How do you know that the Anarkali is good for you or the trendy tight churidaars should be your choice?

Here's your guide to picking the right salwar kameez to camouflage your flaws and highlight your best features:

For those with a big bosom

If you don't believe in the got-it-flaunt-it diktat, then you'll have to camouflage your bosom with darker colours for the kurta and lighter hues for the bottoms.

Mumbai-based designer Swapnil Shinde advises to keep the neckline interesting with embellishments. Opt for wrap kurtas and v-necklines slim-down an ample bosom. Shinde also says, "Stay away from extremely fitted kurtas, tight churis and the empire cuts. The length of your kurta should be a little above the knee or just knee-length and you can team these with patialas."
For those with plumpy proportions

You are on the heavier side and believe that the anarkali is your answer to the battle of the bulge.

However, Mumbai-based stylist Vinita Makhija opines, "No anarkali for the women with generous proportions since contrary to popular belief it will not hide the bulge. Remember, anarkali is not an empire cut. You should stick to straight cuts and above-the-knee kurtas teamed with chudidars or straight pants to keep the slim look." Allow darker shades and vertical stripes to work their magic to make you look slimmer.

Swapnil explains, "Don't cover yourself with the dupatta as if you are trying to hide your body. Let it hang on one side for a linear look and you can hold the other end wrapped around your hand."

For those who complain of being skinny

If you are really skinny you can experiment with different silhouettes and the anarkali is just right for you.

Makhija explains, "Have fun with different necks and straps. If you have lanky legs, patiala teamed with really short kurtis, a la Kareena in Jab We Met, will give you the curves. If you have a small bust, pick heavy dupattas to add natural volume."

For those who want to slim down the midriff

Most women complain of a flabby tummy and are forever in search of cuts that hide the unwanted bulge.

Swapnil advises to choose empire cuts, bias kurtas and avoid anything that clings to your midriff. You can also opt for any kind of bottoms and the not-so-voluminous anarkali. Kurtas with pleats in the centre also camouflage the unwanted bulge.

For those with big hips

So, you have a luscious bottom and you want to tone it down. Think soft, flowy fabrics that don't cling to your body and offer a feminine silhouette.

Shinde suggests, "Avoid anything that looks puffy. Don't wear puffy or balloon sleeves instead get a nice off-shoulder kurta. Your salwar should not be a patiala or voluminous. Wear churidaars, pants or leggings and go for knee-length or below the knee kurtas."

A-line kurtas will trim broad hips and you can also have interesting detailing around the hem.

For those with broad shoulders

Choose a kurta that's a shade darker than your salwar. Avoid boat necks, really thin spaghetti straps and puff sleeves because they will make your shoulders appear broader. Instead opt for designs and embellishments around the neck area and thick straps for your shoulders.

The neck should have a interesting cut and carry a dupatta with narrow pleats so that it gives the illusion of a leaner upper body.

And lastly, it's important to maintain a good posture so that you look and feel good, and ready to take on the world!

Holi is few days away and you have made plans to run away! We suggest you stay and give 'em boys some competition.
Worry not about your skin and hair, leave that to us. Here's how you can ensure that Holi is not so unholy for your skin…

DIY colour

You know that colours contain a high dose of chemical which can spell disaster for your skin and hair. What you don't know is skin-friendly colours can be made at home. iDiva's skin expert Dr Apratim Goel suggests these colourful concoctions:

Mix haldi with besan and you have a lovely yellow colour. You can also soak some grated beetroot in water over night for a bucketful of red! Soak marigold flowers or henna in water overnight to drench your friends in yellow. Mix sandalwood, haldi, lime juice and water to make a paste - its colourful and good for your skin too!

Before the game

Dab on loads of moisturiser, hair oil and sunscreen before you get smeared in colour. Dr Goel advises, "Use a barrier cream like Dermashield 30 minutes before you start playing with colour. Don't use coconut oil in your hair since it gets absorbed by the scalp. Instead mix castor and olive oil and apply this on your hair."
Colour your nails with a dark nail paint to avoid staining them with Holi colours.

The shield

Clothes are your best protection against skin menaces. So, stick to full-sleeves and wear a dark coloured tee or kurta to avoid any embarrassing peek-a-boos!
Shorts and skirts are bad choices, pants and salwars are your saviours. Tie-up your hairs in a bun or pigtails as you get ready for the battle of colours.

Post game

Don't be in a whirl wind rush to take a bath before everybody else. Dr Goel says, "If you scrub your skin too harshly to remove colour stains, your skin will become very raw. So, put loads of moisturiser and leave it on for 20 minutes. This opens up the pores and the colour comes off easily."

Take a bath with lukewarm water and add a few drops of lime. Dr Goel explains lime is a natural bleaching and whitening agent, so it helps in removing stains. You can also use a moisturising soap like Aquasoft or Oilaton. Wash your eyes with lukewarm water while taking a bath.

If you feel your hair would be squeaky clean after emptying a bottle of shampoo, you are wrong! Our expert doc says, mix a few lemon drops with water and carefully rinse off the entire colour. Apply a conditioner and leave it in for at least half-an-hour and wash off with a shampoo. You can massage your scalp with coconut oil at night and leave it overnight.

With so many tricks and tips up your sleeve, we are certain you'll have a happy Holi!

Make this weekend a fashion therapy session that includes your entire wardrobe, an open mind and no credit card!

Throw ins

Next time you go shopping, pick up a smart jacket and a bagful of stoles. A scarf or stole thrown in on a plain top will immediately make it look prettier and will add a tasteful streak to your personality. A jacket will do the same over a tube top or spaghetti strings that you might already have.

Team ups

If you've been wearing the same dress shirts and tunics with the same pants, see how best you can team these up differently. Try a churidar or get yourself a pair of harem pants to go with some of your kurtas.

Revamps

Bell bottoms are certainly out, but that doesn't mean you need to do away with our flare jeans. Get them restyled (yes that's quite possible) to have them fitted differently and tapered in the legs. You needn't invest in another pair so soon.

Forgotten fabrics

Yep, while you go about checking every piece of clothing in your wardrobe, you'll definitely come across fabrics you'd perhaps bought long ago and never had them tailored or old dupattas that are as good as new. Get them all out and sit down with a sketch pad.

Accessories

Raid the streets for long chains, dangling earrings, bangles, bohemian bags and funky anklets. Who says style is only about expensive watches and designer jewelry?

Pick yourself a bunch of accessories in every different color. Yes, even if you don't have an outfit of a certain color. You never know, when a brass chain or purple ear studs will come in handy… Just go wild and revamp your whole wardrobe to get a completely different look!

You can pick up items like a big, beautiful satin rose and use it as a brooch or pick two of these and stick them to an old pair of flip-flops to give them a whole new look. You can also make hair-clips, bracelets and nckpieces from any beautiful decorative piece that catches your eye.

The Indian bride today has undergone a metamorphosis. Apparently, her jewellery has undergone that change too.

Finally, practicality and wearability is gaining extreme importance. The brides are willing to wear accessories that are not for "the day" but also elements that she can wear all her life. Say, for instance one ornament can be accentuated and the others could be the accompaniments.

The idea is to also include some non expensive and non precious elements that funks up the bride. A girl can't wear precious all the time and why should they not have fun?

The look though for the wedding should be modern yet inspired by the traditional. For instance pieces of kundan incrusted in jade pendants could make an interesting contemporary necklace. The traditional look could be preserved by stringing these with pearls, emeralds or rubies.

The Trends

The bride is the princess so she is beyond trends and fashion but there are some new accessories that are she should go for:
Multilayer pearls strands (like the satlada).
For broader foreheads: Heavy maangtika with a chain scallop coming on the forehead.
For thin faces: Kilangee or simple Maangtika.
A waist band or taagdee.
Armlets or baajuband with some extensive tassels hanging from it.
Hair ornaments like pearl flowers or gold chains.
Broad gold anklets with some stones/ghungroos.
A beautifully done cuff.
An elaborate haslee.
Brooches and not safety pins to hold the garment together!

The contemporary bride's trousseau should include

Diamond (or imitation) solitaire earrings in round, pearl earrings (studs and drop earrings), a pair of earrings in gold finish with emeralds, a long gold finish mala, a thin gold chain, a heavy and slimmer choker, a pearl (cultured or imitation) strand, a dressy metal watch, a diamond (or imitation) ring, a dressy bracelet, dressy brooches/pins, convertible neckpieces where a part of it detaches so it becomes less heavy, cuffs, haslees, anklets and contemporary baajubands.
Precious stones to opt for this season

The attention is on uncut diamonds in amalgamation with emeralds and rubies.
Pearls in amalgamation with sapphires.
Diamonds by themselves or in combination with emeralds.

Author and images by: Suhani Pittai
Courtesy: www.simplymarryzine.com