Stylespiration Series : The Plastics from Mean Girls

I must have seen Mean Girls at least a hundred times now. I never get bored watching it over and over and over! The Plastics have become so famous for their fashion choices. So here are some tips for dressing like Regina, Karen, Gretchen and even Cady when she joins in.

Wear pink on Wednesdays!

Okay, so you don’t really have to abide by this rule. The Plastics are mostly seen in shades of pink on other days too.  Look for cute tank tops, tees, skirts and basically all items of clothes in pink and pastels. Don't overdo it though!

Pair pink tops with solid or printed bottoms in black, tan, grey and blue.

Wear lots of skirts

The Plastics only wear jeans on Fridays. They're seen in miniskirts and dresses for the rest of the week. If miniskirts aren't your thing, look for mid or tea length skirts. Get these in different styles and fabrics for different looks.

Let your style be unique

Even the Plastics have distinct dressing styles if you look closely. Regina wears short skirts, collared shirts, blazers, tanks and jackets. Karen's style is very girly. She wears cute printed skirts, tanks with little messages on them and tees with frills and bows. Gretchen wears golf sweaters, cropped tops that show off her midrib and short dresses.

Even if you're doing this with friends, don’t be clones. Show off your assets and wear what you feel great in.

Accessories

Wear super cute stacked bracelets, earrings and necklaces. You could also get a pendant with your initial on it like Regina. Shoes should also meet the brief,but take into consideration the weather and what kind of surface you'll be walking on. Don't wear pink heels for a trekking expedition.

Hairstyles

As per the Plastics' rules, they wear ponytails only once a week. Don't do that…Seriously, if you have long hair and you leave it open all the time, it’s bound to become a hassle. As for the hairstyles in the movie, you see stick straight, blown out, curled, wavy and everything in between. Cady wears her hair in a bun, Regina wears a single braid and there are half up- half downs everywhere.

So you have a plethora of choices when it comes to styling your hair. Choose what suits you best. Add cute hair clips, ribbons, bows and hair ties to finish the look to Plastic perfection.

So get ready to form your own version of the Plastics, but don’t be mean!

Stylespiration Series : Bella Swan/Cullen from the Twilight Saga

I decided to start a series called 'Stylespiration' where I'll be sharing tips on how to dress like your favorite movie or book character without looking like you're wearing a costume.

Bella Swan/Cullen has been one of my most favorite characters for a very long time now. I thought it would be perfect to start this series off with her.

Bella's style is really simple and evolves as the story progresses, changing drastically when she becomes a vampire. If you love Bella and want to emulate her style, check out these tips…

Tops

As a human

Bella wears a lot of basic tees, long sleeved tops and plaid button-downs with plenty of layers since it's chilly in Forks.

Layer a long sleeved tee with a half sleeved plaid shirt for the look from the movie where she first meets Jacob.

For her casual outfits, Bella pairs different tops with skinny jeans. She sticks to simple styles, occasionally opting for delicate details at the neckline.

These are items you can pretty much expect to already have in your wardrobe, so this casual look should be easy to recreate.

As a vampire

Bella's style takes a drastic turn when she becomes a vampire. She now opts for edgier, tighter tops in dark shades.

Look for almost gothic pieces if you want this look. Darker shades like black, charcoal, burgundy and deep purple will work. Keep everything fitted and tailored.

Jackets

As a human

Bella wears short jackets which reach about mid-thigh. She wears these in neutral colors like tan and grey. Her raincoat was probably the only standout color- a bright fuchsia.

As a vampire

Bella's jackets become very structured and edgy after her transformation. Being a vampire, she doesn't really need to wear a jacket since she's pretty much immune to harsh weather. Nonetheless, I love her black leather jacket. She wears it with leggings and combat boots.

Dresses

As a human

For her senior prom, Bella is seen wearing a cute ruffled blue dress, with a cream cropped shrug and black tights.

Instead of the dress, wear a flowy, deep blue top with skinny jeans or tights for a more relaxed look.

For her birthday celebration at the Cullens', she wears an olive green dress with a black cropped shrug which she got as a gift from Alice.

After her wedding ceremony, she changes into a creamy golden knee length dress with a black belt at the waist.

As a vampire

Bella's first scene as a vampire shows her in a skin tight cobalt blue dress, which she later rips at the thigh so she can run at vampire speed.

She is later seen wearing a charcoal grey dress, also skintight. She pairs this with black tights and ankle boots.

While going to meet Mr. Jenks, she wears a black mini dress with a long grey coat. Any fitted LBD will work for this look.

Accessories

The accessories are pretty minimalistic. There aren't any statement necklaces or glitzy clutches in Bella's wardrobe. She keeps it limited to headbands, bracelets, rings and the occasional simple necklace.

I hope you got some stylespiration and can now pull off your own Bella look.

Denim Daze

If you are a denim lover like me, you can never have enough pairs of jeans. But if you don’t want the same look day after day, try some different styles of denim. There's loads to choose from.

Straight leg jeans

These are my favorite kind of jeans. They look flattering on all body types and I feel they make my legs look slimmer. They're fitted throughout, but not clingy like skinny jeans.

Pair them with pretty floral or lace tops for a girly look. For an edgier vibe, wear them with a tank top and a structured jacket or blazer.

Skinny jeans

These are probably the most popular denims right now. They are very fitted and taper off below the knees giving you a close fit. Wear them with slightly longer, loose tops for a balanced look.

Get some of these in different washes. I love the darker palettes myself; they have a cool feel to them.

Boot cut or flared jeans

These jeans are fitted down to the knee and flare out below creating a bell shape which is why they're also called bell bottoms. They look great on taller girls, but you can still pull them off if you aren't that tall. You just need to find the perfect pair.

Wear these with fitted tops, tucked in button-downs and add a belt to emphasize your waist.

Boyfriend jeans

If you're looking for a super comfy, slouchy and relaxed look, these are the jeans for you. They're pretty much baggy throughout and excellent for long road trips where you want to be comfortable.

You would think it would be better to wear them with fitted tops, but whatever celebrity looks I've seen, they're always paired with loose sweaters or tops. It seems to work somehow. Roll them up at the cuffs, add some ankle boots and you're good to go.

Jeggings

Jeggings are so in right now and I can see why. The dressiness of jeans with the comfort of leggings? Um, yes please! Be sure to pair them with tops that reach mid-thigh for a polished look. Pair them with knee high boots and a long cardigan for cooler days.

You can also wear these with kurtis and some wedges or heels.

Ripped or distressed denim

To stand out from the sea of denim wearers, get yourself some ripped or distressed denims or do it yourself! If you have a really old pair of jeans lying around, give it a makeover using some scissors or sandpaper.

Colored and printed jeans

Bright neon denims aren't everyone's cup of tea. But if you want to experiment, you can start off with printed jeans with small pops of color. For colored jeans, I think red, maroon and purple are good colors to stick to.

You need to co-ordinate your tops with colored jeans though. Neutrals like black, white, grey, cream and camel will work with any color. Other color combinations can be tricky, so you may have a few trial and errors. But where's the fun if you don’t take risks?

For a girly touch, try floral print denims. Pair them with solid tops and a string necklace for a cute brunch/lunch outfit. Flower power!

A dress for every occasion

I love all kinds of dresses. They're so versatile and easy to carry. They come in hundreds of styles, patterns, materials and colors. There's a dress for every occasion!

Casual outing/Brunch date with friends

A knee-length dress in a light material is ideal for this occasion. It's fun and easy to move in. Pair it with some chunky wedges and a stack of chic bracelets for a cute, flirty look. A side-sling purse to carry your things in looks super cute with this outfit.

Beach

For a day at the beach, opt for long, flowy maxi dresses. I like to pair them with oversized sunglasses, a bright beach bag and cute flip flops. For jewelry, go with dangly feather earrings or long beaded necklaces. I also like to add bangles in metallic colors like silver, gold and bronze.

Semi-formal party

Go for a pretty lace dress with delicate detailing at the neckline or hem. Pair it with a statement necklace and add some oomph with dressy heels. I adore lace dresses. They give off a slightly vintage feel without being too traditional.

Formal dinner

A LBD is perfect for formal dinners. It doesn't have to really be 'little'. Longer dresses are equally flattering. Pair these with silver or gold jewelry and heels or wedges.

Traditional ceremonies (like a threading ceremony or engagement party)

For Indian ceremonies, most people go with traditional outfits like sarees, lehengas and salwar kameez. If you want something unique, a dress is a great option. Make sure the length is appropriate though.

I love long dresses with Indian motifs in bright colors. Pair them with minimal jewelry if the pattern is bold. For simpler dresses, add some statement pieces to glitz up your outfit.

Some brands which have gorgeous dresses with traditional prints are Global Desi, Fusion and Unlimited.

Monsoon Fashion

I love the monsoon months. Everything is so green and looks like it's just been through the laundry!

The air is cool and crisp, but without the harshness of winter. The major dilemma most of us go through is what to wear during the rainy season. Look no further, your monsoon fashion guide is here!

Pants

I can't stand wearing jeans during this time since they're so heavy and they take ages to dry. So I stick to cotton pants and leggings. I like wearing fitted cotton trousers in dark colors like black, charcoal and navy blue. You don't want to ruin your cream or white pants so save them for drier days. If you just can’t go without your denims, opt for lighter jeggings instead.

I also recommend wearing cropped pants, capris and shorts (where acceptable) to avoid wet hems and cringing every time you feel the cold soaked material on your ankles.

Skirts

Skirts are probably the best thing to wear for the majority of the monsoon. They're sophisticated so you look like you made an effort, but simple to style, and not fussy in terms of being dripping wet.

Stay away from the full flare maxis and stick to midis and tea lengths to keep your hands free. There is nothing worse than wading through ankle-deep water clutching your maxi skirt, umbrella and other clutter and wishing you had a dozen extra arms.

Tops

You can wear whatever style of tops you want, but the safest bet is to go with those made of lighter fabrics. Keep your sheer garments to a minimum since you’re bound to get soaked at some point. Also, stay far away from the long, flowy, asymmetric hemline tops. The longer back can cause a huge problem if it’s floor skimming or thereabouts.

Go with longer tops, tunics and kurtis over fitted leggings to keep it chic and practical at the same time. Crop tops with high waisted shorts or skirts are also a good option for casual outings.

Dresses

You can basically wear dresses at any time of the year and the monsoons are no exception. Get those short and mid length dresses out. Pair shorter dresses with leggings for some warmth. If it’s chilly, wear your dress with a cropped jacket, cardigan or shrug.

Boots

Invest in some good quality shoes made specially for this weather. Don’t buy something too fancy or expensive since it’s probably going to be in tatters by the end of the season. Be careful with  flip-flops; they’re likely to spray the back of your outfit with muddy water from the street. Also, leave the heels and stilettoes for formal events where you can ensure dry floors.

I hope these tips helped you and wish you a great monsoon!

Gym ideas to motivate yourself

Going to the gym regularly is really challenging especially if you're a newbie.  What better way to motivate yourself than a cute gym wardrobe? Many people tend to ignore the way they look when hitting the gym. Since you’re focusing on working out, it may be tempting to go to the gym in the old clothes you wear at home. But the better you look, the better you'll feel.

Now I'm not saying you should get all dressed up with tons of makeup or something, but I just feel wearing a cute outfit will push you to go on those lazy days. Here are some tips for what to wear to the gym…

T-shirts

I usually wear cool graphic tees to the gym. Inspirational or funny quotes, cute pictures or just bold colored t shirts really get me pumped.

Sweatpants

Get a few pairs of well-fitting sweats in different colors and styles. Make sure the pants are not baggy or skin tight. I like wearing fitted yoga pants in dark colors like black, grey and purple.

Leggings

I love wearing leggings in dark colors to the gym. I like both - the full length ones and the knee-length ones. They make my legs look thinner too. I mostly stick to black, maroon and deep blue but I saw a girl wearing charcoal grey ones and now I want a pair as well.

If you have slim legs or just love color, then you should totally go for bright leggings. I'm also loving printed leggings right now. They look dressy and you can pair them with long girly tanks and tees.

Hair accessories

I have really long, thick hair. I keep it out of the way using colorful headbands and scrunchies. I like wearing those thick, stretchy cotton headbands to keep any fly-aways in place and they add a pizzazz element to your outfit too.

Mostly I put my hair in a single braid or a high ponytail for the gym. But if you have short hair, the headband should be sufficient. For longer hair, a messy bun always looks chic.

I hope these tips will motivate you to hit the gym in style.

Burn those calories!

What to wear as a guest to an Indian wedding

Indian weddings are a big affair. Most weddings are bright, colorful and full of fun.

If you are invited as a guest and need tips for what to wear, read on…

The obvious choice : Lehengas

Lehengas are absolutely gorgeous outfits. They consist of a long skirt, a blouse and a dupatta.

There are so many styles to choose from. You can go all out with bold colors like pink, orange, purple with a lot of embellishment and heavy work or you can be demure and delicate with pastel shades like blush, peach, mauve, pale pink with intricate but not heavy work.

You can choose a lehenga according to your body type. There are varied styles of skirts and blouses and you're sure to find one that emphasizes your assets.

It is also important to consider the season. Go with lighter, floral lehengas for summer weddings and opt for heavier ones for winter weddings.

The next best : Anarkalis

Anarkalis were made famous by their namesake from the Mughal era. These ethereal flowy garments are easy to manage, give you room to show off those dance moves and still make you look glamorous.

You can opt for the traditional knee-length ones or for the newer, full length anarkalis that almost look like gowns.

For the traditional girl : Sarees

Sarees are the quintessential wedding garments for Indian weddings. They look good on everyone and the variety is endless, I kid you not. Of course, if this is your first time wearing a saree, I would suggest opting for a lighter fabric which is easy to carry.

To channel your traditional-yet-modern style, you can choose a designer saree with a non-traditional pattern or wear a trendy blouse to channel your inner diva.

For the girl who likes to stand out : Fusion wear

Fusion wear is big right now and gives you the right combination of traditional and western. Dhoti pants paired with embellished jackets, saree gowns, skirts with crop tops bearing Indian motifs are some great ways to don this style.