Chiconomical

Denim shorts are those classic summer staples that every girl has quite likely worn at some point in their lives. All the comfort of denims made summer appropriate thanks to the length. While I haven't always been a short girl (skirts are still a preferred choice), I have recently been venturing into the shorts territory just because they're quite easy to carry when you're traveling. So here's some of my Favourite ways to wear a pair of denim shorts no matter what the event. Of course, these style ideas can easily translate to any pair of shorts you already own! Read on and don't forget to tell me which style idea is the most you in the comments!
1. That Ole' Tshirt


The most basic blogger style idea, just throw on a sassy tshirt and you've got yourself a cool 'lewk'. Honestly, there's a reason why this is such a timeless look. Easy to pull off irrespective of your body shape, this is possibly the most common yet most unique way to rock a pair of shorts. Really, pick your favourite old tshirt and tuck it in to look like you made an effort, add a belt and that's really it. Sometimes it's that simple!

2. White Shirt, How Original!





Yes, that's probably what you're gonna tell me but let's be honest, it's my blog and you can just skip along if white shirts aren't your thing. Although if you stay, there's 3 very different ways where the humble white shirt and shorts. It's fun, it's classic and it's honestly the only thing you need to create a few hundred totally different looks!

3. Strappy but Classy



A strappy top, a monochrome look and a sleeveless blazer make for one of those classy (I think!?) but still very interesting looks. Wear it for those weekend meetings where you don't have a dresscode but still wanna show people you mean business but in a very laidback manner.

4. Denim on Denim



This one's tricky. I won't lie. I'd suggest breaking the outfit up with accessories if you wear a denim shirt. Otherwise, you can try something along the lines that I did and add a bodysuit or a simple top to break the denim on denim. I also added a belt with a tiny pouch just for a bit more interest. Done right, this is actually a look that can be easy but chic.

5. I Heart You



Adding a fancy top is the easiest way to turn a daytime pair of denim shorts into a very evening appropriate outfit. This heart embroidered organza blouse is my spin on a fun but fancy top. This is what you'd see me wearing to that impromptu birthday party for my best friend that I almost didn't make it to. (Although if I'm being completely honest, I'm too scared for my life to be able to do that!)

6. Cut and Crop



Yes, had to throw this in here. A simple cute basic crop top works wonders with a pair of high waist shorts. It's that look that will never go out of style and you can probably recreate with anything you have in your closet. If your crop top isn't fitted, I'd say do a tiny front tuck to make sure you have shape instead of the complete tuck that I've done.

7. Saree What?



If you thought shorts and saree didn't mix, I'm hoping this look will convince you otherwise. A half-saree that let's you flant your lovely legs while still being very drapey is definitely my idea of the best of both worlds. This is what you'd find me wearing to fashion week if I ever decided to go back to that mad world! If you wanna know how I did this drape, you should definitely swing by my Instagram to see the video on my feed.

And that's it folks. Yes I understand that this style series has a lot of basic ideas but the idea is to have a good enough mix of looks that can help you create something from pieces you own or just get you to try a fresh combination you didn't think of before, no matter what your size or shape. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends as that helps me create more such posts for you.

Label Life is one of my favourite Indian stores when it comes to finding super chic pieces for work. They started from a small online store and now have several brick and mortar stores alongwith presence on websites like Myntra although I think my first love will forever be their brilliant website!

Well, a few weeks ago they had a sale and since I'm weak when it comes to this brand, of course I went out and bought several workwear dresses at super affordable prices. This baby blue, striped drop waist dress with a ruffle hem is quite honestly, the perfect work dress for summer. It's light, breezy, tailored but still feminine without being too girly!

1. Too Pretty to be Hidden


First and the easiest way to wear this beauty is to not take the focus away from the pretty pretty dress. A simple satchel bag, a pair of kitten heels and a minimal necklace or maybe a pair of dainty earrings and you're gonna be all set for a ride on the train to work. Of course, if you're anything like me, you're quite likely to take every opportunity to make the lace at the bottom swish and girl, that's the reason why the dress is so fun!!

Outfit Details: 
Blue Drop Waist Dress: Rs. 1195,  The Label Life Sale (buy here)
White Kitten Heels: Rs. 1290, Zara (a few seasons old I'm afraid)
Ikat Bag: Rs. 1000, Flea Market Sale in a Mall
Blue Aviators: Rs. 300, Forever21
Necklace: Rs. 500, Part of a set of 2 from H&M (similar here)

2. Summer Layers



If you're someone who likes to layer up but still doesn't want to feel like their burning in the fires of hell, this might be a look for you. A long vest or a sleeveless jacket are actually a great piece that can work for cool summer months as well as autumn or let's call it what it is, the tropical winters we have where you wanna pretend it's cold so you're wearing a jacket. Either way, if you do like to layer or simply want a piece that's sneakily versatile, you might want to give a long vest a though. (honest confession, I didn't know this vest would be worn soo many times when i first purchased it becos all the fashunistas were wearing stuff like it!)

Outfit Details: 
Blue Drop Waist Dress: Rs. 1195,  The Label Life Sale (buy here)
White Kitten Heels: Rs. 1290, Zara (a few seasons old I'm afraid)
Ikat Bag: Rs. 1000, Flea Market Sale in a Mall
Blue Aviators: Rs. 300, Forever21
Necklace: Rs. 500, Part of a set of 2 from H&M (similar here)

3. Summer Layers Part Deux



Okay, you love the bottom of the dress but don't exactly enjoy sleeveless dresses? My trick to wearing blazers in summer is swapping out the sweat inducing but rather warm ones for a cotton or linen blazer. I really like scrunching up the sleeves and while I know a few people might not like the wrinkled linen look, I honestly think it gives your linens a bit of character. Feel free to fold the sleeves if you're not a fan of the creases but just remember, the lived in look is just as good.

Outfit Details: 
Blue Drop Waist Dress: Rs. 1195,  The Label Life Sale (buy here)
White Kitten Heels: Rs. 1290, Zara (a few seasons old I'm afraid)
Ikat Bag: Rs. 1000, Flea Market Sale in a Mall
Blue Aviators: Rs. 300, Forever21
Necklace: Rs. 500, Part of a set of 2 from H&M (similar here)
Linen Blazer: Rs. 1845, Label Life

4. Only Straight Lines



For all the times I've told you to add some shape to your outfit, this is one time when i think just throwing on a jumper also works. The flare at the bottom balances out the boxiness of the top (I think). Honestly, this is the most lazy girl outfit you can wear to office, especially if you work somewhere where the internal temperature is a polar opposite of the temperature outside. Throw on the jumper when you're inside and stay warm but save yourself from turning into a human turkey while going back home.



Basically the previous outfit, but if you're a bodyshape that rectangle isn't the most flattering on, you might wanna try knotting and tucking that jumper at the smallest part of your waist to give yourself some sexy curves! Now you're probably saying does this qualify as a different oufit? Well, if you've got multiple jumpers and one is cropped, throw that on instead of cropping and you've got your own version of this look.

Outfit Details: 
Blue Drop Waist Dress: Rs. 1195,  The Label Life Sale (buy here)
White Kitten Heels: Rs. 1290, Zara (a few seasons old I'm afraid)
Textured Bag: Rs. 600, Caprese from Coutloot
Blue Aviators: Rs. 300, Forever21
Necklace: Rs. 500, Part of a set of 2 from H&M (similar here)
Blue Jumper: Rs. 600, Forever21

5. 99 Problems with a Single Solution



The idea to turn any dress into a top, simply add a skirt on top. A-line skirts are something that are flattering for most body shapes and the trick to find the right one for you is to make sure the skirt hits you at the smallest part of your waist. Really, styling for me is almost all about creating an illusion of pleasing lines that flatter an individual. I added the heels to give myself a bit more height (and most likely a sprained ankle if i wore it on the train) but this idea can definitely work with whatever skirt you might have.

Outfit Details: 
Blue Drop Waist Dress: Rs. 1195,  The Label Life Sale (buy here)
 Heels: Rs. 1290, Zara (a few seasons old I'm afraid)
Textured Bag: Rs. 600, Caprese from Coutloot
Blue Aviators: Rs. 300, Forever21
Necklace: Rs. 500, Part of a set of 2 from H&M (similar here)

6. Everything Works with A White Shirt



And yes, I mean everything! Which means I took the easy way out and created not one, but TWO looks featuring this beauty. This first one has my current favourite white shirt that I've turned into a cropped one with a little help from my belts. (Okay it's only one belt but i was trying to sound cool by using a 'with a little help from my friends' song reference).

Outfit Details: 
Blue Drop Waist Dress: Rs. 1195,  The Label Life Sale (buy here)
Heels: Rs. 1290, Zara (a few seasons old I'm afraid)
Textured Bag: Rs. 600, Caprese from Coutloot
Blue Aviators: Rs. 300, Forever21
Necklace: Rs. 500, Part of a set of 2 from H&M (similar here)
White Shirt: Rs. 1200, H&M 

7. Sneaking in Another White Shirt Down Under



Just another chapter in the book I'm secretly writing in my head called Infinite Ways to Wear a White Shirt! But no, this look reminds me of those expenseeve Zara dresses that have a fake collar but charge you more than what a shirt AND a dress. Well, turns out this Label Life is perfect for getting that exact look but you can just use your normal white shirt and you won't have to sell stuff to afford it.

Outfit Details: 
Blue Drop Waist Dress: Rs. 1195,  The Label Life Sale (buy here)
Heels: Rs. 1290, Zara (a few seasons old I'm afraid)
Textured Bag: Rs. 600, Caprese from Coutloot
Blue Aviators: Rs. 300, Forever21
Necklace: Rs. 500, Part of a set of 2 from H&M (similar here)
White Shirt: Rs. 1200, H&M 



And that's it folks! I honestly apologize for the seeming random song references in this post. I've been listening to a LOT of retro music which means I was in the mood to make a song reference every second sentence. Apologies!

A quick (read a minute that turned into an hour) glance at the Label Life website tells me that the dress is back to full price so you might want to wait till it goes and hits the sale section before you press buy. However, as this post has hopefully demonstrated, even the full price would be a great investment since you're sure to get a lot of wear out of this little number.

If you need a bit more visual inspiration, don't forget to swing by the video on my Instagram where I show you exactly how I created all these looks. It's a short video that's only a minute long and hopefully it'll help walk you through how these looks in action.

Hello hello! It's been a hot minute since I last sat down to write a style post and it seems like there have been some major life changes that have happened but let's not get into all that because today's post is literally about flowers and pretty bits! This floral skirt has been in my closet for over 6 years and it's something that still seems to come out every summer!! Read on to see my top favourite ways to wear this floral skirt.

1. Basically Chic

A white tshirt is something I can spend the rest of my life in and have no regrets! This tshirt is a second hand buy from Coutloot and honestly, paired with this floral skirt and little scarf in my hair to keep the bun up and we're ready to go walk around the city on a cool Sunday morning! Or, as I like to call it, eat a whole lot of food while pretending to walk.

2. Denimize the World



A denim shirt works with everything! Honestly, if you've been following my #stylingoverbuying series then you know I've pretty much worn this denim shirt with every piece I own. The colors work beautifully with this floral skirt and well, since this denim shirt is actually quite thin and has a bit of cotton blend, it is great for when you know you're gonna hang out in places with aircon.

3. Chic Cardigan



While people think a cardigan makes you look frumpy, I firmly believe that a cardigan is an piece that just needs a little bit of thought and you can actually protect yourself from evil airconditioners (we've all seen the ones hell bent on freezing your kidneys!) and still go out in the scorching heat after. For this look, I actually took a vest and flipped it so that the buttoned size was at the back. Add a necklace and a cardigan and you've got a fun new look! The trick to not making it look completely crazy is to keep things in similar color palettes. Here, the green in the vest turned top links to the greens in the skirt which is why it doesn't look completely random. Try it guys, next time just layer a couple of surprising things together and you might just enjoy the outcome,

4. Mixing Prints



Stripes and florals are two prints that can define summer. So obviously I had to throw them together to create what is possibly my most favorite look. Just like the previous outfit, you want to make sure that neither of the print is too loud and is mostly in the same color palette. This is an outfit that I've remixed a couple of times and everytime it makes me smile instantly. Go ahead, pull out that striped t-shirt and throw on those printed maxi skirts or trousers and channel your inner summer couture goddess!

5. Crop It



Very similar to the previous look, but I've just swapped out the regular t-shirt with a croptop. Yes you might say this is very similar and you probably turn the t-shirt into a croptop and you'd be absolutely right! But, i still wanted to show this as an option for anyone who might not make the leap. This a look that I've worn to the beach on cool winter mornings but that's only because the sleeves make it quite warm to wear in hot summers. The idea is to take a croptop you might have lying around and pair it with a fun skirt to create a very boho chic, beachy outfit.


6. Topsy Turvy



Finally, I can't end this post without showing what is my favourite hack when it comes to skirts. Most a-line skirts are great candidates for a one-shoulder top look! All I've done here is worn the skirt around my shoulders and then zipped up the side. Now you're thinking but it's completely open ... and i hear you girl!! All you do is add a belt, I'd suggest adding a sturdy belt of a thickness that you feel most comfortable with and that's really it. You've got an easy one-shoulder top that's ready to be paired with a pair of simple denims or maybe even another skirt? Really, your mind's the limit!



And that's it folks. There a several more ways you can style a simple floral skirt but these to me are my top favourites and something that would in my opinion suit almost all body types in the sense that there's most likely something for your body and personality type. Don't forget to swing by my Instagram for a video styling tutorial for all these looks (it's less than a minute long but packed full of quick style tips!).

If you do try one of these styles don't forget to use #Chiconomical to get featured on my feed!!

Outfit Details: 
Floral Skirt: Rs. 599, Fashionatclick
White T-shirt: Rs. 400, Coutloot
Floral Scarf: Rs. 899, Zara
Denim Shirt: Rs. 200, Linking Road, Bandra
Mint Jacket worn as top: Rs. 1000, Label life
Sling Bag: Rs. 1000, Label Life
Golden Cardigan: Rs. 899, Koovs Fashion
Striped Tshirt: Rs. 200, Hill Road, Bandra
Croptop: Rs. 200, Forever21
Denims: Rs. 1200, Asos

What is the ONE outfit I can wear all summer?? Why it would have to be my white dress of course! There's something absolutely beautiful about a simple linen dress that works perfectly with the scorching Mumbai weather and still lets you look super chic. However, dresses can sometimes be a one-trick pony so today's post is ALL about letting you make the most of your humble linen dress. 

Salwar Kameez. That quintessential 'behenji' outfit that has been glorified as being uncool over the years.
'Only moms wear these clothes!'
or
'Eww, I don't wear Indian outfits.'
or
'Salwar Kameez is so boring, I prefer wearing shorts.'


Let's face it. We've all either heard or said these things before. I know I have! For me, Indian outfits were very very difficult to embrace when I was a kid. I didn't own any and the times I did have to go out and buy one were when there was a wedding or some big family celebration. But even more than that, I didn't think this was a practical outfit because I was forced to wear it the exact same way, which meant I looked like a copy of my old self. Turns out my teenage self just didn't have the style sense and while it's taken me a while to find new ways to wear this very 'aunty' outfit, let's hope you don't have to!

Read on to know my favourite ways to restyle a salwar kameez that fuse the best of both worlds and look modern but still have that ethnic flavour!

1. Skirting the Issue



If you've got a top that's beautiful and fits you well, the easiest way to wear it is to throw on a skirt. Honestly, those custom designed kameez styles you had stitched by your tailor should be out in the world and don't let a pair of salwars you think don't flatter you stop you! Adding an a-line skirt makes the outfit look so much more modern and infact, you could get away with wearing this to the office too, depending on wear you work! Go ahead, give it a try!

2. Still Skirting It




Right. This is a spin on the first look. Say you haven't shaved your legs and still want to wear that top. Ladies, let me tell you, a simple black maxi skirt is going to be your best friend! This look is essentially letting you flaunt your short salwar kameez tops but still giving you the freedom to be a modern girl (read too lazy to wax/shave her legs because Netflix released a new show to binge watch!). Of course, if you aren't a fan of the length of the top, you can use the same trick as the first look and tuck it into your skirt. Do what works best for you honestly. It's all about finding that remix that works for you.

3. Shirt Up, I'm Cool


Yes, yes. If you've seen my other style posts I can almost hear you saying, do you wear a white shirt with everything? And the answer my friend, will always be Yes! Seriously, a white shirt will make pretty much anything look good and a pair of salwars is no exception. Now a lot of these salwars have those gathers at the crotch which means a longer shirt is a perfect thing to hide them but still give you a very 'I'm too cool for school vibe'. I added the dupatta to pull in the print from the bottoms and balance the look out but you're welcome to go without it if you like. It's super easy, it's edgy and trust me, a pair of salwars are sooooo much better for those early morning brunches than tight denims. (Life lesson learnt by yours truly thanks to the 40 degrees heatwave in Mumbai).

4. Knot Cool




Yet another variation on the previous look. I ditched the dupatta, took the shirt and knotted it up. Yes yes, if the salwar has awkward pleats then you might not be very happy with how this looks and that's okay. But I bet you have a few different ones and you'll find the ones you love inspite of the pleats. It's simple but striking and has to be the most 'summer' friendly fusion look I've created till date.

5. Dupatta To the Rescue



If you're bored of the top, the easiest hack to upstyle a look is to drape the dupatta with a simple belt added on top. This style is something I always try with longer stoles and dupattas and honestly, it makes for a new-ish outfit but takes less than a minute to create. Since a lot of the traditional salwar kameez sets have matching bottoms and dupattas, this helps in creating a single toned look instead of the constrast top style that is usually favoured. Of course, a monotone look also helps give the illusion of being put together so that's an added bonus!

6. Take it to the Beach


Okay, this is something I didn't even think I'd include in the post but honestly, this is what you'll see me wearing to the beach in a modest country! The salwar just gives me super hippy vibes and the top is actually a thrift buy from a street-seller who kept it for me because he thought I'd like it. Simple but striking, this is also a sneaky way to tell you to pair your bottoms with a different top in solid colours to get a bit more use out of them!

7. Blazer of Desi



 Finally, I think I'm slowly turning into a blazer person (jk, I was always a blazer person). When you've found a way to sneak in a blazer into a desi look, you know you're winning! I loveee how kitschy this whole look is and while I know a lot of you might not be very comfortable wearing it, I hope you keep it in mind for those days when you feel like pushing the envelope. Trust me, it's utterly out there but still, it's super comfortable (minus the heels maybe but feel free to add sneakers instead). Try it and then don't forget to share it with me if you do!

So those were all the looks folks. We've got a rich heritage full of 'designer wear' where every tailor was a master designer and we all had custom-made clothes. Somewhere along the way, we turned into fast fashion hoarders because we're a generation with zero patience. While that's okay, I hope you don't discard those 'custom-made' pieces before you give them a last chance to be modern. Style is subjective and you are the only person who get's to decide what your style should be. However, I hope you atleast try something new before deciding because there's so much potential in the things you already own that you don't need to buy new bits!

If you're still curious about how I created these looks, there's a quick 1 minute styling video over on my Instagram that you might want to see. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends because that means the world to me and doesn't cost you anything but a few seconds of your time! Thanks people and I hope you have a lovely week ahead!!