In a world where style is often measured by the number of followers, Riddhi Shah effortlessly defies the norm. She’s not your average influencer or a fashion guru; she’s a 36-year-old dynamo — a wife, a doting mother of two, and an unquestionable fashionista. Forget the cookie-cutter trends; Riddhi defines fashion on her own erms, turning the ordinary into extraordinary. As an International Relations graduate from JNU, and as a fashion enthusiast now; she’s a walking, talking embodiment of style. She’s someone who always has a “yes” ready for out-of-the-box fashion. Whether it’s transforming old clothes into new outfits, wearing bold chunky accessories, and stepping outside the neutral colour palette—that’s what defines Riddhi’s style.

What does style mean to you?

Style is inherent. Style is about not what you wear, but how you wear it! You don’t need a fat wallet to style yourself. What you truly need is a discerning eye. It’s all about conceptualizing and seamlessly combining elements. Every era brings its own style, so stylists play a pivotal role in shaping trends in the fashion landscape. I do have a few of my timeless fashion icons from the past few decades; roaring twenties saw Coco Chanel as a catalyst of that era, the forties was the decade of elegance and sophistication , and no one embodied this better than Audrey Hepburn. Fabulous Fifties was the time when Hollywood stars were considered at the peak of fashion, all thanks to Marilyn Monroe. The seventies was all about the disco fever and definitely the most playful fashion era with the rise of bell bottoms, groovy patterns, sparkly dresses and platform shoes. Madonnain the ighties taught us that you can wear any style and look fashion-forward. Nineties was all about rock n roll, leather jackets and combat boots and who but Kate Moss could do it better in her Grungy avatar and finally the New Millennium saw my personal favourite – Victoria Beckham, minimalist yet the ultimate sensual style icon.

How do you organize your wardrobe?

At home, humorously they call me crazy because of how obsessively organized I am. I’ve got a touch of OCD, specially when it comes to my clothes – they’re sorted by category and neatly hung in my walk-in closet. Believe e, I’ve got quite a few items that regularly need decluttering. In fact, just today, I was in the midst of my weekly wardrobe decluttering session.

What is your favourite fashion trend?

When it comes to fashion, my absolute favourite trend has to be accessorizing. Accessorizing is my favourite experiment. Conceptualizing accessories with your looks, layering them up, putting things together and fearlessly having fun while experimenting can truly elevate your outfit styling to a whole new level. You can keep your outfit lowkey, but with the right accessories – be it funky earrings, headbands, a stylish bag, or layered necklaces – you can take your look to a whole new level. It’s the perfect way to turn a basic outfit into something absolutely top[1]notch.

Another trend that I’m totally in sync with these days are these handmade jewellery pieces that typically consists of tasels, thread beads, and twisted cords. Simarily the parandas for your hair are back and how – just like a wow !!! They’re riding a new wave of fashion, and I’m all in for it!

Any piece of clothing that you believe is a must-have in everyone’s wardrobe?

I think for summer it will be the ultimate LBD (little black dress) and a crisp white shirt with blue jeans. And for he winter it would be a nice chic black blazer and a longline camel coat. You can use pearls for all seasons as ccessorises, they will never be unfair to you.

What’s your take on DIY outfits?

I once wore my mom’s zardozi lehenga, a timeless piece that held thirty years of history, at my own sangeet. To ive it a fresh twist, I designed a new choli for the lehenga, sourcing fabrics and laces from Chandni Chowk. I’ve lso transformed one of my saris and a woolen shawl into a coat, complete with my own sleeve designs. owever, I’m not someone who likes spoiling what I have to create something new especially if it’s inherited. I’m always in two minds when I have to recreate an outfit, on one hand, there’s the desire to style a new outfit from it, but on the other, there’s a hesitancy to alter something so rich in emotions and inherited sentiment.

RIDDHI SHAH’S TOP-5 LOOKS

1. THE GOLD IN BLACK

The allure of an all-black look is undeniable. While some might argue that a head-to-toe black outfit could come off as a tad monotonous, Riddhi effortlessly proves otherwise. Her all black outfit ideas are far from boring; in fact, hey’re quite the opposite.

Riddhi makes a bold fashion statement with her all-black look, effortlessly combining black leather pants, a chic black turtleneck, and stylish knee-high leather boots. One of my favourite things in the world is when outfits radiate personality, and that is exactly what’s happening here. Gold jewellery in an all-black outfit is a match made in eaven. She has worn a gold crocodile neckpiece embedded with Swarovski stones outside her turtleneck, which is the element in her outfit that grabs everyone’s attention. The hoops, the bracelets, the gold rings – trust me, I’m a fan! This has to be my favorite look amongst them all because, oh my! It’s not just the look; Riddhi exudes so much onfidence in this attire, who could resist? Riddhi effortlessly ties her look together with a black handbag, with its handles wrapped in a matching scarf, mirroring the boldness of her red lipstick. It’s these thoughtful details that really elevate the entire vibe, showcasing Riddhi’s confidence and style in a subtle yet impactful way.

2. SAREE

A saree is an embodiment of femininity. Riddhi drapes her yellow organza saree with an xquisite touch of elegance and sophistication. The blouse, with its modern T-shirt neck and halter ack, harmoniously compliments the saree adorned with intricate green and red flowers and black and rown woodpeckers. Personally, I find this outfit a perfect blend of heavy jewellery with a aditional flair. Oversized Kundan and pearl earrings, not only elevate but also transform iddhi’s entire look. Riddhi embraces an array of gold and kundan bangles and two rings, one featuring n emerald and the other with a striking ruby. Her color coordination throughout the attire is truly xceptional. Adding to the charm, she carries a cute mini bag – a round maroon leather bag with ari embroidered bird prints that somehow looks exactly like it’s customized for this saree. The leek bun adds a touch of chicness to the overall aesthetic. Who doesn’t love a sleek bun, anyway?

3. GET IN LINE

Next up is a linen pantsuit set paired with a matching linen shirt. Composed of light colors—blue and white—it’s a versatile choice for work events or even as an everyday work outfit for the summer. While brown and blue might not be conventional color pairings, the wooden brown buttons surprisingly compliment the suit. The blue and white stripes create an illusion of height and slimness – a definite win-win. She goes with a low bun, adding a touch of neatness to the overall look. As the outfit reveals little to no skin show, Riddhi strikes the right balance with accessories. A creatively designed small bee brooch adds an element of fun to capture attention. For her hands, she keeps it minimal with just a pearl ring adorned with diamonds. Slay alert! Riddhi opts for traditional gold crescent earrings, a surprising yet gorgeous match to the outfit. It’s crazy how well the outfit compliments the earpiece, despite belonging to completely different aesthetics. To add to the magic, she pairs it with peep-toe silver party heels adorned with gold and swarovski stones. That’s the whole deal with styling , right? Stepping out of your comfort zone, turning heads, and doing it all with confidence.

4. NOT-SO-BASIC

Basics are a must-have in every girl’s wardrobe. When essentials are curated aesthetically, they escape the ordinary. iddhi uses her magic wand as she elevates basic wardrobe essentials, ensuring they never appear basic. Case in oint: she effortlessly pairs her light blue bell-bottom jeans with a classic white shirt, turning this simple look into not just n outfit; but one that proves the power of basics when in the right hands. She opts for a high ponytail with bangs, dding a playful touch to the look. Riddhi casually rolls up the sleeves of her white shirt, giving it that extra swag actor, and knots it for a cropped look. Her denim bell-bottom pants rock a laid-back grunge vibe with subtly slit bottoms, perfectly paired with comfy wedge heels. For accessories, Riddhi has adorned herself with pearls and  nestly, it’s a slay. She styles a multi-layered white pearl necklace over her shirt, complimented by a slightly larger earl necklace. On her wrist, she wears a wide cuff bracelet adorned with precious and semi-precious stones and strung ogether with strings of pearls, while in her hand, she casually criss-crosses a pearl necklace. It’s details like these that lay a significant role in elevating the entire outfit. To top it off, she carries a white tote bag with floral patterns, a erfect match to the outfit’s aesthetics, highlighting the practicality of basics with a stylish twist.

5. SPRING

The first look features a coord set adorned with vibrant, floral spring patterns—a halter blouse paired with a atching midi-length skirt. It’s a fun dress that offers a balance between the elegance of longer lengths with the light vibes of summer. Riddhi compliments the lively patterns with minimal accessories, opting for large chic, gold hoops and a pair of gold bracelets. Injecting a pop of colour into the outfit, she carries a funky hot pink handbag, adding a playful touch to the overall look. To complete the outfit, Riddhi slips into transparent pointy heels adorned with small, colorful pyramid shaped designs, providing a perfect blend of style and whimsy.

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