designer accessories

Featured: In the nude!

Flesh or buff coloured accessories are clever enough to make heads turn. What's more, they are utterly versatile with the power to make any skin texture glow. P S Bhavana strings wardrobe must-haves you can lust after

Pump it up
Fendi’s snake skin and tan pumps, Giuseppe Zanotti’s yellow suede and neutral patent leather sling-backs and Jimmy Choo’s patent leather sandals made global fashion go into a tizzy. So its time you smear some nude colour on your feet too (albeit a tad inexpensively). Tie-ups, gladiator straps, ruffles, bows, lace, cutwork, satin and even chiffon are shoe must-dos. Mango and Nine West have yummylicous shapes (your pockets will be minimum Rs 2,500 lighter). For cheaper versions (slip-ons, flip-flops or thongs), scrounge local shoe shops (quality, of course, could be an issue).
Bag-o-mania
Emilio Pucci played with leather fringes to create a nude thriller. DKNY sculpted a nudish quilted bag. While Yves Saint Laurent crafted a tan tote. Again, be prepared to spend a bomb on these (save if you must). But, if you don’t want a huge dent in your pocket, go for a scrumptious sack bag from Mango a little over Rs 3,000. A cheaper version would be Selfridges bag for about Rs 1,500 (shop online or bribe a friend living abroad into buying one for you). Multi-brand outlets also stock local brands that are good. For a girly charm, pick delectable bags with nude ruffles, frills and bows. A burnt suede satchel is equally cool. Loaded? Psst: Try uber-expensive Sergio Rossi textured box clutch!
Mad hatter
A straw hat and a buff beret are things you might overlook, but introduce them into your wardrobe to liven up your looks. Wear a beret with pants, denims or a skirt for a sophisticated sporty look. A great idea is to ask your mom or a good old aunt to knit or knot this pretty piece for you (macramé, tatting and hand knits are so-in). The advantage: It wouldn’t it cost you the earth! Funky tip: Add a little badge or an animated brooch. A wide-rimmed straw hat can add much-needed zing to beach and cow girl looks. Pick up one off a street or a flea market. Don’t spend more than Rs 500 on this.
Stole it!
Investing in a buff coloured or nude stole or scarf is an awesome idea. Burberry has lovely drapes (hallmark checked and striped) that are sheer pleasures to flaunt. Of course, you will have to shell out a huge amount (Rs 10,000 or more). Alternatively, Pashmina and gauze-like stoles available locally are truly exquisite. They can be casually wrapped over a tee, top or a sheath dress. Silk or chiffon nude-on-nude prints are tempting too. If nothing impresses you, get a length chopped from a yardage to form a scarf. It can never go wrong bunched around your neck or as an ascot knot!
Cues
- No need to match the nude tone or tint to your complexion, at least not to the tee.
- Nude footwear should slightly match your skin tone.
- About 2.5-inch nude heels look great with dark denims.
- Mix nude accessories with something dark.
- Yellow and orange look particularly good with flesh tones.
- Black or white looks stunning with a nude bag and matching heels.
- Mixing nude accessories with nude or neutral ensembles is a big no-no.
- Skin-coloured trinkets (earrings, hair bands or bracelets/cuff) look nearly as chic as other nude biggies.
- Finally, don’t do an all-nude look, puhleaze!