Desi Diva

By Sasha Tong

Ready, Get Set, Go!

Check out these fashion essentials to start off the New Year in style.

You’ve spent this holiday season being the perfect hostess, cooking fabulous meals and wrapping a mountain of gifts. Whew! To ring in the New Year, take some time to do something special for yourself. Here are our nine fashion must-haves to refresh your wardrobe, energize your spirits and guarantee you’ll feel like a stunning new 2007 you!

Confidence Lingerie
Outfit-appropriate bras and panties that fit and highlight the body are the secret of many well-dressed women. Believe it or not, how your clothes look on your body depends a lot on what you’re wearing underneath. Evaluate your lingerie wardrobe by first tossing out anything that does not fit or looks worn. Not sure what bra size you are anymore? Any Victoria’s Secret, department store or upscale lingerie shop has trained professionals to measure you and help you buy what really fits. This should be a routine every year and after significant weight fluctuations. Next, go for lingerie basics that are supportive and invisible under your clothing. Nude and black are the only two colors you’ll really need. Nude lingerie works best under whites and black microfiber is great for anything else. Shaper bras are a good choice for clean lines and all-over support. Make sure the pieces don’t show through your clothing, and yes, visible panty lines are still a no-no. After collecting the essentials, add a few fun pieces in lace or flattering colors throughout the year to spice things up.

Arm Candy
A stunning new everyday bag can change the whole feel of your daily ensemble. To find the right bag, think about your personality and what would be oh-so-you. Are you a classic monogram Louis Vuitton gal? A funky distressed leather satchel lover? Or do you love the traditional structured black bag? Take into consideration your space requirements for all the things you need daily. Some gals carry lipstick and their mobile phone; others carry everything but the kitchen sink! If you tend toward either gold or silver-tone jewelry, pick a bag that has matching hardware for a put-together look.

Perfect Fit
Expertly fit clothing is one of the secrets of über fashionistas. Ever notice how a dress in your size is always too long in the straps or too big in the bust? It’s not your fault—major retailers have to make sure their clothing covers all their bases. But wearing sloppy, ill-fitting clothing isn’t an appealing option. Tailoring your wardrobe is the best way to ensure a perfect fit. Little adjustments—like taking a hem up, letting a waist out—can shoot an average, ready-to-wear piece into couture stardom. To find a qualified tailor, ask to see some samples of recent work and be sure to look at the garment on the outside and inside. Have the tailor start with simple alterations, like hemming, and see how he or she does. If you’re happy with the workmanship, progress to more intricate or expensive pieces.

Steam Power
Shopping for clothes is so much fun, but ironing them can be such a chore. A power steamer is the easiest and most gentle way to get wrinkles out. A wrinkle-free basic

outfit can outshine scrunched-up designer duds any day. Pieces that have lots of little ruffles, ruching or complicated folds are easily brought back to life with a little steam. Delicates like tissue, weight natural (silk), or synthetic (acetate) fabrics often melt under an iron—a worry you won’t have with steam. Go for a pro-level steamer! You might not even have to put in the time or the $300 investment—a Jiffy J-4000 Steamer is so powerful your boyfriend or husband might fight you for the chance to buy it and try it out!

New Heights
There’s something about the perfect pair of heels that can take your confidence, along with your height, up, up, up! Peep toe and d’Orsay styles are hot right now and are great for an elongated, elegant look. Our favorites are by Christian Louboutin, but Nine West is another easy option that won’t break the bank. Metallic silver, gold, or a shimmery flesh tone will really lengthen your legs, while basic or patterned black is always a smart, practical choice. If three-inch heels have you teetering over the edge, mid-heel pumps are a stylish and comfortable compromise. Avoid ankle straps: they cut the fluid line of the body and can create a “cankle” effect.

Work It
A great pair of black slacks and a button-down white blouse will guarantee you always look great at the office. Choose slacks that don’t wrinkle when you sit, in a cut that highlights your curves in the best way. Make sure your slacks fall to about halfway down the heel of your shoes, a look that flatters every figure. Mother of pearl or small rhinestone buttons can add little bit of polish to a simple white blouse. Tip: A blouse is a great piece to have perfectly fitted at your new tailor. Have them take in the sides and add bust darts to highlight your figure while keeping your look polished and professional.

The Desi Diva in You
You can never have too many cute kurtis. Paired with jeans or as a bikini cover up on vacation, you’ll always look one step ahead of the trends. Our favorite styles are hand-embroidered silk or cashmeres. Another must have: super-sheer, silk-chiffon saris that drip with sparkle beading and contrast embroidery. Get ready for spring by selecting fabrics in pastels and bright jewel tones. You can always freshen up the look of your sari blouses by experimenting with new necklines or choosing blouse pieces with unusual detail along the back or the sleeves.

Sasha Tong is a New York and Hawaii-based freelance writer and image consultant. She specializes in fashion, etiquette, and gemstone and wine connoisseurship.

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