Carrie Bradshaw – New Quarantine Muse?

I always thought I was a Charlotte – despite my career is basically what Samantha does – I was convinced between the either – at least I wasn’t a Miranda. Maybe a Carrie – since I do like to write, especially when I’m sitting by my window, staring out and writing.

But this whole quarantine situation seems to have thrown everything in the gutter. After living in my rotating set of PJs for three weeks straight, I’m starting to really get bored and want to dress up – even if it’s for myself and my parents. And while I’m still doing the work that Samantha does (professionally, not you know what she mostly did on the show), I’m looking at fashion’s late 90s muse – Carrie Bradshaw on the secrets of quarantine dressing.

Carrie was a risk-taker when it came to her outfits – she dared combinations I still wouldn’t exactly wear – but as a freelance writer working from her Upper East Side apartment, she was often at home in from of her MacBook – and dressed to the toe. While her problems revolved around what to wear to brunch and when would Big come around and not social distancing and self-quarantine, there is still inspiration to be found in her wardrobe.  

With very little casual moments in everything that Carrie wore – even if it was for a grocery run or sitting down by the window to write her column. In an effort to find some joy in the new normal – here’s to embracing dressing up like Carrie.

For the Balcony:

While it’s no Parisian balcony with the Eiffel Tower in view, it’s a balcony – in the wild outdoors. Mix it up, put on a dress, maybe colour – and brush that beautiful mane.

For the Kitchen:

Bring out the checkered-shirts that you haven’t worn, matched unmatched PJs or add a pair of red heels to the outfit to make the drinking, I mean – cooking more fun!

For the Virtual Dinners in the living room:

Adding a little effort – maybe breaking in the big gowns, something with glitter, poofy sleeves, a giant flower broach or a tutu-skirt number for the surprise virtual dancing!

For the grocery runs:

Sure it might not be Manolo-s that you are going out for, but the grocery run every other day – could be the time to shine. Even elevate the simple capri and loose top with a pair of heels and a bandana. Bring out the pattern on pattern and the shiny belts you saved for some reason!

For the working out or athe-leisure dressing:

For someone who looked the way she did, Carrie didn’t do a lot of working out. So off-shoulder sweat shirt with pearls and mascara it is.

For the work video conferences:

I have seen those unfortunate videos of toilet sitting and no-pants *cringe* so, make a little desk – perhaps by the window. Add in a (faux) fur jacket, a headband or a bandana, a pearl necklace or just a cozy knit – add the chic in conferences that could be an email.

Don't hold your breath

When working out, we often get breathless, and tend to breathe from our mouth to makeup for the oxygen we are losing. But, while practising Bikram Yoga you aren’t supposed to breathe from your mouth. You are supposed to only breathe from your nose throughout the workout. Only in the beginning and end you use your mouth.

After doing bikram for months at end, I trained myself to not breath from my mouth when I’m in a posture. Other workouts, don’t work that way. So, my PT is constantly (for the past 3 years) reminding me to “keep breathing.” I’m still learning and reminding myself – don’t hold my breath.

In the world of metaphors (and over-thinkers), the term don’t hold my breath literally means to tell someone that an event isn’t going to happen.

In an endless loop, I had a realization (am I sitting by the window, talking in a Carrie Bradshaw voice? Possibly), that this meant more than just me trying to unlearn bikram yoga breathing. You see, I’m a dreamer, I am constantly scouting for hope and spend most of my optimistic self and time – holding my breath waiting for something that is likely to never happen.

I am not ashamed of hoping and looking for the rainbow, I would think of that as my virtue. I am always hopeful, but it’s my own expectations of everything else – not just necessarily me – that sets me up for disappointment. I wouldn’t want to settle for less than, but I shouldn’t be setting myself up for unnecessary breath holding and tension in my shoulders – and heart.

There is a need – nah, necessity – to constantly remind myself to breathe. To contain my expectations to myself – and to deliver on them, so I let go with a long exhale.

Little Black Dress: A Basic Wardrobe Necessity

There she struts in her Little Black Dress. Obviously, the rooster in our hen pack. All the glares, looks of envy, lust for the dress all of it followed her. She walked with her head high, in that Little Black Dress.  Confidence flowing like water tides at night, eyes tracing every step she made. Such is the effect of that Little Black Dress.

Little Black Dress, its ubiquity is such that it is often simply referred to as the “LBD”, has the most important corner in every woman’s wardrobe. Every woman looks great wearing it, and every woman has her own. It is the default date ensemble when it is one of those “I have nothing to wear” days.

Nothing in this world is consistent or for “forever”, nothing but the Little Black Dress. A fashion anomaly, the concept of the little black dress never changes, much unlike the trend-crazed industry. Through the years, the little black dress has undergone hemline, shoulder, strap and fabric variations and this season is no different.

There’s a history to everything. There is always of how something began and so does LBD. It was during the 20’s that the legendary fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel first stitched her name into the history of women’s clothing design. In fact, Chanel’s designs are often considered to be the epitome of the 20’s style because her work was so fresh, modern, and updated. . Coco Chanel’s creation of a LBD in 1920’s became a commandment for the women worldwide.  And since then, little black dress has become the epitome of timeless fashion.  She intended it to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, accessible to the widest market possible and in a neutral color. Before her amazing introduction of these life savers, the color black was merely a color of mourning.

Audrey Hepburn, known for her beauty and amazing taste in fashion, took the trend to a completely new level. She was spotted in LBDs throughout her movie, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. The trend of LBDs still lives in both Hollywood and Bollywood. Be it Jennifer Aniston, Blair Waldorf or Sofia Vergarar all of whom seem to have a soft corner for LBDs when it comes to dressing right. (Blair Waldorf. Always Blair Waldof.). Studies show, that the most common clothing reformed, used and innovated is usually a Little Black Dress, as in it still remains the most favorable clothing of a woman.

People have misconceptions that a LBD only looks well on thin, slim, beautiful and hour-glass figures. Well, like I said- it’s a misconception. LBDs have a magic and charm of suiting every woman, irrespective of their shape, size and figure. They have this aura of making every woman wearing them look like a true beauty.  Not only does it make a woman a lady it also makes her look slimmer and taller.

Choosing the right LBD is an important, important task. SMediaometimes, the LBDs chosen wrongly can you make one look like a complete disaster.  So choosing the right LBD is important. They have magic and charm, yes but choosing correctly is a crucially important.  Here are some tips (from the real pros) to remember while shopping your perfect LBD-

• For Bottom Heavy– choose a little black dress that skims over the lower half of the body. Fuller skirts, disguise heavy hips, while showing off the waist. A fitted halter or strapless silhouette — which accents a trim upper body — is very flattering for bottom-heavy figures.
• Flabby Arms– The trick is to keep the sexy element with embellishment or peekaboo cutouts on the little black dress. The long-sleeve dress covers up, but has plenty of sex appeal thanks to a square neckline and shoulder chain detail.
• Petite– Look for a dress with a lot of shape and is scaled just right for your figure. Avoid too-cutesy looks (like puffed sleeves or giant bows) so you won’t look little girlish.
• Plus Size– Just because your figure has curves doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a pretty little black dress. Show some skin and enjoy the flattering capabilities of a tiered dress
• Unattractive legs– Don’t want to show off your legs? You can still look gorgeous in a little black dress, instead of hiding your legs in pants. Try wearing a longer skirt (mid-calf or longer)
• Wide Shoulders– You don’t need to hide your upper body in a little black dress if you have wide shoulders. Instead, look for body-balancing details like the trendy asymmetrical neckline. Avoid puffy sleeves or voluminous tops paired with slim bottoms that will exaggerate your shoulder width.
• Thick Waist– Disguise a thick waist in a little black dress by either raising, lowering or eliminating the waistline. A drop-waist dress, which hits somewhere around the hipbones, or empire waist dresses which have a raised waist are other good choices.
• Full Busts– Balance a top-heavy figure in a little black dress by opting for the most flattering necklines for the full bust: the V-neck, square neck, wrap or portrait style. Look for fabrics that skim (jersey is good), but aren’t clingy or too stiff. Also, avoid ornate necklines, embellished bodices and blouson styles.
• Small Bust- Most clothing actually hangs better on women with smaller busts, but if you want to add more volume up top look for embellishment or fullness on the bust. Strapless are usually flattering in such cases!
• Too thin (this one’s for my best friend) – If your body lacks natural curves, add feminine presence with fullness. You can also pump up the volume with extra details like full sleeves, ruched waist, layers and ruffles.

Is choosing the type of LBD all? Of course not! It’s like how Coco Chanel said- Scheherazade is easy. The little black dress is hard. Now, that you know what TYPE to choose, let me give you ideas to accessorizing ideas to match with your LBD. When it comes to jewelry to go with LBD, some women tend to keep it old school with pearls. Many, nowadays, are inclined towards their best friends- diamonds. Black handbags are well suggested. Black sequined handbags- even better! Don’t go rainbow with your LBD. Bracelets- in white gold/ pearls work. Please avoid yellow gold. Yellow gold and LDBs just don’t gel. Dress shoes- now that’s where you can go a little bonkers. Just a little, though. Keep them black. No sport shoes. Ballerina flats work for some. But shoes with little heels are a better option. Stockings also work. Do shrugs work? Yes. But the color and the type of shrug depends on the type of your dress.

LBDs will never run out of trend, runway and fashion. They are rather an investment for the future. So, don’t think so much. You like it, it suits you, THEN BUY IT! Otherwise, you’ll be repenting it later. After all, don’t our elders always keep on telling- Invest your money on things that work. And trust me, Little Black Dress will ALWAYS work!

 

Oh and one last PRO tip to buying the LBD that suits you: Whenever shopping for that Little Black Dress, always ask yourself- What Would Blair Waldorf Say? 

An Ideal Match: Women and their Shoes

During that one distressing day when nothing goes your way, when you’re confident has hit the lowest point, when nothing seems to be pretty enough anymore?  That’s when shoes step in. Walking around the town, totally depressed and one look at those beautiful heels and I’m all for it.

Recent studies have shown that a woman’s “shoe obsession disorder” (personally, it’s really not a disorder or obsession but rather a necessity) can really boost her career. Shopping for shoes is an exhilarating experience. These were the lines of a journalist, I’d read somewhere.

Men who aren’t “shoe fetishists” (seriously- who comes up with such terms?), find it hard to swallow and understand the deep relationship a woman and her shoes have.

Remember Cinderella? The one with her glass slipper (clearly a symbol of virginity, by the way), pumpkin ride and rats for horses? Well, it wasn’t that Cinderella’s step sisters and all the other girls in town were after the Prince Charming, they were only in it for the glass slipper. Believe it or not, shoes has always been just something women love. Many actresses, also, confess to owning several pairs of foot wears. One for everything. Be it Keira Knightly, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kareena Kapoor.

The growth in the sales of shoes is always rising whether come the recession or drought (you are getting the drift right?). Studies and sale reports show that while the sale of everything had hit up a bottom line, being the recession and all, the sale for footwear has gone up compared to earlier years! Shoes can cost a fortune; yet while money itself does not bring happiness, pair of new shoes brings on a kind of exaltation.

But what is about shoes that us women really love? Unlike clothes, shoes have a distinct advantage. Whether you’re fat or thin, short or tall, beautiful or ugly, you can buy all the shoes your heart desires. They are capable of making you feel sexy, elegant or sporty at a single stroke. In other words, feet don’t have hips, feet don’t have thighs. Feet are our friends. High heels make women look more appealing. Wearing them not only makes woman’s legs look longer, but changes her whole posture and make her carry herself differently. Of course, it stands true only if a woman knows how to walk on high heels properly. Making wide steps and having knees and back bent doesn’t make anyone sexier.

Everything has a biological reason, and surprisingly so does the obsession of buying and wearing footwear. First of all, shopping is always such an amazing mood buster! You can be tired, exhausted, angry, hurt or anything, the sun couldn’t shine but you’d know when nothing else is around, shopping is what will stay with you, always. Well, here goes the biological reason- “The neurotransmitter dopamine is released, providing a feel-good high, similar to taking a drug, The dopamine increases until you swipe your debit card.” says Martin Lindstrom, a branding expert. Usually, that’s when the guilt steps in, except when the item you’re purchasing are shoes! “Shoppers rationalize shoes as a practical buy — something they can wear multiple times a week — so they hold on to that pleasurable feeling longer,” says Lindstrom. Buying new footwear stimulates an area of the brain’s prefrontal cortex termed the collecting spot.

Our intimate relationship with shoes begins shortly after we learn to walk. As soon as we want to feel “grown-up,” we slip on a pair of our mother’s shoes, preferably high heels, instantly heightening our sense of what it means to be female. And then what happens? We grow up and get to be the same size as Mummy and our personality begins to assert itself with the first independent purchase of shoes. As adults, we ask shoes to be our representatives. At any given moment, they are indicators of our age, mood and desires. Whenever my mom and I go for “shoe shopping spree”, my dad just shakes his head and keeps on murmuring, “This is insane”. And when after we buy what we require and we didn’t, he just sorts of ignore our little obsession. After all, he can’t really do anything about family, can he?

When you’re also a woman, what are the first two things you notice about another woman? It is the clothes and the footwear. The type of footwear you wear defines the type of person you are, sort of like character analysis. Collecting different types of footwear, types include color, heel length, design, etc, etc. isn’t anything wrong. Buying a different type of footwear stimulates in us that mini-adrenaline rush similar to that of a stamp collector when acquires a rare find.

To sum it up, there are so many outfits we wear so repeating shoes isn’t quite a possibility now, is it?