You are Invited to a Tea Party

This season, the fashion world is going ‘mad’ preparing its closets to conform to Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland movie, which releases in March. Everyone from Vogue magazine to a random man on the street are dressing up up up in a whimsical manner, of course. Since Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is one of my favorite books, I cannot wait for Tim Burton’s theatrical spin on this age-old classic.

To be in sync with the world around us, I suggest, we pump our wardrobes up a notch this season; we should aim to go from drab to fab.

And when the caterpillar calmly asks, “Who are you?" you do have the right to say “I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Sir, because I'm not myself you see.” Be daring, be somebody you always wanted to be.

But before you do so, understand which character you want to channel, because there are so many characters, and their styles are polar opposites.

For the day, be true to your inner Alice by wearing your best Little Blue dress, or you can channel your inner Queen of Hearts by being dominating-ly dressed in hearts, and by screaming “Off with his head,” over and over again. Just don’t blame me when you are sent to rehab for being mentally unstable.

You could also wear your perfect Chanel sailor stripes to be the new Tweedle 'something,' with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

However, for the night, I suggest you vamp it up, by taking inspiration from the warrior lookalike's. Instead, you can also wear a virgin white dress and contrast it with starkly red lipstick to resemble the White Queen.

All in all, dress Tim Burton 'appropriately' so that you can be the belle of the ball or rather of the Mad Hatters tea party.

On the other hand, if you want to be a mere spectator in the Mad Hatters tea party, then wear acidic colors that scream ‘mad’. Don’t worry you will get your own place card, and the clocks will stop at tea-time. 

Diane Von Furstenberg- Josun strapless mini dress

Forever 21- Gazette Drawstring Dress

Zac Posen- Angelica crepe-jersey gown

Herve Leger- V-neck bandage dress

Elizabeth and James- Origami oversized T-shirt

Thread Social- Silk-organza asymmetric dress

BESS- Stretch leather dress

Anna Sui- Heart-print silk tank dress

Marchesa- Asymmetric silk and wool-blend dress

Adam- Ruby silk-chiffon skirt

TIBI- Silk print playsuit

Rachel Gilbert- Coco silk-chiffon dress

Camilla and Marc- Georgette stretch-jersey bodysuit

Paul and Jor Sister- Breton jersey dress

Marc Jacobs- Asymmetric draped lamé dress

Kara by Kara Ross- 14-karat gold-plated watch necklace

See by Chloe- Tassel-detail leather moccasins

Diane Von Furstenberg- Bariloche shirt dress

Forever 21- Floral Cocktail Dress

Notte by Marchesa- Plissé taffeta dress

Antik Batik- Walice sequined evening gown

Derek Lam- Twist-front crepe de Chine blouse

Stella McCartney- Cotton-blend jacquard playsuit

Moschino Cheap and Chic- Bow front crepe shift

Herve Leger

Rachel Gilbert- Imogen beaded dress

RM by Roland Mouret- Aphrodite twist-detail dress

Alice + Olivia- Silk-blend twisted halter dress

American Apparel

Rosa Cha- Printed cotton shorts

Temperly London- Mini Agnelli studded dress

Zac Posen- Printed silk-blend dress

Valentino- Swarovski crystal keyring

Camilla and Marc- Cinder corset dress

Jason Wu- Silk-faille bow peplum dress

RM by Roland Mouret- Isa dress

My favorite pieces:

Michael Kors- Stretch-wool asymmetric zip dress

This dress defines Alice. 

Nicholas Kirkwood for Printemps

Wear your Alice in Wonderland inspired outfit; bring out the tea as this time nobody will mock you for being too English, and meet me in Wonderland. 

Guilty Pleasures

1.  I  1. It’s okay to want to learn how to speak the beautiful Italian language, after reading “Eat Pray Love,” by Elizabeth Gilbert.

2.    2. It’s okay to change what your going to wear about a thousand times, before a date, and eventually wear the first thing you picked out.

3.    3. It’s okay to want to dye your hair blonde so that Liam can chuck Naomi from 90210, and get with you instead.

4.    4. It’s okay to swear off pizza, while you scrutinize yourself in the mirror, but hungrily eat a whole one, at Tuscana Pizzeria.

5.    5. It’s okay to fantasize about living in a time when Andy Warhol, and Edie Sedgwick were there to give you fashion advice, but, to want to take your Blackberry along with you, of course.  

6.    6. It’s okay to go to a party even if you don’t know the person, just because you want to wear your new bandage dress, and eat marvelous, mouth-watering food.

7.    7. It’s okay that your style has evolved from rocker to hippie chic after watching “Taking Woodstock.”

8.    8. It’s okay to be able to put eyeliner, and mascara on, in less than a minute, but, spending 4 hours making a simple Microsoft PowerPoint, just because you couldn't find the right back ground color. 

9.    9. It’s okay to stare down and murmur something to yourself when everybody praises M.F. Hussain, because you just can’t, quite comprehend, his paintings.

10. 10. It’s okay to wear a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress, with 4-inch Manolo Blahnik’s, on a Sunday, while you laze around at home, just because you can. 

The Over-the-knee Flock

Just as I thought that nothing extremely fabulous would come along, that I would gladly trade my leggings for; my closet craves for over-the knee boots. Although, I still won’t trade my leggings for these, as I do live in Chennai, and we never experience winter, or even a slight chill, I still take to the boots, like the Devil does to Prada.

The only thing that would burst my fabulous fantasy for these boots was if they were worn horribly wrong. Firstly, never, buy white over-the knee, even if you see magnificent Paul & Joe ones, wear them at your own risk. Except, that it will take you days, if not months to find Paul & Joe make something that tacky. Addtionally, please don’t wear them with body con dresses, or over-the top clothes, as it would take attention away from the boots, and moreover, you would end up looking like Pamela Anderson, and none of us want that, I hope. Instead, wear them with short, yet modest dresses, or your favorite skinny denims, tucked into the boots; shorts can also play the part. 

Paul & Joe 

Stella McCartney 

-Thigh-high faux-leather boots

Chloe'

Marc Jacobs

Emanuel Ungaro

-Suede stretch thigh-high boots

Giles

Marc Jacobs

Halston

-City python thigh-high boots

Roberto Cavalli

Vivienne Westwood (Red Label)

Chloe'

-Flat over-the-knee boots

Prada

Giuseppe Zanotti 

-Thigh-high buckled boots

Gucci

H&M

Rodarte

Halston

-City suede thigh-high boots

Hermes

Marc Jacobs

-Suede thigh-high boots

Louis Vuitton

Remember to keep your head high, your back arched, and everything will fall into place. Now, run along, or slowly walk, if you don’t intend on twisting your ankle, in these amazing, splash-all-your-savings-on, kind of boots.