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Why is the Tiffany’s box a trademark blue? And why is it more coveted than the actual contents?

February 9, 2015 by anubha76 Leave a Comment

It was in 1878 that Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Book catalogue acquired its first cover in the particular shade of blue that’s now come to be known as Tiffany Blue. Variously described as ‘forget-me-not blue’ and ‘robin’s egg blue’, it was handpicked because of the popularity of turquoise gemstones in the 19th century.

Turquoise was also a favorite of Victorian brides, who usually gave their attendants a dove-shaped brooch set with turquoise so that they would not forget the occasion – a detail that was not lost on Charles Lewis Tiffany, who founded the brand as the pinnacle of wedding luxe.

tiffany blue 2The box incited such a flurry of emotions that in 1906, The New York Sun famously reported: “(Charles Lewis) Tiffany has one thing in stock that you cannot buy of him for as much money as you may offer; he will only give it to you. And that is one of his boxes.”

At the beginning of the 20th century, the venerable jewellery house trademarked this cult shade and it now bears the same number (1837) on the Pantone Matching System as the year Tiffany was founded. More than a century later, the “little blue box” remains an international icon, whispering romance and sophistication, and inciting bidding wars on eBay from collectors who sometimes value the packaging more than the contents.

tiffany blue 4Bonus facts:

1. Pantone makes the blue-coloured paper for all Tiffany’s packaging materials.

2. The white satin ribbon that is tied at the counter is another de rigueur for all Tiffany’s boxes. The only time it’s replaced is during the holidays, when Tiffany’s uses a red ribbon for the festivities.

3. The brand’s name is embossed in Baskerville Old Face.

4. During the shooting of Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the store posted 40 armed guards on the floor to prevent its blue boxes from vanishing!

5. The Tiffany’s blue box has even inspired actual pieces of jewellery (like this pretty charm) – not to mention the innumerable nail polishes, desserts, wall coverings, fashion collections and decor objects.

Own a Tiffany’s blue box? Want a Tiffany’s blue box?

Filed Under: Brands, Cult, Design, Fashion, Gifting Tagged With: Pantone 1837, Tiffany, Tiffany & Co., Tiffany blue, Tiffany blue box, Tiffany blue box charms, Tiffany color, Tiffany colour, Tiffany font, Tiffany history, Tiffany nail polish, Tiffany packaging, Tiffany red ribbon, Tiffany signature, Tiffany trivia, Tiffany white ribbon, Tiffany's, what is Tiffany blue, why is Tiffany's blue

Jodhpurs 101: The anatomy of a fashion classic

February 4, 2015 by anubha76 Leave a Comment

I have been receiving loads of messages asking about those dashing jodhpur that are fast becoming the gold standard for formal wear for everyone from royalty to the runway watchers. So, here goes a quick primer.

Jodhpurs: Ready to make the jump?

Jodhpurs are not a new invention. In fact, they are almost 125-years-old. This style of trousers was first made famous by Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jodhpur in 1890, when he wanted free movement of the hip and thigh while riding a horse on the polo field.

These jodhpurs were rapidly taken up by the British polo-playing community and were soon being produced by Savile Row tailors in London. By the 1920s, ladies began wearing jodhpurs as well – one of the most famous proponents being Coco Chanel.

Arjun Rampal wearing jodhpurs at Cannes

Arjun Rampal rocking jodhpurs at Cannes

Back to today

Today, jodhpurs have been picked up by design houses ranging from Gucci and Ralph Lauren to Etro and Dolce & Gabbana. The classic versions are still cut full at the hips, fit tightly from knee-to-ankle and end in a cuff with a strap under the instep.

Some of the more experimental varietals, however, use modern stretch fabrics to remove the flare and yet remain supportive and flexible. However, to me these newer versions just don’t evoke any of the romance of watching dapper young men striding through a polo field (or a red carpet) full of daring and an almost brash bravado that tempts and tantalises with its very insouciance.

And though everyone in the world of haute couture is scrambling to produce these regal garments, somehow their very charm still lies in the small by-lanes of the towns that first invented them more than a century back. Looking for the original stuff? You won’t go wrong with Jodhpur Tailors, which is still patronised by Jaipur’s royalty!

PS: The word jodhpurs is often used interchangeably with riding breeches, though this is technically incorrect, as breeches are riding apparel that come down to only about mid-calf, designed to be worn with long stockings and tall boots.

How to wear jodhpurs in the real world, for men

  • In India, jodhpurs are typically paired with a Nehru jacket – usually in contrasting colors, with decorative buttons.
  • Not a fan of the Nehru jacket? Pair your jodhpurs with a sports jacket. Single vented jackets work best for a formal look, while a two-buttoned sports version perfectly complements a more casual occasion.
  • The jackets can be patterned or solid colored but the jodhpurs themselves should never have any patterns.
  • As for the shirt, make it classic and well fitted; wearing loose shirts will give you a lumpy appearance and add bulk.
  • As for footwear, opt for close-fitting boots or oxfords.
Jodhpurs by Dolce & Gabbana

Jodhpurs by Dolce & Gabbana

The art of wearing jodhpurs for women

  • Look for a pair of jodhpurs with pockets set at the front, not the sides, as the latter will accentuate your hips.
  • Jodhpurs that are too tight in the leg will make your calves look fat – the safest option is to buy a pair with buttons from calf to ankle, which can be adjusted while wearing.
  • Keep it chic and classic with a simple silk shirt, a classic black polo neck or a high-necked collar blouse and cropped jacket.
  • And ALWAYS tuck in your top and accentuate your waist with a belt to avoid looking like a sack of potatoes.
  • A final word: NEVER accessorize your jodhpurs with equestrian props. So skip the riding boots and instead look for stack heels, platforms, patent round-toes or shoe-boots.

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: guide to jodhpurs, how to wear jodhpurs, jodhpur pants, jodhpur trousers, jodhpurs, jodhpurs 101, jodhpurs for men, jodhpurs for women, what are jodhpurs, what to wear with jodhpurs, where to buy jodhpurs

Conversation starter: What is the Hermès orange?

January 21, 2015 by anubha76 Leave a Comment

Orange has been the Hermès hallmark colour since the Second World War, when the company’s packaging supplier ran out of its traditional brown-trimmed beige box. When the company was launched in 1837, the first boxes were cream-coloured, with gilded-edging, imitating pigskin; a few years later they became mustard-coloured with brown edging.

hermes orange 2The Second World War forced the next color change. During the Occupation, the shortage of all materials forced Hermès to use the only plain paperboard available: it was orange. Moving to orange was a pretty bold move in the 1940s, but there has been no turning back for the company that began in Thierry Hermès’ saddle shop in Paris.

According to Leatrice Eisman, author of All About Colour, “Because orange is closely associated to red from which it comes, vibrant orange is a very physical, high-visibility colour, calling for attention. And because of it’s connection to sunny yellow, orange is seen as friendlier and more approachable, less aggressive than red – a gregarious, fun loving hue.”

After the war, this color was continued, but in a much more vivid shade (as today) with a relief pattern. In 1949, the Bolduc (brown ribbon) was introduced. Before 1996, jewellery and tableware had different colored boxes: grey for jewelry and green for tableware; however, today all Hermès objects come in the orange box, which comes in 188 different sizes. This burnt orange corresponds to No. 1448 on the Pantone Matching System.

hermes orange 1

Filed Under: Brands, Cult, Design, Fashion, Gifting Tagged With: Hermès, Hermes color, Hermes colour, Hermes orange, Hermes packaging, Hermes signature colour, what is the Hermes orange, why is hermes orange

The male fashion fit guide: Literally the only guide men need to get dressed

January 11, 2015 by anubha76 Leave a Comment

Blazers, jackets, dress shirts, coats, pants, ties, shoes… who says men have it easy while getting dressed? Then there are all those questions about fit and length and shoulders and sleeves and cuffs. And so much more. Fortunately, eBay deals has teamed up with the subbreddit community Male Fashion Advice to create this awesome infographic that sums up everything you need to know about the fit and finish of the male wardrobe in one tiny nutshell. Scan. And learn.

Because sometimes, looking sharp is simply about wearing clothes that fit properly.

male fashion guide

Filed Under: Fashion, For Men, Male grooming, Menswear Tagged With: How to Wear a Suit, How to Wear a Tie, How to Wear Pants, Men Fashion Guide, Men Getting Dressed Guide, Men Style Guide, Men's Fashion

The handbag glossary: A visual guide to EVERY kind of handbag style for women in the know

December 13, 2014 by anubha76 Leave a Comment

Satchel. Baguette. Minaudière. Foldover. Hobo. Bucket. Frame. And so many more. The variety of handbag styles boggles the mind, doesn’t it? Fortunately, the nice people over at Scarves.com have put together this snappy visual guide to every kind handbag style known to womankind.

And dear men, you should read it as well. Chalk it up as a win during gift buying time!

handbag styles

Filed Under: Accessories, Fashion, For women Tagged With: handbag guide, handbag styles, handbags 101, kinds of handbags, kinds of purses, purse 101, purse guide, purse styles, type of purses, types of handbags, women handbags, women purses, women's fashion

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