SUNDAY POST DEC 28th – JAN 3rd
PS BHAVANA
Trendy clothes? Check. Stylish shoes? Check. Chic accessories? Check. Bling? Uncheck. Do we see you nodding in affirmation even though the New Year Eve is all set to say its hello? If yes, and you are one of the many ‘I shy away from adding Swarovski, crystal or sequin-studded gloss, glitter, shine and sheen to party looks’ types, read on…
Add-ons
Accessories as add-ons are the safest way to add shine to your looks as experts say. Try belts, shoes, bags (potli, clutch or messenger bags are the coolest), hats (how about a Trilby?) and jewellery with glitter to your looks. The trick is to use ONLY one element in a single look and not to combine more. For instance, if you are wearing a glitzy set of shoes, stay away from matching it with your bag and jewellery. Let the footwear be the star. Get the drift?
Gadget cases
If you are downright not comfy wearing shine, you could douse the case of your gadget—android phone, iPhone. iPad, laptop, notebook or Tab—in some monochrome, silvery glitter. Try a gadget sleeve with scattered sequins or a cover with crystals along the edges (most tech shops would stock them). If you don’t want to do the extreme flashy thing, don’t. Add one shiny sticky for the party and yank it off later. Just that slight sparkle could do a lot of talking!
Make-up
This may sound weird to some, but if you can inject a little shine near your eyes, it might work wonders. Get a pack of tiny, stick-on diamante crystals (from your local beauty shop or salon) and shower them on the outer corners of your eyes. Offset this with smoky eye effect and make it even more stunning. There are a number of how-to beauty videos online if you feel lost with the method. If you want to avoid any tangibles near your peepers, try dusting some pewter-coloured (light, metallic grey) eye-shadow instead.
Stoles
They are one of the most versatile of drape-worthy accessories. Invest in one or two neutral or pop coloured pieces with glam elements like Swarovski crystals, sequins or even Indian-ethnic silver gota (stiff ribbon) work. You could wrap one of this with almost any look, more so in winter. Try various knots or have a go with cowl draping. Don’t forget to throw in an armful of bangles and/or a pair of shoulder-dusters!
Hair
Accessories with glitter can look dreamy and fairy tale-esque, but there is a danger of them looking teeny-bopper-ish and shocking (think girly tiaras or dumpy hairbands). So the best way is to tone them down and wear them minimally. However, don’t go the trite way with a banal, back-pin hair clip with crystals, try something radical and subtle. We love the set of starfish rhinestone clips, which seem perfect for adults, too. Little, single crystals tucked randomly or a slim band of Swarovski crystals on a hairband can look wistful, as well.
DIY
Away to add luxe-ness to your party looks without spending a bomb is narrating the Do-It-Yourself story. Buy a pack of diamante from your local shop, and stick them just about on any piece you want to wear to the party. Make sure you do this judiciously and not just for the heck of it. Browse online or Google for fashion DIY blogs for lovely ideas before you go on this spree.
Oh, boy!
Last but not the least, is menswear. Well, we suggest men should stay away from anything that sparkles, yet if you want to shine on crazy diamond, invest in a pair of branded shoes with subdued glitter, a pair of diamond cufflinks, a tie pin, or a ring. Period.
