Monthly Archives: August 2016

I’m All About Those Stripes

Am I obsessed with stripes, or do they just look this good?

It seems I have a bit of an obsession with stripes, which could make me one expert on how to wear stripes (If you haven’t noticed already, I own and style a lot of striped clothing, stripe on stripes is the line to follow ha!) As we approach the end of summer (How bittersweet! I know we are all loving the sun but some of us are a bit excited to get our boots and coats out too!) it’s time to make the most of the remaining sunshine and the incredible heat we are having here in London. I opted for an off shoulder top (so many off shoulder top outfits! I love how much you can style it with!) – which is super versatile and this striped skirt. What I love about the skirt is the asymmetric hemline, which is a must for pre-fall and a perfect skirt for summer! With my favourite striped sandals and a smile I was good to go! Bring on the remaining summer London!

Top: Zara,

Skirt: Zara,

Sandals: Claudie Pierlot,

Bag: Chanel,

Sunglasses: Sunday Somewhere (obsessed with these too)

Venice: Where to Eat, Drink & Play

Italy charmed me long ago when I fell in love with Capri. It managed to do it all over again, this time in Venice. Luring me with promises of gelato, my weight in spaghetti and stunning views (all these promises were fulfilled), Venice stole my heart. Theres nothing quite as satisfying as getting lost in the little colourful streets, the bridges over the canals, or over a glass of Aperol Spritz. With art and culture pouring out at every corner, there’s never a dull moment in this lagoon city.

No matter what corner we turned or bridge we crossed, there was always a beautiful view waiting for us!

Explored Venice’s little streets on our second day in my favourite Self-Portrait top. Plus I found a boater hat on the streets of Venice that I have been hunting for, for ages!

For the best Lobster spaghetti around, try this beautiful restaurant called La Calcina on the water – if its squid ink spaghetti you’re after, look no further than Al Mascaron!

If you’re a lover of modern art, you must check out the Peggy Guggenheim collection – stunning, especially the Andy Warhol piece!

For the best gelato – try La Boutique del Gelato -my favourite flavour there was a mix of chocolate, honey and rum. It’s called Caribe! For a more scenic view, try Nicos!

On our third day I opted for this Free People dress – I love dresses in the summer, especially on a vacation! They are so easy and I love the embroidery on this one. It was the perfect gondola dress too!

Lady in Red

Spring – the arrival of all things beautiful and colourful. What better way to celebrate that than with the power colour of all power colours; Red.

For those of you interested in a little bit of cultural insight, it is the eve of Holi today in India – the festival celebrating the first day of spring. Tomorrow, the streets will be full of people rejoicing by throwing coloured powder and water balloons at one another. Spring after all is the arrival of all things bright and wonderful. Although it’s been a very long time since I found myself in a colour war face off (Trust, I know all the tricks and tips), I’m celebrating in my own way. Out comes all my colourful clothing.. or as much colour I have in my closet!

Top: Topshop, Skirt: Topshop (love this one), Sweater: Topshop, Shoes: ASOS (similar), Bag: Dior, Scarf: Zara

Get The Look: Wild World

Recognise the look from my Instagram? Here’s how to get the look!

Sweater: Hush, Shorts: Paige, Boots: Office, Bag: Anya Hindmarch (also love this one), Sunglasses: Sunday Somewhere

Pleats + Pieces of Mine

No outfit is complete without a touch of personality.

I am one of those people who loves to match – one of my favourite feelings is when you find two pieces that go together so perfectly they look as though they were meant to be together! (As you can imagine, co-ord sets are my dream – I’m not sure if this stems from a childhood in school uniforms or just general organisational tendencies but I do love it) So when my cream pleated pants and this pleated top went together so perfectly, not only in terms of colour coordination, pleating and length, I couldn’t help but put them together.

What really took my outfit to the next level was the addition of some key jewellery pieces. No outfit is complete without a touch of personality, and for most of us it’s our favourite ring, bracelet or earrings. There is nothing more satisfying (Yes, that’s right, MORE satisfying than the co-ords) than having a piece of jewellery that you know is yours, that you know is unique, that you know won’t be paraded around by every second person you see, regardless of the fact that you might have ‘different colours’.

That’s why Pieces of Mine is so perfect for me, and probably for you too. I loved the selection I found on their website solely because it was so unique, bringing together designers from all over the world to curate a collection of jewels that really speak to you, at a price point you can get on board with.My favourite pieces were these gorgeous earrings (how BEAUTIFUL is that pearl drop?) and no outfit is complete without these stacking rings! Thank you Pieces of Mine for the jewellery.

Top: Maje

Pants: Topshop

Bag: Chanel

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Shoes: Carvella

Earrings: Pieces of Mine, Rings: Pieces of Mine (Pearl one, Gold One)

Colour of the Month: Yellow

Shine brighter in Yellow this month.

While walking home on the most pleasant summers day (Can we please milk August for what it’s worth? Just a bit more of summer pretty please!) one of my dearest friends, Sanjana (shoutout to you jets!) said to me “Shloka, can you please do a post, or better yet a series, where you share how to match colours that are in style? Cause.. I’m kind of bored of wearing pink with white” (You can wear pink with a million other colours by the way, but more on that later) So Sanjana, I dedicate this latest series to you – Every month I will be picking a colour that is in style for the season, and showing you all the different ways you can style it with other colours. I dare you to be daring now, and with that spirit I’m kicking this series off with yellow. These are some unusual combinations, but don’t be fooled by my word choice, they work incredibly well together – But, don’t forget the basics, yellow goes amazingly with brown (I love a tobacco shade for this season or even a maroon), and white. Scroll down for some more daring combinations!
(Images used in title graphic: Vogue Paris, Vogue.com and Vogue.co.uk)

Images used in graphic: Marni S/S 2016 from Vogue UK, Celine Pre Fall 2016 from Vogue UK, Marissa Webb F/W 2016 from Vogue UK, Marni S/S 2016 from Vogue UK, Pinterest, Pinterest

Yellow + Green

Tip: You can be subtle with your combination, it can be an all green outfit with touches of yellow or vice versa! Plus always remember, there are many shades of every colour! With green I suggest emerald green, khaki and a forest green for your yellow combination!

Yellow + Baby Pink

Tip: This seems like a very daring combination but if you’re really feeling like it may be too much, don’t forget you can always do it with accessories!

Images used in graphic: Background from Pinterest, Pinterest ,Pinterest, Creatures of Comfort F/W 2016 via Vogue, Sies Marjan F/W 2016 via Vogue, Ulla Johnson F/W 2016 Via Vogue

Images used in graphic: Background from Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest, Emporia Armani S/S 2016 via Vogue, Roksanda S/S 2016 via Vogue, Off White A/W 2016 via Vogue Uk

Yellow + Blue

Tip: Denim counts as a blue!

Embroider Me In

I always say my Indian heritage has inspired my style in some way. I think these jeans from an amazing Indian designer really scream that.

Beautiful embroidery (like on your jeeaaannss – finally) has always held a soft spot in my heart. Stemming from my Indian heritage, embroidery has been a part of my wardrobe for as long as I can remember – on traditional blouses and long flowing skirts. I think my favourite part about attending a wedding, both then and now, was the beautiful outfits covered in embroidery that I got to wear. It seems I no longer have to wait for that occasion to get my embroidery on – it’s everywhere. It’s on your jeans (Clearly I love my jeans with embroidery!), it’s on your tops, granted it’s not as traditional, but it’s there. I suppose it’s no surprise that my embroidered jeans are out and I couldn’t be happier! (I love that this is such an up and coming trend as well, but it’s all about making it work for you!)

Top: Zara (love this one too)

Jeans: Monisha Jaising

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Shoes: Carvela

Bag: Chanel (old)

How To Get Ready in 20 Minutes…Or Less

What do you wear, when you don’t know what to wear?

How many times have you woken up, realised you have about 15 minutes to get dressed and get out the house? It’s always in those moments that we never remember our best pieces, our best outfits and our best ideas – we look for inspiration but where to find it? Look no further than my latest series: How To Get Ready in 20 Minutes. I’ll be showing you outfit formulas for every occasion and season. To kick it off, let’s start with the basics – an every day look! Start the timer!

Step 1: Go For the Basics

Don’t underestimate the powers of a good basic. The plain white tee shirt, the crisp white shirt, you’re favourite boyfriend jeans. A good basic will take you far so start with that and you will not fail.

In Image: Hush Tee shirt (I also love this one for that extra special touch!), Frame Boyfriend Jeans, Zara Shirt

Step 2: The Shining Piece

You’ve got your base covered – a plain white tee, some great jeans (or shorts if its hot!) – you can never go wrong with keeping it simple but let’s add the final touch. Grab your favourite statement making jacket – whether it’s a blazer or a bomber – and add it on!

In Image: Maje Bomber Jacket, Topshop Jacket, Sandro Blazer

Step 3: Accessories Around That!

You’ve got your basics, you’ve got your shining star, now accessories around that. Wear your watch, your favourite little necklace, whatever it may be that needs to complete the look – in my case it’s the little cross body bag!

In Image: Isharya Stud Earrings, Gucci Bag, Jimmy Choo Slip Ons

Voila! Stop the timer,
You are ready!

White Shirt, Tied New Ways

You must know by now that I love a good take on a classic – but if you can’t find one, you might as well make one. In this case, when it’s too hot for a linen shirt, or you just don’t feel like it, why not try tying the sleeves and creating yourself an off shoulder blouse – This show to wear a white shirt! Plus, I’m a huge fan of a good bow (#TeamBlairWaldorf). If you’re wondering how I did it, button the shirt on your chest, then take the sleeves around to the front and tie! A printed skirt and some sneakers and you’re set for any day of this summer – yes it is still summer, let’s milk August for what it’s worth!

Shirt: Uniqlo, Skirt: Carven, Shoes: Gucci, Bag: Vintage, Sunglasses: Sunday Somewhere