Traditionally, envelope means a flat paper container to keep letters. The elegant and edgy envelope clutch is an insanely cute piece. It has been in trend since a while and can be tucked under arm without any hassle. It’s the best way to keep daily essential things in it. The key is keeping the silhouettes clean and streamlined with a touch of opulence and don’t let the name confuse you because it is not necessarily an expensive look to achieve.

Envelope Clutch is perfect for real or faux suede or leather, but it will also work in fabrics like heavy denim, tweed or corduroy. Oversized, lined, slouchy clutch has a carrying strap on the back and closes with a zipper under the front flap.

One of the cutest and most flexible Summer 2011 trends is the envelope clutch; bag for the women can be worn with a simple button down, sleek tuxedo pants and a pair of patent pumps and especially, a good choice to carry as the business wear. Every woman needs oversized leather bag in her accessories closet as a wardrobe affix which will look great both for day and evening wear but this trend is about elegance carried in a clean, stylish, and a classy manner. The bag has enough space to hold keys, mobile, compact camera, wallet, sunglasses, make-up, note-pad and pen.

Though Envelope clutches are not new to the fashionistas but their popularity has perhaps hit an all-time high this season. These very large clutch are quite popular amοng celebrities such as Michelle Monaghan, Kristin Cavallari, Victoria Beckham, Kate Beckinsale and Hilary Duff.

Victoria Beckham, Etro, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Ferragamo and Christopher Kane have launched their Envelope Clutch Fall 2011 collection.

Especially during the monsoons and any other défavorables weather conditions we do remember the most essential element of our habillage, that is, the shoe. In fact, it was inventé during the monsoon season to safeguard the human feet and also to circumvent mud in the king’s court en 16th century in Mesopotamia.

For all shoe-lovers a must read is ‘Fifty Shoes that changed the World’ published by the Design Museum, that traces l’histoire of shoes industrie and highlights 50 brands that had lead to an revolution in the sabot-de-frein industrie.

Parmi tous, Sourendra Kumar Das delves into the pages du livre et bring for you 5 must have à-la-mode shoe styles for every fashionista –

All Star Basketball Shoe
Today this shoe has gone way beyond the basketball pitch that it was originally created for and is one of the iconic and versatile examples of twentieth century footwear design in modern times. It was créé almost a century back in 1917 in Massachusetts and it transcends fashion categories and genres aujourd’hui.

Crocs Shoes
Ce chaussures are a product of this century and came into existence only in 2002 as outdoor boating shoes but grandi to have an all-out cult like fan following. Fun colours and the light weight comfort that comes from its uniques Crocslite technology makes it an anytime and anywhere vêtements of all age groups. Crocs have grown beyond the chunky clogs that still remain their classic unique style. Today it has diversifies into various styles across categories without compromising on its promise of quality or comfort.

Slingback Sandals
These emerged as the latest thing in the 1930s and has revisited ever since by both haute-couture designers and mainstream manufacturers. During the wartime, it was hit by Shaftesbury shoes and latter became an item of luxury post war years. The shoe lends itself both to casual and dress occasions and can be slipped on to the feet without the need of fiddling with the strap or buckle, making it most desirable.

Stilettos
The piercingly pointed shoe heel that emerged after World War II was the must have apparel of every self-respecting female fatale. The heel style can be dated back to the 18th century and it was reformulated in the 1950s by française dessinateur Roger Vivier. This has become one of the most essential parts of a woman’s wardrobe in modern times.

Flip flops
This started out as an affordable option in developing countries and latter took the world by storm merely by the comfort it offered. It has a distinguished pedigree that stretches back to the Japanese rice-straw sandals known as ‘Zori’.  Flip-flops are also popular with those who enjoy being barefoot but need to wear shoes, because they allow the foot to be out in the open but still constitute a shoe for wear in places such as restaurants or on city streets, and can be quickly and easily removed. They are also popular because they are easy to carry and come in an assortment of colors and patterns.

So, cette mousson you know what ensembles preeminent for your feet – Aller à venir et explore le monde of shoes…

You crib it but you love it. The annoyingly delightful monsoons are roaring loud with the pitter patter blooming the hearts and the muddy puddles and sticky-self playing the spoil sport. Here it is the season of the year when the gliding feet need a rubber boot and the fluttering designer wears ask for an umbrella to retain their sheen. The rains have officially knocked the major part of the country with halts, frowns and wariness and those missing romantic monsoon flights and sing songs need a trendy raingear to go splashy instead of patchy.

The style lies in a statement umbrella serving as the perfect rain shield with the charm of rain all intact. Just hold the colorful pattern full umbrellas available in fun designs, stripes, spots and abstract prints embracing the romantic girlie in you, singing the song while walking down the street. The likes of Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Pallavi Mohan umbrella can be your loving beau this rains. The boring black plastic umbrellas, ala roadside food stalls parasols, are passé. Go for waterproof umbrellas with UV protection and high style quotient to glide all unbothered like the royalty under the umbrellas on their chariot.

The raincoats have never been as stylishly evolved as this season. Put on your favourite piece and kiss the clouds. The bright hued raincoats with a touch of glow and transparency have replaced the dowdy ones this season. Sonia Vajifdar, Burberry and Louis Vuitton have come up with trendy and practical rain jackets, trench coats and zipper coats to up the fashion ante while licking the drizzle. The pieces in net, metallic fibers and leather with hoods, belts, zippers and collars in neon to earthy hues can lend you the wings to fly over the brightest rainbow.

 Indian streets unabashedly are a concoction of puddles, ditches, manholes and cesspools, inappropriately obnoxious to your Jimmy Choos and Pradas. So this rains pigeon hole your stilettoes for designer rain boots. Rubber boots, waterproof flip flops, slippers and closed shoes are perfect to stay dry this monsoon. Water proof watches can keep you in sync with errant metrological department predictions.

Someone undeniably said that the only difference between humans and animals is that the latter can’t accessorize. Well, they even don’t have Philip Treacy at their disposal! The run up to be humans, err eccentric humans ends at this milliner, who has been the favourite amongst celebrities and royals for his outlandish hats. In fact hats are one such accessory which can glaringly infuse a lot of substance in one’s look. Ample substance, that it is misinterpreted as snobbery in a culture like India. Thanks to Royal wedding, or call it exotica, infact royal exotica, that the trend is picking up insanely. So in this section we worship the bizarre-quotient the hats have lately come up with.

Move over fedoras and trilbies, they have subdued to let the fascinators, cocktail and bizarre hats land on the heads of the prettiest Rapunzels. Kate Middleton is undoubtedly the proponent of the trend with her feathery and lacy fascinators imbuing the ladies around the world to dabble with the trend. Actually fascinator is a headpiece with a delicate decoration of fanciful materials like lace, beads, flowers, feathers and veils, mostly worn on one side of the head.

The eccentricity is not limited to fascinators and cocktail hats, the recent opening of The Royal Ascot, saw the most dignified ladies appearing in outlandish hats made of fake hair, pearls, flowers and silk cabbage roses to form the flowing edifices. Lady Gaga’s telephone and lobster hats by Philip Treacy rightly stand for the insanity quotient the hats can endow you with. In fact Indian designers now and then have showcased such hats on ramps and the latest in series are Tarun Tahiliani’s Occidental hats, Gaurav Gupta bizarre contorted headgears and Gauri and Nainika’s ultra-feminine headpieces. 

Chuck God, devil to diva everyone lies in details, provided you get it right. Style is not being a clone of Lady Gaga (I bet you can’t, if you are sane) or going through the archives of Princess Diana, it’s about individualism. The more original you are screaming, the more eyeballs (drunk or sober, doesn’t matter!) you will grab. Small details like understated tassels, cupid bows and I-don’t-give-a-damn zippers, which otherwise go unnoticed can help you achieve an identity.

P.S. Please don’t replicate any of the look while scrolling down. They are creatively copyrighted.

Tassels are one such big fashion phenomenon this season with the likes of Frida Gianni and Peter Dundas relying on these subtle little pieces of decoration in their Spring Summer 2011 collections. From the curtains to cushions of the royal palaces, the tassels traversed a long way to the classy wardrobes; peeping from the necklines to hemlines of the dresses to lending substance to the shoes, belts, jewellery and bags. A symbol of craftsmanship and luxury, tassels aesthetically grace the modern idea of minimalism. Ropes quintessentially complement tassels fringes and trimmings while giving a vintage feel to the pieces.

Bows have always been in fashion and loathe sexists while gracing gentlemen and ladies alike. But this season bows are a trendy fashion accessory giving that cute feminine vibe. From head to toe in large to small shapes, bows are a safest way to du jour. Get big dramatic bows for that 50s inspired look and stick to small cutesy ones for chirpy feminine look. Pussy bow blouses, belts as bows, hair band bows, on bags, dresses and pumps, bows are literally everywhere this season.

Zippers are no more limited to denim, leather jackets and bikers’ accessories. They have transcended this Spring Summer to chiffon and sheer; peeping out of hemlines, running across waistlines and snaking on backs. Givenchy, Burberry and Balenciaga are few such labels which played boldly with the zips, redefining and taking it to new levels. So zippers are not about punk rock star look, it’s more about edginess and substance this summers. Embrace the zippers and get punk feminine look.

Tassels, Bows and Zippers are trendily instrumental to up the fashion ante this season. So we head to our designers to get the how to and what to of the above mentioned trends.

Designer Jattin Kochhar says, “Tassels look best on lean and well defined structures. Though they are not a big craze in India but they look so classy giving that vintage 20s vibe. They look best when teamed up with a beaded scarf.”  Jattin has recently designed a collection with bows appearing on the shoulders, bags and footwear. About the trend he puts, “I am a big fan of bows. They look very cute, feminine and girly and can be availed in bright colors in giant to Minnie forms.” About the zippers Jattin furthers, “Well, zips give a punk rocker chic look. Zips here and there give a sort of biker look provided you carry it cool manner.”

Designer Niharika Sharma says, “Tassels always give a feminine touch to any attire. It can be marked as a statement wearing torn jeans with some antique chain tassels and can also be teamed up with little feminine and tough look, like wearing chiffon maxi with small sleeveless jacket with all over tassels as a surface ornamentation. Tassels can also give warrior look to the ensemble, metallic tassels are really in fashion.” About the bows she adds,” I personally love the bow very much as it can make you stand out in day wear or evening wear. Soft fabric bows look very stylish. For the bold look can go for stiff bow. It goes well with the black short dress and one can use any florescent stiff big bow as a tie as belt.” Niharika feels zippers can add futuristic look to any attire. It’s trendy and young as zippers can do magic to the cocktail dresses to day time sun dresses. She continues, “I love to experiment with the zips and like to use metallic chunky zippers in a lace dress as it gives a quite edgy look to the whole attire.”

Sigmund Freud once famously said that the handbag and the stiletto define the sexuality of women. But he didn’t clarify should it be large or small, animal printed or striped, leather or crochet. Fashion is amoebic, it mutates with passing seasons along with changing norms of sexuality. Summers this season are flooded with handbags galore, (along with sweat and bad hair days) in electric hues to serene whites. The clutches, throw- on- shoulder and large handbags in different fabrics, textures and colors are hoarding the fashion quotient. So here we picked few of the latest ‘it’ bags oozing style this spring summer.

Clutches
Clutches can never accommodate 15 shades of lipsticks and serums but they are in so vogue this season that clutches are the summers ‘it-est’ thing to own. Ramps last season were flooded with this trend in bright hues like Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Prada displayed in their showcasing. Features like Tassels, two tones, stripes, piping and geometrical patterns all appeared on the clutches by the likes of Gucci and Fendi. The small boxy white tranquilizer by Chloe with zipper is in perfect accordance with the white fad this summer. 

Smaller-the-better Bags
Miniature sleek bags taken as clutches are occupying the fashion scene in different shapes and prints. Varying from abstract to animal prints and rectangles to curves, these pretty bags are the must-have with almost every designer from Paris to Milan to Indian fashion weeks showing such bags. In India Anita Dongre, Anupama Dayal and Pallavi Mohan displayed them in polka dots to bright colors. Metallic chains of Dolce and Gabbana to neon hues of Burberry can glam up any outfit along with upping the fashion ante. Subtelty by Alexander Wang and printed fiesta by Louis Vuitton can definitely grab the eyeballs and inspire the gapes.

Craft Oriented Bags
Playing mainly with fabrics, textures and embellishments, while ditching monotonous leather and plastic, designers around the world have focused to keep the look subtle and understated by crafting such bags, this season. Designers like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Malini Aggarwal and Pallavi Mohan used different fabrics and techniques to set the trend of such bags. Crochet bags with metallic details, fringes, basket like shapes and sleek handles were seen on the runways.

Satchel Styled Bags
The big bags with compartments, buckles and handles with modern interpretation in bright to tanned hues hold the potential to set the fashion statement this season. Animal prints to two toned ones such bags in different shapes and sizes were shown by the designers like Salvatore Ferragamo, Fendi, Celine and Rajat Tangri. 

Prepare for the flood of accessories that landed on the runway envisioned by designers who know no limits when it comes to designs and colour selection. The Spring/Summer 2011 sunglasses trends would suit the preferences of all those style adventurers who are eager to travel back and forth in the most impressive fashion decades of history. Check out the newest tendencies to make your trademark outfits even more eye-catching.

Sunglasses should be selected according to various principles. One of the most important is indeed the face shape an additional one is the style we wish to sport to complement our outfits. The Spring/Summer 2011 sunglasses trends cover a large parade of designs and shades that are perfect to meet the expectations of the ever growing fashion-conscious party which craves for brand new looks and styles that would increase the alternatives for accessorizing.

The key to make the best option is to read through the various reviews that include the names of the most impressive collections that show you how to rock out some of the macro sunglasses trends of the next season.

Cat Eye Sunglasses

The spring cat eye sunglasses trend offers us the chance to turn back in time and take a fabulous trip in the 50s and 60s when these accessories were absolutely must haves to top your outfit. Indeed these designs might seem challenging to master, however if you follow some of the basic trick you’ll definitely learn the best way to funk up your look with a similar key piece. The best faces to match these sunnies with are square and heart shaped. Therefore if you long for a stylish tool that would bring out the best of your features opt for the fab monochrome or printed cat eye sunglasses.

John Lennon Sunglasses

The famous singer inspired many designers who decided to embed this trend into their minimalist as well a high class and formal chic attires. Those who are mesmerized by the eye catching look and fascinating design of these accessories will have the chance to purchase them at the local or online stores. Pair them with a breezy summer dress or make a real statement by including it into your casual and colourful chic apparel. Thanks to the round shape of the sunglasses those who long for some curves and fine lines to balance out the possible inequalities of the oval or square, diamond face shape will be more than welcomed to try their hand at this style wave. Those who own a round and more curvy face should skip the trend.

Retro Sunglasses

One of the most universal and all face shape-flattering sunglasses trends include the retro sunnies which come in endless shades and designs. From the oversized glasses in ombre or mono-colored variations as well as further punked up with versatile and colorful frames all bring back a tint of glamor from some of the most prolific decades of fashion history as the 60s and 70s. Choose the roundish or more angled designs depending on your preferences and face shape. Skim through the most inspiring collections that furnish you with an infinite range of sunglasses to choose from. 

Edgy Sunglasses

You’re not just an ordinary girl, therefore make sure you also choose the most visionary sunglasses from the runway that were inspired either by some futuristic trend others would fuse the classy designs with out-of-this-world details in order to make these accessories memorable. Those who won’t shy away of sporting unique sunnies will have the opportunity to pile up a multitude of pieces that are decorated with additional embellishments and adopt a more new world-orderish approach towards structure as well as colors. Take a closer look at these fab examples to make sure you know where to look for these accessories when eager to complete your personal collection of faddish sunglasses.

I’M~FASHIONISTAS by MoniCa Singh