The cycle of fashion

The cycle of fashion

Going against the usual hullabaloo of tabloids and magazines, we love to recycle our wardrobe. It’s green and so innovative. Here are a few things we do to make the world a better place: Vintage clothing They are unique and one-of-a-kind. Raiding your mom’s closet is always a good idea for old saris, bags, pieces of jewellery and sunglasses. You can make silk or zari jackets, or use an old, beaten leather bag that looks gorgeous with almost any attire. Remember the saying: old is gold? It’s not just a phrase, but quite literal when it comes to fashion. Fashion comes full circle every few years. So think carefully about what you want before you cut anything up. If you decide not to cut up an old sari, wear it as is with a sexy blouse or a corset. One’s trash = another’s treasure Who doesn’t like hand-me-downs? Dispose of the clothes and accessories that you haven’t worn in a long long time and things you just don’t like anymore. Ask a friend to do the same and then raid each others’ spoils. You are bound to get a couple of nice things in exchange for stuff you don’t wear anyway. Same clothes, different day No, it’s not a faux pas to repeat your clothes, no matter what anyone tells you. Just reinvent the way you wear it to make it interesting. Try different shoes, a different bag, change the jewellery and other elements if you want. Just keep the following pointers in mind: Dress: Wear it with a jacket or a shrug, an open shirt or even tucked into high-waisted pants. Tunic: Wear it as a dress for an evening party or with a pair of loose linen pants for the day. Leggings, jeggings and jeans are regular options. Also, wearing sky high heels versus flats will be based on the occasion you want to wear it for. Blazer: A blazer — boyfriend or cropped — is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing in your wardrobe. Wear it with jeans, pants, shorts, a long skirt or a nice dress to create a whole new look. If you want to dress down this look, wear flats, gladiators, instead of heels. If, on the contrary, you want to dress up the look, wear a sexy satin blouse in a nude or a rich emerald, and wear big stone earrings and heels to accessorise. Statement neck pieces Don’t be boring. Don’t limit the usage of a statement neck piece. Instead of wearing it with your all-black or all-white ensemble; pep it up and wear it with prints, textures and contrasting colours. Wear it under a blazer, over a dress with a silk blouse or a plain T-shirt. Think out of the box. Back to the basics Instead of hankering after pricey, outrageous pieces that have no repeat value (because everyone will remember exactly when you wore it last!), fill your closet with these basic layering pieces: Waistcoat: Wear it over a T-shirt-and-jeans combination for instant upgrade. Wrap: Wear it with a knee-length dress or a long white shirt with leggings. Jasleen and Sonu are fashion writers, stylists and co-founders of Fashion Bombay, an everyday fashion blog