Tag: Cos

January Sales: Some of My Sale Purchases and What to Buy Now in the Sales

Happy start of the week everyone. The sales have been on since last year, but I believe now is when the seasonal sales get really interesting.  The stores have now further discounted sale items and this is the right time to strike!  In my opinion, this week is a great time to get some genuine bargains, especially if you are looking for a relatively expensive item such as a new leather jacket or a fancy new coat. The downside is that your size may have sold out, however, it is worth checking other stores that may carry the brand or even the original brand website several times as sizes do come back on.

Substantial buys such as leather jackets are staples and less susceptible to change in the swift winds of fashion. A leather jacket you may buy in the sale today is likely to be severely discounted but will still be bang on trend for the rest of the year and beyond. The store may release it again with silver buttons instead of gold in the new year, but when you see it next month for full price you are going to mighty pleased with your gold-buttoned jacket!

In this lookbook, I have showcased two of my recent favourite sale purchases from COS. My love for sweater dresses is eternal and I am happy to add this pale grey A-lined number to my collection.  The band across the back is my favourite part of the dress and its neutral front makes it perfect for accessorizing with a variety of pieces.  I have teamed it with a pretty scarf my mother got me from India (bless our lovely mothers who always come back with presents), my high heel navy boots and my favourite tan coat. This dress can literally be worn with anything and its generous shape is a Godsend in terms of comfort and wearability.

The second sale purchase is a cream longline sweater vest that I have been looking at for a long time in the store. I don’t know if you do this as well, but I often find myself eying something up in a shop – knowing I love it and will wear it often – but then not buying it  – but still looking at it every time I go into that shop or look online.  It’s like a buyers paralysis in terms of executing the purchase but a stalkers determination in viewing it regardless! Back to my vest; I have teamed it with jeans, brown boots and my teddy coat for a cosy and warm outfit I have already worn a couple of times over.

Of course, I have been checking out my favourite websites for sale items (my friend calls me the ‘What’s on sale Guru’) but unfortunately, as the saying goes, ‘Even a bargain costs money’ and I can’t have it all. I can, however, point you in the direction of some of my top items on sale in case you in the market for something similar.  Below are five of my high street favourites on sale:

Ted Baker Shearling Biker Jacket – stunning jacket that will be a staple
Karen Millen – A great work coat that will go with everything – extra 20% on top of the sale price
Reiss – gorgeous wear-anywhere dress
Zara – Lovely going out dress in the summer, and in the winter with a polo neck underneath
Karen Millen – A party staple that will serve you well! There is an extra 20% on the sale price

 

 

 

 

 

Monki coat – it’s fun and has a detachable collar in a funky faux fur
Reiss – A short coat in the supposed colour of the upcoming season

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clothes and accessories:

Dress – COS (this colour is sold out online but you may find in the store)

Coat – Massimo Dutti

Boots –

Bag – All Saints

Sweater Vest – COS 

Boots – Frye

Teddy Coat – Warehouse

Jersey Long sleeve Animal Print Top – H&M

 

 

Winter Boho: Asymmetrical Knit Dress With Aadheekta Jewellery

Happy midweek everyone! I am a girly girl and I have enjoyed wearing jewellery as long as I can remember. Jewellery seemed like such a grown-up indulgence when I was young girl; I had those little gold balis (hoops) in my ears for many years and it never occurred to me to ask if I could change them for anything else. I also have a clear recollection that artificial or costume jewellery was generally frowned upon and the accepted explanation was that it was a waste of money.  The sound and sensible advice that one always heard was as follows – save your money and buy some real jewellery as it is a great investment.

I am so glad those days are over! I love real jewellery as much as the next person but jewellery can’t always be about making a sound investment.  Sometimes, it just needs to be about accessibility, fashion and fun. I have always been a fan of Indian inspired boho jewellery and I am particularly partial to pairing it with dresses of any kind. Here, I have attempted a winter boho look with a black knit dress, a velvet kimono and some beautiful pieces from Aadheekta’s collection. These beautiful earrings and necklaces are an easy add-on that can be layered or worn individually. I also enjoyed wearing these versatile Aadheekta pieces with jeans and a leather jacket.

Aadheekta, defined as elegance and grace, offers a variety of jewellery pieces for everyday wear, bridal wear and custom designs to cater to their clients.  At Aadkheeta, all their jewellery pieces are handmade with care, attention and love.  Their latest collection features indo-bohemian designs that can easily be incorporated into traditional and western styling and add that extra fashion element to your overall look.

They also specialize in bespoke designs and custom-made bridal jewellery adorned with the highest quality of kundan, polki, crystals, beads and semi-precious stones. You can reach them and their products at the following:

Aadheekta

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AadheektaByM/

Instagram: @aadheektabym

Mobile: +447718278679

I hope you like this look and a big thank you to Aadheekta for partnering on this post.  As always, thank you for visiting my blog.

 

Clothes and accessories:

Black dress – Cos, Similar – Any other Stories

Boots – Dune Black

Jewellery – Aadheekta

Velvet Kimono – Mango, Similar – Zara

Leather Jacket – Marks and Spencers, Similar – Marks and Spencers

 

 

Weekend Fashion: Bright Colours and Statement Sneakers

A very happy Saturday to you all! One of the nicest compliments that I have received from a reader is that she enjoys my posts where I feature trainers (or sneakers) because as an adult she had forgotten how versatile and grown-up trainers can be and as a result did not own any ‘beautiful’ trainers. Now, she was reintroducing trainers into her shoe collection and enjoying styling them as an integral part of her casual look.

I am a great fan of the ‘beautiful trainers’ trend and I hope that it stays at the fashion forefront forever! In my opinion, it is far easier to style a great evening look than it is a great casual look.  I am convinced that the reason so many women reach the point of articulating ‘I have nothing to wear’ (which I have definitely said) is because putting together a cohesive casual look is trickier than it seems. I am constantly bowled over by people who have great ‘effortless’ casual style and seem to put together everyday outfits in fabulous combinations.

What have I learned from observing these fabulous fashionistas?

  • Spend a larger chunk of your budget on buying good quality casual clothes and shoes – you will get more wear out of them than an expensive dress.
  • Incorporate more colour into your casual wardrobe and make the effort to bring together different colour combinations on a daily basis.

I am enjoying pale coloured jeans at the moment and I love the combination of red and pink in any outfit.  I have included a light-weight navy jacket to the mix to bring in another colour to my casual weekend look. I absolutely love these silver trainers as they are made of the softest leather that envelopes the foot and makes for a great ‘walking around town’ stylish trainer.

I hope you enjoy this look and have a great weekend! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog.

(Clothes and accessories: Top – COS, Jeans – Zara, Jacket – Uniqlo, Hangbag – Givenchy Medium Antigona Tote, Trainers – Salvatore Ferragamo)

 

 

Black Dress Series: In a Structured Workwear Dress

Hello everyone! Let’s discuss workwear today. When I started my first ‘real job’, many, many years ago, I am not sure that I paid much attention to my work wardrobe. Absorbing the general guidance provided on the internet and from what I saw around me, I bought a couple of suits and separates and stepped boldly into the working world. However, there was one problem.  Many of the clothes I had purchased were uncomfortable when worn all day long and frankly,  not very stylish.  Don’t even get me started on this bright purple skirt suit I once owned…

Today, if I had the opportunity to plan a work wardrobe, what would I do differently?

I think the three most important factors that I would consider in planning a well-functioning work wardrobe would be:

Are the clothes appropriate for my particular work environment?

Are they comfortable to wear all day?

Do they represent my personal style statement?

The dress code that is acceptable at a particular place of work is relatively easy to access after a few weeks of working there. While some environments are more rigid and formal, others are more easy-going in terms of what qualifies as workwear. In my opinion, even traditionally formal work environments require comfortable clothes on a daily basis.  I found being uncomfortable at work was  unsustainable – it had the potential to affect the quality of my work and as well as the quality of my life.  Everyone has a personal style statement but overall, showing that you take pride in your appearance is the underlying foundation of being stylish at work. In my opinion, workwear does not need to be dull but a certain restraint is necessary unless you work in a creative environment where you are encouraged to express your self through your clothes without hesitation.

As work wear, I am a great fan of the structured form of this dress.  It strikes a delicate balance between being chic and comfortable, which can be harder to find than one may think.  The lack of embellishments on the dress make it a great canvas for adding a few bold accessories to complete the look. I have added a bold geometric cuff to the outfit to channel confidence and style. I love the gradual ombre’ gold effect on this patent mid-heeled court shoe and as it is tastefully done, I think they can be worn to work.  Wearing heels to work is not be everyones’ cup of tea and even if they are, we all have those days when we are not in the mood to strut around in heels. Therefore, I have also ‘lookbooked’ the dress with flat brogues that are both comfortable and stylish at the same time. I have to say that brogues are my ‘most likely to go to’ kind of non-heeled work shoe.  They make any outfit look smart and there are so many lovely statement brogues available on the market.

I hope you enjoy this look and thank you so much for visiting my blog.

(Clothes and Accessories: Dress – COS (similar), Heeled Shoes – Karen Millen, Brogues – Finery, Handbag – Prada)

Pinks and Blues: Faux Leather Floral Skirt With a Chunky Knit Jumper

Hello everyone! It is going to be a short write-up today. Pinks and blues are such lovely hues – especially on sale!  I am lookbooking my latest outfit purchased for less than £24 in the sales (£11 for the sweater and £12.99 for the skirt). I love the floral pattern on this skirt and I have a new found appreciation for ‘pleather’ skirts as they hang so beautifully. Chunky sweaters are a great winter staple!  I think this oversized jumper with a cable pattern (in the hottest colour of the upcoming season – pink) adds a certain ‘cool casualness’ to the outfit. I have paired the clothes with my blue boots, a navy bag and a purple coat – bringing all the blues and pinks together for a great winter look.  I really like the way the look came together and I hope you enjoy it too!

Have a great Thursday and as always, thank you so much for visiting my blog.

(Clothes and Accessories: Sweater – New look, Skirt – Zara (may still be available in stores), Boots – Charles and David, Handbag – Karen Millen, Coat – COS , Bracelet – Swarovski)

 

Statement Necklace: With a Peplum Top and a Trench Coat

When I bought this necklace from a shop in Khan market in New Delhi last year, I had visions of me in a floaty white kaftan on a beach somewhere, whiling away my time as I waited for my foot massage to begin (wearing this necklace of course). In reality, I live in the UK, it is winter and the chances of me getting a foot massage on a beach are about as high as Karan Johar calling to buy the film script I wrote. Therefore, I am sticking to my earlier resolution of incorporating my vacation purchases into my daily wardrobe and not waiting for special occasions to warrant wearing them (as discussed in an earlier post – Mirror Work ‘Jhloa Bag’: Vacation Finds With Everyday Wear).

On a different note:

All parents have their own parenting philosophies and I have mine.  I firmly believe that characteristics that we want our children to display as adults are characteristics they must observe on a daily basis in their childhood. Children are far more likely to ‘do as we do’ than ‘do as we say’. In my opinion, the foundation for mutual respect and equality between the genders must be laid at the very beginning of a child’s worldly experience.

To this effect, a good friend of mine, Tina Trikha, who is as fabulous a writer as she is a mother (I have referenced her work in this post – Happy Mother’s Day: ‘Rescue Mission’ Lace Sari and a Much Awaited Book), penned this letter to her son on his 10th birthday. I thought the letter articulated a very important message very well and I asked her if I could share the letter on my blog with my readers.

Dear Son,

One of my proudest moments as a mother came a couple of years ago when you lost a squash match to a girl. You were both playing in the under-9 age group category. You shook her hand at the end of the game, just as you had been instructed to do, and stepped out of the court. You looked sad, with your head bent low. As you gathered your belongings from the bench, some of your friends and other players sniggered at you. One even said, “You lost to a girl! How could you?” You said nothing back to them.

I watched you looking out of the window during the car ride home. “Are you ok?” I asked, unsure of how you were feeling. You nodded. And then turned to look at me. “Mom, it feels horrible to lose. But I don’t understand why the other kids made a big deal about me losing to a girl. She played better than I did today.” Your 8-year old mind couldn’t understand why anything other than ability and skill on the court mattered. You were sad about losing, but you showed respect for your opponent.

A few months ago, you told me that you hadn’t understood the instructions for an in-class math assignment because you were daydreaming (your words, not mine!). So, you had asked the “smart girl who is really good at math” in your grade for help (your words again). She graciously helped you out.

And just before the winter break, when we were talking about your track and field class in school, I noticed the admiration in your eyes for a fellow girl student who is better than all the other students (boys and girls) in the high jump. “Mom, she FLIES over the bar! No one else comes close.”

I have learned a lot about gender equality from you. I’ve learned from you that true gender equality means turning a blind eye to stereotypes on what boys and girls are “supposed to do” or how they are “expected to behave.” It means letting skills, capabilities and hard work be the only determining factors. It means not making excuses based on gender and giving credit where it is due.

Tomorrow you will turn 10. Double digits! It’s an exciting milestone. Hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. I am writing to you today because a lot of the beliefs that you seem to hold naturally will be tested in the coming years. As physical differences become more pronounced your current mixed-gender sports teams will become separated into boys and girls teams. It may not be long before you hear “locker room banter,” where women are spoken about in impolite terms. Some of your friends may describe this talk as “harmless and natural,” but it’s a slippery slope. I hope that when that talk happens, you will take offense. Not because I want you to think about your sister or your mother when you hear it. But, because it is wrong. Have zero tolerance towards it. You will hear people say, “Just chill. It’s just talk.” Remember that it isn’t too long before words become action; becomes part of regular behavior and attitude and ultimately defines the character of a person.

Don’t let your character change, my son. I still have a lot to learn from you.

Love,
Mom

Thank you for visiting my blog and have a great weekend! Happy Lohri!

(Clothes and Accessories: Peplum Sweater – COS, Trousers – ASOS, Necklace – Khan Market New Delhi , Shoes – Calvin Klein, Handbag – Modalu , Trench Coat – Warehouse )

Green and Orange: In a Cropped Jacket and Knee High Boots

Happy Monday to all my readers – I hope your weekend did not feel as short as mine! Last month,  I had decided I was going to show some noteworthy discipline this sales season and other than a few items I needed, I was going to hold off any impulse purchases.  Well, then I made the mistake of going to the shops and I quickly realised that I had made my bold decision in haste. After all, taking advantage of a bargain is the mark of an intelligent shopper and whilst I may make hasty decisions,  I would not want any one to cast aspersions on my intelligence!

I loved the scallop neck on this easy to wear dress and given the frequency with which I wear sweater dresses, I thought this was a great purchase. Eventually, my shopping excursion brought me to this lovely bright orange jacket, which was exactly what I was looking for (except I did not know it) and given the price tag, I thought that it would be a most useful purchase. Finally, I saw these lovely suede knee-high boots, also on sale, and they fit me so well that I thought it would be a shame to leave them on the rack.  It turns out that the ‘Pantone 2017 Colour of the Year’ is Greenery and I seemed to have been drawn to the colour of the season without even knowing it!

In the past few weeks, my family and I have had the pleasure of meeting so many of our friends who were visiting from other countries or came back home from visiting other countries. It was lovely to reconnect with them all and hear about their exciting adventures and travels. When it comes to presents, I have always felt that it really is the thought that counts. The fact that someone in today’s busy world would take the time to bring you a thoughtful gift is a huge compliment to the value they place on your friendship.  I wanted to thank everyone for the lovely presents they gave us and emphasize how much I loved receiving them so that they may continue their generous gift giving in the future! I have consumed most of the edible presents but included some pictures of the ones that remain.

Have a great week and thank you so much for visiting my blog.

(Clothes and Accessories: Dress – COS, Coat – Therapy (House of Fraser), Boots – Autograph/Marks and Spencer (I cannot find them on their website but my local store had many in stock), Handbag – Claudia Firenze , Bracelet – Calvin Klein)

Thank you for my fancy Amul chocolate from india!
Thank you for my lovely tea from Kenya!

Two Of My Favourite Trends: Pleated Skirts And White Sneakers

Recently, I was privy to a conversation about trends in clothing. This discussion got me thinking about some recent trends that I have enjoyed and incorporated wholeheartedly into my wardrobe.

One trend that immediately sprang to mind is the pleated skirt.  The pleated skirt has now firmly established its presence on the UK high street.  Long and short, plain or printed – no high street retailer is without one in their autumn/winter collection and why not! The skirts have a beautifully feminine form, are easy to wear and are available in very conceivable material. I always enjoy wearing my pale pink midi pleated skirt and I have featured it on my blog before: https://ishasverdict.com/2016/04/18/pleated-skirts-and-ponytails-happy-days-are-here-again .

The other trend that is now firmly entrenched in ‘fashion do’s’ is the white sneakers trend.  I am not sure who exactly is credited with starting this trend but I salute their fashion acumen.  What may have seemed like a fad and attracted many naysayers has proved to be a brilliant fashion move.  Sales of white sneakers have rocketed and it has now become acceptable to pair them with just about everything – I do draw the line with Indian attire but I am open to being persuaded. Personally, I love the casual vibe they impart to the outfits they are paired with and who doesn’t enjoy wearing a pair of comfortable shoes all day! Currently, I am the owner of four pairs of white sneakers and while that may seem excessive, I must stress that they all have their own unique personalities and bring something different to my sneaker collection.

I have combined both these trends in the outfit I am lookbooking today and I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed wearing it.  Below are two pleated skirts that I currently have my eye on – I love the satin and metallic look for winter.

Thank you so much for reading!

ASOS Pleated Skirt - Satin
ASOS Pleated Skirt – Satin
Warehouse Pleated Skirt - Mettalic
Warehouse Pleated Skirt – Metallic

 

 

 

 

 

(Clothes and Accessories: Skirt – TopShop, Top – Trouve , Sneakers – Converse, Coat – COS, Handbag – Rebecca Minkoff)

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Ending The Summer Vacation: In A Blue Embroidered Jacket And Jeans

After many lovely weeks of summer vacation spent with my family in the USA, I am home! In the last few days of my vacation we attended a family wedding.  I met many relatives I had not seen in a while and they were all keen to know what I was doing since our return from India. I was a bit reluctant to talk about the blog as I did not want to be seen as one of those people who only talk about themselves and their latest endeavours.  My brother must have sensed my hesitation and later  gave me a pep talk about how I must tell people about my blog and promote my creativity and hard work.

Landing at Gatwick, it was lovely to see the lush green English countryside and feel a surprising warmth in the air. As I waited in the immigration queue at the airport, I couldn’t wait to get home and have a nice cup of tea.  Finally, it was our turn and we were called up to the desk of the next immigration officer. She checked our passports and then asked the usual questions like where we were coming from and how long we had been out of the country. She then asked me, “What do you do?”

My mind darted back to my brother’s pep talk and suddenly I decided to take the bull by its horns.  “I am a fashion blogger”, I said confidently.  As the officer looked at me (possibly wondering what kind of fashion blogger I was as I looked like I I had stuck my finger in an electric socket), my younger son piped up and said, “that is not a profession mummy, you don’t make any money doing it”.  I looked at his little face, still in shock at his statement, when he continued with his pearls of wisdom for the officer.  ” At the moment, she is a house…house…what do you call that thing – yes she is a house keeper!”

Highly embarrassed, I looked sheepishly at the officer who was trying very hard not to laugh.  “Housewife, housewife – is the word you are looking for darling”, I said wondering what the chances were of the ground opening up and swallowing me  – or preferably him! By now, the officer looked like we had made her day, so I quickly picked up our passports and rushed off mumbling my thank yous.

Once I had retrieved our bags and some of my dignity, I asked him why he thought house wife was a profession as I didn’t recall getting a formal pay check in that line of work either! He didn’t have an answer but I assume he learned the word ‘housewife’ at school. It is now high time for him to return to school and learn that very important lesson of not talking to immigration officers unless he is spoken to!

On a different note, I have definitely been having a ‘jacket moment’ throughout the last few months.  They lend themselves so well to creating an ‘effortlessly chic’ look that works for everyone, from housekeepers to housewives. These ‘boho’ type jackets are perfect for the transitional weather we will experience in the next few months and they add a layer of warmth without suffocating you. They can be paired with so many tops and jeans and I find that they have a synergistic effect in that the sum of the whole outfit is greater than the parts that make it up.

Now that I am back, I am looking forward to ‘lookbooking’ autumn/winter looks as the weather gets colder.  Please do let me know if there is a particular kind of look you would like to see on the blog. As always, thanks for reading!

(Clothes and Accessories: Jacket – Zara, Top – COS, Jeans – Gap, Sandals – Dolce Vita)

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The Great White Shirt: A Classic In My Wardrobe

Happy Friday everyone – it is going to be a quick one today. I can’t resist a beautiful white shirt! While many garments are labeled classic, a good-looking white shirt definitely qualifies for the tile in my opinion. A white shirt is a great partner to a pair of jeans and adding a few choice accessories can result in a sophisticated yet casual look.

I am a big fan of the origami folds on on this shirt  – despite the fact that I can never get it to fold the same way every time I iron it!  The organza panel on the side is a great addition and adds a bit of oomph to the overall proposition. A bling bracelet and sandals are an effective way to elevate this outfit from meek to chic! I love the proportions of this bag and the seemingly odd colour seems to go with everything.

I am traveling and looking forward to blogging from California and Mexico next week. Do check back for some great summer fashion!

Thanks for reading and have a fabulous weekend.

(Clothes and Accessories: Shirt – COS, Jeans – Zara, Sandals – Zara, Handbag – Bottega Veneta, Bracelet – Banana Republic)