"HERE you come`85hmm`85 looking very nice."

How does that admiring comment make you feel? Well, on the surface it may seem to be a compliment on your dress but inherently it is on the way you are carrying it. It is a flattering remark on your style, which reflects your attitude. Being stylish would not mean that you are showing off. It would be an honest expression of yourself.

As Jennifer Lopez rightly puts it, "There are all these ideals about what is perfect and what is beautiful and what is smart, but the most appealing thing is that which is me is nobody else." So be yourself and you will be a winner. You don’t have to be a ‘Shah Rukh’ or a ‘Shobha De’ to be different. You are different.

A source of inspiration can spring up from anywhere. Every person has priorities, preferences and people that influence him or her. It could be a book, music piece and sculpture or a friend or idol. Yet, this converges back to the idea of making the right style statement, which is sometimes influenced and sometimes fine-tuned by the boundaries set up the environment, or a situation or a profession.

Well, then how do you have your own style of dressing?

It can be very fulfilling to feel inspired and dress well. It is like discovering yourself, and getting acquainted with and relating your moods with the texture, feel, weave, colours, motifs and print of the fabric. This helps us bring out our emotions. The bright chirpy reds, yellows and oranges cheer can you up when you are feeling low and bring warmth in your relationships. The blues, mauves, browns and whites in soft cottons will calm you down when you are too excited. Try it!

The fit and the drape of your dress bring out similar expressions. A saree lends graciousness to a woman, while in an easy-to-carry, smart corporate dress (trousers-jacket), she looks ‘in charge’ of things around her.

The earthy tones of browns, beiges, rusts in natural fabric like cotton and jutes on a bright sunny day offer the same joy as reading a book in your favourite rocking chair. The soft silky satins, chiffons and georgettes in charming blues, mauves, pinks and lilacs set you thinking of a romantic candlelight dinner.

Dress up for yourself. Be your natural self. Does that opulent gold jewellery stifle you? Do not wear it just because you think everyone would come decked up at the party. How about standing out in your own simplicity? A white chiffon saree with mukaish and delicate beadwork, a string of pearls, a short white sling and subtle shimmer in sandals complete the ensemble. The ears may be adorned with pearl knobs and sahaaras made with little pearl beads. One can look charming with soft make-up and may be a small speck up of sindoor. So the picture is complete — simple, innocent and stylish!

Your profession or physical situation may set some limits to your choice of clothes. Still there is always a way to let yourself be. Fine details of colours you like can add a zing to the mundane greys, browns and navy blues at work. Ties for men and scarves and pendants, bracelets and ear tops for women are the source of colour in conservative corporate dresses.

But when you are not working, you can hope to chill out. Listen to Kandisa — earthy`85free`85fluent music by Indian Ocean. How about slipping into your old pair of jeans, comforting khadi kurti and tan-coloured Woodland shoes? Sans make-up, opt for a fragile tulsi-bead string and miniscule silver baalis that cling to your earlobes, and just hang out`85with your pals`85. talk anything, eat anything`85. golgappas? Hmmmm`85sure.