Do you Dare to Wear a Sharara?

Would you wear a Sharara or not?! Debately the most controversial clothing question asked! Okay so maybe a slight exaggeration, but still a highly important question! Shararas never fail to split opinion, and as fashion trends are part of a huge revolving wheel, eventually Shararas are bought back into the spotlight, but it seems to  me that they go out of fashion as quickly as they come in. I think its because it splits peoples opinions, you either love them or hate them, or your really just not sure what you feel about them! 

A Sharara in essence is a top and trouser combination, the defining characteristic of a Sharara are the trousers they are essentially flared/wide leg trousers that when worn often give the appearance of a Lehenga. Personally, Shararas lean towards may aesthetic sensibilities and so I would absolutely wear one, but having said that I'm not a fan of all style and cuts, I am admittedly extremely picky!

Shararas can be a flattering and fun garment to wear if the style and cut are right, for example I'm not a fan of a Sharara trousers that have a band and gathers midway at the thigh, I find they can be  seriously unflattering as they have a tendency to cut a body shape and draw attention to areas that don't need to be! When looking for Shararas I prefer the straight flared style of trouser, these I think are by far the more flattering choice and also the more modern update of the classic Sharara. The length of the top is always an important feature too, the key here is to make sure that its a length that you feel comfortable in! I personally avoid top lengths that are too short, as it wouldn't flatter my body shape! So know your body shape and know what flatters you and what doesn't!

Of late there has been a influx of Shararas hitting the runway and I have to say I'm left with some serious wardrobe envy! My favourite look and style had to be that of Gaurang Shah, he mixes bold prints on the top with neutral trousers that have been carefully pleated to give a fresh and tailored look to the Sharara. This is a look I would LOVE to get my hands on! 

If you really are undecided, I say give one a go! My tips for wearing one would be too:

• Pick a style that you feel comfortable in! 
• Ensure the shape and cut of the sharara flatters you, for example, if you don't want to draw attention to certain areas then try to choose a style that compliments those areas! 
• Accessories are a must, and try to keep it in theme with the style of the sharara, the quirkier the jewellery the better in my opinion, so think chunky and electric styles of jewellery, big chunky hoops or bangles encrusted with bells and beads. 
• Heels are a must too, they'll give you the height and statue you need when wearing a heavy flared trouser, the will help to create the illusion of a Lehenga as you'll see the full shape of the trousers... 
• Lastly Be Confident!: If your daunted by the unusual look, don't be! Shararas are edgy, fun and seriously easy to wear and you'll nearly always leave people wishing they owned a Sharara too! 

This Sharara is by far my favourite, I'm seriously in love with this whole look, everything about this look is to die for, you can see how carefully and skillfully the trousers have been pleated for a full and tailored look mixed with the hand printed top for a contrasting look, I just love everything about this combination... 

This Surendri by Yogesh Chaudry is a quirky update the look, a knitted top gives this look a fun twist ...

You don't get more flared than trousers like this but the effect is amazing, mixed with the short Gota encrusted top is just so fun and vibrant...

This Tarun Tahiliani masterpiece is more classic than the most, but thats what so incredible, Tarun mixes classic colours with classic shapes and leaves you with a timeless vibe...

This is trouser shape that I would personally avoid, but I can't help but like the clash of colours and work on the trousers....

I love this style of trouser, this is a super flattering piece and is incredibly timeless with its simple and understated style...

The length of the top on this Sharara is daring, edgy and usually I'm not a fan of this length but the tight cut and shape of the top adds a touch of interest...

This look paired with a simple head piece and flowing wavy locks would look incredible, its simple clean lines allow for more unusual accessories to really shine, even pairing this with stacks of chunky bangles alone would look georgous with a simple sharara like this....

The work on this Sharara is beautiful, but is a perfect example of a style that I would avoid, it  would just highlight all the wrong the features in my opinion...

Certainly a quirkier style of Sharara, but I find this look to be simple, elegant and completley effortless...

The creamy gold shades with the complimentary embriodary just stuns on this Sharara... 

Sonam Kapoor shows how simple and effortless a Sharara can look and how easy they are to wear...

Designer Spotlight: Amrita Thakur...

Amrita Thakur has fast become one of my favourite designers for a number of simple reasons, firstly she knows 'how' to dress a women, by that I mean she knows how to create an outfit that flatters a women, secondly she creates clothing that is 'wearable.' These two factors together create a magical combination for women everywhere. 

Her collections have graced Lakmè Fashion Week numerous times now and if your not familiar with her work, you should be! Her aesthetic tastes are simple and elegant and she epitomises the concept of ''less is more' to a tee, her pieces look deceptively simple but when wear them, they give you a air of confidence that says 'yes I really do look this fabulous!', she pairs simple silhouettes and designs with plain borders and embroidery, duputtas are lightly covered with work and simple patterns. Amrita Thakur turns the word simplicity into an art form, but the key to her pieces are the wearability, her pieces are neither fussy or over worked they are exactly as they should be, timeless and fun, a combination that is rare to come by! Her ability to create pieces that are so gorgeous is exactly why you should bear her in mind when shopping for a wedding or festival next! 

Here are a selection of a few of my favourite pieces...

Awards Season Is Here: My Golden Globe Dress Selection...

It's that time of year again, awards season is here, and quite frankly its is my favourite time of year! Gorgeous dress after gorgeous dress on display how can you not love the award season! It like a fashionistas equivalent to the Holiday Season... Its also the time of year where we see who makes the years best and worst dressed list and who will be the style stars to watch out for in 2014!

So here are my gown predictions slash choices for this years celeb round up to wear! Take a look at my selection! 

Emma Stone would look wonderful in this stunning Elie Saab Fall 2013 Couture dress, the shape would flatter her silhouette and the back has a stunning cape like feature that adds a touch of the quirky style that Emma has so often showcased before! 

Charlize Theron has the ability to rock any dress, but this Zac Posen gown not only 

epitomises the mastermind tailor that is Zac Posen but also shows Charlize Therons ability to look quite simply timeless at all times... 

When I think of Nicole Kidman I think of effortless elegance that is forever timeless and this Elie Saab creation is exactly that, the rich and royal shade of navy would stand of her skin tone effortlessly and the classic straight cut of the dress with the clever trail at the back combines everything that goes into a stunning awards season dress! 

Now Julia Roberts is famous for her love of black gowns and I don't think this awards season will be any different, which is why I think this timeless Monique Lhuillier gown is perfect for her, and paired with some classic diamonds she can't fail to land on any best dressed list! 

Jessica Chastain is fast becoming a red carpet pro and the awards season continually reminds us why! This Armani Privé gown is a little daring but the light creamy almost nude tone colour of the dress will sit beautifully on her and complimented by her auburn locks, will look breathtaking...

Jessica Alba is a red carpet pro and every awards season she has made countless best dressed lists and with this Badgley Mischka creation, she certainly would again, this dress would suit her curves and the lavender violet  colour would look magnificent on her, the delicate lace work is is intricate and extremely elegant...

Kate Winslet recently added a new addition to her family and so this Jenny Packham dress is not only timeless in its romantic off the shoulder style but will be extremely flattery for the new mum, the classic cut of this dress with its empire waist allows for Kate's curvy almost hourglass figure to really shine...

Amy Adams is fast becoming known for her romantic taste in dresses and at awards, Marchesa and Elie Saab are her usual go-to designers, which is why this Elie Saab creation is a perfect match for her! The subtle yet rich tone of this dress will compliment her to no end, as we've seen countless times before and the one shoulder cut to the top of the dress is a little edgy but Elie Saabs careful embroidery craftsmanship keeps this dress elegant, and as Amy is also a nominee this year the trail adds a touch of stand out glamour that every nominee needs! 

Cate Blanchett is known for her sometimes off beat style and sometime we have a hit on the red carpet other times we have a serious miss, love her style of hate it she never fails to split critics opinions. This Reem Acra gown may seem like a 'safe' option for Cate but the overlay lacing adds a touch of interesting intrigue to the dress mixed with the mustard yellow strapless gown underneath, not many people could pull of this colour but on Cart it would look stunning...

Sandra Bullock is nominated for Golden Globes and Oscars alike this season and who can blame her, Gravity was a serious blockbuster, she's tipped to win numerous awards this season so she needs a gown that will set of the season with a bang, and this Elie Saab gown does exactly that, with its peek-a boo style carefully combined with the heavy embroidery work we have a gown that could be a  serious contender for the best dressed of the Globes...

Taylor Swifts style has taken an almost chameleon like effect over recent years, once previously known for her love of glitter and girly style dresses to more recently been seen in gowns that are a little more daring, she is venturing out and Taylor has the ability the unchaining ability to wear gowns with an air of elegance, which is why I would choose this Elie Saab SS14 gown for her, its not only classic in its style upon first look but extremely modern.  A close up of the dress reveals the very best that Elie Saab has to offer, his clever and clear love of embroidery hides the sheer effect of this dress and is one that transforms the concept of a boring black dress... 

Sofia Verga has a curves that many women envy, and as the saying goes 'if you've got them flaunt them' which is why I would choose this Zuhair Murad gown that is is a classic Verga gown, the mermaid style highlights every curve she has to show while the metallic colour and work keep this gown looking fresh and modern... 

Jennifer Lawrence is not only up for Globes and Oscars this season, she is also the new face of Dior as such all gowns of late of have been Dior and this awards season will be no different I suspect, which is why I choose this quite frankly jaw dropping black gown from Dior, on closer inspection you can see just how beautiful this expertly tailored gown is and personally I don't think a few millions dollars with of diamonds would harm this dress either especially something that injects a pop of colour, for example accessories with Emeralds or Ruby's would create a look to go down in the history books! 

Anne Hathaway has continually in my book always made the wisest of Red Carpet dress choices, that may be down to her close friend and stylist Rachel Zoe, but hopefully this Valentino gown would be one that Hathaway and Zoe would both approve of, Anne certainly has the body shape and guts to pull of such a dress and her still current short hair style adds the right of amount of edge to flatter the metallic silver feel of the dress...

Kerry Washington is an expectant mother to be and I think it always interesting to see how different women dress their bumps! Who can forget Heidi Klums custom made Marchesa dress! I however think this Lela Rose dress would do a beautiful job of both displaying and flattering her bump! The layered look of the dress will sit wonderfully on her figure whilst the clever length of the top layer is enough to highlight the bump, whats more is the colour of the dress, this shade of lime is one of my favourites of the season and on Kerry Washington it would give her the wow factor she deserves!