Posts in category: Life Style

When it comes to winter wardrobes, it goes without saying that leather jackets are a perennial favourite once the chill sets in. But we firmly believe that a leather trouser deserve equal billing. Warmer than denim, as sleek as tailoring and capable of making even a simple knit or T-shirt look intentional, they offer one of the easiest routes to an instantly elevated cold-weather outfit.

Some of the most stylish celebrities are in agreement. Dua Lipa has styled hers with a minimalist tank and strappy heels, while Gigi Hadid has slipped into many styles, including a low-rise pair worn with a white corset top, and a more wearable balloon-leg style teamed with a white T-shirt, beanie and leather bomber. Not to mention Bella Hadid who has practically made leather trousers the cornerstone of her rodeo-ready rebrand.

Pierre Suu

Aeon

Designers are equally invested. At Chloé, Chemena Kamali’s kick-flare styles in deep burgundy, chocolate and smoky grey were paired with fuzzy jackets and lace camisoles. Zimmermann showed voluminous khaki balloon legs, and Max Mara added warmth with camel tones, while rich pinot noir shades appeared at Ferragamo, MSGM and SS Daley.

If you’re considering investing in a pair, remember: fit is everything. There are plenty of silhouettes to choose from, including baggy, high-rise, skinny and flared. Our advice? Try several pairs from different brands and style them with your favourite shoes and accessories to get a sense of whether they work for you.

Launchmetrics.com/spotlight

Stefania Danese

As for styling, pair high-shine leather with something soft and tactile, say a chunky roll neck, a brushed wool coat or a slouchy cashmere cardigan. For daytime, trainers and a crisp cotton shirt will do, by night, switch to strappy heels or pointed boots and add a lace cami for the full Chloé-effect. Or take a cue from Gigi’s everyday formula and throw on a matching leather bomber, a simple white T-shirt and ballet flats.

Here are six simple outfit formulas to help you get the most wear out of your leather trousers this winter.

Contrast is key

Play with texture and opt for sumptuous silk and plush faux-fur to counteract the polish of a classic pair of kick-flare leather trousers à la Chloé.

Massimo Dutti – Long 100% Silk Camisole Top

M&S – Faux Fur Aviator Coat

Harvey Nichols – Tafira leather trousers

Free People – Ultra dreamy chain belt

CHLOÉ – Paddington embellished leather tote

Arket – Leather riding boots

High shine

Matte leather is a popular choice, but coated leather comes a close second. Patent trouser styles look best when they’re a slouchy fit or barrel-leg, especially when in a glossy cherry red hue.

Arket – Chunky cashmere-wool jumper

Soeur – Coligny double-breasted wool coat

M&S – Leather look textured barrel leg trousers

Burberry – Check cashmere scarf

Marco Panconesi – Huggie earrings

Miista – Bibi courts

Leather-on-leather

Why wear one leather item when you can wear two or three? Like double denim, leather-on-leather is powerful when done right. Match tones and textures to achieve a polished look.

M&S – X 16Arlington leather jacket

Veronica Beard – Mylie ruched knitted turtleneck tank

M&S – X 16Arlington leather trousers

Numbering – Sterling silver earrings

H&M – Rectangular crossbody bag

Harvey Nichols – 75 leather ankle boots

Keep it casual

Consider the leather trouser a key part of your everyday uniform. Keep it simple with a T-shirt and trainers, then slip into kitten heels to carry you into the evening.

Conner Ives – “Protect The Dolls” T-Shirt

RE/DONE – Cropped padded plush-trimmed shell bomber jacket

Mango – Faux-leather trousers with elastic waist

Arket – Wool-cotton zip cardigan

Miu Miu – Suede beau bag

Dries Van Noten – Nylon sneakers

Be bold

Venture away from classic black leather and add a splash of bold colour, like bright red – the colour of the season – into your wardrobe. Wear matching pieces for maximum impact.

KHAITE – Oxblood leather sue jacket

The Underdays – The tank

Harvey Nichols – Callum straight-leg leather trousers

Sessun – Shimoteka high-neck cardigan

Wales Bonner – Leather bowling bag

Dune – Leather ballet flats

Prep it up

Cos – Striped long-sleeved polo shirt

& other stories – Cropped bomber jacket

Reiss – Leather slim-leg trousers

Cos – Marais mini bowling bag

Astrid & Miyu – Bold large hoops

Harvey Nichols – Brown le loafer 15 suede loafers

This article first appeared on Vogue.co.uk.

Vibrance, playfulness, confidence and exuberance are your lesser-known qualities, Taurus, but it is time for you to showcase them. Your life happens from one moment to the next and while this transient nature might feel fickle and uncertain it also brings in hope, childlike wonder and curiosity for what lies ahead. When life can feel glittery, iridescent and magical, why settle for anything lesser, Leo? Keep up with old friends, find humour in painstaking conditions, keep your spirits high and your goals higher because you are at a converging point that not only merges all you have been working on and towards, but also is miraculously bringing together skills, people, resources and ideas that were once brushed off or not yet ready. What you speak you create, Cancer and this is your greatest blessing. Now use this gift wisely, not just today but always. Find things to be grateful for to attract more blessings. Find things that excite you and fill you with passion to draw more opportunities your way. You are stepping into your wildling era. You need to hear your thoughts more intently. You need to listen to the calling of your soul and heart more attentively, Scorpio. And then, once you hear your inner voice clearly—create your own mini revolution in your life that transforms it in unfathomable ways.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you, and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

You are here to experience ‘unconditionality’, Aries—be it in love, in material resources, or in anything else. You are reminded today that you are as human as you are divine and that your wants and needs are as valid as your desires for personal growth and evolution. This includes your body’s need for rest, your bank account’s need for growth and your soul’s need for evolution and ascension in equal measure. While this may feel confusing and huge, it is not. Your task is to accept all parts of yourself as ‘unconditionally’ as you can, and then take things from there.

Cosmic tip: Trust that just as you have everyone’s best interests in mind, the cosmos has yours in mind too.

Vibrance, playfulness, confidence and exuberance are your lesser known qualities, Taurus, but it is time for you to showcase them. Your life happens from one moment to the next and while this transient nature might feel fickle and uncertain it also brings in hope, childlike wonder and curiosity for what lies ahead. Today, either don the colour fuchsia, or play around with it as your screen saver. This energy is what is coming forth for you and this is the energy you are here to radiate onto everything you do and touch.

For actor Ayesha Dharker, who discovered the school when she climbed a wall at age six, Tushna was the kind of teacher who becomes a North Star. “She taught me to tell stories with my whole body,” she says. Later in life, when performing for cameras and crowds, Dharker could feel her teacher’s guiding hand in spirit—stern yet warmly invested. Other alumni recall the flair of an institution that was born during the Swinging Sixties: ballet shoes handcrafted by a bus conductor on Route 106, white pinafores with maroon sashes and those gentle first steps that would, in time, become a lifetime of motion.

If Tushna built a cathedral of discipline, her elder daughter, Khushcheher Dallas, aka Khooshoo, infused it with light. Khooshoo, who has now led the school for decades, is that rare teacher who balances rigour with irrepressible joy. “Her sense of fun shaped me as much as her technique did,” says former student Tarika Hidayatullah Ingram, now a ballet teacher herself.

Khooshoo during a performance.

There are many ways an actor prepares for a role. Some read scripts till sunrise. Some shadow real-life professionals. And then there’s Vijay Varma, who walked into Vogue India headquarters and decided the only way to play an editor-in-chief was to start at the bottom.

What followed was a four-part series in which he tried to “learn the ropes”, navigated the office with Oscar-worthy confidence, and discovered—slowly, painfully, hilariously—that the fashion world has its own logic and language.

Varma’s first day at Vogue India has all the classic intern beats: a misplaced sense of authority, a dramatic entrance and a mysterious quest for a “sourcing list” he has absolutely no context for. He breezes through the office, admiring frills, interrupting meetings and demanding deliverables without knowing where his desk is. A strong start.

In a season of weddings and festivities, often characterised by who can outdo whom, Kriti Sanon instead let craftsmanship take centre stage. For the latest promotions of her upcoming movie Tere Ishq Mein (2025), the actor opted for a silk kurta set from Sobariko.

Styled by Sukriti Grover, the black kurta featured woven silver brocade along the neckline, sleeves and hem, with a broad silver jaal pattern running across the fabric. Matching wide-legged pants carrying the same jaal and brocade-trimmed hems introduced a ’70s-inspired silhouette. A black potli bag embellished with identical patterns created a cohesive visual.

Her jewellery brought a sculptural element to the look, with Sanon wearing statement silver ear cuffs from Apala by Sumit, crafted with mother-of-pearl, quartz and vintage discs. Complementing these were black bangles, a thick silver kada on each hand and dual finger rings from Motifs, all contributing to a layered mix of silver tones. A pair of bright silver heels with embroidered floral motifs by Aprajita Toor served as the final addition.

The actor’s makeup and hair remained refined: a sleek half-up, half-down hairstyle with a centre part, paired with bold black smudged liner, a soft smoky eye and pink lips that balanced the metallic notes of the outfit.

From Vogue‘s Fashion Desk:

“Open up the hair to a soft wavy half-part, and tease the top of it to give it that Brigitte Bardot effect. this will amplify the 70s silhouette inspired feel of the sahara. lose the earcuffs for a pair of chandbaalis instead, and the juttis for a pair of strappy kolhapuris,” says Vogue India fashion associate Manglien Gangte.

Also read:

Kriti Sanon embraces tonal dressing with a pearl-trimmed Rohit Bal anarkali and embroidered jacket

Bhumi Pednekkar’s Ritu Kumar look blends brocade and metallic threadwork

Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Anamika Khanna sari layers ivory threadwork with statement jewellery

Every groom has a story that is woven into the cloth of his life, a tale that is made up of his dreams, traditions, feelings, and the moments that outline who he is. At the same time, regardless of the reality that weddings are usually focused on the style journey of the bride, the apparel that the men’s wears incorporates its own tremendous narrative. To add truth to damage, there’s nothing that is more successful in expressing that personality than a sherwani. This is personal, big, and unapologetically worn by the individual in question. There is more to sherwanis than simply an article of apparel; they may be an illustration of a person`s heritage, culture, and individuality. On the occasion that it is made with meticulous deliberation, it transforms into a piece of artwork that serves as a memorial to the groom’s journey from the beyond to the existing and into a brand new future.

There has been a significant shift in the style of weddings. When it comes to his wedding day, the modern groom needs more than only a traditional suit; he needs something that not only reflects his heritage but also offers him an experience of self-assurance and regal status. Because it enhances the splendor of the bride while letting the husband shine in his very own specific way, a sherwani has a more emotional significance when it is designed with meticulous deliberation. This is as it permits the groom to polish simply as much as the bride does. Individual importance, historic relevance, and modern craftsmanship are all correctly blended on this garment; that’s not like every other garment.

1. The Colors That Convey His Identity

The groom`s story begins with color. Royal ivory, passionate crimson, moderate pastels, and wonderful gold represent him. Ivory and beige are stylish and confident, maroon and burgundy are effective and classic, pastels are modern and expressive, and golden, vibrant, and regal. Color conveys dramatic testimonies each time.

2. Embroidery Inspired by Culture & Heritage 

Heritage meets embroidered art. Paisley, florals, mandalas, and elaborate Mughal motifs decorate the sherwani. Zari, zardozi, resham, sequins, and delicate threadwork make it a marvel. They join the groom to his heritage and showcase generations of craftsmanship.

3. Fabric That Reflects His Taste

Fabric preference impacts the groom`s tale equally. Raw silk is modern and textural, at the same time as silk is fashionable. Vintage brocade, velvet, and jacquard are wealthy and fashionable with complicated woven designs. Each fabric offers the sherwani character, reflecting the groom.

4. Personalization: Where the Story Truly Comes Alive

Personalization makes sherwanis special. Personal elements like initials embroidered onto the collar, wedding ceremony dates buried within the pattern, family design elements, and emotional colors make the outfit unique. Even custom buttons, collars, and drapes add touch. After the wedding, these elements make the sherwani special.

The groom`s wedding sherwani shines when it matches the bride’s. By using complementary needlework techniques, complementing tones, or related subjects, the duo can visually speak togetherness. This innovative harmony not only serves as an illustration of the experience that they have completed together, but it also makes a contribution to the overall style in their wedding ceremony images. It brings together modern-day romantic and traditional ceremonies in the most polished way; that is feasible.

The modern groom is familiar with the importance of dress as a way of expressing oneself. He isn’t scared to experiment with new colors, textures, and layout elements, in addition to being self-assured and adventurous. He is likewise no longer worried about creating new things. It is feasible for him to gain stability among his individual style and his cultural background by wearing a sherwani that honors his story. This is because the modern way of wondering is well related with something like that. Eventually, it transforms into something that is more than just a group; it becomes a statement of one`s identity.

Read more – Your Guide to Perfect Kurta Pyjama Looks – Casual to Formal

It`s more than only a dress; it is a memory you may wear, a family heirloom within the making, and a celebration of who you are. Skill, emotion, history, and individuality can all be proven in a sherwani that suggests your trip. On your big day, you need to look more than simply beautiful.

You need to wear a sherwani that tells your story.

Picking the right nail colours for your winter mani is a tall order. With Christmas, New Year’s Eve and the ‘New Year, New Me’ vibe of 2026 to nail in the same season, it can be hard to know which shade will work best as you transition from party season to me time.

Luckily, with a few small tweaks to your usual manicure, you’ll be ready to serve appropriate winter nails by the time the season is here. Whether you’re an all-out festive season lover or looking for a more minimal mani to welcome in the new year, there’s something for everyone this season.

Intrigued? Keep reading to find out the nail polish colours that are in and out for winter and pick your fave before your next nail appointment.

In: Tinsel nails

Out: Tortoiseshell nails

Hear me out on this one, while tortoiseshell nails with their mesmerising mix of brown and black tones can be hard to top, they can be a little bit too muted for party season. For a little extravagance and sparkle, try tinsel nails instead. Inspired by the classic Christmas decoration, this sparkly manicure is a great way of zhuzhing up any outfit this winter, even if you’re an all-black loving fashionista. With so many types of glitter nails to choose from, finer textures will leave you with a more luxurious feel and finish. And don’t worry if glitter isn’t your vibe, you can cheat a little with a super shimmery nail polish instead.

In: Velvet nails

Out: Matte nails

While moody jewel tones like navy or forest green are perfectly complemented by matte textures, as party season approaches, sparkly, shimmery finishes are a no-brainer for your winter nails. Velvet nails, AKA cat-eye nails, have reigned all year long and they’re not going anywhere this season. They catch the light with every flourish of your hand; an easy way to incorporate bling. Update your winter nails by opting for festive shades like pine green or winter-appropriate shades like icy blue.

What if you are living in a parallel reality that may seem like a faint time from your past, but may bear a completely different outcome, for the better? Aries, it has taken you a long time to regain your strength and power. Life may not have been easy, but it really has brought out a lot of good in you and the way you approach things—you’ve become more steadfast, more grounded, more sure of what you want and more emotionally stable. Each time you surrender to the divine and cosmic currents, you find yourself pleasantly surprised by the most magnificent opportunities and breakthroughs in life. Scorpio, your wisdom speaks through your gut—your immediate yes/ no, excited or drained response stems from the deepest core of your body. Pay attention to it. As the year wanes off and as the energy of the past decade or so is clearing off, you are also getting renewed and cleaned up from within. It is almost as though your laundry basket clears up and so does your inner grime, mental chaos and emotional turbulence. Try some spring cleaning today. Gemini, you might not only end up feeling lighter, but you may also rediscover things and gems that you have long forgotten.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you, and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

What if you are living in a parallel reality that may seem like a faint time from your past, but may bear a completely different outcome for the better? Aries, it has taken you a long time to regain your strength and power. Life may have not been easy, but it really has brought out a lot of good in you and the way you approach things. You’ve become more steadfast, more grounded, more sure of what you want and more emotionally stable. Yes, for some of you it is age, but for a lot of you it is wisdom gained through experience. You are no longer fuming at missed opportunities; you are treading carefully so as to not step on hot coal again. You can smell a shift in the air, and you are simply gearing up for it.

Cosmic tip: Make gaining peace your default at all costs.

Taurus, you can see with your eyes closed, and this is you tuning into your intuition. Just as it takes a brief moment for your eyes to acclimate to the dark as soon as you turn the lights off, tuning into the stillness of your mind takes a moment. Be it meditation, listening to your gut, mastering your intuition, a skill, or a new way of being—give it the time it needs and swim through with the amusement of amazing things found along the way.

A few years ago, while waiting for my taxi in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Muscat—and finally tired of mindlessly scrolling through my phone—I struck up a conversation with a bellhop just to kill time. The bellhop turned out to be among the hotel’s longest-serving employees and a living archive of Oman’s buried stories. He regaled me with fascinating tales of the country’s culture and history that few travellers hear: stories of how, in pre-’70s Oman, people were forbidden to wear footwear in the presence of the Sultan; of how some believe that the Al-Hajar Mountains were formed even before the extinction of the dinosaurs; of how high up in the mountains, abandoned homes and villages of ancient tribes can still be visited.

Another time, while staying at Hotel Auersperg in Salzburg, I decided to take a day trip to Hallstatt like most tourists. When I mentioned it in passing to one of the wait staff, she gently advised me to stay overnight. While the village receives thousands of day-trippers daily, ironically, it’s at its most stunning in the quiet hours. “Unfortunately, many visitors wander into private homes, take selfies, speak loudly, disrupt the peace, and leave. But Hallstatt is not a movie set. It’s home to people who deserve respect.” She encouraged me to visit in the off-season, dine at smaller eateries, skip commercial hotels for family-owned inns, buy homemade goods and support local businesses. Thanks to her, I ended up experiencing one of Austria’s most touristy hotspots in a deeper, more meaningful way.

It was in these moments that a realisation dawned on me. As a hotel writer and someone who prided herself on being a “traveller, not a tourist”—someone who sought authentic experiences—I had been ignoring the locals I saw most frequently: the hotel staff. And I don’t mean the head chefs and senior managers, but a hotel’s most overlooked resource: the staff we walk past in the lobby.

Think about it—a night guard or doorman who observes a city as it sleeps and watches what few guests ever see. Imagine the treasure trove of secrets they must hold about a place? Or, housekeeping, who witness guests’ habits up close, may be the best people to teach us about how to be responsible tourists.

Before apps and hashtags, it was the hotel staff and concierges who were the ultimate insiders. They pointed guests to the best-kept secrets of a destination, hidden restaurants and held the keys to untold stories that made trips memorable.

Interestingly, even now—when the hotel industry is rapidly investing in AI concierges and robot staff and almost 40% of travellers globally are using AI-based tools to plan their travel itinerary—Albert John, head concierge at The Oberoi in New Delhi, believes that the golden era of human staff is now. “Genuine connection has become the new luxury, because while technology can recommend a city’s finest restaurant, knowing which table will suit your mood, or which local artisan will capture your imagination, comes only from human instinct.”

On a recent trip to Jaipur for a family wedding, my skin was crying for mercy. Decadent Rajasthani feasts, makeup going on and coming off every few hours, three nights of four-hour sleep and a sudden climate switch turned my face into a cautionary tale. That’s when it struck me that the pursuit of the wedding glow isn’t just the bride’s anymore.

Because the modern wedding calendar looks more like a travel itinerary. From Jaisalmer to Jaipur and Phuket to Portofino, your skin is expected to keep up as you hop from one flight to another for more than one happy couple this season. The beauty brief now includes the jet-setting guest, sprinting through ceremonies, red-eye flights and humidity swings, fuelled by equal parts SPF and sheer willpower.

As India’s destination weddings evolve into multi-day marathons across climates and time zones, your skincare routine needs to be as versatile and resilient as your wardrobe.

Setting a pre-wedding beauty regime

Athletes train their bodies to run long distances, lift weights to sustain muscle recovery, hydrate well before the big day and get ample rest. Multi-day wedding functions require resilience too. Dr Kiran Sethi, New York–trained aesthetic expert, recommends taking B-complex supplements to support skin repair, curb stress breakouts and boost energy before travelling. The once solitary exercise of skincare and wellness is becoming more of a collective ritual in 2025. Dr Madhuri Agarwal, Medical Council of India-certified dermatologist, notes the rise of group appointments: mother–daughter facials, bridal-party treatments and matcha-fuelled pamper sessions featuring facials, mani-pedis and vitamin infusions.

Jet-lag proof your skin

Jet lag shows up on my face. By the time you get off a flight, whatever radiance you have built during the pre-wedding routine has evaporated somewhere over the Arabian Sea. Cabin air steals moisture, circulation slows and that lit-from-within glow fades fast. Add hard hotel water to the mix and the skin barrier starts signalling distress with puffiness, tightness and a dull film.

The antidote is a post-flight reset built on deep hydration, soft cleansing and barrier-loving formulas that coax the complexion back to life just in time for the celebrations.

Dr Agarwal’s go-to ritual: hydrate well, avoid alcohol in flight, cleanse with a rich balm, exfoliate gently with lactic acid and seal skin with a ceramide-peptide moisturiser that nourishes without heaviness. “A cold spoon under the eyes depuffs instantly,” she says. Masks are also an easy replenisher. Dr Sethi recommends vitamin C to revive dullness and hydrating or hyaluronic acid sleeping masks to undo flight-induced dehydration.

Destination-driven skincare

Different climates rewrite the skin’s entire rulebook. If desert-like heat thins skin barrier, then a shift to a humid weather like Udaipur or Mumbai unfolds the opposite chaos–sweat, sebum and microbes creating a lush playground for congestion and fungal flare-ups. Going up North to places like Delhi and Chandigarh pollution rises, PM levels spike and the skin’s defences work overtime, leaving it inflamed, sensitised and prone to pigmentation. In short, your wedding itinerary is a climate rollercoaster and your skincare needs to travel just as intelligently.