I love shopping with my girls!! I have a blast with them no matter where we shop or for what. It is the ultimate bonding experience. Trying on dresses at Macy’s, loosing the English language at Baby Gap, smelling the body butters at Body Shop, imagining where to put vases in my house at Z Gallerie!
On my last shopping trip with one of my favorite girls, as we tried on a variety of jackets, skirts, tops and shoes, we talked about fashion, style, politics, gossip, and of course the economy. Walking through the mall, we could see signs of recession all around us. I thought our Mecca invincible? Apparently not. An otherwise busy mall, this one had several stores that were closing down, there were sales of up to 70% in many of the retailers, and the crowds were low.
So naturally, as we were shopping we became a little bit more budget conscience (stop laughing friends, I said I became a little bit more, not a lot!). Do I really need to spend $100 on a black pencil skirt or a blue sequence skirt? Where will my fashion rupees best be used?
This is what led me to make the following desi fashionista wardrobe essentials list.
All desi fashionista’s deserve to feel beautiful, sexy, confident and Tashaan, but I don’t believe you feel this way from only purchasing from boutiques and Nordstorms. I believe you can feel like a chat-phat pataka from any clothing line. It’s really about knowing how to dress your body, where to splurge in your wardrobe and how to carry yourself with humility, grace and confidence.
Following is a list of wardrobe essentials that are a must in a our closets. These are items that are classic and carry from one season to the next. But you don’t need to flatten your wallet purchasing these essentials.
My general rules are as follows: Splurge on those essentials which will (a) transition from day to night in a breeze; (b) can be worm from season to season; and (c) stick with neutral colours. Save on those items that are (a) trends and (b) that you will only wear once or twice in a lifetime.
When shopping for any of the items below, choose items that best suit your body frame and skin tone.
A black dress. Spend. It is a classic piece that has been around since Jackie-O. Keep the silhouette simple and it will easily carry from one season to the next. Add statement jewelery, shoes and clutch to personalize it in ways that represent you Tashaan and personality.
A black tank, long sleeve white shirt or short sleeve t-shirt in a neutral colour. Save. We can wear these pieces at the gym, grocery shopping and at work. Because we wear them so close to our skin, they require more washing than other garments, and lose their fit. T-shirts are a staple because they can be easily dressed up or down for the gym or a day at the office. I personally like the Target and Old Navy selection…great necklines that can be dressed up or down, great colours, and they last after several washes.
Trouser jeans. Spend. Denim is no longer for the working class. It is one item that goes from casual to sexy with a quick change in shoes and top. Get one pair for a casual day and a second that can be dressed up; I recommend a darker wash and the right amount of stretch.
White collared shirt. Spend. This is a classic piece that has been around for years, transcends all trends and seasons. In the spring/summer, wear it over a camisole with the buttons open to expose a little skin. In the fall/winder, wear with a cardigan or v-neck sweater.
Black trousers. Spend. A great pair of black trousers can last for years; they are a timeless classic. They can easily be worn to work with a collared shirt and then for cocktails pair them with a trendy halter top and diamond hoop earrings.
Khakis, pin stripe pants, grey trousers and white trousers. Save (or spend). These are becoming the new classics. Just like black trousers, these bottoms can be easily transition to from day to night wear. Depending on your wardrobe and budget, you will benefit from either saving or spending. Personally, I have spent on my white trousers because I can never keep my whites white. They get a lot more wash, so I look for better quality fabrics that can withstand wash and wear.
Black pencil skirt. Spend. A great pencil skirt not only shows off the desi fashionista’s curves, but it lasts for years. Another timeless classic that takes you from season to season and from day to night.
Animal print cardigan. Save. A cardigan is a classic American piece for any fashionista. An animal print cardigan is a great way to make a desi fashionista stand out in a crowd. Depending on your wardrobe and budget, you will benefit from either spending or saving. I spent on my snow leopard cashmere/silk cardigan. It’s piece that transitions from professional at work to cocktails with the girls with a simple switcharoo of the tank top. If animal print is too bold for your taste, then I recommend a graphic pattern or bold colour.
Trench coat. Spend. The trench coat, like the black dress, is another piece that is a timeless classic since worn by Jackie O. and Audrey Hepburn. Today it is being worn by Anne Hathaway and Ashwariya Rai. Purchase one in a traditional neutral – black or beige – or in the new neutrals – purple or red. I recommend Banana Republic, Zara or United Colors of Benetton.
Hoop earrings. Save. Whether you like silver or gold, hoops are perfect with every outfit. They can be found in different textures, finishes and sizes. I do not recommend coloured hoops because unless your 16 years old they loose in class and charm and add cheap to the outfit. For a formal outfit, wear hoops that are accented with diamonds or Swarvorski’s crystals. Both Icing by Claire’s and Charming Charlie’s has a great selection of silver and gold hoops. For those with sensitive hears, try the nickel free earrings carried by Icing by Claire’s.
Charm bracelet. Save. A simple silver charm bracelet takes any outfit up a notch. I recommend keeping the charms minimal and small – five maximum. I wear mine with a simple heart charm. Aldo Accessories, Charming Charlies and Icing by Claire’s have a great selection of charm bracelets ranging from dainty to rockstar…choose one that best reflects your Tashaan. Avoid a gold charm bracelet, it has potential to look gawdy.
Sweater dress. Spend. Once you find the right fit, length and colour, it is not only a Tashaan statement, but a jawdropper for your figure. If you can only purchase one, look for one in a neutral colour and add your Tashaan through accessories.
Shirt dress or wrap dress. Spend. These are classic pieces that have withstood the trends and seasons since DVF and Jackie O. Not only is these dresses great for the work week, but they are ideal for the weekends and for travel.
Silk blouse. Save (or spend). The silk blouse is another piece that never falls off the runaway. Find one in a jewel tone that flatters your skin tone. Most desi fashionistas look stunning in a jewel-toned purple, pink or blue. You can wear this with a pencil skirt, trousers or trouser jeans.
Trendy items. Save. Mix and match your classic wardrobe pieces with trendy items. For example, sequence is all the rage right now, but there is no need to spend 90$ at Marciano for a sequence halter, when you can find something similar at Forever 21, Charlotte Russe or H&M.
Fitted jacket or denim jacket. Spend. A fitted jacked that shapes your frame (look for one that fits the widest part of your body) in a solid colour is a timeless classic that can be easily transitioned from casual to formal or day to night. It can take a simple t-shirt and jeans and upgrade your look to classy and refined. Please do not wear the denim jacket with a pair of jeans, unless you’re wanting the “refinery” look.
Bold sweater, blouse or jacket. Save. Bold patterns, graphics and colours change from season to season. Spend your fashion rupees on bold patterns that are in classic fits and colours so that they can be worn over several seasons, such as a zebra print trench coat. Save on the trendy patterns or colours.
Evening dress. Save. I love the jeweled toned dresses. Purple is a great shade for desi fashionistas. And, sequence was all the rage this NYE. And, it took me a year to find a bubble dress that flattered my desi booty. Styles and colours change from season to season so why bring out the wallet for something that you are only going to wear maybe twice. Purchase evening dresses in simple silhouettes and colours that flatter your skin tone so that when you wear them, they are seen as classic pieces.
Sari. Spend. Sari is a timeless Indian treasure. Colours, patterns, textures and sari blouse patterns have changed over the years, but the sari itself has never gone out of style. Spend on a sari because as our moms, massis and chachis saris have shown, it will never go out of style. If you do decide to wear a vintage sari, make it modern by making a new sari blouse with a more modern neckline.
Anarkali chooridaar. Save. It was worn by Madhubala in Mughal-e-Azam, Rekha in the 70s, Madhuri Dixit wore it in Devdas, Ashwariya Rai in Umaro Jaan and in the past 2-3 years, most Bollywood actresses have worn the anarkali chooridaar at least once to an award function or in a film. It has become so popular by desi women everywhere, that it is very difficult to find one that is unique. And, if your anything like me, I hate wearing something that is ordinary, I want it to be unique. Something that screams my name when I walk into a room!
When purchasing salwaar kameez’s or chooridaar’s, as with everything stick with classic silhouettes, colours and embroidery. Unless there is a special occasion, then spend on the outfit that makes you feel beautiful, trendy, classic. Your Tashaan deserves to shine.
What are your Tashaan essentials? Post on the blog or write to me at desigirlhouston@gmail.com
When purchasing salwaar kameez’s or chooridaar’s, as with everything stick with classic silhouettes, colours and embroidery. Unless there is a special occasion, then spend on the outfit that makes you feel beautiful, trendy, classic. Your Tashaan deserves to shine.
What are your Tashaan essentials? Post on the blog or write to me at desigirlhouston@gmail.com
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