fashionista – SLAY THE STYLE

My Wardrobe Whereabouts

Published on May 26, 2018May 26, 2018 by Lavanya Pulijala3 Comments

One constant question which I keep receiving from many of you on my Instagram and other channels is about the places where I source most of my outfits. And, finally in the process of creating content based on the ideas that most of you guys suggested on my Instagram, here we go starting with the most frequent request 🙂

There is no such single brand which I count on, for all kinds of outfits. There are specific brands which I look forward to for each dressing style. Giving you guys a brief overview of my shopping pattern, I am not someone who usually spends a bomb on each piece of clothing. I try to spend money to get high-quality basics since those are something which I use literally everyday. Definitely, not an impulsive shopaholic.

Let’s quickly get into the whereabouts 😀

1. Basics

Basic jeans, solid black and white t-shirts, basic nude heels, black heels – these are fashion staples. And, when it comes to staples, it’s always suggestible to invest in good quality brands. I personally prefer Zara for all sorts of basics and for jeans, Levis is my go-to brand. Both brands are definitely worth the money you spend and the kind of attention that these brands pay to the fit is something I fall for.

2. Blouses or Tops

I prefer shopping online for most of my blouses, crop-tops etc. or Zara during Sale or Forever21. Shein and Forever21 are two of my current favourites to find something unique and interesting in terms of designs. The best part of both of these brands is that they offer products that are completely affordable. Shein, sometimes has few styles copied from Zara at a much lower price (of-course, don’t expect Zara quality at such low cost :P)

3. Jeans

I absolutely swear by Levis, Westside Nuon Brand and Zara. I would rank Levis on the top for fit and comfort followed by Westside. I would prefer Zara only for any unique design of jeans.

4. Skirts and Dresses

Forever21 and Zara are my go-to stores for skirts, skorts, dresses or trousers. They have such unique designs and flattering fit that I rarely divert from these brands.

5. Fusion Wear

When it comes to fusion wear, I rely completely on Westside: Bombay Paisley brand for most of my ethnic handloom dresses or formal solid coloured kurtis. They have a really good collection of fusion wear.

6. Dupattas

I had few of you ask me about the places where I source my dupattas from. Most of them are from handloom exhibitions or are something which I pick from local stores when I travel to different places as I consider them as souvenirs. Westside and FabIndia have a good collection of duppattas. FabIndia is however, a little expensive. If you happen to go to any place in India, search for government tourism stores which sell clothes and are specific to that place. That’s where you can find the gems. Visit Biswa Bangla if you happen to be in Kolkata.

7. Sarees

Most of the sarees I wear are something which I happen to pick from any handloom exhibition. Some of them are from Suta ( http://www.suta.in) which has an amazing handloom sarees collection. Personally, a great fan of Suta.

8. Men’s wear

Shirts and T-shirts from Levis or Jack and Jones. Blazers from Zara. At times, I pick sweatshirts from HnM Men’s section. Linen shirts from Marks and Spencer Men’s Collection.

I hope this resolves all your queries. Let me know through Instagram DM or Facebook if you want to know something more in detail 😀

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Previous post : An All-White Look

An All-White Look

Published on May 7, 2018May 7, 2018 by Lavanya Pulijala1 Comment

“You need minimum color for maximum effect”

As it was rightly mentioned by some great fashion icon, minimum colour can create an incredible impact provided you understand how to add certain elements to the look which will help ace that thin line separating the boring single colour outfit and a striking single colour outfit.

Styling Tips:

When one is getting dressed in separates of exactly same solid colours, accessories play a major role.

For an all-white look : You can pair a white slogan tee/ plain tee with a white wide-leg trouser or a white short or a white skirt or a white pant suit
In case of an all-white look, add a pop of colour with one accessory if you want to give a casual vibe (say, a yellow clutch or green heels etc)- Remember that it should be only one accessory in focus and not all of them
If you want to go for an elegant / official look, stick to nudes for your footwear and makeup ; add some dainty jewellery
For beach all-white outfits, add some colorful tassel jewellery and tie-up footwear to create that bohemian vibe

This look that I have created is based on my recent favourite trend of pant suits. An all-white pant suit has been on fashion runways and also in many of the major fashion icons’ wardrobes. I am revealing one such look in this post while the rest of the possible looks will be going up on my Instagram next week. So, keep following me on Instagram to stay updated 😀

I have paired a white solid tee with white wide leg trousers and a white blazer. I chose to keep it less loud in terms of the colours of the accessories. So, picked nude heels and delicate jewellery to complete the look. If you opt for plunging necklines, layering of neckpieces would help to accentuate the look.

Here goes the look-book 😀

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If you do try any of my styling tips, do send in your pictures through email or Instagram!! I would love to see them 🙂

Blazer : Forever21| Top, Wide Leg Trouser, Heels : Zara| Jewellery : Thrift Market |Wrist Watch : DKNY

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Photos by Arun Premkumar

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Previous post : Print On Print

Wild In Green

Published on July 1, 2017July 1, 2017 by Lavanya Pulijala1 Comment

It’s all about the greens, cut-outs and head-scarfs. The wildness captured in the background brings the shades of green into focus. Pairing a maxi with different accessories gives unique looks every time.

Head scarf and long shrug are my weapons for this look-book apart from the usual maxi look.The contrast color of the head scarf gave a bohemian vibe while the shrug seemed to add a semi-formal touch to the outfit.Each of these accessories accentuated the look of the maxi.As you know, when I try western wear,I prefer statement jewellery. In this case, I picked statement earrings and kept it simple with no neck-piece.

Here goes the look !! Hope you enjoy it 🙂

Maxi: Ajio | Earrings : HnM | Bracelets : Accessorize and lifestyle | Shrug : Ajio | Heels : Carlton London | Scarf : Street buy

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Previous post : 7 Wardrobe Must-Haves This Season

Modern Indian Woman- #Look103

Published on May 20, 2017July 21, 2017 by Lavanya Pulijala1 Comment

Hey folks, I am back with another new post as a part of the Modern Indian Woman series.I can say that this look is more skewed towards ethnicity rather than Indo-western fusion.

#Look103

To everyone who wants to start trying Indian ethnic wear, I strongly recommend owning certain wardrobe staples- a plain black kurti and a plain white kurti , solid black and solid white colored leggings, and a beautiful dupatta. With these staples, you can easily flaunt two gorgeous ethnic looks.

For this post, I choose a black kurti along with black leggings and added a pop of color with a beautiful handmade dupatta. If you have been following my blog, then you must have noticed this dupatta in my Kolkata shopping experience post.Beautifully crafted by local tribals, this dupatta depicts kantha work on a thappa (combination of different pieces of clothes).I accentuated the look with afghani earrings, a hand-bag prepared by Rann of Kutch artisans and kolhapuris.

Here goes the look 🙂

Details:

Kurti : Myntra|Leggings : Lyra | Kolhapuris : Street buy | Bag : Krafted with Happiness | Dupatta : Biswa Bangla

Photos by Sampath Kumar

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Modern Indian Woman- #Look 102

Published on May 13, 2017May 13, 2017 by Lavanya PulijalaLeave a comment

In continuation to my Modern Indian Woman series for this month, it’s time to talk about the second look. This look is going to be about how you could use your modern tops or crop-tops over ethnic bottoms to give an Indo-western/fusion look.

#Look102

This look helps in bringing out the boldness of a Indian Woman along with the creative aspect. Maroon shade of the crochet top, being one of the main Indian ethnic colors accentuated the look.The tassel earrings and thread jewellery are this season must-haves and I could completely count on these to complete the look with a bohemian vibe.I have used one of the coral chains which I purchased in Andaman as a bracelet.

Without further delay, let me just show you the final look 🙂

Details:

Crochet top and harem pant : West side | Silver Jewellery and Earrings : Colaba Causeway | Juttis : Bandra | Red coral chain : Andaman street shopping

Photos by Rahul Kongala

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Modern Indian Woman- #Look101

Published on April 27, 2017June 4, 2017 by Lavanya PulijalaLeave a comment

If you are one of those who follows me on Instagram, then you might have already had an idea about this post.If you are not sure what I am talking about, then it’s all about this month blog posts.Inline with my earlier blog post of Indo-western look , I am going to blog about my current modern-ethnic favorites which reflect the essence of a ” Modern Indian Woman”

There are going to be three such look-books which will be up on my blog during the course of this month, each focusing on bringing out a particular aspect of Indian woman nature in the outfit.I am trying to put forth looks keeping in mind the current trends and retaining the Indian flavor in the outfits.

#LOOK101

This look is trying to bring out the simplicity aspect of Indian Women.The outfit is colorful supporting our Indian ethnic theme and it was styled in a simple manner with minimum accessories, indicating simplicity.

Here goes the look-Hope you like it 🙂

Dress – Lil Flea Festival 2017-Vastra by Milonee | Kolhapuris – Bandra | Wallet – Global Desi | Earrings – Westside | Ring – All India Exhibition,Hyderabad

Stay tuned to my blog if you are interested in kicking up that Indo-western fashion appetite of yours or follow me here for more styling updates 🙂 🙂

Photos by Rahul Kongala

Winter Wardrobe=Summer Closet

Published on April 22, 2017May 31, 2017 by Lavanya PulijalaLeave a comment

Are you thinking of abandoning those winter clothes and restocking your wardrobe with a new set of summer clothes???

Just hold on, you don’t have to do that.All those winter outfits could be put to good use even during summer without looking awkward.You can use those leather jackets just to tie around your waist or make it stand on one of your shoulders to make your jeans-tshirt combo look different and interesting.How can you use your winter boots?!! Well, use those boots when you wear those pretty denim shorts and a cool graphic tee.

I have tried to create one such winter-summer look for this post.This lookbook is going to show you how you can use those winter boots, leather jacket, and dress to suit the current season.I will definitely post more looks on this front on my Instagram in the coming days ( You can follow me on Instagram here ).

Here you go!! Hope you like the lookbook 🙂

Outfit Details:

Dress : Dorothy Perkins| Boots : Zara | Leather Jacket : Black Rivet | Choker : Colaba Causeway

Photos by Suresh Nerella

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Splash those Colors

Published on March 18, 2017May 31, 2017 by Lavanya PulijalaLeave a comment

It’s time to kick those bulky winter outfits out of the wardrobe and fill it with some colorful spring/summer collection.Breezy and floral outfits have already bombarded my wardrobe now.

This look book is about my first look of this season featuring a bohemian vibe through a breezy off shoulder A-line dress and few colorful handmade Indian accessories. In line with my signature trend of using accessories to define any look, this look is no different. A beautiful handwoven clutch, handcrafted mirror earrings, a bunch of funky bracelets and colorful thread work juttis complete my look.

Let me skip that usual styling jargon for this post as this is a look book and I leave it to you to interpret it.Here goes the look.

Outfit Details:

Dress – Amazon

Earrings – Krafted with happiness

Clutch – Silk Lane

Ring – Dadar Handloom store

Do give me your feedback on the post and also do suggest any look you want me to style.

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F.I.E.R.C.E

Published on March 8, 2017May 31, 2017 by Lavanya Pulijala2 Comments

“I am not the size of my jeans, I am the size of my smile.

I am not a number on a weighing machine, I am the strength that I carry.

I am not the complexion I am born with, I am the blush on my cheek.

I am not the patches on my skin, I am the scars I have endured.

I am not the length of dress, I am the beauty that blazes within.

I am not a type you want me to fit in, I am beyond your comprehension.

I am courage, I am fire, I am a burning desire.

I am not who you want me to be, I am who I am ” -RK

As inspiring as these words seem to be, it’s important to be who you are, to define yourself, to come out of the cocoons and face the world the way you like and not the way others want you to be 🙂

Happy Women’s Day to all gorgeous women out there 😀

Capturing the boldness of a modern woman along with the simplicity and style of a traditional attire is challenging. I have been trying to put forth looks depicting a blend of wilderness and rustic essence using our age-old handloom fabrics. Since the handlooms are so much in trend among the Indian designers, I have worked on using that fabric in this look.

The graciously arranged pleats of a saree , the rustic feel of the handloom, the high heeled black boots, the white leather jacket along with a tinge of bold red define the essence of my current look. The black can’t make me fade away, the red ensured my look is on point and my boots break the notion of a stereotypical saree look.Leather jacket went hand in hand with the boots.Attention to intricacies while choosing the accessories is the most vital part.

I have been trying to define my style as something that breaks the stereotype of any outfit and hence, the boots and the jacket. I have chosen a solid black plain saree and accessorized using a clutch from Rann of Kutch,an antique neck piece.I didn’t want to go heavy with the earrings since my neck piece is dominant enough and stuck to my choice of red lipstick for the bold look.