Fancy Foot Forward

Dress- Fancypants, Shoes- Forever21, Necklace worn as belt- Fancypants, Belt- Colaba, Sunglasses & Bag- Fancypants, On my lips- Mac Vegas Volt & Chambor Orange, Bracelet- Fancypants

The fashion world today is growing by leaps and bounds. Though there are a few who could still care less, the others can barely get over it even for a few hours! With the availability of accessories and apparel online, everyone across the world is now able to get their hands on what they like through these mediums. So when everyone has a similar thing how do you make sure to stand out? Innovative styling is the only answer. Karl Lagerfeld was quoted saying "Trendy is the last stage before Tacky", which I completely agree with. A lot of people tend to cross this thin line without even realizing. So it's very important to not only grow your wardrobe but also train your style senses to avoid the tacky situations.

When you're shopping online, it's very easy to get overwhelmed by the varied choices. That's why it's better to have a motive and then log on to your favourite websites. I know it's inevitable to get sidetracked but if you know what you want it would be harder to sway you. For me, I wanted a simple dress which I could wear to a beach or causal brunch but also fancy it up a bit if I wanted to shoot a blog post with it! The water colour print on this one immediately caught my attention. Initially I was a bit skeptical about the colour riot but I grew to love it! I adore pieces that flow so gracefully & have a scope of dreamy movement. This dress was super affordable just like all their other pieces and there are at least 5 ways that I can think of styling this. 

Now on to the styling. If I were to wear this dress to a beach, I would simply throw on a huge sun hat, the same sunglasses & a straw tote bag! But for this look, I added hints of gold to make it a bit more fancy. To cinch my waist, I added a simple gold belt and then to oomph it up a bit, I used a necklace & layered it along with the belt. Not only did it add some colour but it also attached a surprise factor to the look. I then threw on a layered gold bracelet & these super cool sunglasses! Because of my love for them, the people over at FancyPants named the sunglasses after me. I am absolutely addicted to these & haven't stopped wearing them since I got it! Check out my Instagram if you don't believe me! Lastly to balance the colour frenzy, I took aide from a pair of nude pumps.

What do you guys think of the look? Comment below and tell how you would style this dress & how you make sure to stand out in the crowd without being over the top!

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Mirror Mirror on the wall

 






Cropped top- Forever21, Skirt- New Look(available on Asos), Sunglasses- Mango, Necklace- New Look, Shoes- Aldo, Bag- Zara

We shot this look back in April. Now I could have easily skipped it and moved on. But this look has all the components that I have been obsessed with over the past few months and I don't think my obsession is fading out anytime soon. Cropped tops, humongous floral prints, silver necklaces & mirrored sunglasses! All of these pieces are so versatile but look great in unison too. If you happen to follow me on Instagram, you probably saw how I layered three silver necklaces with a white cropped top for a night out. I was never into silver jewellery that extensively but these seem to have done the trick.

Summer & Monsoon call for easy, casual dressing so it's the simple details that make your outfit more appealing. A simple printed t-shirt dress with a semi bright lip and vintage RayBan's would be my uniform given a choice! It's a chic look that is perfect for day time and you could amp it up with a denim jacket or a white blazer. Skirts are also an essential during these months. Midi skirts or knee length skirts work the best when it comes to meetings during the day as they are appropriate, stylish and won't drag through on those crazy rainy days!

Cuffed boyfriend jeans are also a key piece to add to your wardrobe. You can pair them with simple t-shirts for a casual approach or with a shirt to slightly smarten them up. If you're not very sure about rocking them & want to refrain from spending too much, keep an eye out during the sales! I snagged mine from Mango on sale last year and they have been my most worn pair in the recent past. Pairing them with sneakers is something I am keen on trying this month!

What are your Summer/Monsoon essentials? Also I am looking at buying a new, cute umbrella so if you've come across any, please leave a comment below or you could even Tweet @aayushibangur or leave a message on Instagram. 

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Layering Baubles with Tanishq

All jewellery- IVA by Tanishq, White cropped top- Forever21, Maxi Skirt- Zara, Pink dress- Stalkbuylove, White blazer- Zara, Denim jacket & Black jumpsuit- Topshop

Tanishq recently launched their IVA 2 collection! The pieces are very different from what you would normally see at Tanishq. The designs are very modern, intriguing and versatile. The collection is a good mix of dainty and statement pieces which can be easily layered together. Layering jewellery is one of my favourite ways to upgrade everyday looks. If you follow me on Instagram, you see me layer necklaces, rings and bracelets on a regular basis! So today, we're showing you how you could layer jewellery like a pro by just  keeping a few simple rules in mind. 

Necklaces

When layering necklaces, make sure to mix different lengths. Start by placing the shortest necklace and then build your way through the rest. Play with complimentary colours for a fresh look. For a modern approach, don't be afraid to mix different metals!

Rings

Rings is the easiest way to start if you're still new to the layering concept. While working with rings, make sure to mix small and statement rings. Also, work with the positioning of the rings. Midi rings is a trend that I am still in love with. Choose a similar colour scheme and layer your favourite rings!

Bracelets

The key here is to mix dainty and chunky pieces. In the video, I choose two chunky bracelets and two dainty pieces. You could even layer these with your favourite watch. Again, don't refrain from mixing different metals and colours! 

So go ahead and give this layering trend a go! While you're doing so, style yourself in a look that you think would compliment the jewellery from the IVA collection and share it on Instagram! Don't forget to tag Styledrive & Tanishq so that we can see your entries. If we like your look you could be the winner of this fun contest! 

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Lancôme Miracle Air de Teint Foundation

Top & Rings- Forever21

Ever since I started using make up, I was always picky about my foundations. But as I got lured further into the beauty world, I came across so many different products that not only intrigued me but also seemed to suit several requirements. As a result, I have now ended up with what looks like a mock collection, with a foundation for less coverage, a foundation for full coverage, a foundation for when I'm shooting/filming and so on. But on a daily basis, I really don't have the time to meddle into all this because I'm usually running late and I only have 5 minutes to spare on the make up aspect.

I prefer using a light weight foundation on an everyday basis as the Mumbai humidity makes me want to cringe at the thought of caking up. Which is why Lancôme's new Miracle Air de Teint foundation intrigued me. I was kindly sent a sample to try it out for myself and see if it did what it claims. I am partial to pretty packaging and this bottle did it for me! The dropper seemed like a delightful touch while making sure that you don't end up wasting too much product. The consistency of the foundation is very light, almost velvety. If I'm in a hurry, I'll use my fingers to blend it out all over my face and that works fantastically. However, if I have a few extra minutes to spare, I'll use my Sephora air brush finish brush to fix it up. I've noticed that, using a brush does give a slightly fuller coverage, if that interests you. The foundation works best for those who are looking at merely evening out their complexion while blurring out those minuscule flaws that seems to haunt us all. It has a semi-matte finish which works wonderfully for me as I have a Combination to Oily skin type. I prefer not to use powder over it as it sets quickly on it's own and lasts a fair amount of time too.

Now let's talk about the other aspects. The foundation does have a slight scent which settles within a few seconds of application. The colour options are vast and you can visit any Lancôme store to perfectly match yourself to the foundation. It's a non-comedogenic formula which makes it appropriate for regular use. If you have slightly drier skin, I would suggest using a good moisturizer before you apply this. For me, I put it right over top of my sunscreen. I have fairly sensitive skin but this foundation has not broken me out or caused any other issue so I am quite impressed!

So if you're looking to try out a new foundation or if you're looking at investing in a foundation for everyday use, this is a good one. In retrospect, it is easy to blend, light weight and a fairly long lasting foundation which makes it perfect for looking presentable everyday without all the hassle. You can visit a Lancôme store to feel the texture and try it out! If you have already tried the foundation before or plan do it over the weekend, don't forget to comment below and tell what you think of it. Also, do let me know if you guys would like me to do more beauty reviews!

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Denim Innovation

Jeans- LEE Jeans, Long Jacket- Express, Knotted Tank- Forever21, Shoes- Steve Madden, Choker Necklace- here, Cuff- (similar) here & here, Earring worn as cuff- StyldrvXSf

A trusted pair of denims is an answer to almost all of your fashion problems! On days when I can't seem to hit a jackpot with my styling abilities, I always look towards my jeans. A simple, well fitted pair of blue denims make the perfect base for styling day time outfits. I would either just throw on a cute t-shirt or a printed shirt or even just a simple white tank. Even though I love jeans, they seem to take a backseat during the summer months. So when Lee contacted me to introduce me to their brand new line of No Sweat denims, I was super excited to check them out and see if that actually works. 

I visited the store and tried on a bunch of them and fell in love with light blue pair. The fit is amazing and it really does not seem taxing to wear these during thewarm days. It's made with a technology that helps evaporate sweat faster keeping you cooler and drier no matter what you do in them or how hot it is! This range also includes a linen blend denim which is much lighter and hence perfect for sunny climes, another one that is enriched with moisturizing elements that protect and nourishes your skin and another pair of Fragrant denims that will help you stay fresh and invigorated all day long! With these in your wardrobe, your summer worries will all be sorted. Slip into one to experience and embrace the season of cool.

For this outfit, I decided to start with a simple knotted tank from Forever21 and layered it with this shirt dress from Express! I have been loving the long outer wear trend so this satiated that need. For jewellery, I kept it simple with a modern choker necklace and some cuffs from my StyldrvXSF collection which btw is available at discounted prices only until the 31st May. I hope you guys are having a wonderful summer! Do follow me on Instagram for everyday updates and interactions.

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Viari

Store- Viari, Skirt- Bossini, Blazer- Zara, Earrings & Tank- Forever21, His shirt & shorts- Mesh

Since I started blogging, I have had wonderful opportunities to work with both well established as well as some amazing start up brands! Now, I am a bit picky when it comes to featuring a brand on the blog because the brand has to meet a mental check list first. One being that I have either used their products in the past or if they stock products that I would genuinely love to buy. Two, it needs to fit into my style chart. And three if it's something different from what I've otherwise seen aka full points for novelty. And last and final if I think that it is something that, I definitely need to introduce you guys to!

So when we were invited by Viari to visit their new store at Linking road, I first decided to go through their website to start checking things from my list! As I was browsing through, the simplicity of the designs, the colour palette and the fact that within minutes, there were more than 5 things that I could see myself styling in multiple ways, had me hooked! Not only did they stock women's stuff but they even had some classic pieces that the men would love too! From everyday bags to carry on's to laptop and ipad sleeves to small jewellery boxes and everything else in between, they had it all covered.

When we visited the store over the weekend, first I was a bit overwhelmed because there were multiple things that instantly caught my fancy! Personally, I think a well put together store says a lot about the brand and some what makes it's memorable too. Abhyuday, who is the owner, interactively took us through his products and their specialities! Viari is inspired by the global traveler, he asserted. The pieces are designed in London and manufactured closer home in Chennai. There is so much thought put behind the design of each product that it was visible the minute we started exploring them. Which is probably what makes them so stylish yet user friendly! All the pieces are made from the best quality Leather or Canvas and their range started from a mere Rs.500 and went up to approximately Rs.15,000.

I found some amazing things at the store! A neon pink bag, a tan satchel, an ipad cover, jewellery boxes and card holders were on my list. Their new Santorini collection is quite stunning too! Smaran also found pieces that he absolutely loved. A canvas carry on for those quick two days trip, a perfect camera bag and a simple wallet. We also picked up some stuff for our friends and family as well because almost all the pieces make wonderful gifts! So if you're looking at picking a new Summer handbag or looking for a gift, you must visit Viari! In case you are not based in Mumbai or Chennai, which is where they have their stores, you could have a look at their website because they ship all over India! I promise you, you won't be disappointed.

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Clarks Uncovered: Take 3

Shoes- Clarks, Dress- Forever21, Cropped Top- H&M, Denim Jacket- Topshop Bag- Colaba, Sunglasses- Rayban

This was my day three look. I had a long day of sourcing & meetings ahead of me so I decided to start with a huge breakfast at Pizza by the Bay! In my first two looks, I tried to carry the army green colour of the shoes to my outfits as well, but this time I decided to skip it completely! I layered a neutral grey jersey dress with this striped red & white cropped top to add a pop of colour. I love the different stripes on the top and how it compliments the grey dress. I threw on a denim jacket to add more dimension! An amazing flee find and my favourite sunglasses was all I needed to finish the look.

See Look 1, Look 2 and the video.

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