Tee/Teestu – as I fondly call her, go way back. She is an old friend and classmate. We both moved to Pune, India for college, where we first met. If there was one word to describe Teesta, it would have to be fashionable. I have always loved her quirky, experimental yet elegant style.
Teesta likes to describe herself as a third culture kid. She was brought up in Oman and has spent time between India and London. She is currently based in Dubai and works as a PR and Comms Consultant.
We are excited to have her share her opinion on style!! Read on for more…
When asked by an old friend, fellow fashionista and founder of Divaly what determined my fashion choices, not only was I excited to share my thoughts on my haute couture choices (wow: I was being asked which means I probably don’t dress too shabbily), it made me take a step back and think about what did actually affect my decision to try and not look like a slob every day? And the answer is really simple – my mother.
Back in 1958, my mother was born into a typical middle class, slightly unconventional Indian house hold where her parents defined the style and fashion choices of the bygone days. When I look back at Mum’s pictures, I am yet to find one where she doesn’t look chic, sexy, on point, fleek (yes, I went there) but always elegant. I started to wonder what was the elegance attributed to?
White on white on white. Black and white. Navy blue and white. Beige and white. In my opinion you can never go wrong with white. When in doubt for a casual look to sport, a simple white T, a fitted pair of jeans and heels or flats (depending what’s the occasion) can’t be amiss. I have perhaps stated the obvious but we seem to underestimate the power of the neutrals (the wanderer in me prefers to use the words “earth tones” puh-lease) – the main colors of this group include black, white, gray, brown and beige. I’m talking very Muji.
High-waisted jeans, maxi dresses, crop tops, co-ords sets, peplum tops, bodycon, dungarees (oh lord, here we go again), every time I follow the latest fashion inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest there is a new look in town. Very much like a painting, using the neutral palette, irrespective of what the ‘style’ is, one can enhance ones best assets – skin, eye, body (hide, enhance, whatever be your personal choice).
It’s really simple – when in doubt, go back to the basics, and stay neutral. The one thing that is clear as Yves Saint Laurent and Hepburn summed it up in a punchier line that I can – be it summer, winter, spring or autumn, one look that is here to stay: elegance.
DIVALY 