How to get your fashion quotient right

What’s the idea of good behaviour in fashion? What’s the right way to behave when you are all dressed up in haute couture or in an elegant chic ensemble? Fashion’s code of conduct means much more than just smiling subtly, arching your back and sending flying kisses. What was unnoticed and what will get notice? Deciphering the fine lines of the psychology behind style is important and you must know yours.

The correct fashion behaviour is something that has existed over the decades but not been flaunted. It's high time to show it all. It’s more character than costume and more mind than body. What is overlooked is more credible to define who you are. The self-assessment and how one feels different inside should be expressed externally.

Fashion trends alter every day and phase out at the same time. There is always a replacement but correct fashion etiquette lasts much longer binding self-expression and aesthetics together.

Voltaire in his "Philosophical Dictionary” said, “Ask a toad what beauty is, true beauty... He will tell you that it consists of his mate, with her two fine round eyes protruding from her small head, her broad flat throat, her yellow belly and brown back... Ask the devil: He will tell you that beauty is a pair of horns, four claws and a tail.” Understand your definition of beauty and embody it.

Fashion trends change every season, so you'll see pieces going out of style just as quickly as they arrived on the fashion scene. However, good manners will always be in fashion, so when you are updating your wardrobe, place the etiquette well.

Some things to remember the next time you are out to steal the show:

1.  Don’t be a part of anywhere you don’t belong. You are under no compulsion to answer any question you don’t want to answer, share anything you don’t want to share. Discover your space and comfort. Wear a dress but never wear a face. Be natural!

2. Share what you care about. The purpose of social media, especially Twitter, is for us to share useful information, not to tell everyone how amazing your meal was or how you were stuck in the traffic for how long. Scrutinize what you share and make sure you know enough to handle those comment threads.

3. Dress your age, behave your age and you must feel connected with what you have wrapped around. It makes you look comfortable, confident and secure in your space and you can win over many. Being yourself is the best bet.

4. It’s not always about how you wear your clothes, it is also about how they wear you. Get their language. Indian women walk with their knees and the Western woman walks from her hips. Apart from spending doubloons on what to wear, pay attention to taking the right steps in the right way. Stop being apologetic about your body and get rid of that slouch. You can show humility is so many ways. Why droop?

5. Evaluate your actions and be ready for the reactions. Save judgements for later and keep everything accurate and to the point. Be conscious and guard your subconscious before you are boycotted for the rest of it. Don’t be a walking Page Six!

6. Take care of much more than just looks, be socially aware, choose words wisely and keep watch over the timing. An out of context drop word never works well. Managing thoughts is as important as managing your clothes and accessories. Don’t be all over the place in any way.

7. Avoid the know-it-all syndrome. Being a Debbie Downer ruins it at times. Knowledge never harmed anyone but know and respect the audience for their ignorance at times. It kills a fashionable moment.

8. Don’t be dictated and stop taking dictations. Play on the one part identity and use your self-awareness and knowledge. If you don’t have enough, it’s time to work on that rather than those random rehearsed words.