Fashion: The Rules of the Game

It is a known fact that females love to dress up and flaunt their beauty at every given chance. Following the latest trends and fashion most often tops their priority list but while participating in this rat race of being fashionable, most of the times they turn a blind eye to whether the fashion that they are carrying is even suiting them or not.

There are certain cardinal rules which needs to be followed while following fashion. The first and the most thing to understand is that fashion can not always be wearable, there are lots of fashion trends which practically can not be moved out of the ramp. Hence, one has to understand that while fashion at times can not be carried as it is, it can always be styled to suit one's personality. Once this notion is cleared, its then time to concentrate on the wardrobe.

A female's wardrobe needs to be the right mix of chic classic dresses and funky fashionable clothes. There are few essentials amongst women fashion wear which has to have a place in the wardrobe and those are: a pair of classic black pants, a stylish crisp white shirt, a little black dress, a suave coat, a pair of nice fitting denims and a wrap dress. Not to forget that a trendy handbag and a couple of sexy stilettos also make way to the must-haves list.

Another important thing to remember while dressing is that a trendy dress does not guarantee you a pleasing fashion statement for if the dress doesn't suit your body type and personality, then you very well might end up making a fashion blunder. Thus. it is important to understand the colors, cuts and designs that complement your body structure and help you highlight your assets and play down your flaws.

Do Fashion Magazines Influence Women of India?

Howsoever popular the digital media becomes, print media has proved time and again that it will not die. However, all the publications including books, journals and magazines have to change with times and with the choices of target readers. Fashion magazines are no exceptions. In India too!

Initial Role of Women's Magazines in India

For a long time, women of India had remained in the backgrounds. With time, they too realized their potential and took charge of their own lives. They started deciding about their likes and dislikes, important life decisions like marriage, work, children etc. Some of the credit for empowering women in India goes to the women's magazines too that incorporated topics on work and career along with the  stereotypical subjects such as beauty, fashion, relationships, and entertainment. Most importantly, these magazines that gradually came to be known as lifestyle magazines started focusing on the issue of work life balance and the tough decisions regarding whether to quit working to raise a family?

How Fashion Magazines Influence Women's life?

Woman has always been associated with beauty. In spite of her physical disadvantage, she has shown her courage and strength at every front of her life- be it family, work, children, parents or society. However, in taking care of all the important aspects of her life, she sometimes forgets to take care of herself. Those who realize this and found themselves in a state where they can not identify their own self, seek to find the means to establish their own identity. They long for making their presence felt. In this process, they need to know what is gong on around them. They take help of magazines to know the present society- the trends of not only fashion, clothing and style but how women are making their own ways in the society.

Present Day Fashion Magazines

The fashion magazines, in their new avatar, not only contain beauty tips, fashion trends and glossy photographs of film actresses and models but they also tell how women can look and feel good in spite of being busy. Not only looks, they also tell how women can remain healthy as true beauty comes from within. These fashion magazines, particularly those published in India, focus on such natural ways as Yoga, Ayurvedic and Home Remedies for beauty treatments, health tips etc. to make Indian women truly fit and well. As far as fashion and style is concerned, they not only cover what's going on in society and what the fashion designers are doing but sometimes set the trends themselves.

How Far Should Women Let Magazines Influence Their Lives?

Getting ideas for an outfit or for decoration from a magazine is all right as is taking tips on hairstyle, fashion trends etc. but getting influenced by every word in the same way as is written might prove detrimental. Magazines are for taking ideas and not as a support for deciding almost every aspect of one's life. There is no harm in buying fashion magazines but don't let it be your guide to life. Read and understand articles. Follow what you think is right. There is no need to be its blind follower. See the photographs and cloth designs. If you want to get them made- get them but after adapting according to your body types and your personal needs. This way, magazine can be your friends. Use them judiciously!

Know about the Top Indian Fashion Magazines

Indian Women & Embroidery Touch New Global Heights

Indian Fashion, particularly said, traditional Indian fashion has touched new international heights. Karnataka's kasuti (embroidery), which is used to embellish the Kanjeevaram Sarees and Mysore Silk Sarees, will now be seen on western outfits in the boutiques of Amsterdam and London. Not only India's cherished craft of embroidery has gone global but our women- the rural women of India too have gone global with the help of their art. These western clothing with Indian touch will be designed and tailored by women of Hubli, Karnatake, India.

Maharashtra-based NGO Mann Deshi Foundation (MDF) has joined hands with Holland-based NGO Satara Foundation to popularize the traditional form of embroidery. Not only the foundation conducts training in tailoring and kasuti but it also trains the poor women in making hand-embroidered folders, pouches, saris, jeans, tops and newborn baby suits. Although, the main aim is to empower women, it is taking Indian fashion to the international levels through new roads. This will help the women of low income group in earning a steady income by creating international market for their products.

The Dutch volunteers from the prestigious Amsterdam Fashion Institute are training 15 women on the intricacies of western outfits. These women were earlier trained in tailoring by MDF who plans to set up a production unit in Hubli. The NGO will then export the designer clothing to the Netherlands and London. They will be marketed with the help of NGOs and fashion institutes. Now, this is called fashion with social cause!

How to Look Slim In Indian Clothing?

Who doesn't want to look slim and gorgeous! If you are very heavy or a slight heavier- its always best to cut off your fat and lose weight but by the time you achieve your goal and be really slim, follow these tips to look slim while wearing the adorable Indian women clothing!

Highlight your body assets: First of all research a little about your body assets and faults too. Look in the mirror, ask your friends, do anything but discover your "pretty area" – everyone has at least one of it. It can be a firm and ample bust, round hips, a small waist, long thin legs or toned arms- anything. When wearing clothes, try to accentuate these parts and camouflage the faults. If you have toned arms, wear a sleeveless blouse with saree. If you have nice legs, don't hesitate in wearing knee length skirt with a basic shirt to draw more attention to the legs. If you have a beautiful slender neck, but a bulky waistline, draw attention to your neck by wearing a blouse with delicate neck line or an eye catching necklace.

Avoid frills, gathers, and broader belts: Top-heavy women should avoid clingy fabrics on the top area like frills in the neckline or shoulders of blouses. Bottom heavy women should avoid salwars with heavy gatherings. Choose raglan sleeves or bell shaped sleeves for larger arms. Churidars or narrow salwars are good alternative to bulky Patiala salwar. Wear slightly loose Indian ladies kurtas. They should not be body fitted and also not clingy but made of slightly stiff material. The kurta should cover the hips well enough. When buying salwar kameez, avoid large patterns, polka dots or horizontal stripes. Vertical stripes, small dots and delicate prints give slimmer look. To give an impression of slim waistline, wear blouses and dresses with a thin belt. Kurtas with empire waist line are also good for heavier ladies.

Choose saree and lehengas carefully: A plain sari with a good border and pallu, without any prints give a slimmer look. Heavy silk or brocade saree give a bulky look. Chiffon, Georgette, and delicately hand embroidered sarees give slender look to the wearer. Accompanying blouses should be well matched with the saree. Blouses should fit properly- not too loose or too tight. A blouse with a knot or back open blouses also give slim look by drawing attention to your back. Always remember to drape the saree properly. When it comes to lehengas, a fishnet lehenga will accentuate your body curves in a great way. Straight or A-line lehengas also bring out the body curves very well. Lehenga with too much gatherings or frills will make you look more fat.

General rules for looking slim: Black is the quick fix color solution for heavily built ladies. If it allows, wear a black blouse with a saree or a black churidar with A-line or tunic style kurta. Blacks are great but sometimes a bit boring. If you feel so, go for monochromatic outfits. Mix textures and shades of a color to keep the look interesting. Other colors like blue marine, prune, brown, dark red and dark green also give slimming effect. Never wear anything shiny or bright over an area that you want to hide. Avoid wearing small sized clothes. Give attention to hairdo and footwear too. Avoid a very fluffy frizzy hair do which adds volume to the upper part of body. In stead, have a high bun or high ponytail. Wear well heeled comfortable footwear, particularly with Indian dresses like saris. Use fashion accessories intelligently. Long earrings and thin long chain around the neck with a pendant gives a slim tall look.

Most importantly, learn to choose clothes that flatter your figure. Don't go for a clothing just because it’s hot and in. Modify it to highlight your good bits and look slim in Indian women clothing!