When Coco Chanel Designed the All Time Favorite Little Black Dress back in 1920, little he would have known that its going to be the most sophisticated & elegant fashion creation ever.Chanel designed this one dress that could be worn from dawn till dusk which just needed well chosen accessories here and there like costume jewellery, yet maintaining  the ultimate charm of it. LBD (as it is popularly known) has been a fashion from ages, the only ensemble which has never been affected by any ongoing trend and has evolved from time to time.

The Little Black Dress is one of the most versatile and stylish pieces a woman can own. Every woman needs a LBD, It is the “must have” dress a lady should don when she is confused and needs something that fits her just right and give her the needed confidence. If you don’t have a LBD, then probably you will need to find one that fits your body and style perfectly.

A LBD can make you sail through from the office to a party, with all the addition or removal complementary clothing. But a LBD can be tricky garment to style. little black dress can turn into a nightmare if not put together properly. It can be hard to stand out among all the other little black dresses. Here are some suggestions for dressing up your little black dress so that you stand out from the crowd and make that needed style statement.

Day Wear

For day parties, lunches, and Brunches. Wear a fitted black shift dress, with a slashed neckline. Avoid anything that is body hugging. The length of the dress  should be below the knee. This is suitable for the office as well.

Evening wear

Romantic dates, and for late night cocktail parties, The dress can be a little short and yet remain well-shaped. Choose a black dress with straps, close-fitting but in fabric that hides all the length should end on the knee.

Casual

A black wrap-around silk dress, a black linen shirt, and black stretchy black dress are all suitable for less formal events or for a party at home.

For Teenagers

For the young ladies who want to wear a LBD with a twist, try jazzing it up by pairing it up with funky jewellery with bright nail polish like hot pink or neon colors and maybe even bright tights to go with it.

Just like the Little Black Dress a blazer is a essential garment in a girl’s wardrobe,  your evergreen LBD never goes out of fashion and so does your Blazer. If you still don’t own one, we guess its the right time to invest in it as the winters soon approaching. The cost of a blazer is worth investing in, as it will be your companion in the long run.

Boyfriend Blazers are the must have for a girl this autumn winter 2012 – 13. Originally, the boyfriend blazer was derived from the man’s powersuit back in 80′s as a way to keep the growing population of women in the workforce looking professional in the corporate world. This has been a very popular trend for the past few years since the more stylish version of these blazer have been introduced. These are much sleeker with the same length but are more suitable for the woman body unlike the older version which were only baggy & big.

Boyfriend Blazers accentuate and flatter your figure because that one simple button at the waistline places the attention on your waistline. Since blazers cinch your waistline, you’re elongating the frame, slimming (while balancing) your figure. So they make you look thinner & is a very versatile style garment . They come in bright solid colors, neon shades, plaid, striped, geometric shapes & floral prints.

Needless to say, the boyfriend blazer is a modernized, fabulous and ultra feminine piece you must get your hands on. Be sure to experiment with it as much as possible, for the starters we give you 3 never-go-wrong Boyfriend Blazer styling tip to give you a head start with this fabulous piece of clothing.

Team your Boyfriend Blazer with bright skirt & big bag for a perfect Brunch ensemble.

If you want to wear it to the Office, Boyfriend Blazer + Plain Shirt + Pumps =  Super sophisticated look.

If you are heading for a  low-key spot for some beers, Boyfriend Blazer + Skinny Jeans + High Heels = For a more relaxed, yet classy feel.

 Images’ Credit: Pinterest.com

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once famously said ,

“The best thing one can do when it’s raining, is to let it rain“.

However, the challenge is to look fashionable when you  are all wet and drenched. Monsoon is the trickiest season of all for fashion addicts. When the romantic season knocks on your doors you don’t turn away but rather say, challenge accepted, so we bring you some tips to fight the ugly side of this romantic weather and still keep up your fashion spirit.

 What we dread most, is landing up like a wet cat to your office like last year, grabbing all the attention and smirky stares. No we are not those people who hate the season but we come under those kinds who take extra efforts to look presentable, getting dressed up & then finding yourself all drenched up in office hours. I guess everyone has experienced this feeling at least once no matter how fond they are of this romantic season.

Love of the rains the mesmerizing fresh aroma of the wet soil still drives us out. So some of us still plan to admire the rains under a sturdy umbrella, it’s like observing the magic but from a safe distance. However, with a few essentials you can lose your fear of getting wet and skip the mocking smirks & glances. So presenting a few wardrobe essentials worth investing in this season.

Raincoats & Umbrellas

You knew we were going to suggest this; they are the oldest and most relied upon soldiers battling the rains from ages so it’s inevitable to be in the list. Do not fear if style is what you are worried about, then stylish is what we will give you. With new innovations to these rain tools you can always look chic and trendy during the downpour.

Pick a transparent raincoat which will not hide your outfit completely. To add more flavor to it you can also pick collapsible bright and funky umbrellas going with your dress.

Shoes

As they say dry feet are happy feet. For ladies we suggest T String and rubber flats in chic colors to go with your formals and semi formals. Put aside your Leather guys, it’s not for this part of the year because it’s time to take out your loafer and sandals that you have been hiding in your closet. For office you can try shoes with washable fabrics. One easy trick you can always keep an extra pair in your office cabinet or in your car for emergency.

Clothes

This is the most important part. Avoid light colors as they tend to get dirty and show stains easily. Choose fabrics which dry off easily like chiffon and nylon. Try dressing up in layers which are always useful if you get wet. Most importantly avoid clothes which tend to bleed color.

Bags

Leather is a big no no, take out your canvas totes, basket bags & waterproof plastic bags. You can experiment with them and shine your way in the dull monsoon mood. Play with bright colors and team up with cool accessories to stand out.

Hairstyle

Get that easy to maintain and stylish haircut for the monsoon. Avoid streaking and coloring, and keep conditioning your hair regularly are this is the time of the year when your hair tends to go weird, super frizzy and moist.

So gear up for the monsoon and enjoy it to the fullest. Keep a pair of sunglasses and the right and positive attitude to keep you going during the dull days. Happy Drenching. Happy Monsoon!

Image Credit: Pinterest & Tumblr

Really and truly you can never have too many pairs; they are all different. You need a pair for every mood – and everyone knows that women have a lot of different moods – Anonymous

Whoever the anonymous stranger is every woman owes it to him (or rather her). So let’s take a walk through the memory lane and try recalling the first pair of high heels we bought. As we wander down the memory lane getting a little nostalgic, drenching in some mixed feelings, I hope you are simultaneously thinking about what you wish to add to your collection this season as you would surely find some interesting stuff once you finish reading what lies ahead.

Shoes and more shoes, to a certain degree we all agree that we need shoes, basically we can’t do without shoes and the more we have the better prepared we are for pretty surprises and unknown destinations. For a layman, who has little knowledge of shoes even that person would say shoes are a bare necessity for everyone. We can’t expect to make our way to new destinations bare feet, so the demand never dies.

Some of you might have heard of the term called “Shoe fetish”, it can be described as a mental state where a person has a distinctive liking for almost all kinds of shoes or should we say fashionable shoes, which has symptoms like drooling, losing control over one’s self and ending up overspending. This strange group can buy shoes in any state and at any sale (literally). It has been noticed that this shoe madness has taken a weird turn in the celebrity world. Celebrities have been spotted flaunting some of the most bizarre footwear or as they call it Piece of Art.

Out-of-the-box accessories are a new hit with celebrities to stand out & make a bold statement. With shoes on top of this accessory list and celebs ready to experiment with their looks (did you say, Lady Gaga), it’s evident that it has a long way to go. With the paparazzi on their toes trying to grab a glimpse of these fashion pieces, celebs are just enjoying the attention, not to miss the designer wear which include famous names like Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Christian Louboutin and many other world renowned names are behind these head turning footwear. We now take you through some of the craziest & innovative shoe designs displayed by celebrities around the world making fans and media stand up and take notice.

Madonna was spotted in these gun-heeled  Chanel shoe & she surely stands out with this pair which totally match her killer looks and bold attitude. The shoe adds that needed X-Factor to the pop stars plain black dress.

Michelle Trachtenburg arrived at TRL in these innovative shoes from the famous designer , Marc Jacobs, . The Backward Heels have made their mark in the fashion world by their trendy look which makes head turn.

The British-American Actress Mischa Barton attended the Dior Haute Couture show in Paris. She flaunted Tribal Chic Collection which has all the ingredients that make them totally different & attention grabbing. This new collection has the figurine of the fertility god at the place High heels. Mischa Barton wore this pair and gave a new hype to the high heels.

Spice Girl Victoria arrived to a perfume launch with hubby David Beckham in these Berardi heel-less boots. Defying the laws of gravity, this fashionista made heads turn with these unique pieces of art. Posh surely made a defining statement here and we might say she knows how to Bend it Like Beckham!!

Who would have ever thought that someone would be brave enough to don Alexander Mcqueen bizarre creation of a 10 inch stilettoes, but we think someone missed the secret name – LADY GAGA . The Pop Star was seen wearing the heels at the MTV Video Music Awards 2010. She surely knows how to play her right cards.

Image Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1311521/MTV-Video-Music-Awards-Lady-Gaga-scores-fashion-hat-trick-different-outfits–including-meaty-dress.html

We have already had a taste of summer for this season and by now we all love the beautiful colour that spring has set in with. The Tangerines are drool worthy, pastels are soothing and the neons are deliciously chic. Summer always comes up with two kinds of styles, the classics and the Summer Specials. Though everyone always swears by the classics but the “Summer Specials” are what always make the noise!

Carlton London’s FITI has been this one little blingy which has caught everyone’s eyes. FITI is an attractive yet comfortable style. It is in fact the best because it beats the high heels with its flat style over both comfort and oomph.

This Spring Carlton London has beautiful colours flowing in with “CHANYA”, peep toe wedges. Wedges have changed the meaning of height with the comfort that it has bought in. They look chic and also spell comfort.  Like every season Carlton London works on designs that suit the season at best and loved by the people too. Available in Bright colours like Yellow and Blue, head to CarltonLondon.com  and secure a piece for your shoe closet.

Keeping in mind the flavours of the summer, another new arrival at the Carlton London store is CHARLEEN, leather ankle sandals. Available in red, orange and black this one is sheer style. Best to be paired up with Jumpers and skirts, CHARLEEN has become a hot seller just in a few days of getting introduced. We like it, do you?

While you start shopping the styles that you liked the most and decide what to wear for the day tomorrow, here are just a few tips for your Summer dressing (Basics)

-          Always wear whites and light colours when you feel that the sun is too hot. Wear pastels to fight the sun and yet look the best.

-          Do not indulge into a make-up over do for the day time but try bold lips whenever you want.

-          Do not let the summer go without trying a tangerine lip colour at least once. I bet you shall fall in love.

-          Colours and florals is what the summer is all about!

-          Shop at Carlton London to stay updated in the best for footwear.

Say HELLO to Blake Lively, one of the most stylish women around. Rising to fame [and fortune might I add!] thanks to the hit TV series ‘Gossip Girl’, Lively plays a Rich New York Upper East Side socialite called Serena Van Der Woodsen whose live is always revolving around cunning schemes [mostly getting staged by her BFF] and getting her heart broken. Yet, with all these woes, she pulls it off in style. Serena Van Der Woodsen never has a hair out of place and you know what? Her real life alter ego, Blake Lively is on par.

Blake Lively is the perfect woman. Not skinny or fat, she is toned and fit, something ALL women aim to achieve! With her lovely golden locks, tones body and legs that go on for miles and miles, she is definitely one of the hottest women in Hollywood, a rising style icon and has also joined a league of fashion immortals by becoming the face of Chanel.

Blake Lively dresses up in such a way that it never fails to complement her body. I applaud her for having the body of a REAL woman.

For someone who loves fashion, one things for sure! She is DEFINITELY crazy for shoes and Blake Lively is no exception! She has always worn some of the stylish, latest shoes. Any new release, its on her feet. I don’t think anyone has any complaints because she carries it off in style and grace.

Here is Blake looking like a goddess. If you didn’t know who Blake Lively was, now you do! Make sure to check up on her, on and off screen. She is definitely one to look out for and we could all learn a thing or two from her and her personal style!

We have many style tips to learn from her and here are the top 5:

1. ALWAYS dress to complement your body.
2. To be sexy, you don’t necessarily have to wear short skirts, dresses or show skin in a trashy manner. Do so in grace.
3. Always make a statement with your shoes! They DO make a difference!
4. Elaborate hairstyles aren’t always the key. Let down your hair and let it take its own shape and course.
5. Lastly, don’t feel scared to experiment!

So there you go! This May, I stress on the fact that you experiment with your personal style!

Its time to cast your boots aside and bring out your summer footwear. Even better than that, BUY some hot new summer footwear! Carlton London definitely knows a thing or two about footwear so what I am here to do is tell you EXACTLY what you need and how you can utilize it to yours fashionable best.

The Carlton London FITI is Summer’s hottest sandals. They are best sellers and have been flying off the racks like they are pretty little cupcakes! We suggest you grab a pair.

In pink, golden, black ,silver and gray, the FITI is there for you. Whether its in the heat of the day or at the bink of monsoon, the FITI will sail you through. Comfort and style, it definitely is the wonder-woman of shoes!

This summer, there are numerous trends to try out. Be it sheer, colour-blocking, florals, jumpsuits and playsuits, hot-pants, hem-dips, peplum shapes… there are SO many, that it’s almost exhausting! In fact, trying all of them, summer will be almost over. are YOU brave enough to try them all? If you are, I’d tell you not to worry about footwear.

We all love to wear fancy and great looking footwear but there comes a point when high heels are a little too much and your soles need some TLC and rest. In those moments, turn to the FITI and still feel super chic and glamourous.

So take your pick from the array of trend and pick your FITI. Go online to www.carltonlondon.com to grab a pair OR head over to the Carlton London Official store in MGF Mall, Gurgaon. Treat yourself to a heavenly abode for shoes and much more. You will have a life long love affair with Carlton Lodon. Honest. It really did happen to me.

Summer has just begun and more than the heat, I can feel a wave of fashion at its best coming my way. The Summer of Fashion is here!

 When I did the last post on Which shoe suited a woman best, I got a request on our Facebook Carlton London page for a Men’s one too and I thought that would be a great idea as I have NEVER done a post on Men’s shoes or style here and for that, I beg your pardon. From now on, equality ladies and gentlemen and we begin with this post!

So Gentlemen, hold on to your seats as I bring you a list of the shoes that will suit your personality and all in all, a list of shoes you MUST own. IF not 10 pairs, at least one. It’s always, always good to have the essentials because you might never know when you might need them.

1. The first on our list? Boat Shoes! Boat shoes could very well be cast under the category of ‘casual’ and ‘outdoor’ shoes. In fact, they might as well be the outsider because for some reason, they just aren’t given preference anymore! These shoes call for some careful styling and care and if you’re the kind of man who has a sartorial style and can make any style work for you, I suggest boat shoes. They are very resort wear and rather perfect for summer. For the man who likes a fashion challenge and can can make a style statement, boat shoes are your thing!

2. Moccasins. Now who doesn’t want to be the Moccasin man? Causal yet formal and oh-so-chic, Mocassins are perfect to be caught dead in. If you’re the kind who digs comfort and high fashion and style, these are your god send shoes. mocassins say that you’re serious about life and such but yet, you do not ignore your other priorities [which include looking good]. These shoes provide you with the perfect outlet to do anything you want [from dancing to running] and still keep you looking slick!

3. Oxford Shoes. These are your standard formal, dress shoes and this is the one shoe that is made for every man. You NEED a pair of formal shoes and there really is nothing better than a pair of oxfords. In black or brown, wear them if you want to make a statement. Office or parties, these shoes will definitely help you stand out. You will be the man who knows how to dress for an occasion and not just some passerby who wants to dress up for the heck of it!

4. Dress Boots. These are the new kids on the block and every teenager and 20 something boys are out to get them. They are the younger, informal interpretations of the dress shoes for men and if done well, they can look super stylish! So, if you’re a young one, I’d say these boots were made for walking by you. wear it with your skinny pants or denims that can be tucked in just a little. It will look modern and stylish!

5. Penny Loafers.For the man who has gone through all the style changes possible in his life time finally comes to a close with a pair of Penny Loafers. Known as the shoes for the great minds that goes to the like of Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale, Penny Loafers are the butt of all jokes. I wonder why because these shoes have such dignity and class. Definitely for the older men who have accomplished much of what they want in life, Penny Loafers are the perfect comfortable sole companions.

So there we are. A list of 5 shoes that could be you! Which one do you identify with? Which one do you like? Which one would you like to try? Go on and find out! It’s fashion and you can definitely have some fun with it!

Which shoe are YOU?

Which one would you choose?

Which one will you wear?

Which shoe will choose you?

Women have a habit of buying shoes that are just pretty. We are fascinated by pretty things in pretty colors so we are really unfortunate victims to the shopping habits. Especially shoes.

A big problem I’d say! So today’s blog post is going to be about identifying which shoe is the one for you and if you really must spend, spend it wisely on a kind of shoe that you will wear. [Because I assure you. I have a lot of 'trophy' shoes]

There are numerous types of shoes so for today, I have chosen the ones that we all know best. While it may be about choosing the one that you wear the most or like the most, it may not always suit you for some reasons. I’m no expert but I shall share a little of my knowledge with you! Read on:

Kitten Heels. These shoes are a little more on the formal side. They are classic. Usually, these are the shoes with a slight heel only, 2/3 inches. Stella McCartney popularized them in recent times while Chanel was a big fan of these shoes. The 1920s actually saw these shoes emerged and reach its peak of popularity. Probably the working women’s shoe, they are perfect for everyday wear. These are tricky shoes so make sure to try them on and look at it from every angle!

Oxford shoes are a variation of the Men’s shoe. In fashion however, there is no set rules for men or women so when women’s shoes were modeled after the Men’s Oxfords, it was a divine discovery. Oxford lace-up shoes came with and without heels. Comfortable and suited for walking around everywhere, everyday, its no wonder that we see the most stylish people in the world -style icons & models- walking around in a pair of these!

Here we have the wedge shoes! These are YOUR shoes if you like to wear high heeled shoes and feel comfortable at the same time! Wedges were made for comfort! They will support you and not make you feel pain as stilettos do and trust me, as a girl who loves her high heels, I most definitely know what I am talking about!! So, you stylish woman, I suggest you go for wedges if you decide to make a statement and stand up tall and straight all night long!

Now we come to the statement makers! Whether they are flats or heels or lace ups, it’s alright. The only different with them? That they will always end up looking a little different than usual shoes. Now if you are someone who is drawn to the unusual or weird, I’d say you are one of the statement makers. Revel and bask in it for you will always be different! In this decade of fashion, it’s the rule of the unconventional .

Stock heels. Again, another form of comfort shoes for sky-high heels. Most people quote these shoes as ugly and lacking all forms of sex appeal but I care to disagree. Stock/platform heels add so much more quality to a shoe and in fact, it actually does make your legs look longer. If you have a problem with stilettos [like me] but would prefer to wear heels all day long and also, if you have tiny, skinny legs and calf muscles and would like to disguise that, Stock heels are here to rescue you!

Ballet flats. The perfect shoes for everyday and any day. You MUST own at least 2 pairs of ballet flats because they are useful, versatile and are super-duper cute! While it reminds us that we’re back in school, there’s no denying that we love them. Contrary to popular beliefs, ballet flats are not only for the girly girls. They go really well with jeans and shorts and other ensembles too. So while everyone may have a type, its safe to say that every girl needs a pair of ballet flats.

And finally! We come to pumps and stilettos! I personally feel that when you wear pumps, you should be of a certain age. It’s not necessarily an older woman’s shoe but it has an air of grace and charisma and unless you have attained the art of being a refined woman, you cannot wear these shoes! For the woman who has achieved everything she has ever wanted but will strive for more, for the woman who knows what she wants, for the woman who has impeccable taste in fashion and has cultivated her very own personal style… in my judgement, YOU are the stiletto woman.

So choose well ladies. Sometimes, we can be more than one kind of shoe but its also dependent on your likes and dislikes too. Keep in mind that its best to identify yourself with your shoe early on so as time goes by, you always know exactly what you want!

She is the eternal goddess of style. Never a hair out of place, Victoria Beckham is the woman to watch. Remember the 90s when she was a part of the Spice Girls? The alluring, mysterious skinny brunette girl? Sure, she didn’t sing too much but there was no denying even then how hot she was.

What happened next? She married David Beckham. The man that all women wanted and men wanted to be. I wouldn’t hand it to luck. If it was luck, it might have run out for her by now. Its strange that in a time and place where every celebrity marriage has an expiration date, these two are going strong with 4 kids. Now THAT is admirable and we cannot deny that it ain’t love!

The power couple have it going on for them. Forget the money, they have the looks, the style, the endorsements and of course, their kids, family and love. I guess they’re pretty happy. If not, they can share their wealth with me. Just a little!

Coming back to Victoria or lovingly known as “Posh Becks” to her fans, I think she is the ultimate style icon and the one to look up to. She has so much flair and always dresses for occasions. She never gets it wrong and always has her best foot forward in the best shoes EVER! Her shoe collection must be worth millions and yes, I wouldn’t mind stealing it! From Christian Louboutin’s to Jimmy Choo’s to Louis Vuitton’s, she’s really got it all.

And the best part about her is that she does them justice. In fact, everything just seems to look better on her!

Even after becoming a mom and taking care of 3 sons and one daughter, she still looks fabulous! She loves her kids and never ignores them and with her designing career, she still had the time to take care of herself and look fab! Super Mom or what!

She really teaches us a thing or two about outfits and putting them together and although she loves black, she likes her colors from time to time. Its all about what suits her body, her skin tone and what she’s comfortable in. She finds comfort in super high heels and well… who are we to judge? I can’t go beyond 5 hours in 5 inches! I salute her!

So David Beckham, while others may say Victoria was lucky to snag you, I’d say YOU are lucky to have her in your life! She could rule the world and I think it would be a damn good world!

So to all the fashionistas out there, I know you feel the same as I do. We LOVE Posh Becks! Here’s to more of her style statements, rocking hair do’s and shoes that could kill.

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