{ F.A.S.H. I.O.N } Patching up with 2020

Hello People!


2020 is a strange year. Almost like a thriller novel. A mystery everyone wants to solve. A nightmare everyone wants to get out of ! And in all this, we are finding ways to preserve our sanity! 

A lot of us are buried neck-deep in "Work" of all kinds.  Even the summers went by without us enjoying a holiday, and so its important to plan A BREAK if not a holiday ! We can never replace travel , but can surely get our dopamine fix with some creative DIY ! 

The nature is in revenge mode and we know that our consumption choices are under the radar more than ever . As a conscious generation, its time to go SLOW. And this applies to fashion as well. Does that mean we need to STOP BUYING FAST fashion? The good news is - there's another post coming up on that and the answer is coming in that post ! But this post will show you ways of sprucing up your most used DENIMS and elongate their lifespan even more !

Patchwork denims are rarely manufactured  , and if you are a bohemian at heart, this DIY will totally be your jam! When i posted these denims on my instagram, most of you were intrigued and i couldn't see  options similar to this! So i came up with this DIY trick, so you can create yours! 

These cloth-patchwork denims got special love from you when I first put the trial room selfie on instagram in 2017 . I spotted this in Zara sale and didn't see this in any other Zara outlet in the whole of Bombay- so hurried to try it on . There were only 2 sizes left. The other was a size smaller. I was skeptical because its not the regular denim and cannot be worn at all times. However my bohemian heart was already head over heels.  When i tried the size which was 2 inches smaller than my original , it squeezed my butt & tummy in an uncomfortable way ! To top it, it wasn't elastic. I walked to and fro- sat inside the trial room thinking it would expand like a miracle. 10 mins. Nothing happened, haha . I asked the Zara folks to help me with the next size or check availability in other stores. Alas, their servers went down and they couldn't track either information. I kept the denim back from where i picked it. I spoke to the zara folks again- Does this shrink further on wash? The guy was like- I am sure you wear denims- they always expand. But I was in still in two minds- what if it didn't expand! Its a high waist style - So its pushing my tummy in and making me uncomfortable! I almost walked out of the store and i looked at it again. I ran back again , picked it and back to the billing counter !!! HAHA. I was not going home without these.


You can have this denim style in a day's time or maybe an hour!!!

How?

1. Pick any denim from your wardrobe 
2. Cut square/triangular cloth pieces out of your favourite old cotton blouses/ pillow covers or sheets (Printed or solids ).
3. Use Fabric glue to stick them ( EASY) or if you are a stitching pro- just sew it on!

And done! 
If you are a guy reading this, why not try this trend as well.  Pair with a leather jacket for the colder months . I would love to see your DIY project. Share it with me!

SHOTS from August 2017:

Self-portrait from 2020 

Till next time, CIAO!

Read More

Love in disguise

The festive season is unfolding its madness on us,vulnerable romantics. We wait for that mail, secretly in our heart from that special someone. Because festive mirth leaves us begging for miracles. We slip into the dreamy world, where all good things are lined up for us, as if it was the season of receiving. Like that long-time crush approaching you out of nowhere and telling you how much he admires you & wants to be friends with you! Before the bubble bursts, you want to feel good. Because its the festive season, happiness is inherent and you hopelessly wait, for surprises!

One fine day, even before autumn could set in and I could anticipate the miraculous festive mirth, I was surprised by a cotton bag that said " Behind Every woman is" ...I looked in " A great pair of jeans" Indeed, a great pair of jeans and the Levis 311 at that! Stretchy without being obnoxious and comfortable as lose pants- this straight pair of skinnies reminded me of the 90s high-waisted models. I digged in further to find this stone-washed denim shirt with my initials on it  - in Red- LOVE! I had to pinch myself, there was a love note too and a red bandana. For once, I didnt slip into the dreamy state , to feel ecstatic!
Gift these through Amazon, and make someone feel in love, just like Levi's did to me!

CHEERS & Love!
Ila

Read More

Levi's 711, Like no other { Fashion }

“I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes." - Yves Saint Laurent

About 5 years ago, My undying taste for denims made me buy them buy the dozens. Then one fine day in 2010, I decided I had had enough. It was time to change. Time to let new styles seep into my wardrobe. I gave away all that was left of denim. 

Then from 2011, began a life in colored denims,anything but blue. I thought it was still a change. Then one fine day in 2015 a mail in my mailbox told me I would have a new addition in my wardrobe- The Levi's 711 Skinny. I have never preferred skinny until I try it as they tend to accentuate the wrong curves most of the time. Also ,they aren't the most comfortable fits- It can get uneasy with that tight embrace and hot too.So as you know, I am very accommodating when it comes to adjusting with new guests. I offer them all the comfort. But this guest was otherwise! When she hugged me its was tight, yet so warm, it felt she belonged to me forever! Maybe, I was missing her in my wardrobe all this while.She's light, cozy, breathable , stretchable but not in the ugly way and so easy to get into and get out of! She can be my next travel companion. And above all ,she makes me look effortlessly good! She's the best they ever made after years of research. Not only that she comes with her set of cousins.
 

 And then she whispered with a smile-Do you know why am I so good ?  

Levi's invented my forefathers in 1873- The iconic 501- which you wore in 2015 as 501 CT with rips. I know you enjoyed that immensely. In 1934, Levi's invented the blue jean for women revolutionizing women's fashion forever. For the Fall 2015 season, the Levi’s® brand harnessed over 80 years of women’s global denim expertise, paired that knowledge with the innovation and relevancy of today, and obsessed over the details - from the fit and fabric to finish and style - to create a transformational women’s jean collection. The Levi’s® brand global design team identified the key fits and styles that women want, obsessively working to optimize the latest fabric innovations and slimming technologies, creating the perfect fitting jean for each body type. Such innovations include the most advanced stretch and recovery, signature authentic Levi’s® details and world-class finishing.

Meet my cousins this fall: 

LOT 700 

Named after the first-ever pair of Levi’s® women’s jeans, the signature Lot 700 fits are the ultimate look-amazing styles, designed to flatter, hold and lift all day, every day. Fits include: 710 Super Skinny, 711 Skinny and 721 High Rise Skinny.

SHAPING

Designed to smooth and enhance, the mid rise shaping jeans help slim the tummy, lift the seat and lengthen the legs. These fits include the 311 Shaping Skinny and 312 Shaping Slim. The new Levi’s® Jeans Collection will be available in Levi's® stores, and online on Myntra.com. The price will range from INR 1999 - 4599.

Grab your 711- Now!

 Denim: Levi's 711 | Cape,Sequinned tee- Sarojini Nagar | Stilettos- Nine West | Watch-Daniel Wellington | Sling- Vero Moda | Hand Cuff-Silvette

 Till next time, Stay Stylish .

LEVIS ON INSTAGRAM

LEVIS ON TWITTER

CIAO!

Read More

dENiZEN Summer Spring '12: The Imran Connection

dENiZEN from LEVIS hosted an All bloggers event for the launch of their Spring Summer ’12 collection co-created with Imran Khan. 

As much as I would love to write about Imran ( I totally adore him J ), I would love to write about the chic Spring Summer ’12 dENiZEN line that he has co-created!

Man Vs his creation!

Time to strike that perfect balance.

Imran through my Lens: I know i can do better :)

So, what excited me?

•   9 shades of jeans, out of which 2 jeans are crafted with the Japanese Selvedge fabric which is considered as the world’s highest quality denim. This is the reason why the price points for these denims went haywire, but according to Imran- “We Have got Good jeans J”
• The  predominant color palette for shirts/tees being- RED, NAVY, HEATHER GREY & WHITE.

I I I believe men look hot in basic colors like these .Its not about complicated prints but about simplicity that makes a man stand out! I would always love a man dressed in the classic white shirt/blue jeans combo :)

     ( Ok! I'm not hinting at anything )I

•    2 shirts in the collection use Chambray which gives them a perfect denim look and are Imran’s favorite pieces. These can be worn in Summers without feeling the heat! They are perfect for layering with a tee inside.
  
  
  Layering makes any dull tee look cool because of the breezy silhoute it takes.Go for it!  

         He confessed ,men love women wearing a man's shirt.Girls, are you listening?

• Think Imran, Think RED- do you know he is in love with RED? The coin pocket of every Jeans has a RED rivet, RED overlocks on the busted side seams, along with a RED zipper tape in front.

I         I have never seen a single man who didn't have a red t-shirt in his wardrobe! 

          The  perfect red makes them look hotter.Its about selecting that right shade of RED that will suit you.

•  DID YOU KNOW?  His friends call him Wikipedia for the geek in him. So t-shirts carry this catch-phrase. How many of your friends are like him?
• Other Tees sport  nautical stripes in grey/red , blue/white which is a must-have in your wardrobe this summer! This season every designer is stocking up his collection with this trend

Now , let me tell you how you can rock the nautical look?

.For men who are taller than 5'10 horizontal stripes work well, for those shorter than 5'10 i think vertical stripes would do you justice as it lengthens your torso.

Collection Highlights through pictures -compiled specially for you guys :)

I personally believe that nautical stripes can never go out of fashion. It wouldn't be wrong to include them in your BASICS which mostly have solid colors. After all it was Coco Chanel who introduced it in 1917, she wouldn’t have possibly gone wrong!

A very cute insight was shared by Imran during the making of this line.

Do you know,he carries 2 cell phones in the front pockets of his jeans. With time, his pockets get faded in ring shape at the bottom because of the cell phones.

·         So with this line they already introduced those ring shaped faded lines- which makes it truly unique.

       Isn't that cool,guys? Do you also suffer from this fade phenomenon? Now you've a solution!

Imran styles the very beautiful  presenter Karishma Kotak with his favorite Chambray shirt.Girls REJOICE! To the right a guy happily volunteers to get styled by Imran :)

What i found really impressive was that a huge amount of research was done for this line.Insights like most MEN in India have thicker thighs came up and accordingly the fit is designed. Imran and dENiZEN have indeed done a good job! Thank GOD he's not one of those brand ambassadors who just lend their faces to the brand, he has lend his brains! 

There are many interesting facts about the whole designing process.In case you would like to know, i would post them on my FB page and of course the remaining photos. :)

And finally the Q&A round which we eagerly waited for.You know what, i finally asked him 2 questions." Me: I understand that this line is created for the youth, but is there one piece from those pair of jeans which you would like to wear even when you are 60?

 The reason why I asked this question was because, these days fashion is about sustainability and when it comes to jeans, there is always that favorite pair of jeans which we never want to throw away!

Imran: He picked a dark colored denim and said that for the older population, dark denims look smart and can be worn with a nice shirt layered with a jacket."

The presenter almost wrapped up the talk when a question popped in my mind, so i had to interrupt her.I asked about the color palette . So when i went up to get a click with him ,he says- You were the one to ask me the maximum questions! I wonder! :D

Imran is not an accessories person, but he loves shoes! For one thing he pointed out, i had a great laugh-

 "How can you guys wear the same footwear throughout the day? I gotta change mine now. " (you can guess all the girls were laughing to themselves)

Guys please, stock up some good styles of shoes.And if you would like a post on that, you can count on me.I would happily do it for you :)

For all you guys who complain i should be writing for Men's styling- I'm scouting for a model who would love to showcase my styling. And i can tell you,in this case,Men are difficult ! :) 

But i'm not giving up yet :) 

Thank you for reading till the end.

P.S: I made amazing friends at the event .Its not so often when you meet like-minded people.We discussed everything from Food to fashion :) 

For more, See you on facebook J
Linking it here.

Loads of love,
*ila *
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
I would love to know what you think .Let me know in the COMMENTS section.
Say a Hello at thefleamarketqueen@gmail.com

Read More