& Other Stories’ new campaign takes inspiration from Paris

The City of love, the city of Light has always been the life of every party, with everyone dressed in black. Presenting a collection of the nocturnal shade, & Other Stories’ newest collection is ‘From Paris, With Love’.

Blair Waldorf’s Best Outfits from Gossip Girl

If you’ve known me for a while, or have been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that I love Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. I still watch reruns of the show on Netflix to gather some fab wisdom from Ms. Waldorf.

So, this weekend, when I was watching the reruns of the show- I was thinking about pretty everyone’s costumes on the show are, especially Blair. It made obvious sense to write an entire article dedicated to her best looks from the show.

While I’m not the biggest Serena Van der Woodsen fan, she did have a fabulous wardrobe – that I will want to rob, so I’ll when inspired by her outfits do an entire or well, part of a post to her outfits.

The Green Coat

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How stunning is this look! This was my favourite look from Blair’s entire selection- in fact I was so obsessed with this green coat- that I actually ended up buying a coat in the same colour- a different style, though.

The most beautiful Elie Saab wedding dress for the much awaited wedding!

This red dress in which she was supposed to go meet the Prince, but ended up running to the train station, to Chuck Bass. And then happened my second favourite scene in the history of the show. 

And then this look, even though she was with Lonely Boy. *insert massive eye roll here*

Give her any shade of red in every fabric and she could literally carry it like a Queen that she is. I’m especially fond the dress in net with the boys on it.

And this green dress- because Blair Waldorf can even make a curtain cloth look chic.

I liked the Dior bags and cool french hat that no one but Blair could carry, but most of all, I was a big fan of these jackets she was often wearing so effortlessly.

And even though her wedding to the Prince was nothing but a nightmare, her wedding dress (and tiara) was what dreams are made of.

These two prints are very alike- with similar colour combinations and patterns- but two completely different designs. These are something that I’ll have lots in my wardrobe of.

One of my most favourite looks from the show, this one shoulder, polka-dot dress that she wore in Paris in Season 4.

Seriously, where did the stylists find all these amazing blazers?!

Paris-chic. Some of her best looks are from season 4. Interesting!

All this heart-warming dash of yellow!!

Let’s not forget this stunning look-

Or this stripey dress from the steps of the MET.

And all these floral options that are especially pretty.

She even made the granny coat look chic?!

And this pretty number-

Never in a million years would I be able to carry a dress as beautiful as the one below as effortlessly as Leighton Meester’s character does.

And this pink ensemble with a giant bow. Not many people who can carry it as well as Queen B

And finally this black dress from the very first episode. Can we talk about how PRETTY her headband is!

Best Dressed from the Cannes 2017

I know, I’m a little late to this party of appreciation of marvellous wonder that went down at Cannes but better late than never.

Aishwarya Rai is definitely topping every single chart and fashion billboard. She should just be the poster girl for Cannes. How stunning is this Michael Cinco dress? All the Cinderella vibes!

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After Aishwarya, the next one to always watch out for is Sonam Kapoor. Always impeccably dressed- she was a STUNNER in the Elie Saab gown!

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And then this little moment between Bella Hadid and her dad was just too sweet. And the fact that she is looking gorgeous just adds more to it!

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First time at Cannes, and Deepika Padukone nailed it!

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Aryate Hargate pretty much stole the show with her pink Zuhair Murad number!

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Minus the popup socks, this outfit was pretty brilliant on Kendall Jenner.

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Nobody is talking about Elizabeth Olsen, but I really liked what she wore to the Cannes!

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Elle Fanning looks too pretty to be real!

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Now this is what the train of your dress should look like! Elle Fanning picked well!

 

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A little different- but Emily knows how to wow!

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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?