Jodhaa Akbar

The mention of the word ‘royal’ or ‘royalty’ immediately conjures up images of the stunningly beautiful Aishwarya Rai adorned in breathtakingly gorgeous outfits and jewellery beside a majestic Hritik Roshan in his ornate Sherwanis. Such is the impact of Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar that, of late, we associate everything regal with this epic movie.

Inspired by its gorgeous outfits, we have included few traditionally styled opulent Lehenga Cholis, Sherwanis along with magnificent necklace sets in our wedding collection.

Be it bridal wear or an ensemble to attend a wedding, we suggest re-create the Jodhaa Akbar look, i.e., if you can handle the opulence.

Traditional Lehenga Choli

Select an ornately embellished Lehenga Choli in warm shades of orange, red, golden or rich tones of maroon and green, which flaunts exquisite embellishments. For the wedding, it would be better to not be tempted by the figure flattering contemporary mermaid cut or paneled Lehenga Cholis. Instead, opt for the ethnic flared ones to capture the authentic traditional look of Jodhaa Akbar.

Stylish Lehenga Choli

Save the contemporary silhouettes such as mermaid cut and paneled Lehenga Cholis for reception. You can even consider a Lehenga style Sari.

Gorgeous Necklace Sets

Do not comprmise on jewellery. The more gorgeous it is the better. Kundan necklace sets with broad and wide necklaces, chandelier earrings and beautiful maang teekas would truly make you look regal. A small round red bindi on the forehead, and your ‘Jodhaa’ look is complete.

Traditional Sherwani

Now for the ‘Akbar’ look…  Rather than a regular Sherwani, opt for a three piece Sherwani in classic shades of  beige, cream, off white, pale golden, etc. The long embellished jacket in a three piece Sherwani makes all the difference. To add drama to your ensemble, you can try accessorizing it with long strings of pearls.

Well, you are all set to get married in royal style now.

American Diamond Jewelry

Today is Makar Sankranti and there is happiness all around. … people are flying kites, sharing sweets, greeting each other … what else, female populace are spreading their happiness by dressing up their best, as usual. And when it comes to getting decked up how can we forget all the jewelries that we have kept in store for the auspicious days … right?

These days talking about jewelry, American diamond jewelry is really in rage, thanks to the rising gold prices!  This trendy jewelry is available in various designs and preferences. There are many women who seem to be less inclined towards heavy jewelry and have a preference for refined designer jewelry. Under such circumstances, a pendant set consisting of shimmering American diamonds along with matching studded stones would be a great pick. American diamond jewelry in heavy, well handcrafted designs looks really fabulous when worn as a necklace. These jewelries are also available in floral designs which are highly recommended by jewelry designers. For a precious look, beautiful beads as suspensions are a great option. Also, white beads look the best as it adds to the richness and sophistication of your necklace. But see to it that you don’t miss out on matching earrings to get that overall completeness in your appearance. Such traditional jewelry is sure to bring a sense of wholesomeness to you.

I am already sizzling my New Year with some exquisite American diamond jewelry … What is your favorite pick this new year guys?

…. Firstly, as usual I caught hold of some really cool ethnic kurtis, which I wanted so much … and how can I miss some funky traditional jewelry to match my kurtis? So bought some colorful bangles, earrings, and ….. No necklaces, because I am not fond of it much! Also, did I tell you about the pair of ethnic shoe that I bought? No? Yes, I bought a pretty looking classic style mojari for myself … I must say it’s really awesome! Now to tell you the truth, I didn’t really had these mojaris in my mind but when I entered the shoe store the first thing that drew my attention was this extensive row of cute mojaris in different shapes, styles, and colors. Bright colors have always attracted me so how can I miss this?

I was really confused which one to buy because the store had an assortment of mojaris, viz, gol-panja kind (round toe), chota-panja mojaris (Small Toe), salem shahi  mojaris (Pointed Toe), and God knows what all! Mojaris with leather or textile embroideries embellished with brass nails, cowries’ shells, mirrors, bells, ceramic beads … were available. Now this is too much to select from … right? But I kept my cool and bought a really funky pink-colored mojari embellished with mirrors and bells on it …

… Today I wore my new shopping stuff to office … Trust me, nobody complimented about my kurti or earrings or bangles but my pinky mojaris … they say it’s really looking cool!

Aishwarya Rai in Devdas

Today morning is really splendid for me … now you must be thinking what next, right? It’s my best friend’s marriage today. And after a very long time, I have dressed up in all that jazzy and sumptuous Indian costumes. Yes,  everyday I vent my hidden love for Indian fashion through my blog but now for a change I am actually trying out some of the stuff I have been talking about through my blog.

You know what I am wearing a dazzling maroon silk saree and some heavy gold jewelries …. Trust me; anybody would have looked just perfect in this Indian attire. It makes me feel so complete and feminine! But now guys one think I am confused about is the bindi that will go along with my outfit … can you help on this?

Oh! Here’s my friend who has come forward to help me. She says no Indian attire is complete without an appropriate bindi. Gosh, now bindi also has to be appropriate! But don’t you think she is right? Yes, she is! Wearing or applying a bindi doesn’t just include the fashion aspect. The red ‘kumkum’ (which was normally applied by women earlier) between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. Facts apart, with changing fashion, today women try out many shapes and designs. It is, at times a straight vertical line or an oval, a triangle or miniature artistry (’alpana’) made with a fine-tipped stick, dusted with gold and silver powder, studded with beads and crusted with glittering stones. The advent of the sticker-bindi made of felt with glue on one side, has not only added colors, shapes and sizes to the bindi but is an ingenious easy-to-use alternative to the powder. Today, if you see, bindi is more of a fashion statement than anything else, and the number of young populace sporting bindis is overwhelming even in the West.

Isn’t that great? Anyway let the trend be anything, I am going to wear those old traditional round bindis for my friend’s wedding; as the ones that Aishwarya wore in Devdas. Didn’t it give that perfect thakurayin look to Aishwarya? I just loved it … what about you?

Dazzling Peridot Earring

Earlier, only conventional women used to wear long earrings. It was not really a craze among women who preferred modern look. There was also a period in between when women used to abhor wearing earrings saying they are so uncomfortable to carry. But today, be it a modern or a traditional woman, everyone is just mad about earrings. I remember, during my school days, it was considered taboo if you wear earrings with jeans or any western outfit. But today be in any attire, women don’t move back from boasting the exotic and ethnic earrings that they have. And obviously, we don’t forget to match it well with our attire … also we don’t forget to contrast it with our outfit … just to experiment, right?

Nevertheless, as far as earrings are concerned, hoop earrings are always in style. They are classics, be it plain or studded with stones. Gemstone studs and drop earrings are simple and elegant, even though they are not exactly very popular but at the same time not out of fashion either. Long earrings, of course, are very popular. But not the ultra long string earrings, they are completely out now. Chandelier style is the current trend now. Rather than the oversized, big and bold types; it’s the medium sized, elegant and sleek chandelier earrings that are gaining popularity. It goes perfect with western and indo-western outfits such as long skirts, jeans and kurtis. When it comes to traditional Indian outfits, gorgeous jhumkas with beads and stones are the best bet.

Whoa! So much of variety … I am drooling now … yes I mean it! I am going to try some of them very soon … What about you?

Take, for instance, salwar kameez. This wear traces back its origin to the 16^th century and is available in various shapes and designs, viz, churidar, patiala kameez, anarkali churidar, etc. As you all know, we have already discussed about anarkali churidar in my earlier post. So let me take this opportunity to talk about another style of salwar kameez, i.e., Patiala.

Patiala Kameez derived its name from the name of the city of Punjab. According to historical records, the king of Patiala used to wear baggy, pleated pants with his kurta and the design looked so comfortable and beautiful that the women of the kingdom started copying it. Thus, this beautiful and comfortable wear derived. Loud colors like orange, yellow, green, and other colors of wilderness often gives a chic look in a Patiala Salwar Kameez. Party wear Patiala Salwar Kameez with a lot of embellishments in the Kameez and dupatta are in trend these days. The dupatta of this kameez is generally heavily loaded with kundan stones and other costly crystals.

This comfortable kameez was mostly worn by women in Punjab but now days, as I mentioned, people are so keen to follow new trends that this kameez also became style within no time. And why not when bollywood actress like Kareena Kapoor sizzles in movies wearing this comfortable wear. How can you forget the colorful Patiala that she wore in Jab We Met, in which has performed the role of a girl from Bathinda, Punjab?

Nevertheless, I am really planning to sizzle this New Year with this billowing loose pajamas and a stylish kurta with lot of embellishments to add grace to the party mood that is taking its round everywhere. What say guys?

I am sure you must have spent sleepless night yesterday thinking about the Punjabi bride’s Kerala Kasavu Mundu look in her marriage … am I exaggerating? Lolz! Anyway, did you imagine our Kerala mundaa in sizzling black sherwani after reading my blog? Wasn’t he looking awesome in it? Yes, he was … bet I know better … why? Obviously I saw him in the sherwani suit. Trust me guys, I insisted the couple to share their photo on my blog but they were terribly adamant not to do it … personal moment and all that stuff.

Anyway, I won’t make you people wait too long and will share how the Punjabi kudi looked in the classic Mallu attire, i.e., Mundum Neriyathum. First of all, let me explain you what a Mundum neriyathum is.  It is the traditional clothing of women in Kerala and is the oldest remnant of the ancient form of the saree which covered only the lower part of the body. The mundum neryathum comprises two pieces of cloth. Earlier, the neriyathu used to be tucked inside the blouse but today with changing style and fashion, it is worn as we were a normal saree.

My friend also wore the Kasavu munda and neriayathu as per the contemporary trend, i.e., in saree style. She wore a cream-colored mundum neriyathum with broad zari border known as Kasavu. Also, in order to maintain the monotony, she wore a same-color blouse again with a thick zari border. The most attractive part of her neriyathu was the pallu which had peacock-shaped zari embroidery all over it. To add that classic Malayalee look, she wore a red round bindi, a cute and traditional maangtika, and a bunch of refreshing and sweet-smelling mogra on her hair. And obviously, gold … How can a Kerala wedding be complete without loads of gold! Nevertheless, she displayed just a perfect sensuous look!

Jokes apart, I must say, she did complete justice to her malayalee bride look … Don’t you think so?

Sherwani, which is considered as a regal attire for men, originates from the times of the Mughal Empire. Today it has transformed into an important fashion statement for men, especially for marriage. In the northern part of India, it is considered as the manliest dress that any man can wear. And why not? When it is well thought-out as the dress for Kings.

Coming back to my friend’s attire, he wore a silk sherwani in black color (again look at the perfect black and white combination they preferred) enriched on the cuffs, collars, and the front chest portion with paisley designs adding glamour and style, while still preserving the deep roots of the Indian tradition. The mojdi, kadaa, and the turban that he wore also gave the perfect frill required for boasting a Punjabi look.

Whoa! this reminds me of the cliché, Marriages are made in heaven! Yes, this marriage really gave me a true heavenly feeling and above all a proud feeling that I am an Indian! Would love to see more of such weddings in future!

Anyway guys, if you are as eager to know as I am to write more about the traditional Kerala kasavu mundu that the beautiful Punjabi bride wore then do stay tune with me ….

Listening to my sarcastic comments, my friend got all set to explain me about kolhapuri chappals. She said, “Sweetheart, fashion has evolved these days from boasting western outfits to wearing and carrying classic traditional stuffs, such as, khadi kurta, jhola bags, mojdis or kolhapuri chappals, so on and so forth. So if you want to look trendy in today’s world then prefer something really ethnic. Trust me; it is bound to be a super hit in the fashion world. And above all, women can go in for a variety of Kolhpuri chappals, each of which can match with their sari or dress color as I have done. As they contain a zari border, Kolhapuri chappals can be ideally used for formal wear too. Evergreen favorites of many Indians, Kolhapuri chappals are most popular and not too heavy on the budget too. On the overall, they are quite sturdy, durable and long lasting in use.” Listening to her I wondered, “Is she true or just picking on me?” But anyway I agreed to her because hearing such things right from the horse’s mouth and not believing it is really not done.

Yes to some extent I also agree to her. Now days, we all prefer to wear or carry something which is comfortable and also trendy. And definitely kolhapuri chappal falls in both these categories.

So, don’t forget to have one pair of Kolhapuri chappals in your shoe stand, because with its multi-purpose nature, it will take care of your routine as well as your special occasion look.

This reminds of the jhola bags which is so much in trend these days not only in India but also outside India. Jhola bags, once used by the Yogis in India, have evolved into becoming a holistic style statement today for everyone. Don’t forget, today, handbags and purses have transformed from being `just a bag’ to becoming a style statement for every woman. Anything out-of-the-box is what everyone prefers to opt just to make their unique style statement. Thus, Jholas which had once become a passé are again in trend.

Popular among young crowd, the `jhola’ (long and large shoulder bag with long straps often worn across the body), is funkier than ever before. From jute to fabrics, embellished with beads, mirrors, traditional embroidery adding just the right amount of rustic look, it has made a comeback as a hip fashion statement.

No matter, what your age is, what your sex is, carrying a jhola bag will give you that cool and in look required these days. I am really going to get hold of one soon. What about you guys?