The Brunette Diaries

2014 fashion trends – what sizzles and what will fizzle

Somebody has rightly stated that “Fashion is like seasons, it comes and goes and leaves the world wanting for more.” Whenever a new trend in fashion is doing the rounds, people all over the world turn to their fashion gurus for a word about how to rock the trend best. Some trends die out soon while others are more grounded for longer periods. Let’s take a look at which ones will stay on this year and what is fast disappearing.

Colours!

Orchid is the colour of 2014. We are extremely excited about this one because this vibrant and fresh colour can be worn on all skin tones. Plus the rosy-flowery touch to it makes it an out-and-out fashion staple. Rock this colour in accessories or go for a colour block wardrobe. Neons have made their splash but pastel shades are again making a promising comeback. We’re talking baby blue, lavender, subtle yellow and creamy-smoothie colours like shades of a prim rose… so romantic!

Culottes and Palazzos are here to stay

Culottes and Palazzos are making a splash this year

Culottes or wide legged short pants are back again and this time they will stay for a longer bracket. Also Palazzos will be widely accepted and preferred over skinny jeans. The high waist varieties will add length to your frame and make you look instantly taller and leaner. We give them a huge thumbs-up!

Tea-length skirts

Tea-length skirts have always been around and now with their colour palette going neutral, they never looked prettier! Mini-skirts can totally go into hiding now.

Crop tops

Crop tops will be a huge rage this year. If you dare to bare your mid-riff then you must try this sexy trend. They come in many variants depending on asymmetric hems and varying sizes. The bra-top or a bustier-top will soon make a mark.

Say no to Anarkali suits

The flared Anarkalis are completely out of fashion this year. These wedding staples will soon vanish from the mandap and straight kurta style dresses will take over the fashion scene instead.

Sarees

The traditional 6 or 9 yard saree will be swapped for one that’s pre-tailored. Textured fabrics will be more popular and pallu and pleats will be stitched as per the wearer’s body. Also the blouse will take a backseat with the young and bold; only to be replaced by a shirt or a tee for that edgy sassy look. Mainstream designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Masaba are already popularising this trend in the markets.

Hair trends

Shorter hair will be the hot favourite this season. Wind-swept pixie cuts or the classic bob will be popular. Beautiful and romantic braids will linger on for a long time.

Jewellery

India is known for its love for jewellery and this year too jewellery will be a huge fashion statement. Chunky designs inspired by history and nature will be hugely popular. Gold will remain wedding-loyal, and silver and platinum will be a preferred option for casual outings.

Transitioning from conservative to chic

Any girl would tell you that the biggest question in the whole wide world is – “What do I wear today?”

The most embarrassing situation would be stepping out for a party with your pals and looking trashy, just because you crossed a thin line that differentiates between class and crass. This usually happens with girls who have always been simple and traditional in dressing up, and were never exposed to modern ways of making a style statement. In a bid to go from simple to chic you may sometimes go a little overboard and end up looking indecent with the new found cleavage baring dress that you thought made you look like a million bucks.

If you don’t want to look like the most promiscuous girl at the next party, here’s help. And you can thank us later…

Also read: 5 secret hair tricks that really work

Always take a second opinion while choosing new items to dress up for a special occasion. You may feel that a bandage dress can look good on you, but probably your girls may give you an honest opinion. And that in turn would save you from looking like a victim of a fashion “accident” in need of a bandage. Choose a maxi dress that will not look like you strayed far away from your usual salwar kameez and still make you look gorgeous.

If you’re thinking of wearing a skirt instead of a sari at your friends pre-wedding cocktail party, go easy with the length. Your friends are used to seeing you covered up in the 9 yard drape, and if you make a sudden appearance wearing an ultra mini skirt, everybody’s going to think you’re craving to be noticed. Swap the mini skirt for a tea-length pencil one and accessorise it well.

We all dream of wearing a cute bodycon dress, but wearing one and having to constantly pull it down is a huge turn off. Here’s a helpful tip: when shopping for a bodycon dress if it feels like it’s a little short, try to pick a size bigger and preferably one that has a crew neck. This way you’ll have a more conservative ensemble that balances out the skin show.

Also read: 2014 fashion trends – what sizzles and what will fizzle

If you’ve never worn denims before, you may probably not want to directly jump to stone washed skinny jeans, or low rise and distressed ones. Pick a pair of simple mid waist jeans instead, and wear them with long tunics. Yes, we know crops tops are in and you’re probably thinking of flaunting your midriff, but you need to remember it’s a transition that must be carefully made.

Lastly, be sure to look and feel confident when you decide to go for a style makeover. It shouldn’t make you feel like you have had to jeopardise your self-image in the society. After all, beauty is in simplicity.

Also read: This year flirt with the skirt

Stylish ways to wear a scarf

Many of my friends have been asking me how I manage to wear my scarf in so many styles. So I thought of doing a tutorial. Basically, I usually wear a scarf in 3 simple ways and later style them differently according to my outfit and the occasion. Here are few styles that I absolutely love and do them very often.

Also read: Cheat codes to look thinner

The big ben…er bun:

Bun-style scarf looks really elegant on any outfit

I learnt this style from a YouTube subscriber called Dina Tokio. It is so very simple and looks really, really chic and stylish. Here’s how:

You’re going to need a pretty scarf of your choice and some cute scarf pins. Begin by making a big high bun in your hair and place the scarf over your head in a way that the part hanging down the left side is shorter than the one on the right side. Now take both the sides behind your shoulders and make a lose bun and bring them in the front again (from the opposite sides of course!) Now go ahead and pin both the sides over your bun and secure the scarf with pins.

Simple everyday style:

The other day I was just trying to wear a scarf around my head in a way that I saw a friend doing a few months ago, and I messed up. Not really! Because I figured out a new way to style a hijab! Anyway so here’s how to do this style.

For this one you’ll need a bonnet cap, a maxi hijab/ a maxi scarf and some straight scarf pins. Tie your hair in a loose low bun, and wear your bonnet cap. Next, place the maxi scarf over the bonnet in such a way that both sides of the scarf hanging down your shoulders are equal in length. Now pin the sides together under your chin. Take the left side of the scarf and fan it out loosely, now drape it over your head from the same side going backwards . Secure it with a pin. Repeat the same on the right side. Tuck in any ends that are hanging lose and secure with some more pins. And what do you know! Isn’t it such a cute and simple style?

Also read: This summer go head over heels

Casual day-out style:

This is ever so simple and the most common style I’ve ever come across. All you need a really long rectangular scarf. Start by draping the scarf over your head and in case you’re wearing a bonnet underneath, you can let the sides hang loosely around your face. If you aren’t wearing anything to cover your head, drape the scarf as per the shape of your face and pin it underneath your chin. Both sides of the scarf should be equal in length. Now take the left side and drape it over your head going across the right ear, no need to pin it. Drape the right side over the head going across the left ear and tuck it underneath your chin. If the day is really windy then use safety pins wherever you feel the need to.

Apart from styling the hijab over your head, if you don’t wish to cover it, you could simply wrap it around your neck, loosely without worrying much about being neat. Tuck the loose ends into your outfit or underneath the scarf. Is it hot or what?

Also read: Transitioning from conservative to chic

You could also use a smaller scarf to make it into a no-headache head band. Fold it into triangles 2-3 times over, until it looks like a tie. Then drape it over your head and tie it at the bottom of your pony tail. Drape it across your head again going over the same area and pin it on both side. Open your pony tail and that’s your scarf head band look.