AJIO tshirt // Zara shorts // Hunter tall gloss wellington boots // Daniel Wellington Dapper Sheffield watch // Good After Nine cat ring // ONLY clutch

Lakmé Matte Melt Liquid Lipstick – Mild Mauve  | Maybelline Superstay Nail Polish – Rose Poudre

Photos by Sheila Vaz

I bought these hunter rain boots back in 2012 & since then, an outfit post styling them every monsoon has become something of an annual tradition (see posts from 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017; still sad about skipping 2014!)

It’s been a fun exercise to see my style evolve through just these monsoon posts – I started out styling these with just jeans, because I pretty much lived in jeans then (& also felt like my legs were too skinny for boots to be honest). As my body changed, I found it easier to experiment with dresses & shorts more often. I do wish that I was more confident in the start. I do also wish, by extension that we didn’t live in a world that demonise both skinny or plus sized people. I try to do my bit but sometimes the effort just feels a bit hopeless? People tend to cling to their biases tightly, so I guess all we can do is work on ourselves.

Now back to those boots – I’m still so pleased with them, although I feel a little sad now because they don’t get as much wear from me as they used to. Hunter boots may be expensive, but they’re made to be worn & they were far more practical during college, or when I took public transport more. Nowadays, I don’t really venture out just for fun in the monsoons, I can also afford the luxury of cabs, which makes these more ornamental. Nevertheless I’ve thrown so much money at ridiculously impractical thing over the years, like fancy branded bags that don’t really outlast the year I buy them (I’m looking at you, Fossil) so this was a good buy. Mumbai’s weather’s getting to it slowly, but I think it has another couple of years in it.

Oh and by the way, how many cats do you count in this look? I’m pretty sure that my extensive cat themed wardrobe has become one of my signatures. I even did a fashion haul video that was so full of cats. I love the tshirt from this look – even though it’s an absurd premise. As anyone who has cats could tell you, cats & large plants do not get along, much less a cactus! Take it from me, I have three. I had to give up on that plant lady dream a while ago.

It’s mid-August now, officially that time of the year when I’m utterly sick & tired of rains, I can’t even muster up any fake enthusiasm. Wherever in the world you are today, I just hope you’re warm & safe. x

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bhane. sway dress // Firmoo silver round glasses // Lavie path wallet  // Jord cora wood watch – purple heart // Hunter boots – original tall gloss in cranberry

lips – Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in More Better 

Photos by Sheila Vaz

As I sit here typing this, it’s pouring cats & dogs outside. And all I can do is think about early June & laugh! You see, summers in Mumbai can be brutal & by the end of it, everyone is praying for rain (not just the farmers, who depend on it to grow their crops). When the first showers start in late May / early June – we’re all collectively excited – about the chill in the air, about petrichor, about how glorious & romantic monsoons are. Fast forward three weeks – it’s pouring every day. Everything is wet. The bad roads become worse, traffic that already moves slow now practically grinds to a halt. All I’m saying is, it sucks, y’know?

We’ll all be relieved when monsoon is over & next summer we’ll all be waiting for it to start again. There’s something weirdly poetic about it, but that’s just life in Mumbai.

I’ve been sharing personal style posts on here since 2010. I bought these Hunter Boots in 2012 – on a college goer’s allowance (& vacation money) they were a definite splurge but worth every single penny, I can’t think of many other fashion items I’ve had for five years (Mumbai’s humid weather is not kind to leather, or metal, or cloth, really). I’ve styled these many different ways over the years – you can check out my posts from 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016.

This year’s look is about a lot of things I really like right now- minimalism, anti fit, Scandinavian aesthetics with little pops of colour.

Also, now’s as good a time to talk about this as any – early this year, I went on a makeup / beauty buying ban until I could finish up some of the products I’ve already amassed. I’ve been quite happy with the results so far (I’ve just bought a single mascara since 2017 started). And that just helped me realise that I could re-examine my buying habits in other areas too. I buy too many clothes – I’ve been known to use this blog as an excuse. I have quite a few things that I’ve purchased & never worn, & even more that I have worn just one time. So my next personal goal is to buy less clothes & try to cut out fast fashion as much as I can – I don’t want to say never because one day I am going to succumb & pick up a pair of cute sushi or cat socks from Forever 21, but I do want to buy more consciously – support Indian brands. Buy more consciously – well made pieces that aren’t trend based but will stay in my wardrobe for a few years at least. I’ve resisted all of the July sales thus far, & I hope I can keep this up for longer.

I’ve been a fan of bhane. ever since they first launched (remember when I was part of the bhane. Spring Summer in 2013?) So few labels in India design contemporary pieces at an affordable price tag & I’ve bought from them many times over the years (for me & mom!) This is another dress that is going to get so much of use from me!

Of course I’m looking for more clothing labels that are well designed & made, ethical & sweatshop free. Do you know any that fit the bill? I’d love your recommendations in the comments! x

The post Back to Basics | Mumbai Monsoon Style ☔️ appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

JDY dress // Accessorize envelope clutch // The Label Life signature chalkboard umbrella // Hunter cranberry tall gloss rain boots

on my lips: Colourpop More Better / nails: Nykaa Lemon Pudding

Photos by Sheila Vaz

Some of you (ok, most of you!) might find the title of this post tad misleading as there are absolutely no fields in these pictures. These were actually taken at my garden, my lush little oasis in the middle of a very concrete jungle that is Mumbai – I probably take 80% of my outfit pictures here because it’s pretty & convenient! It is, however looking a bit more lush & overgrown thanks to the Mumbai Monsoons.

If you happen to be living a non-tropical part of the world, let me break it down for you! Mumbai is a coastal city with very tropical & humid climate. From June to August, we experience a season called monsoon, characterised by heavy rain almost daily. Mumbai has been going through this since the beginning of time, you’d think the city would be better prepared for it but nope! Every year it’s the same old story, roads go bad, traffic comes to a standstill daily, increasing your commuting time exponentially & if it rains really heavy, the trains will stop functioning too, to avoid accidents. Add to that, everything starts to smell musty & leather grows mildew overnight. Not a happy time. It’s not even raining as I type this & it’s still at 84% humidity.

I wish I could say that I loved Mumbai in the monsoons, but I really don’t. It always turns me into this grumpy old man who can’t stop grumbling about how much monsoons inconvenience me. I enjoy monsoon getaways to Goa, because I’m on vacation & I’m allowed to take it slow. But in the city, it just hampers me. But I’m trying to find the positives in it, as difficult as it might be & it’s so lovely to see trees & plants just flourish in this season.

Styling my Hunter Boots has become an annual monsoon tradition of sorts! You can check out my posts from 2012, 2013 & 2015. This is the first time I styled it with a dress & I love how it turned out. Gloomy days tend to get my down so my personal mantra during cloudy days is to just wear the brightest, happiest looking things I can find! Also, how cute is this The Label Life chalkboard umbrella?

Monsoon style has mostly focused on being very practical but not particularly styling, so I hope this look can show you that you can be monsoon ready & chic, it’s all about how you put things together.

What are your thoughts on monsoons? Have you ever experienced a really bad one? x

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This is the second monsoon outfit I’ve shared this year, after the Breton Dress. A plaid / lumberjack shirt is a wardrobe basic (I *still* miss this one!) & I love this one from Pepe because it’s just so light! Perfect for layering even on super hot days. And the printed denims fit so well & yet are really comfortable, I’ve love wearing it during flights, which is something I don’t say often about skinny jeans!

And my Hunter Boots are the perfect pair of shoes for Mumbai Monsoon, on rainy days when you want to keep your feet dry & wade through inches deep water while still looking chic. I’ve had them for over three years (2012, 2013) & they still look super glossy!

Do you live in a wet city? What’s your rainy day outfit like?

love,

Magali

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You don’t have to read this if you don’t want to, it isn’t really related to the outfit except that it is!

Ever so often I have a bit of a blogging crisis. Back in early 2009 when I first started my lifestyle blog, people thought all blogs were tech blogs, & everyone talked about the oodles of money one could make from it. People blogging about any other topics were virtually unheard of, or their blogs were just dismissed as TMI personal diaries. Obviously, the perception of blogging has grown in leaps & bounds since then.

This blog was started in mid 2009 when the only Indian fashion blogger I properly knew was Karishma of Purple Peeptoes (her blog was the inspiration I needed to start my own!) I’m sure there were a few more but I didn’t know them. There has been an explosion of new fashion bloggers in the Mumbai blogging scene especially since last year, & I think it’s absolutely fabulous. But with that has come a lot of stereotyping. Fashion bloggers are all supposed to be this homogenous breed of women that wear sky-high heels with top knots, who all attend Fashion Weeks, watch Sex & the City. Again, there’s nothing wrong with doing / liking those things but when everyone is expected to like the same things, that’s when the problem arises. I know people are stereotyped all the time, especially women so maybe I’m just finding this irksome because it’s new. I started blogging about my outfits because I liked the idea of an individual showing off their real, personal sense of style (if that makes any sense).

I’ve thought of stopping outfit posts here because I don’t really have anything that new or innovative to show off. Nine out of ten posts here include jeans & I strongly favor basics. But after a bit of soul searching (ok, just being dramatic) I’ve decided to keep doing outfit posts for the very reason I started. Even if they’re not very daring, they’re pictures of outfits I wore, saved for posterity if nothing else. As my style & even body shape changes, as I ‘age’ & hairdos change, I like looking back at them all. There, I feel a weight off my chest already! Now onto the outfit details

Monsoon in Mumbai isn’t my favorite time. I don’t play in the rains & you might think I’m a killjoy or terribly unromantic but other than the pleasantly cool weather after the hot summer, I’ve hate just about everything that comes with the rain ever since I was little. But wellies make the whole thing insanely more bearable, even fun. I managed one outfit post last monsoon so I decided it was time for a redux. Gosh, I sound like I’m being sponsored, but no. Even though I bought these with my hard earned cash & they’re pricier than most shoes I own, they are worth every penny- comfortable & stylish. The roads can get filthy with potholes but these are just a joy to walk in. I don’t get my feet dirty or wet in any way – I just get home, remove my boots & they’re fresh as daisies.
More strangers have approached me asking about these babies than other other item I own. I sure do hope that Hunter Wellies start retailing locally soon, they would do so well here. But until then I will enjoy having a very unique, rare pair of shoes (in Mumbai only). I’ve long gotten used to the surprised, jealous, curious & amused stares.
That’s not saying these shoes don’t have a downside. Don’t attempt to wear them without socks, or you might get your feet stuck. I wore them without socks all throughout last year & it worked great as I always had my mom to help yank them off. But I was home alone for a short span of time last month & one day when I came home I couldn’t get it off. I tried all sorts of stunts (which I won’t get into because I’d like to retain a bit of self respect!) & finally they came off. So yes, beware. Never wearing them without socks again. In fact, I think it’s time to invest in a bootjack.
I am pretty simple & basic when it comes to dressing. I rarely make any kind of effort with my appearance because I always feel pressed for time (bad time management on my part) & would rather spend that extra 10 minutes sleeping or on the mac. In fact weddings or other special events like nights out are the only times I’m inclined to bother. I like buying accessories, but most of the time they just lie around (bad organisation!)

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I know it’s been about a month since my last outfit post, but do you see my much shorter hair? I was a little horrified when I first got it but I really like how the layers look now.

Monsoons in Mumbai are terrible. There, I said it. And I have to admit that Mumbai has terrible infrastructure & is very dirty (I still couldn’t love another city this much, though).

When I bought these wellies last year I was so excited. I love classic British footwear. They weren’t cheap, but are incredibly well made & lovely to look at. But as in the case of any different shoe buy I still kept wondering if I’d made the right decision, if they were truly practical & comfortable. Well I wore them for the first time yesterday & I cannot describe the joy. With my dressing style, I’m used to getting extra attention on the streets of Mumbai but this was different. Everybody stared. Some curious, many envious & a couple of guys actually came up to me on the street & told me they loved my boots. I didn’t wear socks, & they were still incredibly comfortable. While I’m used to playing hop-scotch around puddles, I could just walk through them without a care in the world. Bliss.

And now I have to talk about this awesome bag that Jo Totes sent me. I’m always carrying a camera (or three!) around with me. I liked my old camera bag, though it wasn’t a drab black one (it was blue with white stripes) it still wasn’t very stylish, & definitely wasn’t comfortable. I’d been eyeing Jo Totes bags for a while: They make stylish & functional camera bags for ladies. My folks loved the bag when they laid their eyes on it- This pictures do not do it justice. The leatherette is buttery soft, the antiqued buckle & strap loops look so good & the interior is roomy without being bulky.

It’s comfortable to carry around, reasonably priced, pretty & all of my camera stuff fits neatly inside. What more could a girl want?!

Special thanks to my mom for taking all the photos in this post (except the last one). I’m not used to being in front of the lens & would much rather be behind it. These outfit-photo-shoots are not the easiest for my mom, as she’s not used to taking photos but she’s incredibly patient with me. Also she’s getting a lot better! Now she’s shooting on manual.

I leave for a short trip to Delhi (my first ever!) in just two days. I’m really excited. I haven’t packed yet but my wardrobe is going to consist of one pretty dress & a whole lot of grungy tees & comfy sneakers. I hope to do a lot of exploring & eating & shopping & photo takeout-ing.

love,

Magali

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