Ri(t)ch Styles Blogging 101 : Fashion Apps that I can't do without!

A lot of you always ask me what Fashion Apps I use for inspiration and to help me in my work, so today's post is going to be about those. While I try to keep myself App free as much as possible, here is the list of my favourite fashion apps that I can't do without and help me make my life simpler!

Future of Fashion in the Apps World

There is nothing like physically shopping for clothes or accessories where you can touch, feel and try so that you are exactly sure of what to buy  However, one thing about being a new mommy is that your child is your world and you are not really left with any time to head out and shop. Earlier, all the errands big or small along with shopping plans used to get easily integrated into a day or week, but now the hours just fly by with my little one and finding time for everything gets really difficult. Online shopping came to my rescue for 90% of my requirements right from my pregnancy, but lately I have made the transition to apps on my smartphone for a lot of things.

According to the report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (Iamai) and IMRB International (a market research firm), by April 2015 India was going to have nearly 200 million mobile Internet users and it is expected to reach 213 million by June 2015. Now that is a huge number and the growth rate is astounding too. It's very clear if you look around that all around people are spending more time on the internet than any other media and the consumption of internet data is increasing on our mobile devices than our desktops or laptops especially for our personal work. Finally most of the time on our mobile devices is spent on apps thus making apps an indispensable part of our daily lives. I have noticed that every time I try to open a mobile site, in most cases it directs me to download the app which on downloading honestly is far more smooth to use than the mobile website. Where does that leave me? Well it leaves me totally in favour of just the app and the mobile website is soon forgotten.

Today if I want to shop or take a cab or book a ticket, I just log onto the app of the respective service provider and book the services. There is never the thought to wait to head home or to office to sit on a laptop or use the mobile website to do so. It just proves how mobile sites are soon going to have to phase out because I do not see them serving any purpose with apps doing a far better job.

Let me give you an example in terms of fashion of an experience of mine which proved to me that in the future this world is only going to be dominated by apps! :)

I usually like styling clothes that exist in my wardrobe or stuff similar to what is in my wardrobe through collages on a site called Polyvore. Recently I got a last minute invite for a party with the party being just 2 days away and like I told you with a baby time for yourself goes down like crazy. Also I was out for a family occasion and it was not going to be possible for me to head to the mall. But that didn't stress me out cause I had my favourite apps right there on my phone to help me through it all. In my head I zeroed down on an orange dress that I had and knew my Polyvore app would help me put the rest of my look together. I instantly went back to collages that I had created for an orange dress that would inspire my look and this look seemed just perfect!

Now I had everything to put this look together but the gold gladiator heels and so I got looking on Pinterest to see what was available in the Indian market and bingo I found this perfect pair!

Well then all I had to do was click on the link and it too me to the Myntra app where I finally placed my order. I got this beauty for INR 1500 at a 50% discount and it reached me in 24 hours just in time for the party :-)

The experience was quick and seamless and I could finish the entire process in hardly any time right there on my phone. It makes me really happy to see that the future of fashion in the apps world is going in a direction which is making fashion more accessible and easy to understand and imbibe. Life I am sure is just going to get better and better for the Indian users with the way the penetration of apps is happening in our lives.

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Simple Looks to put together!

Sometimes we really aren't in the mood to dress up but still wanna look good with little effort while getting out. Here are some simple looks I've put together for such times.

For lunch out with friends

For an afternoon of shopping

For a picnic

 

Out to drinks and dinner

For the beach

To beat the chill

I've attempted these and they really worked for me. Try these looks with what you own and keep me tuned it to how they turned out. :)

Purple Passion Fashion

'Purple' rage seems to have taken over everywhere. From violet, lilac, lavender, magenta to pomegranate and plum, purple is prompting fashion gurus around the world to declare it 'the new black'. In my personal opinion its HOT and is a key colour that has worked its way into my wardrobe over the last few months.

Purple is supposed to be the color of good judgment and it is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. So if you want to have a calm, peaceful and happy day, what better than to dress in purple :)

However it is important to structure the use of purple well and also keep in mind the occasion and time of the day that you are using the colour. What I would suggest is:

• If you want to keep it minimalist with just a dash of purple then use either one or two out of a purple belt, bag, scarf, shoes, jewellery or sunglasses
• Use the rich, darker tones paired with metallic accessories for a night out
• Play with lighter shades such as lilac or lavender for a daytime outfit

Here are the pieces that give my wardrobe a purple colour boost:

1. A sheer black net and purple satin dress - My Birthday Dress last year :) - India(Mumbai)

2. Purple short shift dress with vertical ruffles - One of my favourite buys - Singapore

3. Purple knit top from Zara - Really Comfy - Singapore

4. Violet Chiffon Leopard Print Dress from Express - Love this :) - USA(Chicago)

That's my friend Rachana modelling it for me :)

5.Plum Over sized Top from Westside - Chic - India(Mumbai)

Below are few of the Purple colour based sets that I enjoyed putting together on Polyvore:

Love the frills on the top and the metallic bag! Ideal for day wear and can even go on for a night out for drinks.

Love the dress! Perfect for a night out!

So get all your purple stuff out and paint the town purple!! :)

My Wishlist this Week - August 3rd week

When the work is hectic and you still want to go shopping but cant because of the time factor or distance, what better way to do it than a 'Fantasy Shopping' jaunt! This is precisely what I did this week :-) I've chosen pieces that I personally favour and have put together 2 looks for each. What I liked are tops of 3 different styles which I would LOVE to add to my wardrobe. So check them out!

1. Elizabeth and James - Criss Cross Tank - $195

What I really liked about this Black jersey tank are the cross over straps at the back. A fitted piece which can be work either at work with pants and a jacket/knit or casually with a skirt or shorts. Match a smart bag and a pair of pumps or gladiators and your look is complete.

2. Maureen Plaid top - Forever 21 - $18

A pretty plaid weave effect and the ruffle trim gives this top a very feminine feel. A relaxed fit which can be worn with a fitting skirt or trousers for work or casually with jeans or shorts. Keep the footwear smart but simple and accessorize it with some nice earrings and a stylish watch and see the well turned-out look.

3. McQ Alexander McQueen- Navy double Layer tank - 132 GBP

I loved the navy colour of this sleeveless assymetrical jersey tank with a double layer which creates the draped effect. It has an easy fit and can be the ideal tummy disguiser alongwith making you look fab! Wear it with skinny jeans and killer heels in metallic shades for a night out clubbing or with a nice denim skirt with sneakers in contrasting bright colours for a casual day out and let me assure you that heads will surely turn.

Well I hope you enjoyed these looks as much as I enjoyed putting them together. You can try and work them out with similar stuff in your wardrobe or you can click on the sets and get guided to buying the items in the sets.

I'll look forward to your feedback and you can look forward to my next 'Fantasy Shopping' spree soon!