Monsoon Fashion

The season of raindrops is nearly upon us. The soothing breeze and fall in temperature that accompany the rain effectively invigorate the soul & and add a spring to one's step; a step which lands in the middle of a slushy puddle, where reality sets in.
If your happy thought of the breezy monsoon is somewhat dampened by the thought of braving the downpour, puddles, wet feet & clothes, you are not alone!
The monsoons can be a fabulous time of fun & frolic on the days one is home, curled up with hot coffee & a great book, watching the rain trickle down one's window.
But setting out to work in the mornings, handling a sari, handbag, and umbrella & contending with potholes, muddy water & traffic can leave you a sodden, shivering mess if you manage to reach anywhere on time & sit in air-conditioned environs through the rest of the day.
A few practical tips though can change all that, and make the coming months closer to blissful!
A Frame For Your Face Type
Not all frames suit all face types. It depends on your face type and it could change your entire outlook. So here are a few tips to help you choose the right pair of glasses to match your look…
Heart Or Triangular Face
Stay away from frames that are wider than your temples, those with an exaggerated upward and outward sweep, or those which are top and side heavy. All these frames emphasize a narrow chin. Instead, select frames that have the emphasis on the lower outer corners.
Round Face
If you have a round face, avoid wearing round frames which emphasize a narrow chin making your face appear more round. You too should select frames that have the emphasis on the lower outer corners.
Oval Shaped Face
You are lucky in the sense that most frame types would suit you. Hence, you could use the natural balance of your face shape to take advantage of a broad range of frames available, to suit your features and face size.
Square Face
Avoid square or angular frames. Go in for droopy shapes which would focus attention to your lower face, accentuating your jaw-line. Also, if you want to soften the square cut of your face, try out frames that are curved at the bottom corners or sides.
HOW TO SHOP FOR A PERFECT PAIR OF SHOES’
There’s more to footwear than choosing the pair that doesn’t pinch! The utility item has kept up as fashion statement too. The First Lady Of Shoes Imelda Marcos had hundreds of pairs adorning her shoe rack. French-Canadian singing diva Celine Dion confesses her weakness for footwear. At last count, her shoe collection numbered some 1,000 pairs. Well here's how to balance comfort factor with style:
Shoe Shopping Tips
When shopping for shoes one should keep in mind:
•The shoes should have good arch support.
•For exercise shoes, the soles should be flexible.
•It should be lightweight, preferably with good ventilation.
• It should fit comfortably with enough, but not too much, room. (You should be able to wiggle your toes without rubbing, and have room at the toe area.)
• More often than not shoes that are high on style (for example stilettos) are less on comfort. Says Nitai Dutta, a spokesperson from Bata ‘the most admired brand’ according to a poll, “Most of the people who come to us stress on the comfort factor. The shoes that we design are ideal for daily use and are often corrective of problems that has resulted from usage of wrong footwear.”
What Ill Fitting Shoes Can Do For Your Feet
If you think a pair of ill-fitting shoes can cause no more than a little discomfort, then think again.
l“From skin irritation, to calluses, to Bursa (a type of skin disease) and ulcers, constant pain in the affected area, and in more severe cases displacement or deformation of toe can arise from constant usage of incorrect footwear,” avers orthopaedist, Nupur Datta.
l Besides, wearing high heels constantly can lead to backaches in later life and also accelerate the chance of spraining the ankles, opines the expert.
GET THAT EXTRA TOUCH
Accessories help you to express yourself. You can use them to harmonize with your features, your clothes and even your mood. A wide range of dramatic accessories are available. By using them properly, by combining and contrasting colours, you can lend style, good taste and flair to your grooming. It does not need a big bank balance.
• Be observant….which means keep your eyes open when you shop.
• Look out for unusual pieces of jewelry, beads or trimmings and relate them to the clothes you already have.
•Costume jewelry can be safely worn, without detracting from style or class, provided you can select good pieces.