All posts by : AyFa Collections

Understanding ovulation allows for understanding many of the essential subtleties involving fertility and menstruation. A segment of the menstrual cycle, in this sense, defines a time wherein the ovary ejects the egg, starting conditions whereby one gets pregnant. Due to a process of changed sequences of various hormonal changes leading up to several physical symptoms or emotional issues in their seriousness, much turmoil is afflicted within both body and brain. These changes are not only of great importance in family planning but also shed light on how the reproductive system works, therefore allowing one to make relevant choices regarding their health and well-being.

1. Hormonal Changes at Ovulation

LH Surge and Its Participation

The surge of luteinizing hormone is one of the major events that result in ovulation. This generally occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle and serves as a signal for the release of a mature egg from the ovary. It represents the peak in hormonal activity in the course of the cycle, signifying that the body is ready for possible fertilization. It lasts about 24 to 36 hours and is thus crucial for correctly timing ovulation.

Increase in Estrogen Levels

Estrogen levels in the body increase significantly as ovulation nears. In most respects, this is because of the developing follicles in the ovaries, each of which, as it matures, will produce estrogen. Higher levels of estrogen serve a number of purposes: thickening the lining of the uterus in preparation for a fertilized egg and creating cervical mucus that allows sperm to move through easily. This hormonal shift prepares the body for ovulation and creates an optimal environment for implantation if fertilization occurs.

2. Physical Symptoms and Signs of Ovulation Changes in Cervical Mucus

Your Cervical Mucus Changes

Besides, at the time of ovulation, cervical mucus also shows evident changes to signal fertility. The consistency of the mucus becomes more translucent, elastic, and slippery, taking on the appearance of raw egg whites. This change, mediated through increased estrogen levels, allows sperm to more successfully pass the cervix into the uterus for fertilization.

Your Temperature Rises Slightly

After ovulation, most women have a slight elevation in basal body temperature (BBT). This is due to progesterone, a hormone produced by the ovary after the release of the egg. BBT can be helpful in monitoring ovulation because the elevated temperature will usually stay until menses begin.

You Might Feel Mild Pain

Some women experience mild pelvic pain or discomfort at the time of ovulation, called mittelschmerz. It is typically a one-sided pain, on the same side as the ovary that is releasing the egg. Usually, mittelschmerz is not severe enough to interfere with daily activities and usually resolves spontaneously in a few minutes to hours. It is reassuring to remember that mittelschmerz is a normal part of the ovulatory process.

Your Breasts May Feel Tender

The hormonal change during ovulation can also lead to increased sensitivity of the breasts or tenderness. Many females complain of greater sensitivity in their breasts due to high levels of estrogen and progesterone. This is usually temporary and may go away after ovulation is over or after a period of time when menstruation begins.

3. Behavioral and Sensory Changes At Ovulation

Your Sex Drive Increases

For many women, at the point of ovulation, there is an increase in sexual desire; it is sometimes described as heightened libido. It is primarily driven by hormonal factors, which include a rise in estrogen on the eve of ovulation. The body gets ready to conceive, thereby enhancing sexual attractiveness and interest at this point of the menstrual cycle.

Your Senses Become Sharper

Some women also develop an increased sensitivity to smell or taste around the time of ovulation. Again, this symptom can be a result of the hormonal changes associated with ovulation. Not every woman experiences these changes, but for those who do, this heightened sensitivity may create a more acute awareness of their environment and, correspondingly, a greater sensory awareness.

4. Emotional and Psychological Effects of Ovulation

Many women experience irritability or emotional highs and lows during ovulation due to hormonal changes. It is brought on by changes in neurotransmitters, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, produced by the increase in estrogen and progesterone levels. Some people feel more energetic and happy, while others may experience irritability or mood swings. It has to be taken into consideration that these effects range widely; some women may not record any or very minimal change in their emotional state during this phase of the menstrual cycle.

5. Reproductive System Preparations for Ovulation

Your Egg Gets Released

During ovulation, because of the peak of the LH, the fully formed egg from the ovarian follicle passes through the rupturing of the follicular cell and out into the fallopian tube. Once the egg travels down the tube, fertilization may result since the egg has also met the sperm. The cycle midpoint of release allows for natural conception to occur only from this form.

Your Uterus Prepares for Pregnancy

In the case of ovulation, dramatic changes take place in the uterine lining in preparation for a pregnancy. The lining thickens and becomes well vascularized in preparation for the best environment for embryo implantation as the levels of estrogen increase in the days preceding ovulation. If fertilization occurs and the fertilized egg reaches the uterus, this thickened lining will support the early stages of pregnancy. If no fertilization occurs, the lining is shed as menses.

Track Your Cycle with an Ovulation Calculator

Want an easier way to track your fertile days? An online ovulation calculator can help you understand your cycle better. It’s like having a personal calendar that highlights your most important dates.

How to Use the Calculator

It’s simple – you just need two pieces of information:

• The first day of your last period
• Your typical cycle length (how many days from the start of one period to the start of the next)

What You’ll Learn

• After entering these details, you’ll see:
• When your next few periods should start
• Your most fertile days (when you’re likely ovulating)
• A potential due date if you conceive during this cycle

Your Personal Fertility Calendar

The ovulation calculator creates a visual calendar that marks:

• Your period start dates in dark red
• Your fertile window in pink (usually 5-6 days each cycle)
• The next 6 months of your cycle

You can set up reminders on your phone to help you keep track of your most fertile days.

While these ovulation calculators are helpful tools, they work best if you have regular cycles. Every woman’s body is different, and other signs of ovulation (like changes in cervical mucus and body temperature) are also important to track. For the most accurate family planning, consider using the ovulation calculator alongside other fertility awareness methods and always consult with your healthcare provider.

Know Your Body Better: Understanding Your Ovulation Signs

Think of ovulation as your body’s monthly preparation for potential pregnancy – it comes with clear signs you can learn to recognize. From changes in your cervical mucus to slight shifts in body temperature, these signals help you understand when you’re most fertile. Some women might notice they feel more energetic or even experience mild pain, while others might not feel anything at all – and that’s completely normal.

What matters most is paying attention to your own body’s patterns. Whether you’re planning a pregnancy or just want to understand your cycle better, knowing your ovulation signs puts you more in tune with your body’s natural rhythms. And remember, if you have questions about your cycle or notice unusual changes, your healthcare provider is always there to help.

The wide-leg trouser has taken poll position in the slacks stakes in recent years, making its presence felt across the sartorial spectrum: from the designer runways of Saint Laurent and Peter Do, to the rails of high-street favourites, Cos and Arket.

Of course, the wide-leg trouser is by no means a modern phenomenon, and its history stretches back to the ’20s where the It-girls of the day wore them as a sign of liberation from the burden of traditional skirts. And while we no longer wear them as an act of rebellion, the wide-leg trouser still retains that sense of ageless elegance, thanks to their tailored construction that hasn’t changed much in the last 100 years and their flattering, leg-lengthening credentials.

But the question is: how do we make wide-leg trousers feel directional in 2025? Allow us to be your guides. From layered jersey tops and cargo detailing, to corduroy fabrications and tough leather outerwear, we’ve compiled five outfits to experiment with this February. Scroll down to explore.

Cargo trousers + layered tees

Striped Cotton Jersey T-Shirt

Long-Sleeved Microfibre Top

Barrel-Leg Utility Trousers

Black trousers + vintage-inspired jacket

Appliquéd Colour-Block Fringed Suede Jacket

Mr Porter

₹ 2,83,500.00

00’s Men’s Boston Bruins Hockey T-Shirt

Relaxed Fit Cool Wool Trousers

Massimo Dutti

₹ 10,000.00

Leather jacket + high-waisted trousers

Leather Blouson With Shearling Collar

Bottega Veneta

₹4,66,000.00

Beige trousers + polo top

Contrast Trim Striped Polo

Oversized Faux Shearling Gilet

Classic Ultra Mini Shearling Boots

Net-a-porter

₹ 14,500.00

Relaxed Twill Wide-Leg Trousers

Cord trousers + parka

Technical Hooded Parka Jacket

Chunky Pure Cashmere Crew-Neck Jumper

This story first appeared on vogue.co.uk

Also read:

5 Effortless Ways To Wear Wide-Leg Trousers In 2025

10 denim trends that will make your wardrobe feel fresh—from distressed to jazzy jeans

How to dress for a first date, according to your zodiac sign

According to some of the best rom-coms out there, the answer to the age-old “Do opposites attract?” debate is a resounding yes. Unlikely pairings—a bookish introvert falling for the popular, social butterfly; the bubbly optimist drawn to the mysteriously brooding realist—make for some of the most swoon-worthy stories. But the real question is, do these types of matches actually last?

There’s something undeniably exciting about being with a person who’s, well, nothing like you. “The novelty is a huge part of the ‘opposites attract’ appeal,” says Chris Gonzalez, PhD, LMFT, professor and founding director of Lipscomb University’s Marriage and Family Therapy masters program in Nashville. “It’s like, ‘There’s something in you I don’t see in myself, and that’s what makes this dynamic so unfamiliar yet electric.”

But will that early chemistry translate into a happily ever after? According to Dr. Gonzalez, not necessarily: “There’s a difference between attraction, that initial spark, and compatibility, which refers to whether the relationship is built to last.” Some opposites can successfully challenge and complement each other in a way that strengthens their bond, he explains, while other times, competing personalities can be impossible to overcome. Below, we asked experts what makes some opposites click—and why others clash.

So why do opposites attract?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer as to why we may gravitate toward our polar opposites. Again, the unknown can be a big draw. But there are a few reasons why ending up with someone quite different might work in your favour, too, according to Molly Burrets, PhD, a Los Angeles-based psychologist and adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Department of Marriage and Family Therapy.

For starters, you probably don’t want to be with a carbon copy of yourself, says Dr. Burrets. There’s not much room to grow if you’re both always on the same page and never disagreeing or challenging each other. Plus things can get boring when you’re too similar—without any contrast, it’s easy to feel stagnant. In some cases, too many commonalities can also breed more conflict, Dr. Gonzalez points out—like if both of you are too stubborn to apologise during fights or so conflict-avoidant that important issues never get addressed.

We might not all like Valentine’s Day celebrations, but perhaps some cute Valentine’s Day nail art designs could put us in the mood for love? An at-home manicure is that little self-care moment that we all deserve—plus, there are so many ideas out there that your nails can very well become your canvas. To help inform your decision, we’ve put together an edit of the most beautiful nail ideas that work equally well across acrylic nails, gel nails and every different nail shape. There are options for everything, from long coffin nails to short and natural shapes.

Want something a little more themed? Red for Valentine’s Day may not be groundbreaking, but it’s an undeniable classic. We’ve come across some stunning manis that remix traditional pinks and reds in a modern, covetable way, whether it’s across the whole nail, ombréd out, or making a guest appearance as an accent, like a French tip or retro swirls (which are proving very popular). So get your nail polish collection out and create something you can truly crush on.

Glitter hearts

Heart tips

Chrome pink with dinky red heart

Chrome aura

Kisses

Karisma Kapoor’s style is a lesson in “how not to try too hard”, especially when it comes to beachwear. She clearly enjoys spending time by the ocean and is often serving up delicious resort wear looks. Earlier, we had witnessed her in an all-black beach outfit, perfect for those with a penchant for dark neutrals. Her recent pick? A printed hand-draped kaftan dress from Verandah, a conscious luxury brand founded by Anjali Patel Mehta.

Inspired by the laid-back Goan susegaad life, Kapoor’s kaftan, from Verandah’s Parra collection, features diaphanous motifs around the borders, alluding to the azulejos tiles found across colonial Portuguese houses in the state. Wearing her hair in a sleek bun and keeping her makeup clean, Karisma Kapoor proved that beach style can be both chic and comfortable. She stayed true to the monochromatic feel of the look, adding a statement only with a stack of zebra-printed resin cuffs.

As seen on international runways, such as Saint-Laurent and Chloé’s coveted spring summer ’25 shows, stacking cuffs set against bohemian, billowing silhouettes seems to be the next big trend. Case in point, Tripti Dimri‘s stack with an ivory Iqbal Hussain lehenga, Kareena Kapoor Khan’s more disco-esque rendition of the trend, or Sobhita Dhulipala‘s sequinned version paired with archival Sabyasachi – bohemian, easy-going offerings that stray away from overdone minimalism.

History, by default, has been a male dominion. Tucked inside school textbooks are tales of valour and conquests, wars and spoils, almost always performed by men. Reading about fearless souls striding onto the battlefield or flouting societal expectations, be it Akbar the Great, Bhagat Singh or Kabir, has always felt manly.

After all, who has ever got their blood pumping over Mirabai’s Sita-like devotion or Sarojini Naidu’s role in the freedom struggle with her docile title, the ‘Nightingale of India’? Women of the past have been considered exceptional only as saints and celebrated in monochrome shades, even if it is the warrior queen of Jhansi.

It’s why contemporary female historians in India are enlisting their words to rescue women like the Sufi poet-spy Noor Inayat Khan, who fought to defeat Nazi tyranny, from the blank page, and shining a new light on figures like Mirabai, who audaciously left behind her husband, his family and dominion to stray alone in the wild.

Sophia Duleep Singh (fourth from left) fought for causes like women’s suffrage and better treatment of Indian soldiers in World War I, enraging the British government.

Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

At the recently concluded Jaipur Literature Festival (January 30 to February 3, 2025), Vogue India invited three leading Indian female historians to discuss whether heroism truly lies in the eyes of the beholder. British historian and TV presenter Anita Anand discussed how Sophia Duleep Singh, a Punjabi-Indian suffragette, saved her sanity while Shrabani Basu, an Indian historian and journalist, shared that even 20 years after writing about the legacy of Noor Inayat Khan, a British secret agent and Tipu Sultan’s descendant, she is haunted by the spy extraordinaire. Leading Indian historian Ira Mukhoty, who has penned audacious biographical accounts of Mirabai, Lakshmibai, Draupadi and several Mughal women, divulged how her quest to redefine womanhood happened by chance. All of them agreed that it is not only the future that is female, but also the past.

Ira Mukhoty (IR): I want to start by saying that I am a trained scientist. Writing happened by accident. When my girls were small and growing up in Delhi, I looked for Indian language stories to counter the pervasive influence of Western culture. Looking at our mythology, I thought about how Indian womanhood had been homogenised through popular culture, like the image of Sita. Men have been writing all the stories and records, especially those concerning men. Barely anything had been written about the women of the Mughal Empire. Trusted male academics told me I was wasting my time. It’s just that I approached writing with a certain point of view, looking for certain details, which I knew I would find. It’s not impossible, but you have to have that gaze.

When guests arrive at the 2025 Met Gala for “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”—the spring 2025 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute—they’ll do so having considered the dress code, announced today as “Tailored for You.” Per the Met, the dress code is a nod to the exhibition’s focus on menswear and is “purposefully designed to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation.”

“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” will explore the role of sartorial style in forming Black identities, focusing on the emergence, significance, and proliferation of the Black dandy. Composed of clothing, photographs, fine art, historical texts, and artifacts, it’s the first Costume Institute exhibit to focus on menswear since 2003’s “Men in Skirts,” and was inspired by Guest Curator Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.

“Dandyism can seem frivolous, but it often poses a challenge to or a transcendence of social and cultural hierarchies,” Miller said in today’s statement. “It asks questions about identity, representation, and mobility in relation to race, class, gender, sexuality, and power. This exhibition explores dandyism as both a pronouncement and a provocation.”

The show also reflects The Met’s ongoing commitment to authentically diversifying its exhibitions. “What makes it possible to translate Monica’s book Slaves to Fashion into an exhibition,” said Costume Institute Curator in Charge Andrew Bolton, “is our collection of high-style menswear, which serves as a foundation for imagining and realizing a sartorial history of Black dandyism.”

André Leon Talley 5th Avenue, Arthur Elgort (American, born 1940), 1986; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Irene Lewisohn Costume Reference Library.

Suit, Morty Sills (American, active mid-to-late 19th century), 1986; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Alfred Z. Solomon-Janet A. Sloane Endowment Fund, 2023 (2023.784a–c). Photo © Tyler Mitchell 2025

Now, about the dress code: “Tailored for You” can be interpreted in a myriad of ways, but mostly means embracing looks reflective of one’s personal style. We can surely expect inspired takes on suiting—from versions of the zoot silhouette popularized by jazz musicians in the 1940s, to the bold, colourful styles worn by Congolese sapeurs—though other menswear staples, such as hats, ties, and perhaps canes, brooches, and pocket squares, are likely to have a strong showing, too.

Indeed, attendees might look to Met Gala co-chairs Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams—along with honorary chair LeBron James—for inspiration. Think Domingo, arriving at the 2024 Critic’s Choice Awards in a mustard yellow Valentino suit and textured gold coat, or Hamilton en route to the Miami Grand Prix paddock in a diamanté tank top and sleek black shades. We’ve also seen Rocky adorn his braided hair with silk scarves and beaded clips; Williams in Billionaire Boys Club graphic tees and Louis Vuitton leather flares of his own design; and James in custom Thom Browne during the 2018 NBA Finals.

Beyond the world of luxury, performance-wear brands like Patagonia and North Face have in-house repair services, while trainer brand Veja even offers to fix shoes from other brands in many of its stores, including in London. As well as being the right thing to do from a sustainability perspective, Save Your Wardrobe’s co-founder Hasna Kourda–whose aftercare platform connects a global network of vetted repair service providers for brands like Loro Piana and Maje Paris–points out that when “customers feel they can repair their items through the brand, it strengthens loyalty and trust.”

At the start of my self-imposed challenge, the goal of repairing and restoring my wardrobe felt like uncharted territory. I wasn’t even confident in my ability to sew on a button or stitch a hem–I’ve since learned to do both, but generally speaking, that once commonplace skill hasn’t been passed down. For many of us, it just seems easier to buy new.

An initial audit of my wardrobe revealed a surprising number of items that I had either forgotten about, no longer suited me, or I’d left to repair. These totalled over 20 items, including four pairs of trousers with torn hems and a beige dress with two loose buttons. Plus, there were countless tiny, moth-eaten holes requiring invisible mending by my tailor.

The Chanel flats before.

Courtesy of Emily Zak

The shoes after they were cleaned and re-dyed.

Courtesy of Emily Zak

I also sent four pairs of shoes to the 60-year-old specialist service, including a pair of Chanel ballet flats that were cleaned and re-dyed, Chanel suede boots in need of a clean and a new satin toe, and Aeyde ankle boots that needed re-heeling. Then there were my much-loved Jimmy Choo boots. The cost of repairing the inner lining (arranged via the brand’s aftercare service) was ₹26,000–expensive due to the nature of the damage and the need to unstitch them, but with a retail price of ₹1,40,729, 10 years of hard wear, and hopefully more to come, this seemed fair. I don’t think twice about paying for dry cleaning, so I decided to think of these repair costs as a kind of fashion MOT.

When it came to alterations, I rediscovered my Stella McCartney tweed trench coat, which I had bought eight years before, but was too long for me, and got it altered. Another focus was several of my late father’s Richard James suits, which I had never planned on wearing. They sat mostly untouched in my wardrobe as nostalgic reminders of him; I’d occasionally drape one of the blazers over my shoulders, as it made me feel close to him. As part of this challenge, I decided to alter the trousers, which were several sizes too big, to wear the ensemble as a suit. My usual tailor at my local dry cleaners (top tip: they are often very good) altered the trousers for much less than the cost of a new Richard James suit. And though I often wear the jacket on its own, when I wear the full suit, it feels like a lived memory.

The Jimmy Choo boots before.

Courtesy of Emily Zak

The same boots after being repaired.

Courtesy of Emily Zak

In many ways, working out how to extend the life of a pre-existing item in our wardrobe requires more imagination than buying something new. Fellow industry insider Tiffanie Darke, who has pledged to buy only five new items of clothing a year, has also found joy in repairing old pieces in her wardrobe. “Being more intentional about what we buy, and how we take care of our clothes can be incredibly creative,” she tells me over the phone, recalling how she sent a ripped pair of jeans for repair via Save Your Wardrobe, using the Japanese embroidery technique of sashiko.

While Bollywood celebrities including Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone usually prefer tamping down their baby hair for a more put-together look, many Hollywood stars–from Bella Hadid to Tyla–are known for being more experimental with styling their baby hair, creating swirls and intricate designs. In fact, singer FKA Twigs’ album covers–from LP1 to M3LI55X–are characterised by their complicated, serpentine styling of baby hair to make the musician appear more otherworldly.

An easy trick

“If you want to be adventurous, you can follow up by applying hair gel, using a fine-toothed tail comb to create some baby hair swirls,” suggests Shell. For those who would rather stick to the basics, the hairstylist has another hack: “There’s plenty of brands that make clear gel-based mascaras. The mascara wand will help you with an even application of the product.”

For those with sensitive scalps or skin, however, Mehta suggests being cautious about the products you use. “Find hair gels that don’t have fragrances or harsh chemicals,” the makeup artist recommends, “If you don’t know how your skin will react to a product, make sure you do a patch test near the hairline and keep an eye out for any skin reactions. It’s the simplest way to avoid more major issues.”

If the skin is sensitive, so is baby hair, Shell reminds me.

She advises against using any heat to tame the frizz. “Baby hair is fragile and needs to be handled with care. You will only end up breaking it with constant heat use.” She explains that it is best to stick to gel-based products when styling this fine hair. “Oil and serums will only make your life tough because they have no hold,” she concludes.

Also read:

Did you know your collagen reserves are linked to your social relationships and good vibes

Shraddha Kapoor and Suhana Khan wore metallic makeup in the best beauty looks of the week

I drink aloe vera juice every morning—here are all the benefits