Chiconomical

If there's one colour that defines autumn for me this year, it's Autumn. If you're Mumbai or some other such tropical country like me, chances are, there is no winter and that requires you to wear several layers. But it doesn't mean you can't wear a simple outfit that will work with or without layers depending on where you stay.



Today's look features my ankle length paperbag waist trousers that featured heavily in this year's Navratri Outfit Post (you definitely need to see that post if you haven't already!). The look is something that you can create easily using pieces you already own and is the perfect (in my book) winter workwear look. For this look, I've paired my mustard yellow paperbag trousers with a simple knitted cropped jumper. I've added a pair of classic black pumps and that's all. The look is minimal and can be replicated using anything similar that you own. The idea was to take some of my favourite summer pieces (these trousers were a sunny day favourite) and throw them in together with a winter staple like this classic black jumper. I've actually had this in my wardrobe for around 3 years now and it's still going strong.



A randoms story about this post? I wasn't sure I wanted to even post a single picture from this look once I had them. I thought it might be too normal and not inspiring enough for you. But then a chance conversation with a friend made me realise it's okay to post normal pictures. Not all of you will be interested in the crazy looks I create and sometimes, it's okay to wear something completely normal and run of the mill. All you need to do is own it!

Prints! Glorious prints! If 2018 has one thing that's going for it, it's the gorgeous animal prints and unless you're living under a rock, you've seen leopards everywhere! I for one am quite impressed with the comeback of the animal print (or did it never actually leave?) and feel so excited that it's now socially acceptable again to wear a full on animal print and not look tacky. I know, my sister's reading this and thinking (NO!!!) but I have actually loved animal prints for a long time and there is just something super sexy about leopard no?


Anyway, today's post is all about two things.

A. Leopard Print (erm, just stating that if you haven't yet understood it)
B. Scarves and how they be worn to the office as a sneaky way to make a statement
C. Workwear!!


Okay, so that's actually three things but then its Monday and you know we've got workwear to talk about. Well, today's outfit is my take on parisian chic workwear dressing. If that's a thing (if it isn't then it definitely should be). Since a lot of people do actually wear just a bunch of monochrome outfits to the office inspite of several attempts by yours truly to make then try new things like this post and this post, I do get it. Black is easy, black is comfy and it shows just how black our souls are aswell (just kidding, that last one only applies to me). But I'm giving you 5 quick ways a scarf can help you introduce a bit of trend into your workwear wardrobe without too much investment. Yes, you can wear it every single day of the week and still look interesting. You're welcome!

1. Neckking



Honestly, this is what every single parisian chic image looks like in my head. Minimal outfit, a scarf around the neck and minimal makeup. This look works with almost any block colour outfit. Of course, this works great for anyone who doesn't quite like wearing necklaces but still wants to add a pop of bright accessories to the look. Oh and bonus points because I'm usually always cold in the office so this keeps my neck warm and still feels like a super soft luxurious fabric too!

2. Tied Up



Right. This look is actually the most 'fashion forward' way to wear a scarf that I know of. Of course I made a complete mess of the wrist tying 'fashun' bit but I still like the way it's turned into a bracelete. It kind of reminds me of the using a necktie to tie people up in those bondage books and movies (I'm talking about the disaster that was Fifty Shades of Gray people). However, I still enjoy using a piece in unexpected ways and this is a grey way to show the leopard print in a very minimal way and the polka dots peeking from the folds is actually making me really happy!

3. Tiny Dancer



Yes, this is the same outfit as the one in the above two looks. Yes, I'd tucked in the peplum frill part (is it just called peplum or frill of peplum? I can't quite decide) into the pants and whipped it out for this look. I tied the scarf as a belt which pretty much becomes a statement piece for this look. I think this would work really well with jeans too. As long as you wear bottoms that don't need a belt (which is about 1 pair of jeans for me at the moment), this tucked into the belt loops instead of a regular belt is I think a great look!

4. Messy Bessy




5. Casual Chic

Mondays are those pesky things that turn up faster than you can say Weekend and suddenly you're stuck in a web of I have nothing to wear while juggling your 8.00 am conference call and all the emails you got over the weekend while trying to find the perfect outfit to ace that 10.00 am meeting. Yes, this may or may not be my life on some Mondays but even if yours isn't this dramatic, these are my time tested tips to get dressed and look pretty much perfect on Mondays and not let anyone in on the mini panic attack you had in the closet!

Plan Plan Plan!

Right. This is what mother told me to do before I went to school. Pack my bag according to the school timetable, lay out my clothes in neat rows and plan everything that I was going to do the next day. Well...
I think I got all planned out by the 10th grade and just didn't bother with it anymore.



So yes, say you're like me and you aren't a planner.

Well, these are no planning in needed guidelines that have helped me on Mondays without coffee (do they even exist you ask....well.. yea.. they kinda do)

1. Go for neutrals


While I'd love to ask you to rock that killer neon blazer on a Monday morning, turns out it's kind of a hard look to put together when you're running to get to work in one piece. At times like these, the  best idea is to opt for a neutral outfit. Whites (like the one I'm wearing) or black or shades of navy blue, tan. Pretty much a color that will go with that hot pink bag you might accidentally swipe on the way to work. But no seriously, neutrals don't need a lot of effort to look put together even if you do end up throwing random bits together since they don't jar your senses. So the smartest thing to do is opt for a neutral workwear look when you don't quite understand what you'd like to wear.

2. Dresses over Everything else



Really can't figure out what to wear and you're about to miss the train? Yea, I've been there. The beauty of dresses is that they're so much easier to style as you don't need a second piece to match with it. A simple fitted (or anti-fit if that's your style) dress, a pair of heels and you'll be in good shape to catch that train with time to spare to buy the morning newspaper. Of course if you're like me and super lazy about waxing your legs, maybe switch out the dress for a formal jumpsuit and everything else stays exactly the same.

3. Bold lips Distract people

Cos not everyone can rock a bold lip. Also, since these can be achieved whist enroute to the office, they're a quick win for sure! There is an odd saying that goes that women with red lips can conquer the world (or maybe it was red heels?). :/
Well, whichever way it goes, a bold lip can distract most people from other outfit mishaps that may or may not have happened. Believe me, I've tried it! Plus, it helps to brighten up your face aswell!!

4. Keep it Simple


5. Don't mess with the tress!

Hello folks! We're on Wednesday and that means we've got some new style answers for your workwear woes! (wow that sentence has a lot of 'W's'). If you've been around long enough, you know I'm all for making a single piece work different ways and I think a lot of people have pushed the casual jumpsuit at the back of their closet when they're working cos they just don't know how to style it. Well we've got you covered girl! Today's look is all about bringing the casual jumpsuit out from the mothballs during the week and wearing it with comfort and style to that corporate meeting!



To create this look, all you need are some workwear basics I'm sure you already own. I paired my printed casual jumpsuit (that you've probably already seen if you're following me on Instagram) with a classic black blazer (which can be style in only a million ways like This, This or This) and a pair of classic pumps. Bear in mind that although I'm styling the jumpsuit with a stiletto heel, this outfit works just as well with a flat or a kitten heel or any heel you'd like.

The makeup is simple (cos well I don't know how to do fancy makeup to be very honest) and since we're right at the start of the monsoons here in India, I styled it for bonus with a monochrome umbrella (this is expensive but honestly it's survived through endless storms!). The jumpsuit is actually a very casual material and fit (it has a drawstring front people!!) but that's easily fixed to create a more polished look with a simple statement belt. Not only does it give you some structure and shape, it also helps distract people from the extra large burger you ate at lunch by highlighting your natural waist (Style Tip: slide it casually along your body to your tiniest part as the food baby starts piling on :P )



And that's your weekend wardrobe, going to the office, just like that!!

Oh, and because I've used a jumpsuit with a loud print that people have trouble styling on the weekends too, I've got two more looks for you that are a bit more casual and laid back...just in case you need to breathe some fresh life into your weekend wardrobe too!

Bonus Look 1:


Bonus Look 2:

Hello world!! It's been a while since my last post and maybe you didn't even realise I was gone but I've been having a bit of a hard time lately. For a number of reasons ranging from health to simply feeling lost, I've been away and now I finally feel like its time to get back to talking to you all.

Since it's technically winter, I thought I'd share some tips on layering. Now living in a tropical city means the winters aren't all that wintery. In fact, the weather feels more like an alphabet soup of all weather synonyms packed together in one big bowl. However, that just means we have that many opportunities to get creative with our outfits.


Today's look is something I shot sometime in December but never posted. However, this look is still relevant even with the current weather and it's almost boomerang switches. A classic look for work is Monochrome.

Happy Monday folks! Are you in a post Diwali daze? It's Monday and my mind's turning to monochrome in an effort to make myself believe that the long weekend full of festivities is already over. If you're someone who thinks black blazers are one trick ponies then think again.

1. As a two piece suit with a pop of color


If you're a girl who thinks classics suit your personal style best then let me suggest adding a single statement piece to stand out. A classic blazer two piece with a white shirt can become unique by simply adding a statement neckpiece. If jewellry isn't your favorite thing, you can add a pop of color with a shirt or even your heels. One piece that's a representation of your personality. Remember, it's abut standing out even if you're wearing the same pieces as another girl in the office.

2. With a funky statement pieces




Yet another twist on the classic blazer set. Why not find all the funky pieces that you love and pair them with your formals? For instance, here I paired a hextie (totally borrowed it from my friend) with an all black outfit. A bold lip and messy hair and there's a look that's just the right mix of strong yet feminine. If you're so inclined, you can even add a bowtie and a pair of clear glasses to show off your nerdy side!

3. With Bright Separates



And the last bit of advice, and this is something I always give people when they ask me how to wear black to work without being boring is to pair it with bright colors. The beauty of black is that it works with all other colors and still looks completely put together. I'd suggest pairing it with your bright trousers or skirt. Extra points if you manage to pair it with palazzos or neon colors!

I hope this helps your Monday get a bit more bearable and gives you some direction to workwear dressing if you're in a post festive daze. Remember, always be yourself because you're the prettiest when you're most comfortable! Have a fabulous Monday guys!

PS: There's something MAJOR coming up soon, so don't forget to sign up for The Chiconomical Insider if you haven't already. There's some exclusive content that's going to be available only for the subscribers!

Happy Monday folks! Navratri is over and if you're like me you're probably wondering what on earth you're gonna do with all those festive clothes. Read on if you need an answer to this problem!





In my book, the hardest thing to reuse is the flashiest blouse you've got. It's short, its embroidered and it's got a low back and all of these things equal big no-nos for the office. So of course I had to bring you a look that makes this complicated piece perfect for the office. Here, I paired by embroidered blouse with high waisted trousers. I added a long jacket to hide the low cut back and add a bit of structure to the whole look. Together, this look is perfect for the office and is perfectly polished and put together without being overly dressy.

If you've got a dressy blouse lying around in your closet that you think is only fit to be worn on festivals, think again. All it needs is a bit of imagination and you've got yourself a unique new outfit! If you've done something similar why not share it with me? I love to see how you use the ideas shared here. Go on, share with me on Social Media, you can reach me on Facebook or Instagram!