I can see how the phrase “power dressing” can sometime be misleading. When people think of “power dressing,” the first two things that come into some minds are shoulder pads and court shoes! Even though shoulder pads and court shoes have seen their days, ladies!

In today’s day and age, power dressing is all about looking professional and modern without losing your personality. It could be as subtle as wearing the right perfume or carrying the right bag. Even though a nice pair of red heels and a fuchsia pink dress are fun to own, they are not the safest bet if you want to be taken seriously at work.

Here are 5 basic tips!

1. Invest in Blazers – As a professional woman, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a polished blazer. Black is a universal color that goes with most outfits, so look for a quality blazer that will last a long time. I personally own four blazers.

• Basic black blazer – My basic black blazer not only works for professional settings but I can pair it up with a cocktail dress and skinny pants on weekends. When it comes to buying a black blazer, versatility is key.

• Brown tweed blazer – A blazer like this particular one is a great alternative piece for my closet, especially when I am bored wearing the same blazer every day.

• Grey blazer – My grey blazer looks great on colorful spring and fall dresses. It definitely creates a nice balance to my overall outfit for work. It keeps the seriousness without losing my femininity.

• Black and white blazer My black and white blazer was an impulse buy. When I saw it for the first time at a store in Chicago, I thought “Old Hollywood.” It’s an item that has an easy sophistication feel to it.  Even though I might not wear my black and white blazer every day, it’s a piece that I won’t regret buying ten years down the road.

2. What does your bag say? A woman’s bag says a lot about the woman herself. When choosing a work bag, try to stay away from bold colors.  Look for a classic style that works for professional settings. Think Chanel, Fendi, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren or even Longchamp, if you can afford it. However, if you aren’t looking into spending a good amount of money on a work bag, always aim for basic colors like black, beige or brown. And, remember size is a key! Work bags shouldn’t be as big as a vacation tote.

3. What’s in your makeup bag? When was the last time you looked into your makeup bag and analyzed what really works for you and what doesn’t? A lot of women are so fixated on heavy makeup even at work that they forget the basic rules of makeup for work. An occasional red lipstick doesn’t hurt but remember to keep everything else subtle when sporting one.

4. Do you have the right shoes? Wearing the right shoes to work is important not only for safety reasons but also because it says a lot about the person wearing it.  If you work for a marketing/creative firm- you can experiment with your looks but if you work for a law firm, I’d suggest that you choose conventional pieces. However, a pair of black pumps never goes wrong. So, when in doubt- think black!

5. What about jewelry? Just because it blings doesn’t mean it‘s right for work. I don’t know if I would call myself, a “pearl lover” because I tend to love modern pieces. However, when it comes to work, I try to stay strategic and practical. Invest in pieces that are classy and elegant- something that wouldn’t look like you borrowed it from your 18 year-old-sister.

Remember, power dressing is all about making the right fashion choices with the right attitude.

Image of Hillary Clinton via

When it comes to my wardrobe, I have come a long way. After I turned 25, I knew I had to do something about my closet full of trendy items. So I dedicated one of my Saturdays about few years ago to edit my closet. Yes, it took me an entire day to accomplish my goal but I am glad I did it. To me, getting rid of trendy items from my closet wasn’t about getting rid of my fashion taste, it just meant incorporating more classic items and having fun mixing and matching pieces. As I look back after three years, my wardrobe now looks cleaner, cuter and better than it has ever been.

Start With Classic Pieces

When it comes to fashion, classic items are always in! A nice structured blazer can take you from your office to an evening work party. So invest in pieces that are timeless and classy. A nice black blazer and a classy trench are definitely great fashion staples and must-have items for every woman working in a professional environment.

Choose Neutrals

Bright colors are great but neutrals like black, brown, white, tan navy, gray and cream are practical choices if you are a career woman. One can always pair neutrals with brights by adding a colorful necklace or a bright bag. One can build an outfit around neutrals and they add character to your overall outfit.

Think Basics

A great wardrobe consists of basics. These are items that you wear on a day to day basis, and can be easily layered with other pieces in your wardrobe. Basics consist of a great pair of black pants, a white button up shirt, black pumps, a little black dress, a nice polished blazer, couple of cardigans in various colors, a little black dress, a fitted pencil skirt, a nice statement purse and some elegant pieces of jewelry. Incorporating basics play a huge role in building a functional wardrobe, therefore next time when you are ready to update your wardrobe- think basics!

Avoid Flashy and Trendy Pieces

I have always loved trends and I still do. However, I do think twice about buying trendy pieces a lot. Trends are fun, but putting too much of emphasis on trendy items all the time is costly and might not be the most practical solution to building a wardrobe. When I go out, I don’t mind mixing one or two trendy pieces because it definitely adds a personality to your outfit but I try to keep it understated. You definitely don’t want to wear the same thing that your daughter is wearing.

Does It Fit Me?

This is a great question that you should ask yourself when buying clothes. A lot of times, we buy things because we want to buy it and it makes us feel good about ourselves. However, we forget to ask questions like: Does it look right? Does it fit me? Understand your body well and see what works for you and what doesn’t. If you know a good seamstress or a tailor, take your garments to him/her. It’s worth spending a little extra on alteration, if you know you will wear the item for a long time. Dragging your pants to the floor is definitely not flattering!

Seek Inspiration

I always tell my friends that “as humans, we might not know everything but we can definitely learn.” I stick to this mantra even when it comes to fashion because it works. I have definitely evolved over the years when it comes to my fashion choices. I get inspired by reading fashion magazines, fashion blogs and sometimes just observing fashion on the street. It’s never too late to learn!

Images: Express trench coat; Ann Taylor blazer; Old Navy cardigans; J Crew pencil skirt; Forever 21 sequin dress

…If I don’t talk about this.

First off: I don’t really know who “they” are.  I’m really just referring to a general sense of paranoia (cause that’s basically how I roll).

Second  off: the “Indian-card” thing? Not real. (I want to prevent any messages coming to my inbox on this one from the beginning).  It’s kind of like the “V-card” or the “race-card” –  i.e. not a real card.

Third off: Because I’m really just wasting your time now, let me get to the point – Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2012 show was inspired/influenced by India.  Ya, I know.  There’s the show and the pre-show and the post-show and the show show – ugh.  Fashion is needlessly complicated to say the least.  Anyway, because I’m, you know, Indian, it just makes sense that I should be the high authority on this collection.

Additionally, I love it because I have a ton of Indian stuff and if this is going to turn into a full blown trend, I am going to have so much money to spend on other things.

Embellished pockets with classic French tailoring.  Yup.  Let’s get this party started.

There’s something about this collar that I love.  Plus the design is so minimally over-the-top.

Totally contradicted myself and I’m fine with it.

God! So clean! And that necklace – I’m an undecided fan of the tassel but this is just beautiful.

The thing about Indian clothing is that it can be, oh I don’t know, over the top.  But I love the cut on the skirt (I’m predicting a lot of this tulip, cut higher in the middle business – mark my words) because it adds volume while still being simple.  The white on white on white isn’t looking too bad either.

I.  Want.  That.  Scarf.  (in addition to the entire outfit).

Yeah.  I could wear this to work EVERY DAY.

This is probably one of the most Indian pieces I’ve seen in the collection and I love the metallic leggings (good for not just your Indian inspired clothing but for pairing with other pieces as well). Again, not over the top but this tunic has enough jazz to make you stand out.

I think it’s obvious I have a thing for the skirts that were featured.  Also whatever is going on with the necklace/neck area I EFFING LOVE.  I’m all about giant collar necklaces so I’m extremely happy right now.

Bloody hell.  Give me one in every color.  The draping, the detail, the all of it – just wow.

So Indian that I love it.  And I don’t know what was going on with the necklace/belt across her chest but let’s be honest, I would wear my necklace/belt that way if I could (I say that because while I may be fashionably risky, I’m not that fashionably risky).

Something that’s very very Indian and so clean and sharp at the same time.  I love the asymmetrical cut – again it adds volume and makes the whole look super interesting.

Um.  Can I have some of that, please?

If I haven’t mentioned that I’m a fan of menswear than shame on me.  If I haven’t mentioned I’m a fan of Indian menswear then may I be struck with lightening! As much as I love the glitz and glamour of woman’s Indian clothing, I love love love the comfort of the men’s.  This kurta-style ensemble, by far, is the thing I’d wear the most.

I love the Greek-Indian mix here.  So flowy, so light and yet so stunningly done.  I tip my invisible hat to you, Lagerfeld.

]]> http://browngirlmagazine.com/2011/12/pretty-sure-theyll-revoke-my-indian-card/feed/ 1 http://browngirlmagazine.com/2011/12/the-problem-with-sweaters/ http://browngirlmagazine.com/2011/12/the-problem-with-sweaters/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:26:18 +0000 browngirlmag http://browngirlmagazine.com/?p=4408 by Simerjeet Sahota

Wow. So – just to clarify – I’m not dead.  Totally alive still.

I guess I should take the time real quick to explain my unintentional absence but really does it matter? I’m back!  And I’ve got lots of post ideas lined up – you might be so lucky as to see multiple posts a week (You’re probably not that lucky fyi).  It’s been a hectic few months but I’m recommitted, rededicated, and older (since the last time I posted I did turn a year older.  Bleek.  But my new found maturity found me at J. Crew applying for a store card.  I swear I could keep that place in business all on my own).

Anyway, enough mindless one-sided banter and down to business.  It’s Winter and let’s say hello to sweaters.  Sweater sweaters sweaters. From cardigans to cropped, cable-knit to boy’s styles, I actually totally hate them.  Going through my closet this weekend I realized every year I bounce into winter sales with the thought of buying a ton of sweaters that I’ll wear all season long.  Turns out it’s a bit of a pipe dream.  I actually hate sweaters and only two have ever made it season-to-season.  I usually end up throwing the majority of them out before spring ever hits and I just layer up my cardigans (the one sweater I CAN stand) over dresses and jeans.

All of this was before the cable-knit revolution.  Oh man, do I love cable knit.  It was practically born to layer and they’re so non-itchy, It’s got be a Christmas miracle.  They’re great for layering (if you get the ones that are crocheted together) or cropped (the texture of a closely-knit cable sweater is impeccable) or big and bulky (for those days you’re lounging around watching copious amounts of reality television).  My favorites are the off-shoulder ones because I love a hint of shoulder (Well.  It sounds kind of lame when I put it that way).  I’ve gotten two cable-knit sweaters (both from Express for the ridiculous price of $50 and $30.  I’ve been on a bit of a bender recently, I’m just going to be honest) and the one is perfect for layering over sparkly tank tops.  The other is great for layering over tights and jeans.  Overall you can’t go wrong with these options and let’s face it – they’re pretty much the money-sweater.

Yup. I reused this picture.  I think you underestimate my laziness.

Sweater: Express, $50

Skirt: Banana Republic, $30

Tights: Missoni for Target, $17

Shoes: Kohl’s, $10

But here’s another one cause I’m nice:

 Sweater: Express, $50

Tank top: Really f-ing old (Probably Kohl’s)

Shorts: TJMaxx, $5

FYI this was taken at the Natural History Museum in NYC.  My friend was trying to make some comment about my culture.  I’m not so sure what it was now…oh right. The history of arranged marriage. Yup.

You can read more of Simerjeet’s fashion ranting on her blog Oh Fash!

Shopping for holiday gifts can get expensive. And if you have a limited budget, it can get challenging because you don’t want to get your best friend a tacky gift that doesn’t fit her personality. What woman doesn’t want a gift that’s cute and practical at the same time?

So if you are having difficulty finding gifts that fit your budget, fear no more!

Here are some of my top 5 gift ideas under $20. Yes, 20 dollars…

1. Bejeweled Flower Studs ($4.80)

This beautiful stud from Forever 21 will be perfect for holiday parties. One could totally rock these by pairing them with a beautiful black dress or even a nice burgundy cocktail dress to set the holiday mood right.

2. Embellished clutch ($19.80)

This embellished clutch from Forever is a great bag for holiday parties. You don’t want to carry a huge shoulder bag to a holiday party. This beautiful clutch is not only a practical gift item but a great fashion accessory.

3. Burt’s Bees Exclusive Target Manicure Set ($14.99)

I have always loved Burt’s Bees products. Therefore, I could be little biased on this. I think this gift idea is perfect for girls or women that don’t like to spend $40 on a manicure. It’s a gift that’s thoughtful but also long-lasting.

4. Nail Polish (less than $10 each)

Nail polish is always a great gift idea. Plus, these colors can never go wrong especially during the holiday season. One could tie them together with a colorful ribbon and make a little package or use them as individual gift items.

5. In-Style Magazine (less than $20)

This is a great gift if your best friend or sister loves skimming through pages of a fashion magazine. The year subscription is less than $20.00$ and will remind your best friend of you every month.

Images: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5

Whew – I know it’s been a while, but hey, guess what – I’m back! And surprisingly refreshed! It’s rather exciting I know but the time off did me some good and although I didn’t actually go anywhere or do anything on this little hiatus, I do return with some rather interesting topics.

The first being the ever burgeoning world of designer collaborations. I don’t know if you know (and honestly, how could you if I was gone?), but there have been a huge amount of designers designing for “lower end” stores. I’m talking Missoni for Target, Karl Lagerfeld and Matthew Williamson both for Macy’s…etc. Now let me start by saying this one thing: Yay. I love nothing more than the idea of affording something with a designer label on it. Nothing. I know for a fact that I’m a shopaholic and the thrill of buying something designer is like an effing overdose. It does strange things to me.

Now that that’s out of the way – I’m kind of starting to hate on the collabos for the sole reason that it’s making designers available to the masses. It’s hypocritical I know, to say I love it for its mass appeal and then hate it for the same reason. But wait…let me finish. When it’s mass marketed you have those people that buy it up in bulk and sell it for twice the price on eBay. I applaud those with the smarts to undertake these feats but honestly, it’s kind of disturbing to me. This is supposed to be fashion for everyone. I’d much rather buy one piece of a designer’s collaboration collection so that others can have a piece, even if it means I’m not turning around and selling it on eBay for twice the price. That’s not fair. That’s not the point of these mergers.

I may be just preaching to the choir or maybe no one feels the way that I do – we’re all capitalists at heart anyway -but honestly, I’m almost done trying to fight the crowds, the online marketplaces, and the tendency to save up for these things when I’m likely going to walk away with a pair of tights and blemished shoes (this is what happened when I sought out the Missoni for Target line). This isn’t to say I won’t snatch up a stray piece if I come across it. But where do we draw the line between the love of fashion and the desire to sell things for a higher price? Neither is wrong – it’s all legitimate in its own way. It’s just that one frustrates the other. Anyway, this is all just fashion for thought. Disregard all of this and enjoy my new Missoni for Target tights. I’m pretty much in love with them so sorry for those of you not lucky enough to get anything Missoni. It’s do-or-die out there and it might be time to invest in some camping equipment to make sure you’re first in line.

Sweater: Express, $50 (not going to lie, I’ve got a weird thing going on with cable knit. Don’t worry. We’ll talk about it)

Skirt: Banana Republic, $30

Tights: Missoni for Target, $16

Belt: taken off of a dress

Shoes: Kohl’s, $10

Probably my favorite outfit in a long time. No joke.

Dress: H&M (Conscious Collection. And it could be a shirt. I really don’t know.), $40

Belt: Mah dad’s.

Jacket: Express, it was a gift.

Boots: Macy’s, $70

Tights: Missoni for Target, $16

Why does no one do the tights and pants thing? (I’m looking at you Rhianna). If you think about it, Spanx are just tights under clothes. These tights have the same effect with the cool little peek of color (I’m probably never going to wear this out in public but it’s kinda cool to have a blog so I can get these crazy ideas out):

Shirt: Target, $10

Pants: H&M, $30

Tights: Missoni for Target, $16

Shoes: Missoni for Target, $40

Necklace: Forever 21, $7

Purse: Fossil, $15

Glasses: H&M, $7

And for the clinically fashion obsessed, here are the next few collabos you can look forward to:

1. Versace for H&M: November 17

2. Christan Cota for Aldo: Fall 2011

You can check out more of Simerjeet’s fashion posts on her blog: http://ohfash.onsugar.com/

I love weddings, of all shapes and sizes, all colors and patterns. Weddings make me happy. And, South Asian weddings are definitely my favorite. Personally, there are various reasons why I love them, apart from just being a South Asian myself. Everything from the decors, the festivity, the colors, customizable well-crafted wedding garments, elaborate mehendi artwork, the preparation etc., make South Asian weddings not only unique, but they also symbolize cultural dynamics among multitude of diverse cultures from region to region. And, when I speak of details that go into making a South Asian wedding beautiful, let’s not forget about the bridal fashion/attires that complete these weddings. The kind of work that goes on into constructing these sophisticated bridal coutures we see in some South Asian weddings are beyond one’s comprehension. They are not only painstakingly beautiful but they also express a strong sense of femininity and aesthetics, which are symbols of artwork in themselves.

I have lot of favorite South Asian designers that specialize in bridal couture. However, if I were to hand pick one that embodies the personification of modern woman beautifully, I would have to put Fahad Hussayn at the top of my list. Hussayn was born in the industrial city of Faisalabad. He started designing at a young age. After receiving a bachelors degree in Textile Design from Beaconhouse National University, Lahore in 2007, Hussayn entered the world of bridal couture at an earlier age. Even though Hussayn’s specialty lies in traditional eastern bridal couture, you can tell by looking at some of his designs that he does not shy away from experimenting with contemporary and edgy styles. It is his attention to details along with great craftsmanship in creating whimsical pieces that merges the eastern and western inspiration in the form of beautifully garments that makes him a visionary.

In one of his interviews that I read online, he said, “my clothes are traditional and modern, and also focused on simple cuts. There is something for everybody.” Hussayn’s love for creating traditional clothes with a modern twist illustrates his versatility as a designer. His eclectic and diverse designs blended with a flamboyant color palette celebrates the eastern culture with a hint of surrealism, but also maintains very modern styles and silhouettes that not only appeals to women living in South Asia but rather to a global audience.

Even if you aren’t getting married anytime soon, a girl can dream! So, for all you modern brides-to-be, here are 5 fashion dos and don’ts you might want to consider when preparing for your wedding day:

Dos

1. Pick a color palette you like for your wedding colors and create customizable bridal attire for your wedding day. You don’t always have to stick to one color. There are many options out there. Have fun with it.

2. If you have a particular designer in mind for your bridal wear, that’s great. However, if you don’t- it’s completely fine because you can still seek inspiration from bridal designers and bridal magazines and create your own “affordable-version.” Add some personality to the attire you will end up picking. You can still look traditional and stunning by adding some personal style elements.

3. Add some accessories other than just bridal jewelries to your look. For example, add a small flower or hair pin as accents to your updos. Add your personal style element.

4. Hire a makeup artist for the big day. Give him/her ideas as to what your style is and do some trial runs, if possible.

5. Do wear that smile on your face on your wedding day. It’s the best accessory.

Don’ts

1. Research.Reserach.Reserach. Do your homework before hand before going out for shopping to look for your bridal attire. Don’t just go from one store to the other aimlessly. Have some ideas in mind. You will save a lot of hassle.

2. Don’t let others dictate you on getting bridal attire that fits “their taste” and not yours. Your mother and aunts can recommend you ideas but don’t let them run with it. It’s your wedding day not theirs.

3. In the hope of getting that perfect bridal look, don’t over-accesorize. The idea is to look stunning not gaudy.

4. Don’t do your own makeup unless you are very comfortable and confident about it. Your wedding pictures will stay with you forever, so make sure you get the right look for pictures.

5. Don’t over accessorize or overdo things just because it’s your wedding. The key is to look elegant and stunning.

 Top Right Image: Megha Hamal in her bridal outfit

Images: http://glamourhuntworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/fahad-hussayn-collection-at-bridal.html

Out with the nudes and in with the plums, reds, and fuchsias! Fall is here and its time to switch up last season’s lip colors! Summer saw all sorts of baby pinks, nudes, and coral glossy lips, but look around in autumn and you’re sure to see many people sporting matte rich dark lips that perfectly compliment the brisk weather and fabulous fall fashion trends.

But there’s one problem: you’re South Asian and dark lips make you look like an auntyji or some horrible makeup experiment gone wrong. Fear not, keep these few tips in mind while purchasing your fall lip color and you will be among the seemingly minute population of individuals who can effortlessly pull off a dark lip.

1.) First and foremost, embrace your inner diva and be willing to be bold! If you always play it safe with your lip colors, you’ll never have fun! Reach for a color that you have never tried before and see if it works for you. Give it a chance and do not immediately dismiss it because the color is not something that is ‘typically you.’

2.) Another thing to remember is that matte lip colors look great with darker colors. A matte nude is very unforgiving because it can highlight lip imperfections but a matte dark color is more wearable and gives off a regal and classy “rose petal-esque” finish. If you’re not into mattes then you can always put a clear gloss on top and voila, two looks in one tube! Can it get any better than that?

3.) If you are fair skinned, most kinds of reds will look good on you. Try to stay away from colors that are dangerously dark i.e. raisin, or deep plum colors because they can make you look very garish. If you are darker skinned, go for a orange red and stay away from red reds (with blue undertones), the orange compliments the olive and golden in our skin. Rust colors look great as well.

4.) Purple/Plum colors are all the rage! Nothing says classy more than a matte, plum lip color! Almost all plums will look great on South Asian skin tones. Once again, try to stay away from colors that are too dark because you do not want to look too dramatic. Try raspberries, wines, and plum colors of your favorite brand.

5.) Rock the hot pink! Because you can! And you will look great doing it! When looking for a hot pink, try to stay away from shimmery colors or glitters. Aim for a creamy, highly pigmented color like Maybelline’s Fifth Avenue Fuchsia. This color looks glamorous and fun on all skin tones, fair or dark so try it out!

6.) If you are going to wear a dark lip it is very important to keep the rest of your face simple. Go for a casual peach, or brown matte eye shadow and lay off the bottom eyeliner or switch it up with a lighter color, something other than black. The switch up can offer a fresh, new look for the upcoming new season.

Image credits: right; above

For Giveaway #4, we got a little help from the girls over at Borrow it Bindaas! One lucky winner will win a beautiful piece of jewelry specially picked by Siddhi and Riddhi.

Sparkling Diva Bracelet: This beautiful silver net style bracelet is embedded with gorgeous Kundan Stones and makes a dazzling accent to your next formal engagement. This silver bracelet is perfect for weddings and cocktail party’s. A must have!

What do you do?

Email contest@browngirlmagazine.com with your name, email address, and the code words “BORROW IT” by Saturday, October 8^th.

We’ll announce the lucky winner on the following Sunday!

Good luck!

The name Freida Pinto is not exclusive to Bollywood or even Hollywood for that matter. And she is definitely not a stranger to the South Asian population. Following the success of Slumdog Millionaire, which took home eight Oscars, seven Baftas and four Golden Globes, Pinto has become a household name.

Originally, from Mumbai, Pinto, as a result of her successful box office movies and exquisite style, has not only become one of the sought-after actresses in Hollywood but has also impressed major fashion designers and editors in the international fashion arena.

So, what makes Frieda a designer darling and a budding fashion jet setter? Well, there’s no doubt, she has a gorgeous face ; however I think it is her modest/modern choice of clothes combined with her eloquence on red carpet appearances and premiers that makes her an international fashion sensation and muse for designers like Karl Lagerfeld.  And, it is her love for fashion blended with her own unique panache and a burgeoning film career that has helped her earn advertising contracts with brands like L’Oreal Paris and has landed her magazine covers from Vogue India to NY Times Style Magazine.

Frieda’s ascent from a struggling model to an internationally recognized face in the fashion circuit is an example of a global success story. And it looks like this blossoming Mumbai girl isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Photo credits: right, first, second