Ballet chic takes a bow!

Tutus, tulle, tiers and tights take pride of place on top of the fashion charts now as ballet fever grips the globe.

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How to be a society bee

Being a party pro is an art. The charm, grace and mannerisms of a society diva... All comes from within.

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Hottest colours at the Oscars

Adash of daffodil yellow, some hot tangerine, a slew of blues and a spate of nudes seemed to rule the sartorial colour charts at the Oscar Red Carpet 2011, till many of the stars arrived in shades of purple, silver and red. These hues soon turned out to be the hottest colours of the evening, as they appeared in variations like cool lavender, deep plum, soft lilac, fiery scarlet or ravishing ruby.

Interestingly, though subdued style was the order of the day, there were plenty of fresh and breezy touches in the fashion line-up. The LBD took a back seat as the stars wore all kinds of styles, textures and colours for the event, ranging from pale pink couture gowns, shimmering gold columns and tiered chiffon dresses to embroidered sashes on fine ensembles. Jewellery was chosen with care, and used minimally, either as a statement neckpiece, a pretty hair accessory, some dazzling bling on the wrist, sparkling earrings or big diamond rocks on the fingers.

Some of the unanimously chosen best styles on the red carpet this year were done so on the basis of what a star could carry off, by way of colouring or hair. Black Swan star Mila Kunis' elegant lilac lace chiffon gown, very low-cut and with lace detailing and a grosgrain ribbon-like waist from Elie Saab Haute Couture was much appreciated. Another dress that created a lot of buzz was Gwyneth Paltrow's sleek, metallic sheath gown from the Calvin Klein Collection that looked like a waterfall. Mandy Moore wore a gold-beaded illusion gown by Monique Lhuillier, which earned her a lot of appreciation, as did Hillary Swank's dress, a fabulous Gucci Premiere couture dress in shades of gray and satin.

Those who chose purple chose from a vast colour spectrum. Actress Natalie Portman, who took home the Academy Award for Best actress, wore a purple Rodarte dress and fine jewels. She hid her baby bump in swathes of chiffon. Mila wore lilac and Cate Blanchett wore a pale violet Givenchy gown with beaded embellishments and a skirt that fell in neat pleats, and was lauded by many as a work of art. Scarlett Johansson wore a wine-coloured gown by Dolce & Gabbana, which was high-necked, and had a sexy cutaway back. Reese Witherspoon went retro '60s in a striking Armani Privé dress. Both Anne Hathaway (when she arrived on the red carpet) and Sandra Bullock wore similar looking gowns in startling red and in styles that looked like a throwback to another era.

Amy Adams wore a navy blue beaded L'wren Scott dress look that looked good against her colouring, but did not earn her much praise. Jennifer Hudson wore a bright tangerine halter neck gown that looked stunning. Jennifer Lawrence looked a tad too casual in her body-hugging Calvin Klein sheath and Penelope Cruz opted for a scarlet gown. Nicole Kidman's Dior gown evoked a mixed response, while Halle Berry wowed fashionistas with her ethereal Marchesa gown.

Like every award season, fashionistas vary in their views of the Oscar fashion hits and misses, but all agree that this year saw some superb style and stunning gowns that will be the buzz in fashion circles all year till the next Academy Awards roll around.

India at the Oscars
Among the beautifully dressed Indians at the Oscars 2011, the women who made heads turn were Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Mallika Sherawat.

Ash looked stunning in a bronze Giorgio Armani Privé gown with rows of amber sequins.

Mallika Sherawat looked just as hot in a dazzling white gown that made a unique fashion statement on the red carpet.

(Compiled by Asha Chowdary)

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Women wear the pants!

Indian women are giving their trousers a glam moment in the sun.

Honestly which girl wouldn't love a comfortable pair of separates, in which she could run to work and still feel just as glamorous. This season, the fairer gender is celebrating the glory of the pants and society butterflies across India are already sashaying with this cool and hip look.

What's appealing is that the slim cigarette pants, kick flares or straight cuts are now in an evolved avatar with palazzo pants, Jodhpurs or skinny look that are rocking the scene. "Body shape matters for funky cuts of pants. But keeping it feminine by teaming it with a pretty top can look gorgeous on curvaceous Indian women," says designer Gayatri Khanna.

With more and more women multi-tasking, her style speaks aloud about her attitude, power and freedom. According to fashion expert Neeta Lulla, "Women want to dress with an edge, be adventurous and innovative. So, dhoti pants get teamed with shirts, low forks with jackets and ankle length trousers with a sexy blouson. From college girls to corporate honchos, the change is evident." In the same vein, Maheka Mirpuri adds, "High waist trousers are in vogue. But one needs to be tall and slim to be able to carry it off."

This functional fashionable wear is here to stay feels Salim Asgarali. "The fairer gender is shaping them according to their comforts and desire," says Salim. In fact, colours like red, navy blue, pink, purple and olive green shades in rich fabrics can make for an elegant evening leg wear.

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Women feel sexy carrying VS bags

Victoria's Secret shopping bag is not only used to transporting thongs and push-up bras, but women also love using it for storing lunch as well grocery. And now researchers have found why—because simply holding the makes women feel sexy.

The study is the work of Deborah Roedder John, a professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.

In one of four experiments, John and a colleague approached 85 women in a mall, asked them to fill out a survey, which was embedded with questions about their self-perception.

They then gave the women one of two shopping bags to walk around with for an hour.

One of the bags was from Victoria's Secret. The women in that group reported to the researchers that they felt more sensual and glamorous simply for the carrying.

Brands can influence people in other ways as well.

The study also noted the curious case of some M.B.A. students asked to take notes for six weeks using a pen embossed with the MIT logo.

Those who did reported feeling smarter at the end of the term.

"Many people are surprisingly receptive to brands," AOL News quoted John as saying.

Many, but not all, it turns out. The literature in which John based her own study shows that the world is divided into two kinds of people, who, despite such a grand distinction, are labeled with small and opaque terms.

Specifically, people are either "entity theorists" or "incremental theorists."

Entity theorists believe no action of their own can change who they are. They know their failings and their limitations.

Incremental theorists see no limits to what they might accomplish, see no end to how they might improve themselves.

The study will be published in December.

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