Should I dress for myself or for others?

How I became the heroine of my story.

Effective communication

Wardrobe mathematics --create a calculated wardrobe

Is your home your h(e)aven?

Etiquette at webinars and online meetings

Online meetings ,webinars ,even virtual family gatherings and weddings are now the new normal.

I've even attended virtual funeral prayer meetings. Most of us have adapted to this new way of living and working. It is actually great that we don't have to travel for two hours for a twenty minute meeting and we can be relaxed and comfortable in our homes even whilst we are working. 

But some people have taken comfort too seriously. Although we are not meeting people physically we are allowing them to enter into our homes virtually and we are definitely creating an impression on them. Our appearance, our behaviour shows our respect towards other people and towards ourselves.

In the last four months, I've come across many instances where there was total disregard for respectful mannerisms and appropriate behaviour on virtual platforms.

I'm sharing some tips on etiquette at business meetings ,webinars and even social meetings which I have penned down after some of my personal experiences.

• Do dress appropriately 
• Look well groomed,fresh,alert and interested
• Sit in a well lit room with the light in front of you
• Do keep your video on because people don't enjoy talking to blank or inanimate screens.
• Do put off your audio when you're not speaking so that your background sounds are muted too
• Avoid eating, but in case you've had no time to eat ,do switch off your video after informing the host on chat ,excusing yourself and come back quickly after you've finished eating.
• Do not sit/half sleep on your bed with pillows propped around you.
• See that your background is neat, and there are no distractions behind you.
• Sit at a distance from the screen so that your upper body upto your waist is visible and your hand gestures are visible too
• Do not move around and talk. 

It's nice to be comfortable but it's nicer to make others feel comfortable

Do watch my video on YouTube where I've shared some real life scenarios experienced at online meetings.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSTqUgxH6KYqKMlVR8Dziww

Choosing the perfect Gharara for your body type

Ghararas are back and it's wedding season !The perfect time to flaunt them!
Shopping for a gharara is easy but buying one that accentuates your body type and conceals your imperfections, that's difficult.
Worry not. This blog is all about choosing the perfect gharara for your body type.
So if your're slim and tall ,you can choose a double layered gharara in complementing colours with heavy embroidery in rich fabrics. You can carry off  short kurtis very well.
But if you're tall and heavy opt for soft , flowy fabrics in darker hues with subtle embroidery. If you're tall with heavy hips then avoid wearing short ,straight kurtis. They will make you look heavier Horizontal designs look great on slim women and vertical designs make short women appear taller

If you are bottom heavy with a paunch, wide hips and heavy thighs, you can wear a gharara in soft flowy fabrics with an empire line or a peplum style kurta which helps to conceal your imperfections.
Short women should wear  monotones or colours of the same family to create an illusion of height.

Women  with a heavy bust should avoid empire line kurtis and choose vertical designs which do not accentuate the bust. Darker colours minimize and are best suited for evening wear. Remember your hemline should never end on the widest part of your body so get your kurti tailored accordingly. Wear full or three quarter sleeves if you have plump and short arms. A pair of heels will add an elegant touch.
I hope this helps in choosing the perfect gharara,especially for those women who have apprehensions. Do post your comments and queries below . I will be happy to clarify any doubts .

Happy styling
Your life and style guru
Rashida Kapadia
www.imagemakeover.in