is no fashion faux pas. Minimalism is the name of the game and you can comfortably choose to just wear one colour all over. Punctuate your look with a fringed bag or shoes with a big of diamante.
Shop: Vero Moda dress, ₹1459

7) Accessories can save the day
Heading to a posh do in a dowdy work dress? Let accessories be your fairy godmother. Stack a bunch of metal cuffs on your arms, slip on some cocktail rings, layer some necklaces – preferably not all together – and no one’s ever going to notice you’re not dressed for the party.
Shop:  Accessorize necklace,  ₹3145

 8) Print clash is the new cool
Stars and stripes go together well, and not just on the American flag. Mixing diverse prints is a skill and the payoff is gold if you’re able to carry it off.Just be judicious in your choice. Try ikat with stripes or animal prints with chevrons or even a mix of watercolour prints and graphic prints.
Shop: UrbanRoots printed maxi, ₹2759

9) Invest in faux fur and leather – they’re your luxe pieces
Winters aren’t just about sweaters. Luxe up your cold-weather clothing with leather jackets in earthy colours and faux-fur trimmed jackets (think J.Lo). They add drama to your look, but also work on their own as classic pieces.
Shop: Miss Selfridge faux fur gilet ₹1812

10) Buy one good, structured bag
Leave the loud monogrammed stuff alone. Invest in a tasteful, solid colour leather bag with lots of internal pockets to hold your knick knacks. Look for ones that come in neutral colours – black, tan, beige and camel go great with everything.
Shop: Ivanka Trump handbag, ₹7999

11) A good pair of sneakers are a must
Sports luxe is the trend of the moment and it’s perfectly acceptable to wear sneakers with maxi dresses and culottes – it’s a fun way to mix comfort with style. Invest in iconic styles like a great pair of Stan Smiths or Chuck Taylors to kick your outfits up a notch.
Shop: adidas Stan Smith sneakers, ₹5999

12)  Denim on denim is win
Another strong trend this year, denim on denim is all about choosing the right combos. Pair a dark denim jacket with a light pair of jeans, or add drama to your look with embellishments or patches. Always choose two different washes so you’re not one giant denim monolith.
Shop: Alia Bhatt for Jabong denim shirt, ₹1260

Also read: Cover star: Aditi Rao Hydari

Photographs: The Juice

Source: Jabong