Archana Dhankar, Author at FashionForRoyals

Evergreen Chikan Clothes

For me “fashion” is the way we mould our personal style statement to compliment the trends set by leading fashion houses. It is thus a fine balance between fashion and comfort, between personal preferences and popular styles that creates the best of looks. Just because high heels give an elegant look, doesn’t mean you just have to wear them. Model your wardrobe on your personality while borrowing ideas from the latest trends.

Updating your wardrobe regularly is the best way to walk with fashion. I feel that this may not be a viable option for a lot of people, especially working women, who lack the time and energy this demands. So, for them, it would be better to perhaps build a wardrobe with more of evergreen styles and update it as and when possible. And the one evergreen trend that is a hit for all seasons is “Chikan Work”.

Chikan Kari is a type of elaborate embroidery work, which comes from the City of Nawabs, Lucknow. As this embroidery belongs to the royal era, it has the grandeur and fineness the matches noble grace. Such delicate, intricate embroidery reminds us of the cultural roots of ethnic and baronial designs.

Trends in Chikan wear

Zardosi, Aari, Mukesh and Jali are currently trending high on the charts of Chikan wear. Available on a variety of different fabrics, you can have chikan embroidery on sarees, tunics, anarkali suits and more. Also, it is not restricted to clothes alone but extends its wings to table covers, linen, cushion covers and bed sheets.

It then comes as no surprise that there is much craze for this kind across the globe. Lucknow obligingly provides beautiful pieces of Chikan-work and exports these ethnic styles overseas. One major factor contributing to its popularity such embroidery is suitable for both summer and winter clothes. In the winters in fact, Chikan work on crepe and silk makes for some fabulous party wear.

So get some Chikan wear for your wardrobe, to make yourself fashion-ready for every season. Don’t forget: be stylish and spicy always!

Contributed by Himanshi Singh

Combining Traditional and Modern Furniture

Nowadays, traditional furniture styles are coming back to life, stronger than ever, but the modern ones look amazing, as well. Therefore, deciding which type to incorporate in your living space is really hard and many people are trying to mix these two styles. That is very tricky for if you fail to create a proper balance between them, you will surely end up with disappointing results and a huge waste of time and money. However, if you manage to do it right, it will look better than any of these styles alone, since their distinctiveness is enhanced when old and new styles are showcased together. Read on and you will many ideas that shall lead you to succeed in your little creative adventure and be more adept at decorating your home interiors.

Getting Started

First of all, you must know that getting involved in something such as redesigning a room requires a lot of inspiration, not to mention effort and resources. Be sure you are in the right frame of mind, with your imagination all prepared to be heavily exercised. After all you are the one who will be spending most time in that room, so the most important thing is to decorate it in keeping with your own sensibilities.

When you start thinking about combining traditional and modern styles, you will realize that the possibilities are simply endless and even if you lack inspiration, just checking out the available options will give you so many brilliant ideas. The essential thing is to be completely spontaneous and make a choice instinctively – the first thing that catches your eye is almost always the right one. Planning to furnish your home for a long time in advance can lead to creating a chaotic environment, since having too many options and solutions often counter-productive to your purposes. Finding more than one products you like will make it very hard to decide and having constantly second-guessing your choice can only give you an unwanted headache. Also, always tend to be cautious and not buy more stuff than you actually need because creating a harmonious, sophisticated living space and not a mess is what your objective is.

Traditional or Modern?

You should decide right at the beginning which style is going to be dominating in the room you are about to furnish. If you try to make them even, you will be missing the point – it is not about putting many disparate items in the same room, all of which crave for attention. Instead, one dominant style should be brought to the foreground by subtle highlights from the other. Achieving this should not be a tough, since they are totally different and, naturally, you will pick the one that appeals to you more. When you have chosen the style that is going to be prominent in your living space, you will need to carefully think through how the other style should be adapted to it.

There is another unavoidable dilemma when it comes to mixing styles and it is the one about colors and items. If you want to create a peaceful and calming place, they ought to be in harmony; warm colors with matching furniture pieces. However if you fancy an exciting environment, go for the various strong colors and different kind of chairs, tables, etc.

Traditional

Should you go for traditional looks with modern accents, it will be amazing to find an interesting object that will define a focal point in the room. An interesting fireplace or an old-school center-table could work wonders. Buying a suitable rug can also significantly improve the appearance of any environment. To add to that, a big wardrobe with a huge mirror can phenomenally fit into this kind of styling. Modern things in a vintage looking room ought to be small, but striking. For example, you can use contemporary lighting solutions or curved chairs that will look futuristic albeit in an understated manner.

Modern

We all know how a modern living room looks like and what can be found in it, so let us focus on the traditional elements that can look really good within the modern room. For instance, a carved desk is a classy addition to a modern space. The same goes for glass topped coffee tables, old wagon wheels, big mirrors with even bigger vintage frames or some rustic themed wallpapers/decals. Do not forget that rustic furniture can be redone to get a truly modern look. Reupholstering chairs in some trendy colors or painting drawers and adding shiny metal handles to them can totally change their appearance. However, do not go overboard with the vintage accents for it may create an overwhelmingly dramatic look.

Combining traditional and modern furniture styles is an extremely interesting thing to do and the joy you feel when the work is done is simply indescribable. But make sure that you follow the advice and find out much more about this vast domain before embarking on your mission – you do not want it to turn into a nightmare!

Contributed by Diana Smith

How To Wear Print like a Fashionista

Nothing spices up an ordinary outfit like a bold burst of print! Over the last few years, this trend has seen many evolutions and revolutions. Today, the world of fashion is home to more variations of print than one can imagine – think floral, digital, literal, animal, Ikat, tie-dye, vintage, Aztec and water colour, to name a few.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the print craze, there is a very fine line between making a powerful style statement and looking like Paula Patton at the Grammy Awards last year. In fact, the very fear that prints and patterns may come across as “loud” or “gaudy” prevents many ladies from testing the waters. Yes, I’m looking at you! What you do not realise is that when you ban quirky prints from your wardrobe, you miss out on one of the most exciting and versatile trends that fashion has to offer.

If you are used to a safe and minimalistic wardrobe, it might be a good idea to take baby steps into the whacky world of print. Start with your footwear and handbag. Invest in a pair of swanky leopard print loafers or a bohemian Ikat satchel. Once you feel confident and comfortable, you can up the ante.

The trick to rocking the print trend like a superstar is to select one printed statement piece and curate the rest of your ensemble around it. Ideally, this garment should be fitted. No billowy kaftans for us, thanks! Neutral shades like white, grey and beige are ideal for your accent pieces and will instantly cue in some sophistication to balance out the vivid print. The rest of your accessories and jewellery should be as simple as possible – a pair of elegant diamond studs and nothing more. Remember, the print is the centre of attention and nothing should take away from that!

When you are ready to experiment with a style that is truly radical, try your hand at mixing prints. At first, this will sound chaotic and seem downright ridiculous, but once you get the hang of it, you will wonder how you ever did without. When done right, an outfit of mixed prints screams chic like nothing else. So, how do you nail
the trend without looking like fashion road kill? As a rule of thumb, you should always mix your prints based on the colours found in them rather than the prints itself. Put simply, you can pair floral with digital print as long as they belong to a similar colour palette. Once you have got that prerequisite out of the way, you can
start playing around with textures. The combination of different fabrics is easy on the eye and adds a sophisticated element to your get-up. Needless to say, the rest of your look – hair, makeup and accessories – should be as vanilla as possible.

Only then will the true flair of the mixed prints emerge.
It is time to get your print on!

Contributed by Shradha Bhatia

Prevent Hair Loss by Washing And Styling The Hair Right Way

In last couple of days I was hearing about hair loss from a lot of young women who are only in their 20s. Hair loss can happen due to many reasons, but there are something we can do to prevent the hair loss. Do you known if you wash and style your hair the right way then there will be less hair loss? Well read on to find out how.

Hair Wash

Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner is the first and foremost part of hair wash. Every type of hair asks for respective shampoo and conditioner that are best suited for its texture. Gentle hair wash shampoos are best suited for oily or straight hair, while curly hair needs softening shampoos that will protect their hair from frizzing. Shampoo loaded with glycerin and collagen is advised for dry hair as it moisturizes the hair. For the conditioner you need to use one that is best suited with the type of shampoo you are using.

Dos and Don’ts

Never forget to use conditioner on your hair every time you wash hair with the shampoo.
Make sure you are not using the conditioner on your scalp as it will make the scalp too oily.
Do not over wash your hair, at alternate day wash regime is recommended otherwise it can affect your hair texture.
Try avoiding hair products with too much protein on them as it makes your hair dry.

Hair Styling

If you style your hair the right way then it will prevent the hair from damage and falling.

Dos and Don’ts

If you have to comb your hair immediately after washing then use a comb which has wide tooth.
Always use hair dryer at a low temperature.
Do not use curling iron, hair dryer, Hair Straightener too often, as they put a lot of strain on your hair. Do it once in a while and do not do it for too long.
Avoid the hairstyles that require you to pull your hair back tightly as it damages the root of the hair.
Do not brush your hair too much, it’s not good.
Do not comb your hair immediately after wash because wet hair is weak and it can affect your hair adversely.

So these are some Hair loss solutions that you need to use every day.

Contributed by Manish Gupta

Hair Care Remedies For Shiny Hair

Hair care remedies at home does not cost you thousands of rupees, you can take care of yours using ingredients that are part of every home. These products are natural and do not have any side effects, so you can use these products on your hair without any hesitation every day. If you want to know what these products are how they help your hair? Well then read on below :

Egg Yolk

This is the best hair softening and conditioning ingredient ever. Massage the yolk on your scalp directly and leave it for sometime (15-20 minutes). Then wash it with water and shampoo the hair, see after how shinny you hair is looking.

Banana

Get the ripest banana you get in the market, smash it in a mixer and apply it on your scalp and leave it to dry. This is a miracle smash for dry and damaged hair as the high level of potassium in banana increases the elasticity of your hair. Wash your hair with shampoo after 15-20 minutes of applying the banana smash.

Olive oil

Olive oil is great for hair breakage and it also works as a natural conditioner for hair. Take 4 to 5 table spoons of olive oil and massage gently on your scalp, for best results leave it overnight and then wash it in the morning. It will make your hair soft and shinny.

Lime Juice and Amla

This is another miracle worker. Mix 1 table spoon of amla powder with one lemon extract very well, then take the mixture and apply it on your scalp. Leave it for 20 minutes before washing and it will make your hair appear fuller.

Healthy hair is not going to happen in a day, you have to constantly live a healthy and balanced lifestyle to prevent hair loss.

Contributed by Manisha Gupta

Be A Trendy Bride

A big hello to all the Damsels,

As the season of wedding is going on, here I am to share my thoughts on wedding fashion. The Indian weddings are mainly blushed in red color. The color, red is considered as the most auspicious color in Indian tradition. But have you ever thought that why this color has such a tremendous significance in our tradition?

Why bridal stuff is in red color only, not in other colors?

Most of us simply follow traditions without knowing why we have been asked by elders to follow these traditions. But let me tell you, that every tradition and rituals have strong reason behind them from red color as a bridal wear to applying “sindoor”.

The red color plays an important role in our tradition because it represents heat, activity, passion, sexuality, anger, love and joy. And also, gives the feeling of sacrifice.

But nowadays, brides are not dressed in pure red look. They are getting bold are doing a fusion of red and other rich colors, which give them a new look and at the same time enhances the look of the bride. It feels good to see that we follow our traditions while also being fashionable. A recent example is the wedding of signer Rageshwari where she wore a baby pink color and peach color lehenga.

Bridal look in Peach and Orange lehenga

Rajeshwari singer and actress was wearing lehenga with orange and peach color.

When you look at these colors, you might feel that they are not bright colors and may not go with the bride. Its all about appropriate makeup and matching the right accessories, which can make a bride look beautiful even without carrying loads of red in her dress, which is a symbolic bridal color.

Tips for wearing lehenga with such different colors

When you opt for bridal lehenga with lighter colors, go for heavy jeweler. It does mean that you need to increase number of pairs of necklace. You can go for one pair of necklace, but make it heavy and traditional in look• And a dupatta in contrasting color, like for cream you can go for a red or dark green dupatta. You can also take two dupatta, one matching with lehenga and the other one in a different color.
A make-up artist plays a big role in completing your bridal look. You can ask your artist to give you a heavy eyemake-up for example you can go for bold eyes or smokey look or darker lip colorsHope you all find your dream wedding dress in the color you love and and crush all the hearts, leaving one……….

Keep reading my post and don’t forget to look “Stylish and Spicy”…

Contributed by Himanshi Singh

Himanshi Singh is an IT girl by profession and a beauty, fashion and trend blogger by passion.. For her, writing is a great way to express her thoughts.

Spring Outfit Ideas for Romantic Look

When cold winter days pass we all look forward to spring. That’s usually because you can finally take those three hundred layers of clothes off and get free from those shawls, caps and gloves that have been burdening you for the past two or three months. Spring is the best time for romance, your blood boils, you feel nature’s liveliness and you envy the beauty of gentle, soft flowers that bloom all around. Join the show and put on a romantic look for this spring following these great ideas.

Lace

There’s no romance without a little lace. Or a lot. Your choice. Lace gives a very feminine touch to your outfit. Whether you’re wearing a lace covered dress or have just a decorative detail on your leggings or a sweater, lace is essential for a gentle, soft look. Put on a white lace dress and spice it all up with a stylish brown belt. Or wear a sweatshirt with lace details. Match a lace shirt with skinny jeans and you’re ready for a nighttime spring walk. When the day is warm, put on a sleeveless lace top and peach-colored shorts. Just keep the colors bright, we’ve had enough of those grays and blacks throughout the winter.

Floral print

What better way to give out a spring spirit than wearing floral print? Celebrate flowers by wearing them. Flowers are gentle, colorful, cheerful and fragrant and everyone loves them. Just remember how happy you were the last time you got a bunch of flowers for present. That’s the symbolism of wearing them. Welcome the new season by wearing floral leggings with a single-colored slouchy shirt. There are so many beautiful floral print dresses available so go out and get one. If you want feminine yet bold try floral print shorts. Here’s an idea for a very clever and stylish outfit: white shirt, peachy blazer, jeans and floral print pumps. Just remember not to get too carried away – if you wear floral print piece of clothing you should only match it with single-colored clothes because you don’t want too many patterns screaming off of you.

Tulle skirts

Just like beach kaftans are essential for summer, so tulle skirts are a must-have for spring. The word comes from a city in France which was a centre of lace and silk production in the 18^th century. Parisians were the first to wear it in their ballet costumes. Nowadays they are available for everyone and are certainly a major trend. From shorter to longer models, you can wear them on any occasion. Match them with flats and you’ll look innocent like a ballerina. Match them with pumps and you’ll look like a glamorous princess. You can even match a tulle skirt with a black-and-white striped top for an exciting combination of sporty and elegant.

Accessories

Firstly, remember that a romantic look requires soft, pastel colors like white, pink and blue. To complete your perfect spring outfit, wear a simple silver necklace. Pearls are also a very clever and classy idea. When choosing bags, clutch purses are the right choice for a romantic-looking lady. Be creative with belts and be sure to include ribbons and flowers to your outfit ideas and you’re ready for sping.

Image credits: AnnieAnniePancake

Contributed by Sophie Andersen

Sophie is a design lover from Australia. She’s interested in fashion and photography. Sophie is also an editor of new lifestyle blog HighStyleLife. Beside fashion Sophie is fan of home design. Follow her daily trendy tips on Facebook.

Help your skin stay vital and young

Throughout the history, many people have tried to find the sources of eternal youth and health, the formulas of eternal life. It is obvious that they have failed in that pursuit, however, one thing they did manage to leave behind. Some of the tips and tricks for elongating the skin’s vitality and youth. Here are some of the things you should have in mind when you have decided to keep you skin healthy and durable.

Skin type

Your skin’s type is one of the many factors that will affect its ageing. If your tan is darker, the experience has shown that it will help you in staying younger. This comes from the fact that pale skin does not contain melatonin, which is the ‘secret ingredient’ to protection of darker skin. Especially when it comes to sun explosion, people with darker tan will be more protected and their skin will age slowly, whereas pale people should not expose their skin to the sun at all, because this is the only way for their skin not to age faster than it should. Nevertheless, whatever your skin type is, if you are planning to go out in the sun, you must always apply sunscreen with a high SPF, such as at least 30.

Age

Age is another thing that affects skin. Some people ‘age quickly’ because of stress or their skin type, mentioned in the previous section. The scientists still have not found the cure to ageing, however they have come up with ways that can help in postponing it. This implies constant care, which would start from the early twenties. The first step is to keep your skin clean and create a habit of nurturing it before bedtime. After a mild soap cleaning, applying a moisturiser has proved to be one of the most effective ways to impregnate your skin with water. Using crèmes, such as dermalogica products, have proved to help reducing the effects of ageing in all skin types, no matter the age. Also, once a week you should exfoliate your skin, to permanently remove dead skin cells from the surface.

Outside & inside factors

The way skin looks does not come only from its layers. Your skin responds to external and internal processes and influences. This means that you must stop smoking and drinking alcohol, because one of their side effects is faster skin ageing. You should also cut down sweets because too much sugar in your food leads to glycation – a process which accelerates ageing and causes wrinkles. You should add proteins to your diet as well, because they replace oestrogens, especially in menopause, when you need them most. External factors which affect your skin are, of course, the weather – cold, wind, and the sun. We cannot stress how much it is important to apply sunscreen, even during winter. To help your skin not get destroyed by cold weather and wind during winter, it is best if you applied crèmes which would protect it and keep your skin vital for as long as possible.

Contributed by Vendy Evans

Vendy Evans is a beauty and fashion enthusiast, who always follows the latest trends.

High Heels stand for royalty and boldness!

Guest Post!

High Heels stand for royalty and boldness!

Why do women like to wear heels? Why are they so obsessed with stilettos, wedges and various other kinds of high-heeled shoes? If I think practically, I would say high heels are the most uncomfortable shoes as they make walking difficult. Then, what’s that thing that makes ladies drool over every hot new pair of high heels they come across? Well, the answer is simple. Women in heels look gorgeous, sexy and classy, all at the same time. High heels make woman feel more powerful and boost their go-getter attitude. Hence, a sensational pair of heels is the favorite of every woman.

History of heels

The love affair of a woman with heels is not new. In fact, it dates back to ancient history when members of the aristocracy used to wear shoes of such kind. In ancient Egypt, shoes became the differentiating factor between the nobility and lower classes. Men and women both used to wear shoes with high wooden or cork soles on special ceremonies to define their social status. Unknowingly, the heel became the identity of superiority. Later in the early 15^th century, the most fashionable platform shoe was invented. Within no time, it became a status symbol for high-class women in Europe. These shoes were then adorned with embroidery and lace work to make them look more attractive. Riding boots with heels were introduced in the early 16^th century. Both men and women wore these practical shoes. By the end of 16^th century, heels became a mark of royalty and only aristocrats were supposed to wear such shoes.

Modern-day heels

Ever since the heels came into being, many experiments have been done with their shapes and sizes to make them statement pieces. Today’s modern-age women prefer more practical styles like wedges as along with style, they provide the required support to their feet. As shoes really does matter, give your personality that extra push with a stiletto or pumps. Working women are rather more fascinated by these towering heels, and they often slip on a pair of their highest heels while heading to an important client meeting or interview. A lady who means just business often wear heels to work as she feels more influential while some wear them to make others perceive them as more influential. Whatever be the reason, just grab your BFFs and stand tall and bold.

Must-have styles

Wedges: Take a break from your boring flats. It’s time to accentuate your style with trendy wedges. For a day-out with friends, wedge heels would be the most appropriate choice as these are not just funky but comfortable too. Team a complementing pair with your solid dress and stay stylish and comfortable all day.

Stilettos: For enterprising ladies, a pair of black stilettos is a must-have. Be it making an impression in the boardroom or grabbing those eyeballs in an after-office party, a pair of stilettos would let you do just that. Stiletto shoes come with slender and high heels and make a woman look bold and stylish in an instant. So, now you know the secret of a flawless professional look.

Sandals: Nothing can better complement your sari look than a pair of high heel sandals. While going to a marriage, slip on a glittering pair of sandals to attain a flawless and feminine look. What’s more! Sandals are quite comfortable to hang out the whole day. There are so many variations available in sandals that you would love to have all of them. Strappy sandals are a big hit these days and look great with short dresses. Grab your favorite pair today!

Knee-high boots: The easiest way to survive your style during winter months is to wear those high-heeled knee-high boots. Wear your boots with a trench coat and give your look an edge with a printed scarf.

Contributed by Parul Chahal:

Parul is a fashion writer working with a leading online fashion destination. In this post, she talks about the latest fads in heels and about their history as well.