Hola, 2015! We’re mighty happy to see you! It’s a new year, a new set of resolutions (which we’ve sworn to stick to, for at least the first quarter!), a new exercise regime, a new vigour to reach our professional goals (finally get that promotion?), a new aspiration to travel and explore the world, and a new decisiveness to balance our professional and personal lives.
Amongst our many lofty ambitions for 2015, we’re hoping to tackle more basic, everyday issues too: like de-cluttering our closets and revamping our wardrobes, while not blowing up most of our paycheck or pocket money! And, to help us, the super awesome Myntra.com is having the massive-est (is that even a word?) “End of Reason” sale for just two days (3rd – 4th January, 2015). Best time to shop, eh?
We’re going to let you in on a bunch of secrets that will help you look like a film star and feel like a million bucks, without breaking the bank. Don’t believe us? Read on to find out how to shop on a budget and still be a fab fashionista!
1. Understand the capsule wardrobe concept
Buy classic cuts and quality pieces to create a perfect capsule wardrobe. If you work 9-5, owning 25 sparkly dresses is just silly! Well-fitted pants, shirts, skirts, a couple of blazers and shift dresses for work, plus simple (non-logo) T-shirts, jeans that actually fit, a fun skirt and a black cocktail dress are the starting point for a classic, stylish wardrobe.
POPxo loves: MANGO Women Black Essential Blazer, Paper Dolls Black & Beige Tailored Dress, Levis Women Blue Revel Bold Curve Skinny Fit Jeans, DressBerry Women White & Black Printed Trousers, Mast & Harbour Women White Ariel Formal Shirt, MANGO Navy Sequin Mini Skirt.
2. Aim for quality, not quantity
The most obvious trick in the book, but the hardest to implement! How do you resist the temptation to fill up your wardrobe with bargain buys at the neighbourhood export surplus stores? At 200 bucks for a maxi dress, you can’t go wrong, can you? But that’s the mistake most of us make! Think of your clothes as an investment. Yes, you won’t have 10 new things to hang up in your cupboard every month, but the one thing that you’ll be buying instead will make you feel like a princess.
POPxo loves: Paper Dolls Black & Pink Strapless Bodycon Dress, GAS Pink Hillery Fit & Flare Dress, Vero Moda Marquee by Karan Johar Black Sequinned High Low Dress
3. Mix and match is everything
Stick to a colour palette that is complementary – with a few accent colours. Black, navy, white, beige and a hint of red is the way a lot of chic people live. Ditch in-trend colours like neons and big prints for classic solid colours and good weaves.
POPxo loves: Arrow Women Beige Printed Slim Fit Shirt, Sisley Black Tulip Skirt, MANGO Burgundy Robe Rainbow Shift Dress, DressBerry Coral Red Maxi Skirt, AND by Anita Dongre White Maxi Dress, Inmark Women Grey Melange Crop Top.
4. Cuts and fits and the little details
While you can’t match the cuts and the fits of high-end brands and couturiers, you can certainly cheat! Choose fabrics that have a bit of stretch so that they mould your curves and give you the most flattering fit. Stay away from shimmer and satin. If the fit isn’t perfect, it will only accentuate the little bits and bulges you’re trying to conceal. And remember to pay attention to little details like the length of the trousers, the width of the cuffs on a work shirt and the lining of a lace dress.
Make your tailor your best friend. If what you’ve bought needs a few minor tweaks to make it perfect, head straight to a trusted tailor who can nip and tuck and make your buy look like it’s been custom-made.
POPxo loves: Dazzio Women Pink Modern Fit Casual Shirt, Mast & Harbour Women Grey Trousers, FabAlley Burgundy Lace Sonnet Sheath Dress
5. Pick classics over trends
As much as we love incorporating every trend the we read about in the glossies, it isn’t always practical! Think about how much wear you’ll get out of a neon crop top when compared to an LBD. No-brainer, right? You’ll be using your classic pieces over and over again, with new accessories, different hairdos and makeup – and everyone will be none the wiser! Really do love neon? Add a necklace to your dress and have the perfect balance between trendy and classic.
POPxo loves: Vero Moda Black Wrap Dress, Ginger Wine Coloured Pencil Skirt, Elle White Textured Shift Formal Dress, Nautica Women Navy Ankle Length Slim Fit Trousers
6. Focus on fabrics
We’re big on natural fabrics – silks, cottons and linens. But if you’re on a budget and can’t really afford the real stuff, there’s no harm in going for blends. However, stay away from 100% synthetics like polyester, which trap body odour and make strange, swishing raincoat-y sounds! Following our advice in point 2 of this list and buy one silk dress instead of 3 fake chiffons. Remember to follow the care instructions on the label. Or, better still, get them professionally dry-cleaned to ensure that they look new and fresh for longer.
POPxo loves: Fabindia Women Blue Tussar Silk Tunic, ONLY Women White Linen Blend Trousers, FabAlley Women Pink Midi-Skirt.
7. Shop at sales
Keep an eye out for sales. Or make sure you stay friends with us – we always know when the good deals are just around the corner! Fairly obvious: you stand to save a whole bunch if you can buy what you want on discounted prices.
With Myntra’s End of Reason Sale on 3rd-4th January, be prepared to let the control slip just a little bit. With thousands of products at almost 80 percent off, it is the best time to indulge and use up some of the shopping budget for the year. Thank you, Myntra, and Happy New Year to you too!
POPxo loves: Femella Women Black Coat, N-Gal White Crochet Pencil Skirt, Puma Women Formlite XT Ultra DipDye Multi-Coloured Training Shoes, Tokyo Talkies Women Black Sweatshirt, Mandira Bedi Pink Georgette Fashion Saree, VITASTA Black & Metallic Gold Leather Bea Woven Box Clutch, Fort Collins Women Rust Brown Jacket, GUESS Black Viola Bodycon Dress.
8. Designer collaborations
If a Rohit Bal outfit feels a bit heavy on the pocket, opt for his capsule collections in collaboration with other brands instead. Lusting after a Manish Arora outfit? Totally affordable now! Check out his brand Indian by Manish Arora for some great-looking pieces at prices that won’t cause your heart to stop! Other cool collaborations like Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna for Wills Signature enable you to own designer wear at high-street prices.
POPxo loves: BIBA by Rohit Bal Women Navy Cotton Silk Anarkali Churidar Kurta with Dupatta, Indian by Manish Arora Multicoloured Printed Tiffany Lamps Sleeveless T-shirt, Label by Ritu Kumar Women Navy Printed Jumpsuit, Wills Signature by Payal Pratap Women Cream Coloured & Blue Embroidered Linen Jacket, Wills Signature by Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna Women Charcoal Grey Kurta, Wills Signature by Pankaj & Nidhi Women Black & White Embroidered Peplum Top.
9. Don’t compromise on inner wear
Yes, ladies. This is make-or-break time! Unsightly peeking bra straps or VPL is a big no-no. Total downer. We urge you to go have yourselves professionally fitted by trained shop assistants so you know your size. If you’re lazy, watch a YouTube video on how to measure yourself. Once you do, shopping online is a breeze! And remember, body-shapers are not just for larger women. Women of all sizes and shapes need the them to help smoothen out bumps and bits and bulges. Though we love some delicate lace and embroidered lingerie sets, for anything that is fitted or made of fabric that has a tendency to be clingy, we recommend seamless underwear all the way.
POPxo loves: Amante White & Pink Vintage Rose Bra, Heart 2 Heart Beige Strapless Silicone Bra, Heart 2 Heart Pink Animal Printed Strapless Silicone Double Push-up Bra, Heart 2 Heart Black Embroidered Shapewear, PrettySecrets Nude-Coloured Floral Tummy Tucker Shapewear, Triumph Black Thigh Shapewear.
10. Accessorize right
Look for a really good day bag for work – pure leather and with no obvious logos. If you fancy a splurge, this is where it should be. A good quality bag will see you through at least a couple of years, and if the leather is genuine, the weathered leather will look uber-chic too. Though black is the most obvious choice of colour, deep burgundy, dark brown, tan or navy will also work with a lot of your work clothes.
Shoes are key. Browse designer websites to understand what’s good shape and proportion – and then go hunting for an affordable version. A strappy black sandal, a classic beige pump and gold heels can pretty much see you through everything in life! To this you add your fun chappals and juttis, and you are totally stepping out in style.
POPxo loves: United Colors of Benetton Navy Shoulder Bag, Adamis Women Tan Handbag, Hidesign Leather Sling Bag, Studio S Women Black Heels, GUESS Women Beige Leather Wedges, Mast Harbour Women Blue Sandals.
* This is a sponsored post for Myntra. The Myntra End of Reason sale is on from 3rd to 4th January, 2015.
