Why Is Thrifted Fashion Smarter Than You Think
Myth: Everything in the flea market is cheap because it’s fake. Truth: Many markets sell export surplus, deadstock, and boutique overruns.What it means: These can be original branded pieces, just unlabeled or slightly flawed. Not every design is approved during sampling. Some styles are discontinued after a small production because of the response, some get rejected during quality check, sometimes a huge export order gets cancelled midway. There are plenty possibilities for products to end up in flea markets.Why it matters: It doesn’t. But you should know the source as a consumer. Many people shame others for buying cheap from the flea markets to fit in. Now you know! Myth: Price reflects quality. Truth: It’s natural to assume that cheap price means bad quality, especially if the tag has a well known brand name on it. But low cost often comes from bulk buying, not bad quality.What it means: You’d be surprised at what actually goes into the costing of fashion. Those who understand it, know the joy of finding a gem at a thrift store or market. Sadly, in India, thrift stores rarely carry luxury clothing. Abroad though, you can actually thrift pieces from brands like Bottega Veneta or D&G. Imagine !!Why it matters: If you are worried about the quality, learn how to check it beyond a product’s price tag. Myth: Thrift stores and flea markets sell outdated fashion. Truth: Fashion brands work on collections a season ahead, unless it’s fast fashion.What it means: Many fast fashion brands produce in bulk to avoid running out mid-season. Extra stock often goes to flea markets, sometimes even before malls run their end of season sales.Why it matters: You’re not buying “old” trends, you might be getting current ones for less. Myth: Asking for a lower price is disrespectful. Truth: Bargaining is part of the flea market culture.What it means: There’s a pinch of empathy when you think about who’s selling it. If we were shopping at the same brand store, we would pay the full price and taxes in silence. But the banter that hooks you before theclothes do make it easy and fun.Why it matters: Convincing for ₹50 less is a little win we all secretly love. Even at flea markets, we mostly pay more than the production cost.
An Indian Woman with a French State of Mind
I’ve always loved learning about other cultures— in India and abroad. Even the ones I haven’t visited yet. I’ve been a homebody most of my life, but now I want to travel. When I do, I want to live like a local for a few days, instead of carrying my own lifestyle there. Explore the local food, learn the language, even if it’s a few words. Hypothetically, if I had to start my life over some day, and pick a place. I’d pick somewhere that’s mostly warm and pleasant, obviously. Like the South of France. The accent, the fashion, the makeup, the lifestyle in general. It just works. Even the thought of it alone transports me there, and I see myself as a completely different person. A chic, humble, rich, independent woman. She’s a fashion and lifestyle writer. She has coffee and croissant for breakfast, maybe wine and pasta for dinner. She loves the beach. The twist? She looks healthy but is probably not the best influence. Her love for junk food often gets in the way. Food would be the only thing I wouldn’t compromise on, even hypothetically. I need my Litti chokha, Biryani, Dosa, Golgappe, Aloo paratha, everything. I love my Indian roots but I believe, my personal style has always had some French influence. Let’s break it down. The Makeup For a while now, I’ve been feeling comfortable wearing makeup, and I’ve figured the look that feels like me. It’s a subtle base with a winged eyeliner, a lipstick, and a blush. I’ve spent time trying to perfect the winged eyeliner, and I still forget how I did the one that felt perfect on my eyes. The Wardrobe Being the youngest sibling, I had the privilege of sharing a closet with two girls. Naturally, most of my personal style was influenced by my sisters. As we grew up and apart, our shared closet began to shrink. That’s when I found the space to explore my style and build my own wardrobe. Turns out, I didn’t need to change a lot. High-waisted bottoms, bodycon silhouettes, solid color basics, printed statement pieces, have only added structure to my self confidence. It’s not how much you own, but the way you style them. The Hair We all know that girl who cuts or colours her hair in the name of change. I’m still that girl. The only one in my family who experiments with her hair every chance she gets. For the past year though, after fighting the urge to go back to a bob cut, I’ve noticed a stillness in mine. The length, the middle part, sometimes straight, mostly wavy, and I’m loving it. The Footwear I’ve always chosen comfort over trends or in this case, French style—and if mine happens to align with it, that’s just a happy coincidence. I have a thing for platform, pencil, block, anything heels. What started as a way to add a few inches to my height slowly became an essential. My look feels incomplete without them now. The Accessories I’ve never been big on accessories. I do love dainty jewellery, sunglasses, and a handbag sometimes. Funnily enough, I started learning French last year. I had no trip planned, nothing. There’s just a girl I follow on YouTube. I love her weekly vlogs. She speaks fluent English, but sometimes, she lets a little French slip through. One day, I realised I wanted to understand her without subtitles. Talk about influence. That’s when I started learning the language. I’d love to say I sound like Phoebe speaking French right now, but I’m pretty sure I sound like Joey. Bonjour, Ça va? Bonne année! Hey, look. Now we all sound like him.
Skincare has Changed the Way Makeup Feels on My Skin, and in My Head
Makeup was on my mind way before it was on my skin. I was introduced to it slowly. At first, it was just a roller lip gloss. Around twelve, it became kajal and lip balm. Then came lipstick and eyeliner. It was only in college that I understood makeup as a routine. A friend and I would watch YouTube videos. We were obsessed with Jeffree Star and James Charles back then. That’s when I realized how much effort goes even into a “no makeup” look. But it was mostly lipsticks and eyeliners for me. I wanted every shade and I wanted to wear them all the time. I just wasn’t fully comfortable yet, so I’d apply and smudge it, or dab a little with my fingers, just enough for a tint. I thought I wouldn’t be able to wear makeup because the look I liked, meant a lot of products and I didn’t want that. My acne prone skin couldn’t handle it anyway, and I was still in college. I couldn’t just buy anything and experiment till I figured what worked for me. That stuff was expensive. After years of struggling with hormonal acne, I’ve begun to understand my skin a little better. We’ve come to an agreement—I can wear makeup as long as my skin feels good. It works in my favor since I never liked a heavy base. So now, I have a non-negotiable deal with my skin. Staying in touch with my gut health because it reflects on the skin.I have PCOD, and it’s something I’ve learned to work with. Understanding my symptoms changed everything, especially when it came to my skin. It has a lot to do with lifestyle and diet. Some days the symptoms barely show up, other days they need more attention. AM and PM skincare routine.Skincare routines can sound overwhelming but they don’t have to be. It could be three products and still work. Understanding the ingredients your skin actually needs is the primary step. It’s always best to consult a Dermatologist, in my opinion.My AM routine includes a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen.My PM routine is simpler: a cleanser, toner, moisturiser, and a night cream.Once a week, I replace the night cream with a homemade face mask. Shop Cleanser:Cetaphil PRO Oil Control Foam Face WashCetaphil Oily Skin CleanserSebamed Oil Free Clear pH 5.5 Face Cleansing FoamSimple Facial Wash Shop Toner and Serum:TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mocchi TonerMinimalist 2% Salicylic Acid SerumMinimalist 10% Niacinamide Face Serum Shop Moisturiser:Cetaphil Moisturising CreamReequil Oil Free Moisturiser Shop Sunscreen:Reequil Ultra Matte Dry Touch SunscreenBeauty of Joseon Relief Sun – Rice & Probiotics SunscreenEarth Rhythm Sunscreen SPF 50Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch Sunblock Shop Night Cream:Minimalist 2% Retinoid Anti Aging Night CreamEstee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum Never sleeping with makeup on, and keeping the brushes clean.It’s true! No matter how lazy or cold you feel, never sleep with your makeup on. Not every breakout comes from hormones or oily food. Sometimes, it’s the dirty brushes. Shop:Garnier Micellar Water for Removing MakeupClinique Balm Makeup Remover 2 litres water intake.Two litres, three, whatever works for you.The bottom line is to stay hydrated. As we grow older, our bodies need more attention, and it’s important that we listen. I’m finally understanding the obsession with sunscreen.
Who Taught Us What Beautiful Was Supposed to Mean?
For the longest time, just like you, I didn’t understand a lot of things that were happening to me. I believed everything I read or saw, especially when it came to physical health. Things like skinny means weak, obesity means strong, short means you can’t be taken seriously, acne means ugly, quietly shaped how careful I became while building my personality. After spending a ridiculously long time trying to figure myself out(still a work in progress, by the way), and as I slowly crawl my way into my thirties(just not yet). I’ve realized something important. There’s so much effort people put in that we casually pass off as natural beauty or effortless confidence. That’s the thing! We let people define, or rather generalize, what being healthy and beautiful is. Which, through no fault of our own, puts a lot of pressure on us. When in fact, it’s a phase we all go through at our own pace. It usually stems from our childhood, through our teens, then somewhere during adulthood—when we understand our bodies better, we start to listen and work with them. But by then, our mental health has often already taken a quiet hit. Everything we see around us is usually the result of years of effort, money, and intention. I genuinely admire people who show up for themselves no matter what. It would’ve saved me so much time if I knew how to handle criticism in any form earlier. If you are in that phase too, going back and forth with these emotions, I know how exhausting it can be. It’s a lot of work too. But it’s still not late. In fact, I think this might be the perfect time. New year, new mindset. Baby steps! What do you say? Every body is built differentAs women, our bodies are built in a way that we can have the same problems but not necessarily the same symptoms, or solutions. Whether it’s menstrual cycle, health conditions, pregnancy, it’s very important to know what’s happening through medical help before experimenting with what may work in general. Our bodies are always telling us what they want, it’s important we listen to them first. You could be gaining/losing weight because of PCOD, for instance, but eating less or more wouldn’t fix that. Changing how you approach it, might. There’s no point stressing over what you can’t controlEasier said than done, I know. But if there’s something about you that bothers you, something you can’t control, and it hurts even more when someone mocks you for it, the answer isn’t shrinking yourself. Build boundaries, and never stop working on your personality. Not for them, but for you. A thick skin goes a long way. Block them out of your life, but never downgrade yourself to their level. Don’t give them the reaction they’re looking for. You’ll save so much time. The strange power we give casual commentsI’ll admit that I’ve spent way too much time overthinking and taking things personally. I’ve even laughed with those who mocked me, but I’ve never done anything to change myself. And that matters. I’ve known girls who would change the way they looked if a guy told them to. I mean, a guy who clearly looks like he could use some grooming himself, calls a girl out for having a “moustache” and she waxes it off the next day? Come on!! Now let’s try again. Who taught us what beautiful was supposed to mean? Try to remember them for a second. Exactly! You could’ve just easily made them feel badly about them, but you didn’t. We just believe anyone who has an opinion, often projecting their own insecurities and fear of being seen differently. Not anymore, I hope.
Why New Creative Directors Are Bringing Mystery Back to Fashion with the ‘Soft Launch Strategy’ Using Social Media
Who is a Creative Director? A person responsible for all the creative decisions while maintaining a brand’s vision, from concept to final product. What is a soft launch? It’s more than a relationship slang. It’s a business strategy where a product or service is quietly released to a limited audience before the scheduled launch. It helps build anticipation and curiosity. Is it a smart strategy for fashion? Yes! 2025 has witnessed some major changes in fashion. It is smart and important to intentionally leak a look or two to determine the audience reaction. Especially for newly appointed creative directors who are under immense pressure to live up to the design house’s legacy. While it wouldn’t be possible to completely alter the collection based on first reactions. The criticism would help reconsider the urgent issues to cut unnecessarymarketing costs. Afterall, a debut collection can make or break a creative director’s career. Has social media really killed the mystery of fashion collections? While social media is a great platform for brands to reach out to the right audience, it comes with a huge downside. It has robbed us of the feeling of anticipation of things that matter. Now, we know everything instantly, scroll past, judge, and move on. Often before a collection is even fully launched. There’s no mystery left. No questions to wonder about. No curiosity for the vision behind it. Just instant opinions coined as constructive criticism. The audience should know that every move is strategic in business. The more you read about it, the more it makes sense. Give it a chance. The most recent and talked-about moment was Julia Roberts walking the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival, wearing a two looks from Versace’s new creative director, Dario Vitale. The debut collection is yet to be showcased as an intimate event, not a runway show in September. The denim and shirt look was a specific homage to a historical Versace collection, a way to connect the brand’s past with its future. That unfortunately lost it’s meaning because of being thrown like that on the red carpet out of context.
If No One Can Tell, What Are We Really Paying For? – Luxury, Dupes, and the Illusion of Value
In a world where everything is easily accessible, and just as easily copied. Does it really matter if what we own is original? I remember when I took my Michael Kors bag to work one day. I received a few compliments, and a colleague asked me if I got it from GK. For those unfamiliar with Delhi, Greater Kailash (GK) is known for selling near-perfect dupes of luxury brands. Not bragging but mine was an original, brought from the US by my sister. It wasn’t just a bag, it was a thoughtful gift, something personal. But in that moment, it didn’t matter. The label, the story behind it, the origin, all of it blurred in the face of a simple assumption. Today, the market is flooded with new-age brands, some offering genuine purpose and value, some are just chasing trends to cash in. Yet lookalike products now exist for every kind of shopper, regardless of your budget. So I wondered- if no one can tell, and you stop caring too, what exactly are we paying for? The craftsmanship, the name, or the illusion of exclusivity? 1. The Psychology of Ownership While luxury brands still define status for some, we may be shifting toward a mindset where quality and affordability can coexist. Where ‘expensive’ doesn’t automatically mean high quality, and ‘reasonable’ no longer implies poor craftsmanship. The growing frustration among consumers, who often struggle to justify the high price points of luxury products, questioning whether they truly deserve such indulgence, has become an opportunity for the rest of the industry. Many smaller brands are now using that as a marker of value and transparency by showcasing their manufacturing processes to highlight fairness, ethics, and quality. 2. The Social Media Influence Most of what we consume on social media today is fashion and food. Instagram might have started as a photo sharing app, but even now when it has become a full-fledged career platform, we’re all guilty of staging a photo for aesthetics at least once under the influence. Whether it’s a Miu Miu shoulder bag carefully positioned besides a Starbucks beverage, or a fit check with Zara shopping bag subtly peaking in a mirror selfie. It’s no longer about the experience of owning something expensive, but the optics of being seen with it, and letting it speak for yourself. While creators on social media have helped normalize dupes by showcasing how to achieve high-end looks at lower costs, they also evoke envy. For many, it’s easy to connect with creators as people, but harder to relate to their curated lifestyle. This often leads to quiet comparisons and uncomfortable self-reflection. 3. The Dupe Economy The rise of dupes is thriving, and it’s clear they’re here to stay. But it also raises a bigger question: Is being so easily accessible to the world shrinking the value of owning luxury products? And beyond that, is it changing how we define who we want to be seen as? After all, everyone has it now. And who’s to say yours is the original. Dupes may be a profitable business strategy, but it often feels unfair to original creators who invest hours in craftsmanship. Meanwhile, consumers are torn between rising inflation and their dream wardrobes.
You Quit Your Job Without a Backup Plan? Was It a Burnout Or Rust Out?
You Quit your Job Without a Backup Plan? Was It a Burnout Or Rust Out? Imagine being in your late 20s and having the guts to finally say, “It’s over!” to your job. Hi! That’s me. Now I am a woman contemplating all my decisions and what could have been if I didn’t waste my time in that demeaning job. All for what? Money? Yes. But also, for a chance to make it in the fashion industry. I very much needed it. I always berate myself for every move I have made and continue to make. Every day for a year and a half, I have asked myself questions I knew the answers to but was too dubious to act on them. Did I go to college for THIS? How will this add value to my resume? How will I make it financially? I knew very early on what I did not want to do but what is it that I want to do now that I have the time? Do I really have time? I haven’t thought this through and I’m anxious just thinking about it. Sounds familiar? I’m here to tell you all about it. But first things first. What is the difference between a burnout and rust out? Let’s find out. Burnout is when you work to a point where you forget you have a life outside of work. Sometimes it’s the money that drives you. Sometimes it’s the experience you are after. For me, I was new, I wanted to learn everything, explore every department in the industry. I wanted to build good connections and most importantly, I wanted to appear so enthusiastic and responsible that I couldn’t say no. Chances for a burnout could also be that your workplace is understaffed and you are required to work multiple roles alone. I remember the time I got hired. My first question was, “What will my designation be at this firm?” To which I was told, “You don’t have any. You will be required to do X,Y,Z.” All were unrelated and it sounded like a three person job but I took it anyway because that’s how desperate I was to get back to work after the pandemic. You know what I’m talking about, right? On the other hand, rust out is like being in a slump. When you are just uninspired and the job feels unfulfilling in every aspect. You are neither upskilling as an individual nor as a team. It’s the same mundane routine and you feel like you would give anything to not be in this situation. It’s possible that I have experienced them both subsequently. Haven’t we all though? I am just grateful to have the chance to take a little break now and explore my career path. Where at my age, my sisters were busy putting food on the table no matter what. I’ve been told a bunch of things by my colleagues, friends and family that make sense. I’d be lying if I said I never had those thoughts myself. I’ll just list them out, they are in no way a solution to anything. This is more like blind leading the blind. Something we can laugh about later. Don’t quit without another job lined up. This has to be the most common one I’ve heard from almost everyone I know. You will feel great for the first few weeks but eventually it will hit you that you aren’t going anywhere. It will start getting frustrating. It’s true and you should have a backup before you quit your job. But only if you want to continue doing what you were doing. Keep applying till you get a better deal out of it. If not, what is it that you really want to do now? Write that down and work towards it. What about the money? How will you pay for stuff now? Well, there’s freelance work. Pick a niche. You can always connect with people and pitch ideas, depending on the kind of service you will be providing them with. It’s a great side hustle and if you’re looking on how to start then social media is full of them. Do your research. It’s okay, take this time to figure out what you want. I am so grateful to know a few and just the right people. Binge watch the show/movie you weren’t able to before. Read the book that’s been sitting in your bag for a while now because you thought you’d get the space and time on your commute but didn’t. Take this time to explore hobbies and yourself. Pick up your life from where you left (like you would pick up a friend for a drive), one day at a time and take life on a ride for a change. It’s possible to feel guilty from time to time but don’t let it overpower you. You needed a break anyway. You know it. But remember to not settle with this feeling, rather start over. It’s always easier said than done but you should try. Take up a course, upskill yourself. I say the best way to upskill is by practicing and being open to learning new techniques. In the real world, smart work is appreciated more than the hard work. Always. Which is why I feel people with industrial experience have more knowledge than the ones who take up course after course and have nowhere to incorporate that knowledge. Indulge in an internship before you sign up for a course. Trust me, you’ll learn more. Go out and connect with people offline. One of my freelance clients, who has worked for more than ten years at a bank and later quit to become an entrepreneur, said this to me as an instance: “If you want to be an entrepreneur, you will never be able to start by interacting with people with jobs. Chances are they will never think beyond their job. You cannot be motivated by them. So take
Overwhelmed by Life? Here’s How I Found Balance as the Youngest Sibling
Overwhelmed by Life? Here’s How I Found Balance as the Youngest Sibling If the title made you read this, I can see why. Welcome to the group! I don’t mean let’s be miserable together, I just hope you feel better somehow. Being the youngest in my family, I’ve always had the privilege of time. Like the hand-me-downs my sisters thought would look good on me, they’ve always been mindful of what I inherit from them to build my personality too. I’ve seen my sisters work around the house and help maa from a young age whenever we had guests over. Which was a lot. It was almost as if we were running a guest house, it’s not even funny. Relatives, am I right? But I’m talking about the times when the occasional guests used to come over. I got lucky because all I had to do was greet them, sneak out to get something from the shop sometimes, even take a nap and eat the snacks after they’d left. Like any boy would. *No offence, boys!* I was pretty happy as long as I didn’t have to interact with people or help in the kitchen. I assumed that’s how it’ll always be, but then reality hit me hard when maa started giving me tasks. “Help your sister change the sheets, rearrange the cushions, serve the tea, don’t stand with me in the kitchen, I’ll do this, you go sit and talk, ask them if they need something”, she said. Until now I was only maa’s little helper. I would taste whatever delicious food she made and share funny anecdotes with her. Now, I had to interact and do chores? She was definitely onto something. I was being trained to do what my sisters were doing all along. But why? Was I not a cute, shy kid anymore? Was I growing up? Were my sisters going somewhere? Did they have some bigger tasks to take over? Did maa want to relax now after all these years? That, she should have done a long time ago. Or, did she just want me to learn and be independent? It was happening. My sisters were going off to college and it was time for me to fill their shoes. At that moment I just wanted to tell them to stay and that I could never fill their absence at home. I still can’t. That’s the thing actually. The youngest siblings have a reputation for being carefree, with the least responsibility and rebellious, but what you don’t know is that we have to live up to the ones before us. Even if no one asks us to. It starts the moment we are born. As kids we blindly follow them into whatever they do or teach us. Initially it’s the little things like clapping, running, drawing, playing, dancing, singing which later on shifts to getting good grades, getting a job, building a career, learning survival skills, you know the rest. It’s exhausting. But we make it exhausting. We’re protected for too long that suddenly we start running out of time. I’ve had two pairs of shoes to fill, both literally and figuratively bigger than mine. I’d like to fast forward and see how that turns out. Times like these can be daunting. Here’s what can help you go through it without making it so. You are never alone! If there’s one thing we all share, it’s this life – Everyone goes through it – Seek inspiration They say, “The only person you should compete with is the person you were yesterday.” It’s true! That’s one way to keep yourself sane. But there’s no harm in looking up to someone. We all need a mentor in life. They may not necessarily be your family. Just someone who can hold the torch for you in the dark and guide you when you are lost, overwhelmed and zone out. Because at some point in life, they’ve been there as well. So they know what you’re going through. A friend, a partner, a colleague and in times when you feel the need to isolate yourself from any human interaction-podcasts, movies or music also tend to say things you’d want to hear to feel better. They can only guide you, they can’t walk your path for you. No one can. Among all the mentors I have, my sisters have held that space in my life for the longest time. Remember, there’s always a solution. You just have to find it, with or without someone. The key is to look confident even without being one As you grow up, you’ll realize that “fake it till you make it” is the only way forward. Take it from your parents, when was the last time you saw them low and having a breakdown in front of you about a situation? They never let us see what they are dealing with, and that’s something we have in common. We try not to embarrass them or let them down because they’ve invested in us so much. Almost their entire life. But when it comes to the outside world, you don’t owe anything to anyone. So, act like it. Just go out there, do your thing, be kind and never let anyone see what you’ve been feeling inside. If you’re not confident about yourself, you will easily feel triggered because of other’s insecurities. It will always feel like you’ve been targeted for being you, like something’s wrong with you when in fact, no one cares what you do. We’re all busy thinking about ourselves. So yes, confidence is the key you should own even if you misplace it sometimes. Find something to transfer that energy to This is where a hobby comes in handy. You don’t have to ignore your feelings but you really need an escape before it gets dark. Indulging into something you like is a great way to cope with it. Get some fresh air, read a book, workout, cook, paint, watch a movie, whatever escape means to you – do
When Do You Know That You’ve Grown up?
When Do You Know That You’ve Grown up? Who do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a question we’re asked time and again since childhood. Does it ever stop? Yes. It does when you graduate. Because then, you’re assumed to have your life all figured out. Remember in school, when everyone used to discuss the answers after exams and it was right if it matched the back of the book? This is somewhat similar. Except, the answer has changed so often and I’m still figuring it out. But you know what? My answers never matched with others anyway. Which is not good if you’re in school. Chances are, you’ll flunk the test. I may be saying this to feel better but in life the answer doesn’t have to match and that’s the beauty of it. As adults we are so caught up with our own struggles that nobody cares who you are unless you’re happy. Whatever that means to you. That’s the answer we’re all trying to achieve. I have so many questions about adult life and there’s so much to unlearn. You read it right. I said, “Unlearn”. The day you fathom who you want to be, is that when you know you’ve grown up? They say, “Your 20s are for you to take risks.” But it’s easier said than done, don’t you think? Let’s take job for an instance. Once you get a job, there’s no way you can have a work-life balance. It’s not practical. There’s only so much you can do in 24 hours that it gets overwhelming. You’re always giving something up. So, when will you take the risks? People often share their stories when they’ve overcome something. But I want to share a little part of mine because I’m still working towards it. It was 2019! I remember being terrified when I was seeking my graduation project internship. There was a lot going on. I felt like I’d messed up everything, including my room and my body to a point where it wasn’t healthy anymore. I was working just as hard as others but as my batchmates were getting confirmation emails, I was getting anxious. With a week left, I still wasn’t able to land an internship. Then just four days before we were supposed to join the firm, I got a call for an interview and after much anticipation came THE email. It said a lot of things, one of them being “I am happy to offer you an internship at our atelier.” I was the happiest and so proud in that moment. Those three months have been the highlight of my existence. It will always be the place where I met some amazing people, witnessed great work and had the best experience of my life. I’ve realized it’s so important to have a positive workplace otherwise you’ll often find yourself in a slump. This place gave me the confidence I needed but also had my hopes high about the fashion industry. It felt as if I was about to get my dream job right after I graduated. And I knew I would be content with my work forever, even if it meant working late. Then covid happened and things changed. Anyway! I’m grateful to have a job now because God knows how desperate I was when there weren’t any. I’m not saying I’ve given up or I want to. No way! In fact I believe that everything happens for a reason and it will make sense eventually. Just like your periods. You have mood swings, you over eat and one day when you see the stain, it makes sense why you were being so weird. There are days when I feel confident and days when I feel like an imposter. It’s a feeling where I’m the only one holding a degree in the crowd to prove that I belong here because of this piece of paper. I’ve known people who love what they do but I’m not that person right now. Maybe that’s what I want to become when I grow up. I want to work and love every bit of it.
How to style outfits as a couple?
How To Style Outfits as a Couple? When it comes to relationships, every couple has their own love language. Not the ones you hear about in podcasts, but the things you enjoy together. Some share their cooking interest. Some are movie buffs. Some enjoy rage on the weekends. Some love reading or even have the same taste in music. And some love fashion. Now imagine a world where you pick your partner based on your fashion choice. It sounds like judge a book by its cover, but trust me that’s not what I mean. What if you enter a room and you meet someone with the same dress sense as yourself, you talk to them and you get along. You go on a few dates and realize they enjoy dressing up just as much as you every time you go out together or otherwise. Wouldn’t that make you feel more attracted to them? That means, no more looking extra on dates alone. No more deciding on what to wear alone. No more styling just yourself. No more buying from the men’s section since you’ve got yourself your own men’s wardrobe. Man, that would make a good looking couple if not anything else. If you are one of those couples, then I’d like to break it down for you to plan outfits before going out. A color palette goes a long way. Choose a color and build an outfit from its palette. Try a bodycon dress matching the blue of his denim jeans, maybe a different shade. Pair it up with white shoes that match his white graphic tee for a coffee date. Or, pick a color from his graphic tee and match it with any accessory of your choice. It’s the small elements that matter when creating an outfit. 2. Let’s avoid matching outfits. There’s nothing worse than wearing the same outfit, in the same color and calling it a style. It’s cute when siblings do it when they’re young, not partners. Even if you decide to wear the same color, make sure there’s something that breaks the monotony of the fit. Like a pop of color or a pattern. 3. Color Block your way. When people say opposites attract, I hope they mean in fashion and not personality. The former at least makes sense. Decide on the colors that are in contrast but also belong together. Like, your partner could wear blue and you could wear yellow, white, pink in the similar shade or vice versa. Another thing to consider is if you both want a monochromatic look or just an element to be in contrast. Or, you could match the top color with your partner’s bottom and the bottom color with their top. That’s really a personal choice. 4. “His” and “Hers”, The real deal. It’s 2022 and the meaning of love isn’t just sharing food from each other’s plates anymore. It’s sharing wardrobes as well. Today, men are more acceptive of their other side. Such as the things that once were frowned upon or considered less manly. Something as natural as crying. Well, no more of that bs. They wear makeup now. They follow skincare even though soap works just fine for them. They like pink, nail art, jewelry. They like to make an effort for themselves is what I’m trying to say. We’ve often seen couples wearing “His” and “Hers” T-shirts. First of all, why? Second of all, how cool would it be if you could exchange looks that screams “His” and “Hers” instead? Where the partners get to pick something from each other’s wardrobe and build outfits for themselves. It could be anything. Clothing, bags, jewelry, shoes, watch, whatever fits. I know this would be easier for the girls. We’ve been shopping from the Men’s section since forever. But I’m excited for the guys. 5. Patterns and Prints. It’s true that prints can never go out of style and often anchor your simple look. Like, adding a printed crossbody bag or a belt to your casual denim fit makes it look as if you actually made an effort to put the outfit together. Whether it’s floral, gingham, houndstooth, plaid, stripes, animal or any other print, you cannot go wrong with them while styling. If either one of you is wearing a printed/solid piece, make sure the other matches the color or the print with some sort of accessory, like a bag. For instance, in the image below, Hailey and Justin both are wearing different prints but their individual styles balance each other together as well. If you look closely you’ll see they both have black and white in their outfit. And the green Bottega Veneta’s “The pouch” clutch gives Hailey’s look an edge while also compliments the green on Justin’s shoes. A different shade. That way it doesn’t look like they’re trying too hard.