artRAVE!

Embellished Bra - RaveLux
Tutu & Shoes - Ebay

Sorry for a few days of radio silence, but I've been in that post-concert state of delusion! I spent Wednesday night raving with Lady Gaga, and real life just isn't as exciting.. Not only was she an incredible performer with an incredible full stage show that stretched out into the crowd via see-through walkways and platforms, she had amazing costumes that ranged from the surreal to the fabulous, and was honestly one of the most inspirational, interactive artists I've ever seen. The personal element is what makes her shows incredible, and even when addressing an arena full of fans it feels like she is talking to you when sharing her experiences and inspiring everyone to be more creative. I essentially had the best night of my life, and was so distracted I even forgot to take pictures! Now I think it's official - the best live performer is Lady Gaga, and even Born This Way Ball wasn't as fabulous as artRAVE!

Tara India

Topshop addiction.

Outfit - Topshop

Once again, I've realised I'm pretty much a walking advert for Topshop in this outfit - I am literally decked out head-to-toe in A/W Topshop! I have to admit I caved at the student lock-in and bought even more Topshop, these gorgeous black lace-up shoes. I'm a real sucker for shoes and even though it's heading towards winter (it may not appear so in these photos, but this week has been truly grim in Birmingham!), I feel like the slight heel gives them the practicality I have finally submitted myself to... This outfit really does feel like my final farewell to dressing with a devil-may-care attitude to the weather, because despite the faux fur it really was a bit too light for the sudden arctic that has descended. Here's a quick warning - my next outfit post is going to be a little different, because tomorrow I am seeing Lady Gaga and I am going all out...

Tara India xo

Autumn blues.

Top & Skirt - Missguided

Shoes - River Island
Jacket - New Look

Earrings, Socks & Bag - Topshop

Online shopping is such a guilty pleasure of mine, because not only do I get to shop and spend money but it's like getting a present when that package comes in the post! A few days ago this gorgeous felt skirt and grid print shell top came from missguided.co.uk and I literally ripped open the packaging and wore it to uni that day. I adore the powder blue skirt because it is reminiscent of the sixties, and of a blue sky, while being warm and cosy enough for winter. I do hate to admit this, but functionality is starting to creep its way into my dressing - I'm usually out and about at uni for most of the day, so I need to combat the chill and the wind! Therefore I'm gravitating towards anything wool, felt or faux fur, and am almost excited to break out my winter coats. I've also firmly caved to the necessity of tights..

Tara India xo

Vintage Fair!

Crop Top & Socks - Topshop
Skirt & Shoes - River Island
Jacket - New Look
Bag - Asos
Necklace - Vintage

On Sunday I went to Lou Lou's vintage fair in the town hall, and was essentially in heaven! I adore vintage - although I often struggle with clothing due to size and length, I am obsessed with jewellery, homeware and accessories. The class and glamour of the 40s/50s is something I often try to replicate in my outfit choices, and currently I edge towards 60s style in some looks, so I love having contemporary pieces to put on. I also find the quality is a lot better because things were made to last! I'm wearing one of my favourite vintage necklaces in the picture, a gorgeous 1950s piece and I love the subtle glamour it adds. I also found a few beautiful things at the fair, and would definitely recommend it to everyone when it next comes back to town! On a side note, this will probably be one of my last bare-legged outfits of the year because autumn is firmly upon us now...

Tara India xo

Fashion fades, style is eternal.

Top - Urban Outfitters
Skirt, Socks & Bag - Topshop
Jacket - New Look
Shoes - River Island
Dior Bracelet & Sunglasses - Vintage

"Fashion fades but style is eternal" - Yves Saint Laurent.
Probably one of the most overused quotes in the fashion world, but still one of my favourites. I'm a big believer in classic combinations, and although it can be fun to subvert them I find myself falling back on them whenever I feel stuck for an outfit. Black and white is the stereotypical monochrome look, yet it always looks fabulous and it allows the freedom to play with texture in a more subtle way; the lace skirt and spotted top may have been over the top in other colours, but the simple hues keep it classic. It also allows for details to shine, such as my beautiful vintage Dior bracelet. Finally, the addition of red lipstick adds an extra level of class, and really makes the outfit pop - I think this colour palette will be one of my favourites for many years to come..

Tara India xo

Good things come in small packages.

Top, Pelmet Skirt, Socks, Faux Fur Gilet, Bag & Ring - Topshop
Shoes - River Island

I don't know if you can tell by the photographs since there isn't really a frame of reference, but anyone who knows me in real life can tell you that I am pretty tiny. Standing at only just 5 foot (maybe taller if I wear heels!), I can make pretty much anyone feel like a giant. This may seem irrelevant, but I'm only mentioning it because it makes shopping and styling a bit of a challenge sometimes! Yes, there are petite sections in many shops, but they don't make a petite version of every garment (and sometimes I still have to take the jeans up..) - for example, my beloved faux fur gilet. There were black and dark green versions in the petite section but I (obviously) fell for the pastel pink, and while I adore it I do feel a little swamped in it sometimes!

There are some ways to really dress for a petite body, so here are my tips! If, like me, you are actually well-proportioned, you can follow the rules of an hourglass figure while shopping in the petite sections. However, when you hit the 'average-sized' sections you need to consider a few things...
- Jeans: notoriously problematic, and even more so for those of us at either end of the height spectrum. Unless you're a wizard with a sewing machine and can take them up, I recommend sticking to the petite sections.
- Crops: when buying anything cropped, remember they were created for people several inches taller. Always try them on and see where they fall. Alternatively, those slightly cropped t-shirts often fit as regular t-shirts, saving the embarrassment of wearing a t-shirt that fits like a dress!
- Skirts & Dresses: often the waistline on dresses won't hit right, and the skirt length could be incredibly unflattering (a normal skirt could become a midi, which makes a short girl look shorter, and a maxi could just become a pool of fabric on the floor). But there is also the joy that any dresses that would be inappropriately short on an average-size woman will fit perfectly!

Basically, my golden rule is to always try things on! Being petite means that anything that doesn't fit right will never look good, and since most of us can't magically transform dresses with a sewing machine these days it is always better to be safe than sorry. I also rely quite heavily on heels to elongate my legs and give me those precious few inches of height.

Tara India xo

TGIF!

Kimono, Skirt, Socks, Bag & Choker - Topshop
Bralet - Brandy Melville
Jelly Sandals - ASOS
Ring - Nelly.com

Sunglasses - Vintage

We're going to ignore the fact that these pictures are from Wednesday, when the sun was shining and I felt perfectly comfortable in a summer outfit, because today is Friday and it marks the end of my first week of lectures! (I still have to work tonight and tomorrow night though..) I've got to admit that styling and outfit choices, while fun, consist of a rummage through my drawers and wardrobe trying to come up with something new. I love it, but it does mean I have to power walk to get to class on time! I think this may be one of the final summery outfits, since I anticipate (with dread) the long Birmingham winter of rain, wind and dark walks to campus, and feel it approaching daily.. Guess it's time to retire the jelly sandals and the kimono, and start thinking about when to break out the jumpers and coats again.

Tara India xo

A different girl every day.

Crop Top, Skirt, Flatforms & Bag - Topshop
Jacket - New Look
Sunglasses - Vintage
Ring - Nelly.com

Getting dressed in the mornings is not just about look, or weather, or practicality; although these things all factor into the day's outfit, getting dressed is about feel. Or at least, that's how I get dressed because hanging in my wardrobe are not just fabrics, but personalities. Do I feel like a vintage starlet or a nineties pop star? Do I feel girlie or tough? Even if I plan an outfit, if I wake up and the aesthetic doesn't match my specific mood and current persona, I'll change. And that's why the looks on here, while all cohesive, have some fairly different vibes: I never feel exactly the same from one day to the next, and since I dress for my feelings I never dress exactly the same! Style is about self-expression, and I personally have a wide range of characters. The most prevalent at the moment however is one that loves monochrome simplicity and block colours with a taste for texture, hence this black and white outfit. The lace skirt provides detail when up close, and is one of my favourites, while the outfit in its entirety has a delightful simplicity when viewed from further away. Now let's see who I feel like when I next get dressed...

Tara India xo