Gotta Shirt Up!!!

Look dapper and Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Shirts – “A whole new ball game” :

There were days when a perfect LBD was a must have in a woman’s closet just like a well cut suit in a man’s wardrobe. But an equally important place has been taken by a spectacular looking shirt. You cannot call yourself “debonair” in the truest sense if you don’t have some classic pieces. Shirts are my go to choice for most occasions. It simply makes up to be an understated, classy, formal and a graceful attire. From cotton, linen, satin, georgette, etc. both well fitted and loose shirts have gloriously paved a way for it to be statement piece in itself. Shirts have evolved much from it’s evolution in the 17th century.

A well fitted shirt always leaves an impact. Shirts are dynamic and have so much to play with – the flirty arms, the ruffled collars, the A Symmetric cuts add much character and story to this torso loving garment.

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Sometime back, I had written about the funky ways of wearing a shirt. There are so many ways of adorning a shirt and look sexy and edgy at the same time. I can never forget an image of Cindy Crawford look drop dead gorgeous in a knotted shirt.That look became a rage for all fashion lovers. There is a famous image of the models of the 90’s posing in a white shirt on the beach, adding oomph to the sophisticated garment. After that shirts took a keen space in a woman’s closet.

I love the simplicity a shirt has and the fact it can be worn with both denims, shorts, skirts and trousers, make it an absolute favourite.

Shirts give a unique definition to one’s style and yes their classic appeal is enough to make heads turn. Shirts are being made in the most creative styles and cuts, with embroidery and gorgeous prints. One has many wonderful options to choose from and I love how each shirt can change one’s look completely.

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Shirts were first designed as a European dress in the 17th Century, as a garment worn to protect the waistcoats from getting spoiled from sweat. By the 18th CenturyShirts had become an essential male garment. By the middle of the 19th Century, shirts were most sought after worn by men mostly working in the white collar jobs. Men involved in manual labour found it impractical to wear it, as it would get spoiled easily. During this period of time, the shirts were not mass produced in factories. A well suited man bought his shirt from a tailor, while the common man wore a shirt made by his wife. Those were the days, when women learnt how to sew and learnt new skills.

 

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Collars have also changed from time to time. Earlier the “Dog Collars” were quite popular it was later that the smaller collars came into fashion and were a more sophisticated option for work. Shirts were quite simple in the earlier days, but later more colourful options were being designed with chest pockets and shorter sleeves.

Shirts are a must have in a man’s and a woman’s closet. There are endless designs and styles existing today with different cuts, collars and cuffs. Different fabrics give a different flair to a shirt. Numerous brands today have fabulous fits and styles. One of my favourite brand for shirts is Haws & Curtis. They specialise in making shirts of all kinds. I love the collared shirts but I also love the bow shirts as they are artistic. The ruffled collar shirts look rather aristocratic. The Big collars are back in vogue again on the lovely poplin shirts with crochet work on the collars and cuffs. The oversized shirts are the coolest ones and can be worn with pants, shorts and denims.

 

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Today shirts are worn with so much style. One can add a belt on a long shirt to make it a perfect one for a party. The shirts that I am wearing are in satin and cotton. The satin one’s look a bit more dressy and can be worn to a formal occasion or a dinner.

My tiger printed satin shirt is an expressive one in itself. I love the chest pockets on it. It is a perfect blend of masculinity and femininity. I have accessorised them with gold accessories and funky gold belt which makes it perfect for a formal occasion.

I love the shirts from Zara, Sandro, Maje, H&M, Versace, Topshop, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Rangeela etc. The list is endless because one can find an amazing collection by numerous designers and at the boutique stores.

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

The white shirt that I am wearing is a cotton one with an A Symmetric style with a layer style on the front. I love this shirt for this is an effortless choice for most occasions. This can be worn with pants and denims charismatically. The combination of white on white always looks dynamic and white being my favourite colour I would rank that first. However, this A symmetric shirt will look amazing with denims and shorts aswell.

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

The polka dotted shirt with my flared denim looks quite retro. Polka dots will never go out of style and will always be an iconic print. Remember the Polka dotted bikini worn by Miss America. She made polka dots swell in the fashion scenario. Dior’s famous polka dress made in the year 1954 grabbed the attention of many gorgeous damsels like Elizabeth Taylor, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe. Polka dots are graceful and a happy print. One can accessorise one self with chunky earnings along with a shirt like this one. Mine is a semi – casual look yet it looks elegant when worn with peep toes, it certainly adds a dash femininity and I love that.

Look dapper & Shirt Up - Rupika Chopra

Shirts : Zara , Denims : J Brand, White Pants : Zara , Belt : Chanel , Earrings : Chanel,

Heels: YSL 

Jumpsuits…. always in Vogue!!!

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits - always in Vogue!

Love for Jumpsuits!! 

Orange is a colour of creativity, warmth, sunshine, success, balance, enthusiasm, freedom, joy, sensuality and happiness. Orange works wonders for colour therapy and elevates one’s mood. Orange is the colour of the Sacral Chakra, which aligns and brings a balance, boosts creativity and sexuality. Orange is a striking tint but there is something uplifting about this hue. 

I have a few orange outfits in my closet that stand a ground of their own.  My summer linen orange dress and orange flared pants, that look spectacular when worn to formal occasions or summer evenings.

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits always in Vogue!

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits always in Vogue!

As the word suggests – “Jumpsuit” – A suit in which you can jump! It gives one freedom of movement and allows to be carefree. That is why I call it a no fuss super gear.

Jumpsuit was first designed by a Florentine artist  named Thayat, in the year 1919, as a practical piece of clothing worn by parachuters, sky divers and later of course for pilots and professional racers too. It was a no fuss uniform for men with dangerous and adventurous professions.

It was later in the 1930’s when Else Schiaperelli designed and innovated a “Glamorous Jumpsuit and rocked the Paris Couture scene with a tantalising twist to this outfit. This was an iconic outfit, with a blend of masculine and feminine sex appeal, giving women a sense of power in that era. Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits always in Vogue!

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits always in Vogue!

Jumpsuits were loved by all and obviously, it’s spell did not spare the desirable women of Hollywood. Katherine Hepburn wore a silk one piece in the 1937 film “Stage Door”. Jumpsuits culturally became a symbol of strong and empowered women. There is something daring about the “Jumpsuit” and everyone fell in love with that vibe. It was liberating and became a bold woman’s style statement. 

Women in the 1940’s were seen wearing cotton jumpsuits to work. The pace in every industry had taken a back seat because of the World War II.  But these one piece outfits pretty much stayed in fashion and by the 60’s it made a huge come back on the fashion runways when Andre’ Courreges showed futuristic styles in Paris. In the 70’s Yves Saint Laurent sizzled the runways with it’s stunning palazzo suits. Flared, narrow, straight cuts were being designed for personalities like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Veronica Lake, Anne Bancroft, Rita Hayworth etc.  

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits always in Vogue!

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits always in Vogue!

Jumpsuits became the Pop Icons “Cult Costume”. The music lovers and performers took an absolute fancy to this style and icons like Cher, Elvis Presley, Abba, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, etc donned jumpsuits for their performances.They were now being designed for stars and performers in glittering colours and snazzy styles. The pop starts would accessorise their hair and wear funky belts and shoes to look glamorous.  Jumpsuits continued to be very much in vogue in the 90’s and as well as 2000’s. The style is simply comfortable, edgy, sexy, sassy and reflects of a strong personality. 

Sometimes I feel like a “cat woman” in my well fitted jumpsuits and I pair them with a good pair of boots.

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits always in Vogue!!

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuits always in Vogue!

I love the jumpsuit I am wearing by Elisabetta Franchi. She is one of my favourite Italian designers today. Her cuts and fits not only flatter your body but also make you feel special as a woman. More than that, her products are animal cruelty free.

I love the work done on the front with layers of fabric designed on the net. It looks chic and feminine. I have accessorised my outfit with a gold chain belt, which makes it perfect for a formal evening. One piece outfit saves the hassle of deciding what to wear as separates and one never has to be conscious of the way one moves around in one. Jumpsuits are clearly a part of power dressing as it oozes confidence in abundance.

Some of my favourite jumpsuits are from Zara, Kooples, Stella McCartney, Balmain, Topshop, Asos, Gucci, Alice & Olivia, Rolland Mouret, Zimmermann, Nili Lotan etc. The options are plenty to choose from formal, semi formal, casual, bohemian styles. 

This summer accessorise your jumpsuit and dazzle with some oomph!!

Rupika Chopra - Jumpsuit always in Vogue!

Outfit: Elisabetta Franchi , Belt : Givenchy, Heels : Valentino

Photographer : Dara Jewett