I am doing an OOTD post after months, and quite honestly it’s been all about Instagram of late. Bloggers share everything on Instagram/Instagram stories because it’s much quicker, and reaches many more people and instantly. It’s all about instant gratification, and the new apps are giving what the people want or they didn’t know they wanted?!
I just wanted to talk to you guys and pour my heart out. So this post will random bits and pieces of my life along with this outfit and what I feel about Instagram and Youtube.
I shot this outfit last September, yes it’s been a long time and why I haven’t shared it yet? I had downloaded the pictures but never got around selecting and editing them. Usually if I like 3-4 pictures from one outfit shoot, I will share them on Instagram but if I get like 7-8 good pictures and I love all of them, I will share it in a blog post. I used to share all outfit pics here earlier but as I mentioned Instagram is just quicker, talk about being an easy devil :/
Easy it is, devil you guys know how Instagram has been. Since the last few months, I am not enjoying Instagram at all. You must have seen I used to do one post daily and now I am not so active. Sometimes I don’t even share any stories, the only problem is if I am not active for 3-4 days, Instagram reduces my reach and it becomes so bad that when I start posting, for at least about a week, no one can even see my posts on their feed unless I ‘promote’ that post. So Instagram has taken the Facebook route finally, and now your post won’t reach ‘your own’ followers unless you promote it. It’s like I have to forcefully remain active and post something, so that at least the minimum reach it is giving me anyway, that doesn’t get affected.
And as if Instagram wasn’t enough. Youtube is also doing the same. Apparently even if people are subscribed and sometimes have hit the bell icon as well, youtube doesn’t show your videos in their subscriptions or notify them. I have never been super active on Youtube but I am trying to. I go through those phases but in between 3-4 months I think I didn’t post anything at all, and the same thing happened on youtube, some unsubscribed, some aren’t getting my videos. I am currently getting half the views of what I used to get and it’s really discouraging and demotivating especially because Youtube unlike Instagram takes whole day to shoot, edit, etc. and it’s very time consuming. And then when your videos are seen by hardly 100-200 people even though 8700+ are subscribed, I don’t know how to express but it feels terrible and I thought of quitting youtube and not posting anything at all.
Some bloggers have shifted to IGTV because it’s new and that’s why the reach is much better there. I don’t know, all platforms come up with something new and push it for a year and then again same, paid promotions and push for ads to reach people. Same cycle. Everything is a vicious chain.
Instagram recently banned me for 3 days for apparently some copyright issue and nothing else was mentioned in the email which was a general mail and you cannot contact them or ask them about it. It’s so unfair because all my pictures and content are my own, and I hardly post videos or music and it’s all no copyright music even if I use. I contacted them 15-20 times on the app, of course never got a reply and I also asked my facebook account manager but even she couldn’t help. So for 3 days, I couldn’t post or like or comment, could just see the feed, not even stories.
I realized how Instagram can block the account permanently anytime and there is no solution to it. One cannot rely on Instagram and have to keep all other platforms open and need to have one primary platform i.e. blog/Youtube. Again Youtube also can deactivate your channel/account anytime. How we depend for our life/career on these platforms and how unreliable they are, it’s just scary!
I am trying to post regularly again on both Instagram and Youtube, I know I might go through the quitting/demotivated phase again but I don’t know if there is a solution to this. I would really love for you guys to like and comment on my Instagram and Youtube if you watch my videos and see my posts on Instagram, at least I can see some engagement and might help me push myself. That would mean a lot, I only see some people engage during giveaways and I know who they are. And I know people who regularly and genuinely follow me since years, I know your names, I know who you are and thank you for always supporting me. I really need your support again.
Coming to this outfit, this has to be one of my most favourite outfit/shoot I have done. The red orange colour, the co-ords and how flattering they are for my body type. The location/lighting/hair/makeup everything complimented and worked out so well.
The top has statement sleeves and is adjustable from the front, the skirt is well fitted and can be zipped from the side, it was slightly loose on the waist and I had to be careful there 😀 I loved the feather, leaves, circles, polka dots print on it and it screams summer and vacation, perfect for this season
It’s a super simple outfit and I kept the accessories also minimal and simple because I wanted the focus on the outfit. I paired it with my Daniel Wellington watch and pearl earrings and wore my Kendall and Kylie flat slides. (which I now wear everyday! So comfortable)
Co-ords: Free People Watch: Daniel Wellington Earrings: Kazo Slides: Kendall + Kylie
I hope you liked the outfit, do let me know your thoughts. And what do you think about Instagram/Youtube? Also any engagement would be really helpful and would mean a lot, thank you 🙂
Qatar Travel Experience: Qatar Airways QSuite, Places to Visit | Where to Eat
Hi guys,
I was in Qatar in March with Qatar Airways and it was majorly for the Qatar International Food Festival. We covered all the major places in Qatar and ate some amazing food, all types of cuisines, at the best restaurants in Qatar. I have tried to include everything from my 5 day trip in this 31 minute vlog.
I got to experience the Qatar Airways Qsuite Business Class service and it was just amazing. I didn’t even feel I was on a flight and I slept so comfortably. The space is so well designed and well utilized. If you are travelling in 2 or 4, you can pull down the cabin separator and have the whole area to yourself. The quad is absolutely perfect for a family of 4. Food and service again absolutely amazing, the whole range of entertainment options, sound quality, each and every thing and every minute detail was absolutely perfect. You cannot find a single reason to be unsatisfied with the QSuite.
They have Al Maha services at Doha/Hamad International Airport and you need to book it online in advance. A person will escort you to their separate lounge as soon as you land. They will get your luggage while you have your breakfast or relax at the lounge, they also have a separate immigration for the lounge, so no standing in queues. Basically everything is done pretty quick and you don’t have to practically do anything. I loved the Al Maha services! More airports should have such similar services.
I was staying at Intercontinental in Doha, which is a stunning property with a private beach. The staff was so warm and helpful, and though I only got a chance to have breakfast there once or twice, they were kind enough to make me eggless breads and pancakes. Overall experience at Intercontinental was really good!
On Day 1, we went to Argan Restaurant at Souq Waqif and covered some museums. In the evening, we covered Corniche and Katara Cultural Village. Corniche is absolutely stunning and I can practically sit there for hours and just look at the view. You can see entire Doha skyline from there. Katara Cultural Village is also beautiful and the evening sky looked magical there. It is inspired by the Roman architecture.
For dinner, we went to Riyasat at St.Regis Doha. We had an elaborate Indian meal prepared by Chef Jolly who was also a part of the Qatar International Food Festival this time.
On Day 2, we first went to Qatarat Agricultural Development Co. (QADCo.). It’s basically like a farm which produces tonnes and tonnes of fruits and vegetables and supply to major Qatar companies, markets, even Qatar Airways. They create conducive environment for the fruits and vegetables to grow because Qatar is basically a desert, so the whole process of converting desert to making fertile land is intriguing. We had some yummy breakfast there and they also gifted us some veggies and honey from the farm.
They also have horse stables and we saw how the horses take a bath, exercise, most take part in racing and they were very strong and active horses.
Next stop was Fire Station Exhibit and it was so beautiful. Anyone can submit their art creations with it’s meaning and they will display it at the Exhibit. Some of them had so much thought going, and were created by 15-16 year olds.
We had lunch at Al Terrace at Souq Waqif and in the evening was the opening ceremony of QIFF 2019. We had dinner at Morimoto, Mondrian Doha and even met Chef Morimoto himself. I was not very excited about Japanese food as I am a vegetarian but I had the best veg sushi, tempura, grilled veggies there and the desserts were out of the world! I love Mochi <3
On Day 3, we had breakfast at the Helipad of Shangri-La Doha and trust me, the view was the best ever! It was an amazing experience and I am sure, the evenings there would be magical.
Then we went for Supreme Legacy 2022 which is a road map to 2022 FIFA World Cup, being held in Qatar. They are changing Qatar 360 for that and so much infrastructure and work is going on, on a daily. From 7 huge stadiums to metros, they are working at an amazing speed. Each stadium has some significance, a specific shape and dedicated to something which is a part of Qatar or their culture.
Then we went to Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) followed by the best meal I had in Qatar. We went to Em Sherif at Sheraton Grand in Doha and the meal was fit for royalty. We were served everything on the menu and the table looked unbelievable. The mirror table, cutlery, decor, chair, view, colours, everything at Em Sherif was just too stunning and beautiful. 80% of their dishes were vegetarian and I had the best vegetarian Lebanese experience at Em Sherif. The flavours in every dish were so good, it was like a blast of flavours in every bite.
In the evening, we went to The Pearl and trust me when I say this, it was prettier than Venice! It’s like a pastel dream come true. The buildings, the canals, the lights, it was all so pinterest-y. The Pearl had all the designer brands possible and the evenings again looked magical and beautiful to just sit there and have a cup of coffee and admire it.
We had dinner at La Mar at our hotel Intercontinental itself, it was Peruvian cuisine. Two of us in our group were vegetarian and though we did try 2-3 dishes, we were so full and satisfied with our afternoon Em Sherif lunch, that we didn’t try much 😀 We were pretty happy and content with Em Sherif, I believe it’s at two other places in UAE and if you ever go to a place with Em Sherif around, you have to try it out!!
On Day 4, we went for Desert Safari at Messaied Sand Dunes and we also saw the Inland Sea/Khor Al Adaid, which connect the desert to the sea and is only one of the 3 places in the world. It also shares borders with Saudi Arabia across.
We went for lunch at Al Mourjan Restaurant, loved the desserts and Karak (tea) there. In the evening, we attended the AR Rahman Concert at Khalifa Stadium. It was amazing, the whole team was so good. The stadium was lit up with phone torches during the finale 2-3 songs, magical.
On Day 5 which was our final day, we only went to Zekreet as we had our flight back in the evening. We saw the UNESCO Reserve, Richard Serra’s East West-West East, Film City and Mushroom Rock. We also spotted Oryx and Ostrich there.
And then it was time to head back and pack. Qatar was such a wonderful experience and I thoroughly enjoyed those 5 days. A big thank you to Qatar Airways for this memorable trip, I will always cherish it.
Kalki Fashion unveiled its SS’19 Collection, ‘ZINNIA’ – The Modern Romanticism at the Bombay Times Fashion Week last month.
Zinnia flowers are the colorful annuals that have a rich history to match their rich colors. Hence, taking inspiration from the flower’s originality, the collection showcases an array of multi-colors and hues. It is filled with modern and eclectic silhouettes in a vivid colour palette.
Zinnia Collection is perfect for summer weddings with painterly hues of summer fog blues, mighty mauves, the lime greens, the spicy mustards, the fuchsia pinks and the fiery reds putting in inventive spin to your wedding closet staples from floor-sweeping jacket styles to voluminous shararas, from the quirkiest bridal lehengas to monotone red veil lehengas.
This collection features beautiful gowns, lehengas, palazzo suits, crop tops and shararas in interesting silhouettes, frills, layers with ornate embroidery, feathers, stones, etc.
Each garment is carefully hand crafted to create the perfect outfits for your mehendi soirees, a perfect garden party, a dreamy destination theme, or a traditional summer wedding. The embroideries talk diamond shapes layered upon rich silks, flowers quilted with stripes on opulent organza, bordered with miniature geometric conception with studs and summer sequins. The playfully proportioned silhouettes are enhanced in unconventional elements with strip embroideries, thread ties, featherweight crystal embellishments and 3D flower burst.
The Zinnia collection is distinctly dainty and eccentric, celebrating the creative needs and expressions of the woman who wears it.
Some of my favourite pieces from the Zinnia Collection..
1. Malaika Arora’s red gown
Malaika Arora was the showstopper for the collection and wore this beautiful, ruby red gown accentuated with feathers and detailed embroidery.
2. French Pink Multi Embroidered Kameez with Long Flared Sharara
I love everything about this sharara, the colour, silhouette, embroidery. It’s perfect for a day wedding function.
3. Citrus Green Double Layer Palazzo with Strapless Bustier and Long Embroidered Net Cape
This green hand embroidered strapless bustier embellished with multi color resham, cut dana, sequins and zari work is paired with a double layered georgette palazzo and tassels at the edges. It is teamed with a matching long embroidered net cape with back trail. This outfit is absolutely perfect for a mehendi function.
I love the colours, silhouettes and all the designs from Kalki Fashion’s Zinnia Collection, which is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.
My Sharjah Experience: Al Noor Island, Rain Room, Mleiha, Sharjah Light Festival
Hey guys,
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I was in Sharjah in February for 5 days for the 9th Annual Sharjah Light Festival.
We covered so many places in 5 days and also 3 evenings were dedicated to the Sharjah Light Festival where different city landmarks were lit up with the light shows created by an array of international artists. And the Grand Finale was amazing, the fireworks were spectacular.
Sharjah is UAE’s cultural capital and rightly so with some of the best museums and art galleries in the country.
Let me start with my day by day experience..
Day 1:
We checked in to the Sharjah Sheraton Beach Resort, and after resting for a while and catching a bit of sleep, we headed to Mleiha. First we were given a guided tour of the Mleiha Archaelogical Centre and Indoor Museum. We learned some interesting facts about how people formed a society, how migrants from Africa came to Gulf through Mleiha and saw some preserved tools and weapons used by people in those days.
We then did buggy bashing and dune bashing which was a lot of fun, and stopped for a few pictures in the middle. Finally we headed to the last destination for the day, Mleiha Overnight Camps where we had barbeque dinner, did some star gazing (saw a piece of meteorite as old as the Earth!) and slept in tents. I have never done camping, that too in a desert, so it was kind of an interesting experience and I did enjoy it.
Day 2:
We had breakfast at the Mleiha camps and saw the most beautiful sunrise at 5.52 am. I have not seen many sunrises in my life as I am not a morning person, and this was the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen!
Later we came back to the hotel and after freshening up, we left for Rain Room. Rain Room was one of my favourite experiences in Sharjah. You walk through continuous downpour of rain, without getting wet! Yes! How you ask? There are sensors which detect your presence and the water stops pouring in that area. But you have to walk slow and alone, keeping distance from others, for the sensors to work.
Post the amazing Rain Room experience, we went to Souq Al Arsah in the Heart of Sharjah where we met Fatima and her colleague. They served us Gahwa (Arabic Coffee) which is their welcome drink and dates. Gahwa doesn’t have sugar and hence they drink it with a date, so it balances the bitterness from the coffee. They also explained and taught a bit about the culture and hospitality, how a glass is shaken if you don’t need more gahwa and how they eat dates in odd numbers always (it is said to balance the insulin in the body). We then headed to the Sharjah Heritage Museum which was also a part of Heart of Sharjah.
For lunch, we went to Al Bait which is Sharjah’s first luxury resort and is a part of the Leading Hotels of the World. Al Bait is a part of Emirati Conservation Project and the entire resort is made up of heritage buildings that are more than a century old. The lunch there was amazing and the entire experience was pure luxury.
By evening we came to Al Noor Island which had the most beautiful view and again one of my favourite experiences in Sharjah because it had butterfly house 😀 We played with the butterflies and clicked some pictures with them.
Then we headed to our first day of Sharjah Light Festival. We covered American University of Sharjah, Sharjah Police Academy & University City Hall. We had dinner at Sutis at Al Majaz Waterfront and it was one of the best Lebanese in Sharjah.
Day 3:
We left for lunch at the Shooting Club and also tried our hands at archery there. Shooting was the original plan but there was some technical issue, hence we tried archery.
Later we went to Kalba Birds of Prey center and Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Center where we saw some rare and interesting species of birds, reptiles and animals.
In the evening, we reached our Sharjah Light Festival locations Khorfakkan Municipality, Municipal Council and Town Planning Department.
We had dinner at Fatima’s house, her house was stunning and every corner was so pretty. We even tried some traditional outfits and jewellery.
Day 4:
On Day 4, we went to the Sharjah Islamic Museum and the Sharjah Aquarium. We had lunch at Jones The Grocer which was my favourite meal in Sharjah! Everything we ordered was so fresh and full of flavours, and the desserts were mind blowing.
Then we went to Al Jubail Market and bought some Medjool dates. It was a like an air conditioned vegetable market, and had everything you would need. The variety of dates here is amazing, and the prices are really good plus the quality. I highly recommend shopping for dates in Sharjah, I regret not getting more.
We also went to Irani market and bought some Oud perfumes. This was the final day of the Sharjah Light Festival and we went to Al Qasba and Al Noor Mosque. Then we headed for the Closing Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Al Majaz Waterfront. The lights, music, laser shows, fire crackers, it was a beautiful closing ceremony!
Day 5:
Day 5 was our last day in Sharjah. We went to Kingfisher Lodge for lunch, it’s a beautiful property and the chef was Indian, so we finally had Indian food on our last day and it was pretty good. We were supposed to do Kayaking but it was raining that day, hence we couldn’t. But we did tour the property and the luxury lodges were beautiful, definitely wish to stay there once.
We went to Sahara Shopping Centre for some shopping and then finally headed to the airport.
It was quite a different and unique experience, and I loved being a part of it. A big thank you to Visit Sharjah for having me, it was quite a memorable trip.
I am glad I could capture it all for you guys through this vlog. The total footage was of 80-82 mins, and I have cut it short to 40 mins. I know it’s a long vlog, but I wanted to show everything and I didn’t want to make two parts of it and cut the flow. Also all my Instagram stories from the trip are under the ‘Sharjah’ highlights.
I hope you enjoy this blog and the vlog, do let me know your favourite part in the comments down below or any questions/doubts related to Sharjah.
Dubai is one of the easiest and closest destination to travel, from India, which is a perfect mix of shopping and beautiful experiences.
It’s been a long time I had been to Dubai and I believe a lot of new places/experiences have come up in the last 4-5 years. So I thought of putting together a list of places I have personally visited and which are on my wishlist for my next Dubai trip..
Dubai Desert Safari
1. Desert Safari
Dubai Desert Safari is a whole one day experience with 4×4 dune bashing, ATV rides, camel rides, barbeque dinner and lights shows/belly dancing. It is one of the major tourist attractions and an experience worth having.
2. Burj Khalifa
Burj KhalifaAt The Top Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa at 828m is the tallest man-made structure in the world. It is one of the most prominent attractions of the Middle East. The view from At the Top Burj Khalifa i.e. 124th floor is mind blowing. You can pretty much see the whole of Dubai from the top.
3. Dubai Mall/Mall of Emirates
Dubai Mall has the famous Dubai Aquarium and a lot of other entertainment options like ice skating rink, gaming zone, etc. apart from every brand in the world for shopping. It’s huge and is the second largest shopping mall in the world. Mall of Emirates on the other hand has Dubai Ski, apart from the amazing restaurants and of course shopping.
4. Dragon Mart
Dragon Mart is 1km long with 4000+ stores selling Chinese products. If you like shopping on a budget, you should definitely visit Dragon Mart
5. Miracle Garden
If you love nature, flowers and greenery, then Dubai Miracle Garden should definitely be on your list. It is the biggest natural flower garden in Dubai and the vivid colours are just beautiful to look at.
6. The Frame
Dubai Frame is the biggest architectural landmark in Dubai and is known as the biggest picture frame on the planet. It is 150m high and 93m wide. The observation deck on top gives you a complete view of the old and new Dubai, The whole frame lights up at night and is a beautiful sight
7. Palm Jumeirah
The tree-shaped man-made Palm Island, has everything from luxury hotels to a water park to shopping malls and beach clubs. It is surely a must visit, when in Dubai.
8. Dubai Dolphinarium
It is located near Creekside Park in Dubai and who doesn’t love dolphins. They have a 45 mins dolphin show which is not to be missed!
9. Dubai Gold Souqs
How much gold is too much gold. A visit to the Dubai Gold Souq will blow your mind. Clothes and complete body ornaments made of gold, you will get every jewellery piece in gold here. Whether you need to buy gold or just window shop, the Gold Souq is worth a visit.
Apart from these, if you are travelling between November and March, you should definitely check out Global Village.
Have you been to Dubai? Which is your favourite place/experience?
ShopBop is back with it’s Buy More, Save More Sale, and it’s valid on both full priced and sale items. It’s valid on all items marked with ‘KeyStyle’ or ‘GOBIG19’
The sale period
Begins: 2/25/2019 7:30AM Eastern Time (New York) Zone
Ends: 3/3/2019 4:00AM Eastern Time (New York) Zone
Code: GOBIG19
15% off orders of $200+
20% off orders of $500+
25% off orders of $800+
ShopBop has just launched a series of looks for this spring’s new fashion trends!
The spring trend is all about colors – gold, warm tones, tropical prints, puff sleeves, flowers and animals!
Neon bright colours, floral, small sunglasses, mules, transparent bags and accessories, statement earrings, etc., are all in trend. And some trends from 2018 that are still going strong, dad sneakers, athleisure, bucket bags, bracelet bags, pastels.
How to Book the Cheapest Flights Possible | Flight Booking Hacks?
Hi guys,
When it comes to travel, flight cost forms a substantial part of the overall cost, especially in case of international destinations. Here are some tips and tricks we use to get the cheapest flights or the best possible rates.
1. Where to book
Now there are different operators when it comes to flights booking. Check different websites and compare prices, including the airlines’ own website. You can also try flight search engines, but they usually add their own margin too. So, it’s better to compare and not book the first option you see.
2. Hide your search
Always search for flights in incognito or private browsing mode, and a new incognito window for each flight search. Based on the cookies of your browser, repeated search for a flight route will show you increased prices to scare you into booking the flight asap.
3. Find the cheapest day to fly
If you don’t have a time constraint and don’t mind one day before/after, always check the monthly calendar at the start which shows flight rates for each day. Sometimes it’s Sunday, other times a Monday when you would find the cheapest flight.
4. Smaller airports
Flights starting from smaller airports or arriving at smaller/newer airports are often cheaper than the ones from big/major airports. If your city or a nearby city has another airport, check for flights departing from that airport as well.
5. Coupon codes/miles/credit cards
Always find coupon codes and check each one of them, to see which one is giving you maximum cashback or the lowest cost. You can also use check for points in certain credit cards which can be used against flight bookings.
6. Nonstop v/s one stop
I know everyone prefers a nonstop flight and hence the cost for that is super high, check for one stop flights too. Sometimes just a few hours at one stop, can reduce your flight cost a lot.
7. Local/smaller airlines
Always check for smaller airlines flying to your destination. If you are flying on a less popular route/remote region, chances are there would be some local airlines offering tickets at a cheaper cost. Also check their own website for more deals and offers.
8. Time
If your trip is decided, don’t waste time and book its ASAP. Prices aren’t going to decrease closer to the departure date, the earlier you book the better. Or you can set up a price alert if you are not in a rush, and you will be notified when the prices fall.
9. One way or return
Usually one always books a round trip with the same airlines, but it’s not guaranteed that you would get the best deal that way. Try finding one way for both to and fro; and go for the cheapest option, it could be a different airline too if you are saving big bucks!
So, these were all my tips and tricks to find the best rates on flights. Do you follow all these? Do you have any additional tips? Do let me know.
My Stay & Experience at B’Canti Boutique Beach Resort in Varkala, Kerala
Hi guys,
If you follow me on Instagram (@bhumika_t), you would know I was in Kerala last week. I stayed 3 days in Munnar and 3 days at Varkala, it was a pretty nice and relaxing holiday covering both the mountains and the beach.
Varkala is 1.5 hours away from Trivandrum airport.
At Varkala, we stayed at B’Canti Boutique Beach Resort which is a gorgeous property on the North cliff of Varkala, a short distance away from Papanasham Beach. They also have a seasonal beach attached to the property and you can get the beach view from your room and the restaurant.
Deluxe Room
They have Deluxe, Super Deluxe and Superior Sea View Rooms. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with all the necessary amenities.
View from the Room
One can also explore the nearby beaches, Kappil Beach and Varkala Beach. We loved both the beaches, they were so clean and well maintained. Another place to explore is the Golden Island, we didn’t go there as we just wanted to relax after all the travelling 3-4 days earlier.
B’Canti also has a separate Ayurveda & Yoga Wellness Ashram where you can get different types of Ayurvedic massages and/or herbal treatments. We got the Abhyanga massage on both the days which is a traditional Ayurvedic massage with a blend of oil and essential herbs, and is followed by a steam and bath with ubtan. My skin felt baby soft and body super relaxed, post the massage. It was a nice end to the vacation.
They also offer daily yoga sessions by the beach, if interested.
Their restaurant ‘The Bait & Hook‘ serves all types of cuisines from North Indian to South Indian to continental. The vegetarian food in Kerala doesn’t have many options apart from dosas and different types of rice, so The Bait & Hook was a welcome change and we loved the food here! Even the staff is very warm and courteous and was helpful throughout our stay. I loved the pasta, gajar halwa and aloo parantha and appam for breakfast 😀 The fresh fruits and fresh bread basket every morning for breakfast was what I looked forward to!
They even arranged a candle light dinner by the beach, for us, on our last night there. The set up was beautiful, with the pleasant beach ahead.
We had an early flight and they arranged for a quick, early breakfast for us before we checked out. They do provide airport pick up and drop facility as well, on request.
Overall, I had a great time and it was a really good holiday. If you are looking for a good hotel to stay at Varkala, you should definitely check out B’Canti Boutique Beach Resort. It has a perfect blend of good food, beach view, comfortable stay and ayurvedic massages. Check them out HERE
Have you been to Varkala? Let me know your thoughts on Kerala/Varkala in the comments below.
Sportswear, activewear, Sports Luxe, Athleisure — whatever you call it — you know it when you see it: stylish sportswear brands are taking over the fashion industry! Today, it is completely normal to see a baseball cap on the desk of your coworker, yoga pants at brunch or colorful cycling shorts on shoppers at the grocery store. Stylish sportswear is the new, modern uniform for those of the active, on-the-go mindset, or the go-getters who desire comfort, function and a casual style.
In this guide to stylish sportswear, you will discover:
When and how sportswear became fashionable
The activewear trends and sports that influenced the fashion industry
Stylish sportswear brands to know
Athleisure: The New Trend
Athleisure, or the trend of wearing active sportswear in everyday life, began to rise in popularity around 2010, and continues to grow in popularity. The sportswear fashion trend has become the new uniform of the non-uniform. Sportswear is no longer restricted to the courts, but has rebelled against its original parameters and can be seen in just about any setting. Wherever you find yourself today, stop and take a look around: in each new environment you find yourself in (e.g. the grocery store, work, your kid’s school, etc.), you will be able to spot at least 1 item of trendy activewear (but probably much, much more!). Though it seems commonplace now, why and how has sportswear become the new trend?
There are 5 main reasons:
Wearing fitness fashion is aspirational
Cultural movements + urban adaptations + social change
The innovation of fabrics + materials
Comfort + functionality + casual style
Sports’ + technology’s influence on the fashion industry
When did sportswear become fashionable?
Today, we don’t think twice when we see yoga pants populating our busy streets, sneakers in workplace settings or Fitbits on the wrists of our bosses, employees or customers, but this was not always the case. There was a time when fashion and beauty were relegated to women’s sphere of influence; however, media, technology and various sports brands began to alter the landscape of the fashion industry. Being able to wear comfy sweatpants, shoes that don’t hurt your feet and form-fitting tops of stretchy material is, after all, the ultimate luxury. Though this list is not exhaustive, the following activewear trends and sports movements heavily influenced the traditional fashion market and the modern cultural landscape.
Tracksuits, AKA Leisure Suits (Thank You Bruce Lee)
In the mid-1970s, Bruce Lee is credited with bringing into popular fashion the classic stretchy tracksuit. Though sportswear manufacturers began to create colored cotton and nylon jersey tracksuits in the 1960s, Bruce Lee made the style cool. When Lee wore his red two-piece tracksuit on his 1971 show, Longstreet, this was the first time this style showed up in popular culture on US television. According to his daughter, Shannon Lee, Bruce wore tracksuits all the time because he was always working out and he did not want any restrictions on his movements. Furthermore, he wanted his clothing to represent the simplicity, directness and freedom of his martial art.
Suddenly, athletic tracksuits in polyester, cotton, terry cloth and velour, and in blues, reds, greys and yellows were manufactured for purposes other than sports. You no longer had to be sporty or athletic to wear a tracksuit: just by simply wearing the tracksuit, you would embody athleticism and would express an aspiration to be just that.
High Society Skiers
In the 1920s, skiing rose in popularity among the rich and the wealthy, becoming a favorite pastime. Naturally, this new sport needed its own fashion style, so European fashion houses (such as Schiaparelli and Hermès) began to design ensembles for wealthy and fashionable skiers to wear on the slopes.
Though matching pants, jacket and sweater ensembles were constructed, the real breakthrough in skiing apparel occurred after World War II with the use of synthetic stretch fabrics and nylon. These materials enabled designers to design pullover sports tops that were both comfortable and allowed movement. Military clothing design techniques were also incorporated into activewear designs: zip pockets, concealed hoods and stirrup straps became mainstream features of skiwear.
Today, it is still common to see bright colors and stirrup pants, which filtered into mainstream use in the 1980s. Though we’ve let go of the mainstream acceptance of neon pink and turquoise one-piece ski suits, ‘80s ski jackets are still a hot commodity today due to their underground and cult appeal.
Run-DMC Sneaker Style
Run-DMC, an American hip-hop group founded in 1981, heavily influenced the hip-hop style when they insisted on wearing onstage what they wore on the streets. Though the modern hip-hop culture and style is almost synonymous with urban streetwear/sportswear, Run-DMC in the 1980s served as a catalyst for this change. Without intention, they initiated a shift in urban fashion and elevated hip-hop fashion to a new level of influence that remains a dominant power in the fashion industry today. At Run-DMC concerts, fans held up their three-striped sneakers in solidarity with the band, prompting Adidas to offer the first ever million-dollar endorsement deal for a hip-hop group.
Air Jordan & The Vertical Jump
Michael Jordan, the first ever billion-dollar athlete and arguably the most famous basketball player of our time, also had a hand in the rise of the stylish sportswears trend. Air Jordan is a brand of basketball shoes that were created by Nike exclusively for Michael Jordan in early 1984. Basketball players and non-athletics alike all began to lust after these functional basketball shoes because they were associated with Jordan, who had been skyrocketed into stratospheric levels of fame. Later on in 1984, Nike released Air Jordans to the public.
It is true that certain design features of basketball shoes will improve their function, with some basketball shoe companies even claiming players wearing their shoes can jump 3.5 inches higher than they would otherwise. Whether or not this is true, Nike Jordan and Air Jordan remain popular brands that are difficult to order online or find in stores today, because they are still in such high demand.
Yoga Pants’ Rebellion From the Studio
In the 1980s, leggings became a popular trend, though these soon fell out of fashion due to their see-through nature. Although the yoga pants’ precursor was just as comfortable, their transparency hindered their functionality and comfort for women.
In 1998, Lululemon created Boogie’s women’s leggings, and this is the fashion design that is credited with birthing the athleisure movement seen today. Additionally, with the rise in popularity of Western-style yoga and brands like Lululemon and Sweaty Betty who were making yoga pants, leggings came back, but in an updated fashion.
Though yoga pants were first and foremost a functional item, originally intended to be worn during yoga practice, this is quite possible the most popular item of activewear that has infiltrated the modern fashion industry and everyday wear. The fabric of modern yoga pants is opaque enough to be worn outside the yoga studio, and stretchy enough to be worn all day without losing its shape.
If you have any doubts regarding the popularity of this activewear trend, go outside literally anywhere and it is pretty much guaranteed you will find them on a passerby within the first 10 minutes of your searching. Whether or not the girls wearing the yoga pants have been to a yoga class that day is irrelevant: the trend of the super-stretchy, form-fitting material supersedes the popularity of the sport itself. Wearing yoga pants now has almost nothing to do with the sport/fitness activity of yoga: this athleisure fashion trend is symbolic of a larger cultural shift that is occuring in the US, which encourages a “clean eating, clean living” mentality.
The Humble Puffer Jacket
Eddie Bauer, a humble sportswear designed in the 1930s, created the puffer jacket after a close encounter with hypothermia. Inspired by the Russian military jackets, which were filled with down, Bauer then sewed the down into quilted sections so that it wouldn’t all sink to the bottom.
These puffer or quilted jackets became a fashionable trend among hunters, equestrians and rural folk, until the 1990s when the hip-hop scene popularized these activewear jackets even more. New York and Detroit hip-hop artists wore and popularized Helly Hansen, an outdoor manufacturer whose jackets were known for keeping the cold of northern US cities at bay. Today, puffer jackets remain a universal fashion trend and their styles have expanded and grown with modern styles.
Techies and Their Wearable Running Gear
The running world has been largely influential in the modern fashion industry: though analogue wrist watches were, at one point, all the rage, these stylish accessories have been traded in for fitness trackers. Modern wearable technology must meet our functional needs, as well as our emotional, social and aesthetic needs.
The popularity of wearable technology (such as Fitbit, Apple Watch, and other smart watches or activity trackers) his risen, in part, due to the mega cultural trend of Clean Living, mentioned above. The “clean living” mentality, coupled with the rise in technological innovations, has encouraged activities such as “detoxifying” the foods we consume or the products we use, as well as keeping track of our carbon footprint, fitness level and daily caloric intake. To help us modernize, wearable technology, such as the Fitbit, make it easy to track our individual health and fitness level. These products have become so influential in the fashion industry that there are a vast variety of aesthetic designs to apply to any consumer.
CrossFit: The New Tribe
CrossFit is a relatively new fitness brand known for its intense exercise regime. Focusing on high intensity interval training, powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics and calisthenics, the CrossFit brand is one of the most popular fitness trends in the world. The competitive nature of CrossFit gyms, in which CrossFit affiliated gyms will compete against one another, encourages team spirit and a powerful alliance among those who partake. Thus, CrossFit fanatics tend to identify with the brand of their gym: Reebok seems to have monopolized on the CrossFit activewear trend, and has even opened up specialist training centers and sportswear stores in the name of CrossFit.
The Wimbledon Effect
Jane Régny and Suzanne Lenglen were two parisian tennis players who designed and sold activewear for women in the early twentieth century. With their assistance, tennis wear became associated with country clubs and aristocrats, and has been consistently referenced since the 1920s as a preppy, collegiate fashion trend. Brands, such as Fred Perry, emerged with preppy styles of British Mod subculture, and has since become 100% streetwear despite its athletic roots.
Similar to Michael Jordan’s Air Jordans, tennis clothing styles and shoes were popularized into common everyday fashion due to the stardom associated with tennis’ key players and the popular desire to resemble these players. Off the court, tennis shoes are ubiquitous today: brands like Adidas, Keds, Lacoste and Diadora all offer their own spin on the style, solidifying tennis’ fashion transition from sports footwear to everyday footwear.
7 Stylish Sportswear Brands To Know
It’s clear: sportswear is no longer only for playing sports, nor is it primarily understood as casual dress. With the wide range of sportswear brands and retailers offering stylish sportswear, you can be comfortable in your activewear all day long, every single day! In addition to the activewear trends mentioned above, many sportswear brands have risen in popularity, which has significantly changed the modern fashion industry.
Retailers such as Gap, Forever 21 and J. Crew have hopped on board with their own activewear lines as well. Though the following are 7 of the most popular activewear brands, other brands have been just as influential in the modern trend of activewear and in altering the fashion industry. These brands include Vie Active, Pins to Kill, Sweaty Betty, Huntr, Outdoor Voices, Olympia Activewear and Live the Process.
1. Nike
Nike is the most valuable clothing brand in the world, which totalled $28 billion in 2018, despite a 12% drop in North America due to executive misconduct. Nike generated over $30 billion in revenue for each of the last four fiscal years.
2. Adidas by Stella McCartney
The collaboration of beloved designer, Stella McCartney, and one of the greatest sportswear labels of all time, Adidas, makes for a genius sportswear fashion line. With high quality and high performance fabrics, as well as styles in fashionable designs (floral prints, bold colors and futuristic designs!), you will never want to wear anything else.
3. Fabletics by Kate Hudson
Actress Kate Hudson created Fabletics, a brand of activewear designed to suit the wearer. After taking a quiz on style preferences and sizes, you can view a range of Fabletics products geared towards your needs. Fabletics takes the frustration out of shopping for activewear: finding the right product is a breeze when the curated pages are designed for you.
4. Lululemon
Lululemon has an expansive range of products: from running to yoga to training, Lulu probably has what you’re looking for. Their yoga pants and leggings come in a wide variety of colors, lengths and styles to suit everyone. They also offer free in-store yoga classes, which make them the ideal activewear brand.
5. Under Armour
Though Under Armour seems to have lost some popularity in recent years, it remains one of the leading brands in sportswear. In 2018, Under Armour generated the fourth highest sales of athletic apparel, accessories and footwear, and was ranked the fifth most valuable sports business brand worldwide in 2017.
6. FP Movement by Free People
FP Movement, Free People’s activewear, offers a wide range of designs to encourage both functionality and fashion. Decorative cut-outs, added straps, ultra-chic details are just some of the designs offered by FP Movement to encourage an active mentality without sacrificing style or your wallet.
7. Supreme X Louis Vuitton
The collaboration between luxury designers and sports giants has been largely successful and has established the new normal in everyday fashion. In 2017, Louis Vuitton was the first luxury brand to embrace so openly the streetwear movement: with its capsule collection, it endorsed a skater culture emblem, New York’s Supreme. With LV’s iconic red color and monogrammed products, the line was sold out in the first day.
Is Trendy Activewear Going Away Anytime Soon?
Probably not. According to The NPD Group, US activewear apparel sales increased in 2016 by 11% from 2015, totaling $45.9 billion and far outperforming the traditional apparel sector. Though many years ago activewear brands produced fresh trends maybe once or twice a year, the athleisure movement is in full swing today. With new designs for yoga pants, sneakers, tracksuits and trainers seen on the high streets, the sports and fitness fashion market is predicted to reach $231.7 billion by 2024, with an annual growth rate of 4.42%, according to Heuritech.
So, whether you love it or hate it, whether you are in full-support of stretchy, opaque yoga pants or actively trying to sidestep all the efforts of sportswear brands thrown at you via social media and other marketing channels, you can be sure that stylish sportswear is the new trend and it is here to stay, at least for a while.
This post was written by Kara Roberts, blogger and content writer for Sincerely Silver. We specialize in creating custom made jewelry in sterling silver, gold and rose gold and have been featured in a number of publications, including Glamour. For gift ideas and personalized jewelry creations, check out our blog!
