Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

In a kediyu by the bay

















This top that I mostly wear as a dress is a classic Indian silhouette, made from hand loomed organic cotton and hand block printed with wooden blocks with natural colours.

This style that is known by various names depending on where one is, lends itself to customisation and can be as traditional or as contemporary as one wants. It is called a kediyu in Gujarat and I have worn it here with a pair of denim cut-offs, I also wear it with skinny and relaxed full-length jeans/ pants, wide legged pyjamas and skirts in varied lengths as well.

The point I am trying to make is, it doesn't ever have to be a choice between traditional and contemporary, everything can be adapted to suit one's style. I find nothing more boring than looking head-to-toe like a mannequin from a shop window, even if it the most fantastic designer's shop window.

Putting things together to suit one's own style is wonderful and WoC should never have to choose between their culture and the fact that they need to fit-in. Fitting-in is over-rated anyway!

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Block print jumpsuit in winter















As has been documented here, my love for traditional Indian block print cotton and silks know no bounds.

This jumpsuit in indigo is a great way to be casual and comfortable summer or winter. Perfect for lounging at home all day,going out for brunch or drinks, a stroll in the park or by the beach and even a little hike.

I love it styled with a bralet for hot weather and with a base layer and/or a coatigan for the colder months. The smooth cotton is printed by hand using carved wooden blocks in a stamping method.

Also these indigo prints in cotton just get better with wear and are easy to throw and go. The photos on this post were taken just before spring, hence the beanie and woollies.

Like a lot of kurtas/ kurtis I find them ideal to pack for travel since they require minimal outfit planning. I sometimes wear a cotton/linen button-up over it or a vest pair them with sneakers, booties, gladiator sandals or even jootis.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Dabu print by the harbour bridge















Like I said in this post before, I feel kurtas are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing, this indigo beauty is a dabu print I got on one of my little travels, worn here with a bright woven bag from Colombia and buttery soft leather shorts.

It is worn as a dress or top with a skirt or shorts or flowy wide legged bottoms in the summer, layered over merino wool base layer and leggings or denim when it gets colder. I wear it to the beach and to work and it only looks better as it is more frequently used. Truly versatile.

Natural indigo is a rare commodity with small quantities produced by the Chippa community in Bagru, Rajasthan, India. The natural version of the blue dye is obtained from the indigo plants of the indigofera family. Beautiful indigo patterns are created with dabu, a mud-resist paste made with all things natural.