As winter transcends to spring, the month of February is already upon us (wow! almost a fortnight done). Needless to say, the month is synonymous with the feeling of being love! With blooming flowers, tropical vibes and a tinge of red all around; one can't miss the whiff of love in the air. Promises, roses and moments of mushy-ness. The endless list of date night ideas. Updates and posts that follow. Nothing can match upto the feeling of being in love. Sigh! It's wonderful, isn't it?

But, have you looked at yourself in the mirror, and showered some words of compliments? A subtle, "You look wonderful today," from a special someone creates a flutter in our stomach, doesn't it? How about we tweak things a bit and say this to ourselves, just once in a while? Learning to love yourself and being comfortable in one's skin is the most liberating and beautiful feeling. When no one stands by, you have yourself. When all else fails, you can motivate yourself. No one can love you better, if you fail to love yourself first. So, stop being harsh and learn to love! This valentine's day, give yourself some much needed love. Compliment yourself, and smile. Don't wait for someone else to make a difference! Love thy self fiercely, folks. So much, that when others see you, they know exactly how it should be done. 

The year saw some of Bollywood's leading men make fashionable appearances at popular events. These dapper men showed off their style statement with great panache throughout the year, and we can't stop praising them for their sartorial choices. Of course, the credit also goes to their personal stylists and / or designers as well. So, here's how our favourite stylish Bollywood men ruled the fashion scene in 2016.



Ranbir Kapoor
While Ranbir rarely made any appearance in the first half of 2016, the second half was packed with promotional activities and events for his successful Diwali release - Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. We have always loved RK's personal style statement, which veers towards minimalism and is a good mix of relaxed casuals and classy formals (like he says - as the occasion demands). This year, we particularly loved his dapper formal look, where he picked a black Dior suit for an awards night. He floored us with his charm on the runway at the Lakme Fashion Week, turning showstopper for designer friend Kunal Rawal. Throughout the promotional phase for ADHM, the debonair Kapoor's charisma was unmatched, and he looked impressive in some great outfits. Perfectly suave, Ranbir!

Everybody loves a pair of funky and stylish Converse sneakers. Almost everyone, be it a kid, college student or working professional, has used a pair of Converse for years (even till the time it gets completely worn out. Sentiments, you know). For a brand that started off as a rubber shoe company in 1908 and eventually turned to making sneakers, Converse has certainly come a long way and has a very special place in the heart of every sneaker head. It was in 1920 that the All Star range came into existence, and since then, there was no looking back. Their philosophy of making a pair of Converse sneaker an integral part of an individual's life is both unique and special. After all, we all love a good pair of shoes, don't we? You can play, live and run around the world in them. And when you get them customised, they become a part of you. Because, they are made by you.

The ‘Made By You’ campaign is a first of its kind, that will allow Converse loyalists to interact with the brand in a big way.  The Chuck Taylor All Star series proves that the Chuck is not just a sneaker, but an idea. Every new pair carries a powerful message. Your Converse sneakers becomes a blank canvas that is waiting to be filled. The customised pair becomes unique celebration of your unique and true personality. 

Taking the popular legacy forward and to celebrate the ‘Made By You’ story, Converse Inc will be anchoring the 1st ‘Made By You’ exhibition in Mumbai and it's happening at Infiniti Mall, Malad. The exhibition urges Converse fans and true sneaker heads to get their oldest pair of Converse (that best defines them) to the exhibit and become a part of the ‘Made By You’ international story. In addition, you also get your own ‘Made By You’ portrait. But the most exciting part of the campaign has to be the customisation process! The campaign would involve the brand offering its consumers an exclusive opportunity to add their unique personality to a pair of Converse sneakers, extending the experience of 'Made By You'.  A graffiti artist will assist guests in customising their pair of old sneakers or a newly purchased sneaker, using a wide variety of stencils and spray paints, creating a sneaker which will be unique to them and will carry forward the campaign of 'Made By You'. 

That's not all! There are several celebrities who also swear by their pair of Converse and some of them will be sharing stories of their favourite pair at the do. Some of the prominent Indian faces include VJ Rannvijay Singha, singer Anushka Manchanda, who will be present at the exhibition.

So come, be a part of this fun and memorable Converse 'Made By You' celebration and share your sneaker loving story with us, all day at the Infiniti Mall (Malad) on October 18 (tomorrow). PS: If you are dropping in anytime around 3 - 4 pm, Team Dancebee and I will be around to indulge in some sneaker customisation. Do drop by, join the fun and say Hello. Enjoy the sneakerlicious weekend!

Love,

The Dancebee

If there is any piece of apparel that I can trust, even on days when I am down and not really interested in spending several minutes on putting together the right outfit, it has to be a graphic tee. You can never go wrong with them. While a cool graphic tee and a pair of distressed denims happens to be the favorite go-to outfit of most individuals, this humble tee can do a lot more. We give you five ways in which you can wear a graphic tee this summer and look your stylish best at every occasion.

Graphic tee + skirt

Who said skirts are only fit for chic blousons and shirts? Wear your favorite skirt in any color with a fun graphic tee (maybe with a cool slogan) and get set for a fun day out with your gal pals. Opt for a pair of flatforms for a more casual look or ankle strap heels for a fun afternoon. Light make up, loose wavy hair, a watch with some arm candy (bracelets) and voila! You are ready to rock.

Graphic tee + shorts

Its summer, alright! And who doesn’t love hitting the beach or hanging around in a pair of shorts in fun colors. Shorts, flip flops, a quirky knapsack, and of course, graphic tee with funky prints and we have got the perfect outfit. You can also swap the flip flop for loafers, flatforms in metallic finish or even funky sneakers like the ones at Vans or Nike. Oh, and don’t forget your sun block and a fun pair of reflective Lennon mirror glasses or wayfarers.

Graphic tee + overalls (dungarees)

For those who love to dress up differently! I heart this combination. A pair of denim overalls (full, shorts or skirt) looks fantastic with a graphic tee, giving you a more relaxed vibe. Let your hair loose (or just tie up in to a messy bun), pick your favorite Ray Ban aviators and finish your look with a pair of kicks. Wear it to a movie date or a music concert, topped with oodles of attitude and confidence. Oh, and to add some drama, maybe leave one side of your side overall buttons open.

Graphic tee + blazer

Hands down one of my favorite looks! Blazers are not just meant to look boring with sophisticated shirts and simple tees. A colorful blazer and the right graphic tee is the perfect formula for a cool outfit, which is perfect for a variety of occasions – ranging from a meeting, lunch with friends, event or even a dinner date. While I love pairing ripped jeans with this combination, you can also try wearing it with a pencil skirt or even denim shorts. Sneaker heels or even a pair of pumps are enough to complete this look. Nude lips and loose hair are enough to add some charm.

Graphic tee + boyfriend jeans

Everybody loves this combination, right? There are days when you can’t find any outfit and bam! The graphic tee and boyfriend jeans combination comes to your rescue. The chilled out vibe of this outfit is what makes it a winner. Stepping out under the hot sun in the afternoon? Tie up your hair in a bun, wear your sunnies, wear the most comfortable kicks and taper your jeans for a relaxed look. You can also opt to tie a plaid shirt (raid your boyfriend’s wardrobe) around your waist. Going out for a movie with friends at night? Wear a long cardigan over the outfit, give your hair some soft curls, wear a chunky watch and replace the kicks with a pair of metallic loafers. Finish off the look with a bright lip color.

One graphic tee, so much versatility! Who would have thought, right? It’s all about experimenting with what you have already got in your wardrobe. Still wanna step out and buy these fun tees? Some of our favorite brands available in India that stock up on fab graphic tees include – Forever 21, Mango, Zara, Chimp Wear, Lifestyle, FCUK, Pantaloons and Ed Hardy among others. There is also H&M, which at the moment, is still on its way to India.

So, how are you styling your graphic tee today? Share with us on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar

Love, 

The Dancebee