Posts in category: Life Style

It couldn’t be a worse time to be a long-form print journalist. Everywhere I go now, it feels as if people aren’t reading much or are reading only when a book comes highly recommended by reviewers and digital tastemakers. The latest Sally Rooney or Dolly Alderton makes for trendy book club material, even as the rest of the wider, complex and coloured world of literature struggles to make a minor ripple in the literary world.

It’s no longer just enough to write a book and send it out into the world, knowing that you poured everything into it and it’s now in the hands of readers to make of it what they will. In the age of social media, writing a book is only the first step. Once freshly bound copies arrive from the publisher, an author must transform into a nine-headed Hydra—a marketer, a PR rep, a hot-take machine, a personal essayist, an influencer—to give their work the boost it needs to rise above other authors vying for the same readers, which in itself is a steadily shrinking pool.

It’s little wonder then that the hype around a book often reads like fiction itself. Case in point? A Business Standard headline from February proclaimed: Prajakta Koli’s debut novel, Too Good To Be True, becomes a publishing sensation with 1,50,000 copies sold within a month of its release. Koli, better known to her combined 18 million Instagram and YouTube followers as ‘MostlySane’, didn’t just wake up one fine day and release her debut novel. One month before its release, the frothy romance climbed to the number one spot within hours of going on pre-order on Amazon and was followed by multiple magazine covers, lit fest appearances and collaborations with Blinkit and Spotify. The YouTube star’s vast digital audience made her book impossible to ignore, turning it into a bestseller even before it hit stands.

This is not an isolated incident. In June this year, Sukhnidh Kaur, who goes by (@pavemented) on Instagram, posted a reel asking her audience to help her cross 100K followers so she could secure a book deal. 24 hours later, she had thousands of new followers. Within a week, all the big publishing houses were knocking on her virtual door—her inbox. One might say that Kaur’s upcoming book, My Perfect Dream Girl, a critique of men’s obsession with women online, came to fruition thanks to an internet audience that doubled overnight. “I was apprehensive about approaching publishers directly,” Kaur tells me. “I felt like they’d question whether such an experimental book would sell. But when the reel went viral, they were willing to hear me out.”

Not every toxic relationship announces itself with obvious red flags. Some are far more subtle: You’re dating a person who’s generally warm and attentive, until they suddenly give the cold shoulder when they’re upset. Someone who plans extravagant dates and shows you off…but also flirts with others or lies about small things in ways that leave you second-guessing your worth. From the outside, staying in these uneven dynamics can look like passivity or even low self-esteem. But what often keeps someone there isn’t weakness—it’s a much more complex attachment known as a trauma bond.

You may already be familiar with this trendy buzzword, most commonly used to describe bonding with someone over a shared negative experience (like surviving the same unbearable boss or being cheated on by the same jerk). But this isn’t the correct definition—a trauma bond is a term psychologists use to describe abusive relationships, and why people subconsciously stay with someone who hurts them.

More specifically, a trauma bond relationship is an intense, emotional attachment with a person who’s both your source of comfort and pain, says Sienna Chu, LMHC, licensed therapist based in New York City. That’s because, biologically, we’re wired to seek safety and support from these attachment figures—parents, friends, romantic partners—which makes things complicated when that same individual is the one subtly manipulating or dismissing us.

This dynamic, Chu says, can form a uniquely powerful relationship—one that feels deeply intimate and passionate but is also incredibly hard to break. Wondering if you’re in a trauma bond relationship? Here are the most subtle signs—plus, what it takes to start untangling yourself from it.

What are the signs of a trauma bond relationship?

1. You’re stuck in a cycle of high highs and low lows

What makes trauma bonds so complex is that the relationship isn’t manipulation and emotional chaos 24/7, says Terri Messman, PhD, professor of psychology at Miami University and co-author of Integrating Mindfulness into Psychotherapy for Trauma. It also includes heartwarming moments—affection, vulnerable conversations and passionate apologies that resemble swoon-worthy romance.

In fact, many trauma bonds usually begin with a honeymoon phase—a rush of closeness that Dr. Messman says may feel special, rare, even fated. But once there’s a negative incident—a fight, a passive-aggressive jab, an instance of micro-cheating—your brain doesn’t register these hurtful actions as red flags. Instead, it clings onto those “good” times as proof that the relationship is worth holding onto. (Remember how sweet they were last week? How sorry they seemed after the last blowup?) When really, it’s just the start of another cycle of affection followed by mistreatment.

2. You blame yourself for their bad behaviour

In a trauma bond relationship, the same person is capable of providing warmth and validation to keep you hooked—that is, only if you “earn” it by behaving the “right” way, says Elena Welsh, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and author of Trauma Survivors’ Strategies for Healing.

The classic, elegant white shirt is reimagined this season through bold contrasts. The key to this look is mixing in a technical athleisure piece — like sleek track pants — and finishing it with a touch of wild energy, such as leopard-print shoes. It’s a seemingly unlikely pairing, but that’s precisely what makes it work. The high-low mix brings freshness and edge to a timeless staple.

Ajour shirt and capri pants

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images.

In a monochromatic palette, white remains the top choice for staying cool and looking polished. A hemstitched, loose-fitting shirt is styled with sharp, tailored ankle trousers — creating a clean silhouette that feels refined. Silver pumps add a subtle shine, introducing a bold, modern touch without compromising the overall elegance.

Balloon-Sleeved Shirt and High-Waisted Trousers

Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images.

This season’s strong bohemian influence shines through in voile blouses with puffed sleeves, delicate embroidery, lace, and romantic ruffles — echoing the aesthetic seen at the Chloé runway. To complete the look, high-waisted flared trousers enhance the silhouette with a flattering, timeless finish. It’s a look that captures both free-spirited ease and classic sophistication.

This story first appeared on Vogue.mx.

Also read:

It’s official: Vests are the perfect match for jeans in 2025

All the cool girls are wearing dad shoes like it’s 2014 again

8 new ways to wear jeans and a white t-shirt this season

Cosmic tip: What would you create if you did not have to be anyone but yourself?

Merging of two worlds, merging of two thoughts, ideas, or people or you finally getting out there by yourself—wherever you are at in life, this message is for you. Leo, you know you’re a playa. But at this point in time, how about being a team playa? You can rise by lifting others and you know a little secret? You will shine brighter. The more you pour into collective work and goals in the next couple of weeks, the more swiftly things will begin picking up pace. Tough times are coming to a close. And you are about to be mind blown either by someone new who enters your life, or simply by the version of yourself you are about to become.

Cosmic tip: Step away from the fears into the wild magical seas.

What have you got to hide? Nothing. Virgo. Zilch. Nada. What have you got to gain—lots. A fulfilling time awaits you, where not only will some of you be considering expanding your family or inner circle, but also find moments that make you feel truly grateful for who you are and what you are surrounded by. Celebratory times lie ahead and while you may already have an inkling, you will also realise that no matter what you do right now, you are almost like a gold coin minting machine—where your ideas not only transform but also hold and add a lot of value. Get social—it may be time to raise a toast soon.

Cosmic tip: Connection and community are what keep your fuel tank full. So tank up.

Look elsewhere—diagonally, opposite, sideways or even through a curved lens, Libra. Because life is not a straight trajectory and you know it. Where logic ends, magic begins. And you are about to witness a spectacular show. What does it need from you? Well, the eclipse on September 7 may be shaking things up but it is here to ignite your sparklers. What is dysfunctional must leave or be modified. What feels like a loop must become something creative and engaging. Libra, leave behind your fears of losing it all—how about trying to date life, that person, or yourself, once again?

An island girl at heart, raised in sun-drenched Barbados, Sanjana Sippy has always seen herself as a free spirit. It’s a quality that shaped her work as a fashion stylist and later as the founder of her sustainable resortwear label, IsaaVibes, and it carried into her wedding in Mexico City to wellness investor Sumesh Sachar, a self-proclaimed modern-day nomad whose believes better living isn’t just a trend but a lifelong pursuit.

“We were introduced through a mutual friend on Instagram,” says Sippy. “I wasn’t looking to date, but every Sunday he’d send me a ‘Happy Sunday Funday!’ message.” A year of digital hellos later, Sachar surprised her in Barbados. Their first date played out on a boat, and Sundays quickly became their thing. “And just like that, three years sailed by,” she shares.

Though long-distance for much of their relationship, the couple always spent their summers together. One such trip took them to Portugal’s rugged coastline, where days were spent sailing, swimming in azure waters and staying at Christian Louboutin’s boutique hotel in Melides. What Sippy didn’t know was that Sachar was planning to propose. On a serene sandbank in Comporta, he set up a picnic brunch, poured champagne and asked Sippy to marry him under sunshine-speckled skies.

For the couple, choosing to have the wedding in Mexico City was easy enough. Having vacationed there before, they felt its colour-soaked streets, modernist architecture and playful spirit mirrored their own. “Our wedding mood board was about creating an experience—a celebration of love and culture blending into each other,” Sippy shares.

For their three-day wedding weekend, they wanted family and friends to fully immerse themselves in the essence of Mexico. They kicked off the celebrations with an intimate haldi ceremony where Sippy wore a Shivan & Narresh sari in a bold, abstract print that balanced tradition with contemporary design, while Sachar chose a custom-printed kurta from Just Men. The welcome dinner unfolded at a city restaurant under the theme of tequila, tacos and tango, complete with a mariachi band, taco stands and a sommelier-led tequila tasting. For the occasion, the bride wore a Ritika Mirchandani custom one-shoulder dress with a sari drape and gold embroidery—“flirty and chic with just the right amount of drama,” as she describes it.

It has now been four months since I last went clubbing and found myself sulking at a table in a popular Bandra establishment. After about 15 minutes on the dance floor without alcohol, I realised I could no longer pretend to enjoy the techno music blasting through the speakers. My friends were nowhere to be found. The strangers around me seemed uninterested in striking up a conversation with anyone outside their clique. In the car with my friends on the way back, I bitterly remarked, “The next time I say I want to go clubbing, please just shake me hard and remind me of this night.”

The issue was not just that one night. It was a series of nights spent in anticipation of going out, only to return home underwhelmed. As with all things, Bollywood was partly to blame for this disappointment. Growing up, I had envisioned clubbing in India to look like it was portrayed on screen: Deepika Padukone blissfully spinning under neon lights as ‘Uff Teri Adaa’ (Karthik Calling Karthik) plays, Katrina Kaif spraying and chugging champagne in ‘Choomantar’ (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan) or Kangana Ranaut climbing atop a bar counter and ripping her sweater off in ‘Hungama Ho Gaya’ (Queen). Unfortunately, other than the neon lights, these depictions of partying now seem to be either false or a relic of the past.

Based in Delhi, 25-year-old Vyoma Trivedi, an assistant marketing manager, admits that clubbing in the capital city can be a hit or miss. “There are nights when I have returned home before 11pm,” she laments. “If you go to a place where the music is mainly just techno or reel-famous songs, it causes people to just stand in a corner with their drinks.” 22-year-old Mridul Munjal, who lives in Gurugram and works in marketing and communications, agrees. “It feels like clubs in Delhi are trying to cater to everyone and in doing that, are ultimately catering to no one properly.”

In the last five years or so, electronic music, including techno, house and trance, has risen in popularity, going mainstream across metropolitan cities in India. In Mumbai, spaces like Bonobo, antiSOCIAL and Khar Social spotlight a genre of music that was once reserved for underground raves and parties. Unfortunately, this has also led to a lack of diversity in clubs’ sonic landscapes. With most venues sticking to a similar sound, partygoers are left with music they may not necessarily enjoy. “Take Bollywood, for example. If a film is commercially successful, you’ll only see that kind of film released over and over again,” explains rock musician Bann Chakraborty. “Similarly, if one DJ has done well with techno, every venue will play techno. Nobody wants to take a risk by giving a chance to a different-sounding performer or even genre.” In contrast, the 47-year-old recalls Zenzi, a lounge bar once described as ‘Bandra’s living room’, that closed its doors in 2011. “It was like our second home. We would finish work and just run there,” he enthuses, recalling how he was offered his first job in Mumbai by a stranger he spent a few hours chatting with at the bar. “For 3-4 nights a week, they’d have a live band or DJ. There were open mic nights, spoken word sessions and unplugged sessions. Lots of different activities to keep people socially engaged.”

For Janmashtami, Sreeleela chose Aayushi Maniar’s Indrani lehenga, a patchwork of jewel tones and painstaking embroidery that looked less like clothing and more like a canvas of colour and craft.

The lehenga belongs to Maniar’s latest ‘Banno’ collection, a line that leans on fabrics as much as embroidery. “When we envisioned this lehenga, the intention was to create something that breathes both grandeur and delicacy,” shares Maniar. “The fabric was the starting point. We used tussar organza for the lehenga and tissue for the dupatta. Each of these textiles has a fragile lightness of its own, while still holding a regal presence,” the designer adds.

The lehenga was cut in alternating kalis of jewel tones, each one embroidered with floral and architectural motifs that played against one another in harmony. “Every motif has been hand-worked using tikki, zardozi, katdana and poth work,” Maniar says of the craft. “The idea was always to balance refinement with celebration.”

Instagram.com/sreeleela14

Sreeleela’s blouse provided the counterpoint: an angiya-style patchwork in red, green, purple and orange, its off-shoulder cut bringing a contemporary sharpness to the traditional silhouette. A red tissue dupatta, finished with cording and beaded tassels, rounded her look off..

The accessories amplified the lehenga’s richness without overwhelming it. A kundan choker framed her neckline, paired with jhumkas, kaan phool and a delicate maang tikka. Her hair was braided and tied with a red parandi, while her makeup stayed soft and luminous, keeping the focus on the ensemble.

She went with a kundan choker, jhumkas with kaan phool and a delicate maang tikka. Her hair was done in a long braid adorned with a red parandi, while her makeup stayed soft and luminous, keeping the focus on the ensemble. Styled one way, it carries the ease of a daytime celebration; styled another, it holds its own under evening lights.

Also read:

Neha Dhupia’s sari-inspired Anamika Khanna gown came with a sweeping embroidered pallu

Janhvi Kapoor’s Anita Dongre look balances ornate embroidery with airy mul

Madhuri Dixit Nene’s silk-tissue sari pairs peach tones with playful palm blooms

“The great, and also most challenging, thing about shopping for denim—especially wide-leg jeans—is that every single silhouette and treatment seems to be trending at the same time,” Vogue’s Daniel Rodgers noted in his guide to the autumn trends that everyone is already buying. Denim trends will come and go, but the best approach is always to find a fit that makes you feel the most confident and resonates with your own personal style.

Wide-leg jeans tend to have universal appeal because, unlike a skinny jean, which has a more uniform look, this silhouette can be tweaked to have very different end results. You can go for a more baggy, skater style, a flared fit that will appeal to wannabe Chloé girls or even a more tailored pair that will resemble more formal trousers. This variety also means that the styling opportunities are plentiful – thankfully, they have become a street-style staple, meaning there is no shortage of outfit inspiration.

If you are after a more fashion-forward styling approach, at Copenhagen Fashion Week, baggy, wide-leg jeans were predominantly styled with white cotton nightie dresses or lace slips styled over the top. Note that you want your dress to have movement, rather than sitting in a block over your jeans, so look for styles with tiered, waterfall or asymmetric hemlines, or tuck part of the skirt into the waistband to create this look.

When it comes to everyday dressing, you really don’t need to overcomplicate things, as this style of jeans arguably looks best when paired with a boxy white T-shirt and a leather jacket – a ’90s formula that continues to define model off-duty style. It also pays to lean into the oversized look, and pair your baggy jeans with track jackets or sports jerseys that have the same proportions. Keep scrolling for more styling ideas that’ll make wide-leg jeans the hardest-working piece in your wardrobe this season.

Dress + flip-flops

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

AllSaints – Asymmetric Hem Dress

cos – Wide-Leg Denim Trousers

cos – Garnet Beaded Necklace

White T-shirt + polished accessories

Valentina Valdinoci

Uniqlo – AIRism Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt

Marks & Spencer – Leather Jean Belt

Aeyde – Dorothy Leather Ankle Boots

Shirt + lace skirt

Valentina Valdinoci

Uniqlo – Oversized Oxford Shirt

Harrods – Silk Lace-Trim Chemise

Our Legacy – High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans

Paris Texas – Jane Leather Ankle Boots

White denim + black accessories

Francesca Babbi

cos – Knitted Cotton Waistcoat

& Other Stories – Relaxed Wide-Leg Jeans

Acne Studios – Patent-Trimmed Leather Ankle Boots

Vest + scarf

Francesca Babbi

Joseph – Suez Pleat Jacquard Tie Waistcoat

Agolde – Slung Baggy Wide-Leg Denim Jeans

Stefan Cooke – Stripe Knit Scarf

Jersey T-shirt + trainers

Francesca Babbi

Martine Rose – Lace Trim Football Top in Navy

Mother – Snacks! The Lemon Twist High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans

Dries Van Noten – Leather-Trimmed Suede Sneakers

T-shirt + leather jacket

& Other Stories – Collarless Leather Jacket

Frame – The Loose Low-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans

Ancient Greek Sandal – Iro Jelly Flat

Leather jacket + heel sandals

Vincenzo Grillo

Weekday – Monki Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

Calvin Klein – Navy Logo T-Shirt

Arket – Cloud Loose Wide Jeans

Aeyde – Wilma Snake-Effect Leather Sandals

This story first appeared on Vogue.co.uk.

Also read:

It’s official: Vests are the perfect match for jeans in 2025

Cosmic tip: Fan that fire and build something great together.

Yes, life can feel hard. Yes, I get it, you feel like you cannot carry on anymore. Yes, sometimes you just wish you could scream at the top of your voice and let it all out. Sag, if you can—then do it! It will make you feel lighter. If you cannot, for any reason, then let your emotions out through journaling, running, going for a walk, or simply crying it out. Do anything that makes you feel lighter, if not brighter; it is not your burdens that you need to carry forward any more. It is resolution and healing that must occupy the driver’s seat in your life. No need to take any more leaps of faith. For today, allow yourself to feel all the pressure and have a meltdown if you must. Sometimes the easiest way to release is to feel your way through it.

Cosmic tip: Things will look up again.

Your moment of truth is here, Capricorn, and you have made your choice this time. Your heart glows with what your eyes are set on, and you simply cannot hold back your voice from singing your heartfelt song. This creates some sort of magic for you, darling—one that makes the cosmos sing with you and bring happy,y shiny moments your way. You not only draw in your wishes, but also your tribe and all that you need along your journey. Get started with that idea and ask your angels to support you along the way.

Cosmic tip: Magical help will be arriving in time.

Merging your heart with what brings you joy—be it your relationships, your work, your goals or anything else is the way to creating lasting wealth and abundance. Aquarius, for you, recently your family and relationship sector has been highlighted, and while you may be shouldering equal and shared responsibility all along, you are now feeling it in your bones to branch out, to make a move, or perhaps even commit (personal or professional). Sure, this will require you to make things work, juggle between worlds and systematically move through your plans and goals, but this is not something you have not done before and that you cannot handle.

Cosmic tip: Make choices with flexibility, resourcefulness and a sense of humour.

Keep walking on your path, Pisces. The more honestly you show up, the more intently the cosmos safeguards your wildest interests and passions. You may be feeling like there is more going on beneath the surface than meets the eye, and sure, new opportunities are lined up for you; however, you must also keep your eyes and ears open for any advantageous situations or people that may be surrounding you. Give, but judiciously so that you don’t end up draining your energy, resources, ideas or anything else in the bargain.

Cosmic tip: Allow your intellect and intuition to merge at this point.

This week on the style circuit, it was the suit that did the talking. From Aditi Rao Hydari in a sharply tailored brown set to Tillotama Shome’s velvet interpretation and Kajol’s sequinned version, power dressing found three new moods. Elsewhere, leather, brocade and embroidery kept texture at the forefront, proving that dressing with depth remains the season’s strongest statement.

Aditi Rao Hydari set the tone at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) in a brown tailored set by Jeevan from Hussain Rehar’s Summer 2025 collection. The keyhole blazer, with gold buttons and sharply defined shoulders, was paired with fluid, pleated trousers that hinted at a pallazo silhouette. A matching dupatta worn along with the suit added softness. The overall look brought together crisp tailoring with elements of drape to the structure, turning the suit into an Indianised version of power dressing.

Janhvi Kapoor switched gears from her run of ethnic ensembles to a sculpted tan leather co-ord by Georges Hobeika. The corset-style top, embossed with a lace neckline and pearl-accented hardware, was paired with a pencil skirt that skimmed past the knees. Sleek and material-driven, it was a study in shape and finish.