Namaste from New Delhi, the capital of India! I hope all of you fashionistas are prepared for the unforgettable culture that awaits you here in Delhi. Known to be quite the cosmopolitan city in India, New Delhi is home to citizens of widely varying cultures and religions. Though Hinduism is the official religion of New Delhi, the city is comprised of Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, and Bahais. Roaming the streets, one has the opportunity to listen to locals speak a combination of Hindi (the official language of the city), English, Urdu, and Punjabi. All in all, New Delhi is one big cultural party, and I am so excited to be here to celebrate! Here in New Delhi, we have the chance to celebrate so many different festivals and holidays throughout the year, from Diwali to Gandhi Jayanti (Gandhi's birthday) to Christmas to Eid ul-Fitr. The one I am the most excited for however, is The Republic Day Parade, a huge cultural and military parade that showcases India's cultural diversity and military power!
The city is centered around the enormous and beautiful Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Presidential house which is a historic landmark, flanked by the Secretariat, which houses various ministries of the Indian Government. Um, can I move in please?
What fascinates me most about this city however, is that it is known to be the MOST important trading center in Northern India. In others words, this city is WALL to WALL shopping. Scattered around this metropolis are various wholesales markets housing an immense variety of items like carpets, silks, jewelry, leather, silverware, handicrafts and hand printed cotton! There are numerous types of markets, all vastly different from one another and all reflecting a unique element of the multi-faceted city.
I know where I'm heading first. The Chandi Chowk market is known to be on the the country's most famous wholesale markets for textiles, electronics, and watches. There are multiple other markets that lead off of the Chandi Chowk like the Dariba silver market and Khari Baroli, the spice market!
Connaught Place is one of Delhi's most popular shopping centers, filled with anything you ever wanted to buy and any food you ever wanted to try! Referred to as CP, this center is used as a meeting place and is not to be missed as a tourist wanting to observe the daily goings-on of life in Delhi.
I am absolutely dying to get myself over to Janpath, one of the busiest roads in New Delhi! Janpath is home to a street market famous for its bargain prices on cotton clothes and Indian souvenirs. This is a great place to practice your bargaining skills for scarves and glass jewelry, and is probably where you will find me hyperventilating over the Tibetan Jewelry and wall hangings. (I go crazy over this kind of stuff!)
So, let's talk about what people are wearing. Due to the cultural fusions coursing through this city, there are all kinds of ways that we will see people dressing here. From traditional Indian Salwar Kameez and Saris to high fashion prints and blouses, anything goes in Delhi. Here's what we've seen thus far!
(Images courtesy of The Sartorialist).
So, to pick up on the colorfully coordinated, fashionable yet relaxed look of these New Delhi-an hipsters, I've created a look that I think emulates what is so unique about style in India.
Let's start out with this gorgeous embroidered top for $96 from TopShop. The criss crossed back adds a bit of spice to the look and the embroidery combined with the earthy tones gives off an understated yet eclectic attitude.
These silk trousers from Topshop for $130 are also an amazing way to express your affinity for Indian style- they are perfectly slouchy in a sophisticated way that is slightly reminiscent of Aladdin... but in the best way possible.
New Delhi-ans are not worried about matchy-matchyness the way many Americans are. The more patterns, textures, and colors, the better. Obviously this outfit is meant to be accessible across cultures, so the contrast is not too crazy color wise, but for some print and texture mixing, a silk printed scarf like this one available on Etsy for $55 will do nicely! Wrap it as seen above, sling it around your shoulders, or tie it up. However you wear it, a piece like this one adds an exciting twist to your already rockin' outfit.
I think I am actually tearing up as I add these unreal, VINTAGE, CUSTOM MADE, leather mojari indian shoes to the outfit. Available on Etsy for (GASP!) $21.90, these TO DIE FOR Indian slippers are the winning accessory to this ensemble. Hang on, I need to go wipe my tears away before I can continue on.
This Flirty bag by Rebecca Minkoff (yes I'm obsessed) is an understated pop of color to add some extra visual interest to the ensemble. Available on Zappos for $250, I think I've died and gone to heaven as I envision this beauty on my shoulder with this smokin' hot outfit.
Let's talk GOLD shall we? Was I the only one who saw the 60 Minutes expose on Indian people and their affinity for gold jewelry? Well according to David Muir, Indians can spend up to $200,000 on gold for one daughter alone. From the time she is born, an Indian daughter receives piece after piece of fine gold jewelry. So let's get our own! Stack these babies up on both arms (far right linked cuff can be worn up on forearm), to get a whimsical, artsy, eclectic look going. Each of these bracelets can be found at Anthropologie. (Bangle set, $48, labyrinthine cuff, $48, linked cuff, $198)
Once again, I look to Anthropologie for a pop of color near the ears and some classic gold shapes, dangly enough to fit the look but not too over the top that they would take away from the outfit. For $38 you too can decorate your ears with these gorgeous drop earrings.
To get yourself the real deal, slip into this goregous Sethi couture pave diamond necklace, found on Max and Chloe for $847. If that's a bit out of your price range (and let's be honest, it's WAY out of mine), check for some sweet deals with Haute Couture, as they are always having sales on top quality jewelry!
Well people, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself here in India. I really don't want to leave! There is still so much exploring and well, shopping to be done! This look is one of my favorites thus far, what do you think?
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Thanks for traveling with me, until next time!
Namaskar, cheers, goodbye for now!
Kisses,
Steph
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