COMFORT AND STYLE IN ONE

By Saurabh Upadhyay

With a return to the '90s trend of baggy fit clothes, mixed with modern fashion and vibrant colors, skinny jeans were officially declared over by Gen-Z in 2020

This all started with the comfort people prioritized over anything else while chilling at home and even while working during the Pandemic The trend of choosing comfortable and easy silhouettes over body-hugging clothes became constant when returning to the Workplace Oversized clothes generally hang off your body's frame without any chance of showing skin or constricting you

The year 2021 started with models favoring oversized shirts and big denim jeans, with waist narrowed, at the top fashion shows of Prada, Balenciaga, and Louis Vuitton Bella Hadid wore an impeccable pair after the Balenciaga coutureshow in Paris

Additionally, there has been a growing movement towards body positivity and acceptance in recent years, which has led to a greater appreciation for clothing that fits a variety of body types Oversized clothing can be more inclusive and comfortable for people of all body shapes and sizes, which may contribute to its ongoing popularity

Of course, fashion trends are always subject to change and it's possible that other styles will emerge as more popular in the future However, it seems likely that oversized clothing will continue to be a popular option for those looking for comfort and style

"For me wearing oversized clothes is like a shell over my body, behind which I can hide my body It protects me from unwanted attention on my body parts "

"I have oversize the lock again o

"One thing I noticed very different when malls started opening was people are more interested in buying clothes that are 2 to 3 sizes larger than their usual outfits Hoodies, oversized printed T-shirts, and baggy jeans with perfect waist size are the top selling clothes " -Sameer Kumar Employee west side

By Krishna Mohan B

We all must have been using soaps for quite a long time now But have we ever actually thought of why we are using them in the first place? Well, at least some of us have if not all

The major stigma that has been associated with these cosmetics that we use in our daily life is that they are believed to enhance our beauty That is, of course, because of our consumerist behaviour

“Everyone is so obsessed with their looks They are just trying to be somebody else,” says Mrs Sheetal Kabra who produces natural and handmade self-care products under the brand name of ‘Earthy Sapo’ She believes that we all have been conditioned since childhood with the fact ‘that is what beauty is’; having long and thick hair etc That is the reason why people are constantly wanting to look different and end up being mentally and emotionally imbalanced

So once a person gets into using natural products, he or she has a guilt-free life. This ultimately makes the person emotionally and mentally more stable by letting them come to terms with reality She believes that everyone ’ s skin is different and at least that way we are able to recognise that everyone is not the same That is why all her products are made to suit different skin types like dry and oily skins

"We all have been conditioned since childhood with the fact ‘that is what beauty is'; having long and thick hair etc That is the reason why people are constantly wanting to look different "

She has had eczema ever since childhood and also later when she got married and her daughter was born the latter was not responding quite well to the regular baby soaps that are usually found in the market She then learnt soap making through a melt-and-pour process from a workshop using a ready-made soap base

Unconvinced by the benefits of melt-and-pour soaps she began experimenting with cold-processed soaps which was the traditional method of soap making and finally arrived at her formula for making the ‘natural handmade’ soaps

And when asked about the differentiating factor that distinguishes her products from the regular ones, she tells us that glycerine is the primary difference which is otherwise absent in the regular soaps And not just that, she says that she knows exactly which ingredients are being used while making the soap, unlike the ones that go into the making of regular soaps including stearic acid and some others which are known to be carcinogenic as well We often get carried away by the notion of the high pH value of soaps Most of the natural handmade soaps are alkaline and fall somewhere between 7-8 or 9-11 at the most But she tells that pH value alone cannot alone be considered the determining factor when picking up a soap that suits our skin type She believes that her products do not cause any side effects and “ I am making some earnest money It is not at the expense of someone ’ s health whether it is human health or the environment's health ”

By Pranthi Lakkimsetty

One of her mile-stone creations was aviral outfit a mangalagiri cotton lehenga paired with a kalamkari printed dupatta which became a budget-friendly option for many fashion enthusiasts

Sirisha's advice for aspiring fashion designers and Social media influencers is to maintain their personal style and avoid succumbing to fleeting trends By staying true to themselves, they can create a unique identity that stands out in the competitive market She is excited about upcoming projects, focusing on wedding guests and bridesmaids looks, while ensuring her content remains modest and budgetfriendly for her diverse followers

In the world of fashion, finding true inspiration can be a challenge However, there are influencers who captivate their audience with their unique style and passion for fashion We had the privilege to sit down with Sirisha Vabilisetty (@thetownwali), a social media influencer renowned for her fashion reels and inspiring journey

From a young age, she had a deep love for fashion and started her own platform to help others with their fashion choices Sirisha draws inspiration from her surroundings and actively involves her followers in creating content that resonates with their desires

One notable aspect of Sirisha's work is her ability to design her own clothes She combines planned designs with online inspirations and enjoys building outfits from scratch

As we bid farewell to this insightful conversation, we are left with a renewed appreciation for the impact that fashion can have on our lives Sirisha's journey reminds us to embrace our individuality, express our creativity, and fearlessly pursue our passions With eager anticipation, we look forward to witnessing Sirisha's future endeavors as she continues to make waves and set trends in the fashion world, one reel at a time.

Hyderabad, the city of Nizams, is known for its rich cultural heritage and traditions

One of the traditions that flourished during the Nizam era was the art of attarmaking Attar, also known as ittar, is a natural perfume made from botanical sources such as flowers, herbs, and spices

The history of attar in Hyderabad can be traced back to the 18th century, during the reign of the second Nizam, Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan

The Nizam was a great patron of the arts, including the art of perfumery He established a special department, known as the Attar Khana, to oversee the production of attars in the city

Attar-making is a delicate and time-consuming process that requires great skill and expertise It involves several stages, such as picking the flowers, extracting the essential oils, and blending the oils to create the final product The process is entirely natural and does not involve any synthetic chemicals or preservatives

Attar-making in Hyderabad was not limited to the Attar Khana Many private attar-makers also flourished in the city during the Nizam era They would often create their own blends and fragrances and sell them to the public Some of these private attar-makers are still in business today, and their families have been making attars for generations

The attar market in Hyderabad is located in the old city, near the Charminar, a famous landmark of the city One of the most famous attar shops in Hyderabad is the 'Gulzar Attar' shop It was established in the early 1900s and has been run by the same family for generations

The shop is known for its high-quality attars, and its products are highly sought after by attar enthusiasts and collectors

Mohsin, the owner of Beauty and Fragrance shop, says, "The costliest attar in Hyderabad is called the 'Shahenshah-e-Attar,' which translates to 'the king of attars ' It is made by a private attar-maker in the old city of Hyderabad and is sold for a whopping Rs 12,000 per tola (11 6 grams) "

The attar market in Hyderabad is a unique and fascinating place to visit It offers a wide range of attars, ranging from traditional to modern fragrances, and many of the attars are still produced using traditional methods The market is a testament to the city's cultural heritage and its contribution to the world of perfumery If you are a connoisseur of attars or just looking for a unique fragrance experience, the attar market in Hyderabad is definitely worth a visit