How Naughty Is Your Man?

For women, lingerie is like second skin. It is more than something you just throw on, it is the foundation of your outfit. You choose it with the utmost care and make sure it fits exactly how it should. Even the tiniest flaw is not acceptable, it should fit ‘just fine’ and it should look good. But what happens when your man gifts you some sexy little things?  

‘What will be her reaction? Will it fit fine? Is the size okay? Will she like the colour?’, you could expect these doubts to arise in a man’s mind, but not today. According to a survey conducted by Rouge, Indian men are very up to date. They are not at all shy or unwilling to go into a lingerie store anymore. They are as informed of their partner’s choice as the ladies themselves. In fact they are much more vocal about their preferences. Says Sarthak Ahuja, a college student, “I know what my girlfriend likes but when I am gifting her lingerie of my choice, then in my mind’s eye she looks like a Pussycat Doll.”  

If truth be told, boys are much more enthusiastic and interested in buying lingerie than the girls. Says stand-up comedian Vir Das, “I went to Victoria’s Secret to buy lingerie for my girlfriend and I had no clue about my girlfriend’s size so the salesgirl helped me choose the right size and my girlfriend was very pleased when I gave it to her but she wasn’t so pleased when I told her about my shopping experience because Victoria’s Secret hires extremely hot women to help you buy lingerie and I really wanted to chat them up. In the end I enjoyed the shopping procedure more than the gifting part! 

As far as lingerie is concerned, men are not being bashful anymore, in fact, they are very upfront, informed and not at all reluctant in picking up lingerie for their lady love. Says VJ Ranvijay, “Girls love being given lingerie. It really helps if you know the size, I asked my girlfriend’s sister the size before I went shopping for her. Moreover, once you’re in the store and you’ve decided to buy lingerie, you can’t hesitate.” Says actor Arjan Bajwa, “I bought my girlfriend some lingerie from Australia. Since it was a surprise, I had a little difficulty choosing the size but the sales girl helped me while I browsed through the collection. But it was all worthwhile seeing the expressions on my girlfriend’s face.” 

For some men, the presence of a female friend is necessary. Many feel mortified or self-conscious while some just like to lend a helping hand. Says model Sahil Shroff, “I went with my best friend who’s a girl because I felt embarrassed going in the store alone. Even though I knew what I wanted to buy for my girlfriend, I showed it to my friend and when the salesgirl asked her to try it on we burst out laughing and the entire store gave us really weird looks.” Says DJ Iggy, “I’ve been lingerie shopping with not only my girlfriend but other female friends too. I look through the collection and choose what I like and tell them about it. There’s nothing to feel shy about. It is as simple as shopping for a pair of jeans.” 

However there are many men who still feel shy and embarrassed even when they are with their partners, often preferring to stand outside the store. Says model Karan Ambardar, “I’ve been lingerie shopping just twice in my life, both times I was with my girlfriend and I was very hesitant to go in the store and the first time I went in, I tried to make myself as comfortable as I could and I ended up acting really funny.” Says actor Sameer Dattani, “I’ve never been lingerie shopping alone, I always go with my girlfriend. Initially she used to ask me to help her choose but due to my reluctance she had to drag me, but now I feel much more comfortable.”  

And then there are some who are willing to bear the embarrassment if it means something to their girlfriend. Says college student Varoon Nasa, “I felt awkward and uneasy when I went to buy lingerie for my girlfriend but since it was a special occasion, I went in and bought something I knew she’d love and she was elated, which made the experience quite worthwhile.” Adds Sameer Soni, “I don’t feel shy going in but the whole process of buying lingerie is a little intimidating and it makes me uncomfortable but if my girlfriend really wants me to do it, I would not mind.”  

Girl talk:  

The relationship between a woman and her lingerie goes beyond the average man’s understanding. According to model Shweta Bhardwaj, “A lot of men don’t understand why lingerie means so much to a woman unless they get a taste of it themselves.” Says Aparna Chatterjee, a college student, “I gave my boyfriend a pair of red boxers on our first Valentine’s after which he had the sense to get me a black, lace g-string which was extremely sexy and naughty.” 

For girls the idea of being gifted lingerie seems sexy, romantic, sensuous and erotic, all rolled into one. Says Rosa Catalano, “I’ve been gifted lingerie and it feels very nice when your partner cares for you and is aware of your choice.” Adds Poorvi Seth, a college student, “My boyfriend got me a lot of things from his trip to Germany, it included sexy nightwear, a garter, silk thongs and a set of six Santa Claus thongs which had white faux fur on the band and cheeky words printed on the front.” 

Most girls would jump at the chance of being gifted lingerie. Says Malvika Joshi, a college student, “I’ve never been gifted lingerie so I’d love some but my boyfriend freaks out every time I so much as suggest he buys it for me. He thinks the salesgirls will think he’s a pervert if he even enters the store.”  

But a girl’s worst night mare is being gifted lingerie that does not fit fine. Says model Candice Pinto, “I love it when my man surprises me with such gifts but I’d rather go along with him when he’s buying lingerie for me because very often men tend to get the wrong size.” Adds VJ Anusha, “I love all kinds of lingerie! So if my boyfriend gifted me some, I’d be thrilled but it has to be the right size.”  

A lot of girls prefer delicate, pretty and feminine lingerie while there are some who’d rather be given something overtly sexy, says model Tina Chatwal, “I love being comfortable so I would want my partner to give me something soft, silky and feminine. In fact I don’t mind being gifted pajamas either.” While model Krishna Somani says, “I would want my man to give me something sexy and hot and I’d be happy to wear it for him.”  

So girls, is your man naughty enough? 

Fact File:

• Age group: 25-40.
• Indian men are very confident and enthusiastic, they are not at all shy.
• They are fully updated and very informed about the size, the style and fabrics and know their partner’s choice well enough.
• Most men prefer sexy lingerie in bright, vibrant colours.
• Many college boys love buying cartoon panties for their girlfriends.

Glitz and Glam

Shiny disco balls! Turn on the glitz girls, sequins are going to be big this party season. Add instant glamour to your outfit this fall with the season’s hippest trend. Says designer Anamika Khanna, “The 60s Disco look is back, I totally agree with whoever said sequins are going to be big this party season. Sequins in all shapes and sizes look great, tiny sequined shift dresses, blazers and jackets look very stylish.” With the onset of winters, jackets and boleros sprayed with sequins look fabulously chic. They keep you warm while the bling factor provides that extra edge to your outfit. 

Though often known for being garish and loud, sequins have made their presence felt in fashion circuits all around the globe. Fashionistas like Rachel Bilson and Hilary Duff have been spotted wearing opulent sequin-sprayed dresses. Says designer Ranna Gill, “Sequins are all the rage, women love sequins and crystals, they look so glamourous. With the coming of the wedding and party season, they have become a very prominent feature in most women’s wardrobes.”  

A sequin-sprayed dress is a must-have for every aspiring fashionista. Says designer Abhishek Dutta, “Drape dresses and empire line dresses, full of sequins look very fashionable. Girls who want to go in for a more subdued and less shimmery effect can wear a matt finish sequin dress to look stylish.” Adds model Sonalika Sahay, “Dark and understated sequin dresses look beautiful! They shouldn’t be over the top, as long as they are done the right way, they can look great on anyone. In fact I’ve even asked a designer friend to make one for me, seeing as they’re so sexy.”  

What’s even more exciting are dresses with sequins sprayed on graphical designs, adds designer Abhishek Dutta, “Dresses with graphic designs and floral prints with sequins sewn on top of a particular colour or portion of the dress look incredibly trendy and gorgeous.”  

So how do you get ‘the look’? For hesitant beginners, sequins can be worn in bits and pieces, a sequined clutch, shiny footwear or even a glitzy belt would do the trick. Says designer Ritika Bhasin, “A sequin clutch adds a lot of glamour in a very jing-jang manner to any outfit and makes you look chic and stylish. Adds Kalli Mehra of Kokommo, “A chic sequined bag is a must to make a simple outfit look smart and sophisticated. Bags adorned with dull and understated sequins give a very antique and vintage look.” 

So turn on the bling and rock that party!

Lace Lace Lace

This story is dedicated to dear D, whose quote I took but the story didn't get published...love u D :-* 

.

.

.

Tough yet feminine, decadent yet playful, lace is fall’s latest trend! A timeless piece of fabric, the trend of wearing lace is catching on with the masses, whether it is light as silk or heavy as crochet, many fashionistas have been spotted wearing lace one way or the other. Says designer Deepika Gehani, “It is reminiscent of the rock ‘n’ roll era, it gives a very vintage look. The beauty of lace comes across when it is worn sheer. It looks very delicate and dainty when worn with a singlet underneath.”  

Says Devika Menon, a college student, “I think lace is very fashionable, it gives character to a dress. I associate it with my grandma’s wardrobe and it gives me a very vintage feel. A bit of strategically placed lace always sparks up an outfit and makes it look really pretty.” Designer Rina Dhaka, who has always created her own lace, adds, “Lace can be worn in many ways, I have used lace in most of my garments, from the edging of the dupattas to saris, as embellishments or in patches, lace can look very classy and elegant when worn the right way.” 

So what is the right way to wear lace? Says designer Vineet Bahl, “Women can wear lace kurtas or dresses with a skin coloured lining to look provocative yet stylish. India’s very own lace, chikankari, looks much more beautiful than imported laces. For a contrasting look, you can layer lace over a different coloured lining to add a pop of colour to your outfit for a bold and eye-catching look.” But be wary, lace worn from head to toe might look shoddy, instead to balance the look, accessorise cleverly and carefully, in fact, keep it to a bare minimum.  

The perfect thing to soften a tailored look, lace is ideal to create a gothic yet romantic look. Says stylist Harmeet Bajaj, “You can team a structured jacket with a simple A line lace dress to create a soft, feminine look.” Stick to neutral or dark colours like black, nude, beige or an occasional red to look chic. Teamed with bursts of gold or bronze, these lace dresses make for a deadly combination. For a more casual look, you can update your winter wardrobe and team your denims with a pretty lace top. Adds designer Vineet Bahl, “A lace top in dirty ivory not only looks chic, but it also gives you a vintage look, paired with jeans, it looks very smart.” 

Sumptuous and sensual, lace also makes for an exquisite lingerie choice, don’t wait for Valentine’s Day, indulge yourself now. Says model Tapur Chatterjee, “It is a personal choice, I think lace lingerie would make anyone feel sexy, sensual and beautiful.”  

So ladies, get ready to take on fall’s lace trend, it is here to stay!