Fashion Rules For 2017

Fashion rules for a new year

Let 2017 be when your style undergoes a metamorphosis

Everybody is talking about resolutions — mostly about how they’ve not managed to stick to them, despite it being barely a week into the new year. Hah! People and their unrealistic resolves. I have three simple rules.

Rule number 1: My resolutions never involve anything that requires waking up early or intense physical effort

Rule 2: No cutting out anything I like

Rule 3: Working around things I love or enjoy. And, that’s why I chose to focus on fashion resolutions.

Try a new colour :

When you slide open my wardrobe, you could well mistake it for a vampire’s closet. It’s full of all things black. Okay, the LBDs are justified, but I agree those four dozen black tops and skirts and half-a-dozen tunics and jackets weren’t the best idea. Especially when there are so many beautiful colours out there — sometimes, I don’t even know what one of those new shades is called. Look beyond the blacks, blues, greys and whites this year. Try an elegant salmon, vibrant fuchsia, cheerful yellow, subtle coral or ‘greenery’ — Pantone’s colour of the year that’s a mix of yellowish green and looks as fresh as a lush meadow.

Sort out your wardrobe :

Cancel all appointments because this is going to take long. It usually takes me an entire day, not because I am slow, but because I need to arrange everything according to a theme. Sometimes, it’s colour-based, or new to old or old to new, at other times according to length... Also, at times like these, I want to smack myself for having shopped so much. Call your friends over to help out; occasionally, they are helpful in determining what to keep and what to let go of. Go on, arrange your wardrobe every two months and make way for new clothes.

Wear a piece more than once : 

Stop looking shifty; you know you’re just as guilty as me. Some of us have the horrible habit of not repeating clothes. Crusaders of sustainable fashion believe this habit needs to die. I hate to admit it, they are right. While skirts and tops are still worn three to four times, it’s the cocktail dresses and gowns that suffer solitude. The reasons for wearing something once may be because it was bought on a whim, or it was on sale (come on, a 70 per cent discount is a big deal, okay?), it doesn’t fit any more, or it’s not trendy now, and, the worst of all — you’ve posted a picture in that outfit and it would be blasphemous to repeat. To hell with all — wear the outfit because you like it. Also, it would help if you gave yourself a couple of days before you picked up something. If it’s a whim, it’ll go away. Try and buy more basics. That way, you can repeat them multiple times and also acquire the art of layering and accessorising; these are great ways to wear an outfit again, but with a new twist.

Take care of what you have :

As I type this out, I have no clue where my pair of Marks and Spencer gladiators are. I had bought them six months ago and stowed them away in my car and they aren’t there any more.
My slit maxi skirt, studded corset belt, Aztec printed playsuit (among others) are all sitting safely somewhere; but I am not sure where. So, this year, I am consciously keeping track of every little piece I own. Right from antique pendants and inexpensive loafers bought from Delhi’s GK market to the high-street and designer goodies neatly hanging in the closet. Also, all the favourite broken accessories and shoes that needed re-heeling, for almost a year now, have been sent to their respective menders. God job, eh?

Experiment : 

Yes, yes, you have your personal style, but experimenting once in a while doesn’t hurt. How else are you going to try all those fabulous trends? Also, aren’t you bored of the same silhouette? Take a chance. Go on, sport pyjama stripes for a night out or try an exaggerated shoulders look, top-to-bottom Spandex like the 80s or even oversized suits for an office meeting.