The festive season is upon us yet again - which only further lays the groundwork for a whole lot of shopping! Replenish basics, but, with an infusion of colour; opt for knick-knacks to enhance your wardrobe and include a sexy separate; or just revamp your personal style with mature sensibility. It's time to go store hopping...

The agenda is to spend. Rift through your piles of invites and pinpoint which new collections/shop openings/Diwali sales/private exhibitions are worth a dekho - make sure you don't return empty-handed!

HOW TO

Needs can come before wants when it pertains to fashion too. Grab those padded silk hangers which will lovingly caress your precious buys, a long wool coat for a chilly December vacation, some crystal safety pins to hold the folds of your zardozi sari together; you can never go wrong with a pretty necessity.

Those who have the above covered can shift their attention to more extravagant, impulsive, much-coveted desirables like Fendi lucite heels, an antique navratan necklace from Jaipur, a tennis bracelet with baguettes a carat each…something special that will make your day.

List making helps. Adopt this practice on a regular basis and shopping will automatically become more fun and focused. Yes, there does exist a backless buttercup cowl-neck top to go with the printed Malini Ramani trousers you bought last year - the list will just remind you to stay on the lookout for it the next time you take a walk on Oxford Street.

Still confused? Some can't-go-wrong-with pieces to seize sometime soon are paisley print shawls (choose from pricey designer one-offs, or cheap and cheerful knock-offs from Goan flea markets and hawkers on Mumbai's Colaba Causeway), a pure silver clutch and a few cocktail rings, studded with topaz, citrine and turquoise - the birthstones of November and December.

Go for it: Parmeshwar Godrej, Anjali Tendulkar, Jaya Bachchan.

Collections: Adarsh Gill, Hermès, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Marc Jacobs.

THE ITEM NUMBER: EMBELLISHED CHOLIS

Gemstone and pearl encrusted blouses adorning simplistic saris have paved the way for a style reversal, turning 180 degrees from what has been the norm so far. A welcome twist to stir up the festive fiesta.

HOW TO

If you belong to that lucky club of 'washboard stomach' women, your choli should speak volumes. Try an elaborate version and drape your sari to bare - either by taking the pallav around the neck like a stole, or, tied tight across your waist à la yesteryears Mumtaz, with the ends trailing through your fingers. For the not-so-lucky, but normal Eves, some behind-the-scenes detailing on the choli (crystal doris dangling down your back, a gold necklace pinned vertically from blouse to sari, or just a mish-mash of gota, zari and Chantilly lace borders patched on), will effectively move attention to this sensual area.

Stone-worked t-shirts, beaded halters, ruched tubes with sequins can all ably substitute as cholis, so you don't necessarily need to make a brand new purchase - however, if doing so, a multi-coloured version is a good option as it can be paired with any of your pure chiffons. Cholis and saris are no longer stuck to the hip like before, experiment and pair the former with long, open jackets and snug pedal pushers (See page 153) for va-va voom allure.

Any old swatches of brocade, maybe some ghungroos tucked away, dried flower stems sprayed in gold etc. can be fashioned into an interestingly styled bodice. After all, nothing spells 'one-of-a-kind' better than a personally designed original!

Go for it: Tabu, Madhu Sapre, Pooja Bedi.

Collections: Tarun Tahiliani, Pallavi Jaikishen, JJ Valaya, Ranna Gill.

THE APPEAL: GROWN-UP GLAMOUR

Shed the baby-girl, peaches and cream, sugar doll image for a more adult, sophisticated, but in-your-face persona. Go slinky, go lacy, go roller-set hair and defined eyes, go confident and self-assured - fashion for women has come of age.

HOW TO

The 'secretary' look that has pervaded international trends these past few months proves that hi-fashion glam needn't restrict itself to elaborate evening gowns only. To be stunningly irresistible during the day, team an ice-blue satin shirt (with a couple of buttons undone) with a pencil thin grey skirt (in blended wool, and some soft layers on one side for the added edge), casually knot up a rose cardigan around your neck, strap on a pearl watch (Christian Dior has a multi-purpose one), pull on skin-tone panty hose, slip into maroon feathered pumps and set the 'wow' limit to its maximum!

Does the Chanel influence work for you? Costume brooches, trimmed tweeds, fitted waist-length jackets and sassy berets are the way to go. Not your cup of tea? Try Roberto Cavalli's way - detailed, uber sexy dresses in a riot of colours and fabrics, complemented with impossibly high heels. Shahab Durazi and Suneet Varma fit in as Indian counterparts respectively.

The best way to achieve grown-up spunk is to correctly visualize what elements are indispensable to the statement…a singular piece can sometimes create a magical impression that an entire outfit may not…keep those Pucci print scarves handy, along with a chunky suede choker and a vibrant bandhini lehnga to act as sensational transformers. And always, always remember to accessorize!

Go for it: Karisma Kapoor, Rani Mukherji, Nawaz Modi Singhania.

Collections: Monisha Jaising, Versace, Dabiri, Carolina Herrera.

THE COLOURS: JEWEL TONES

Rich, royal hues have spattered the colour palette for winter. Emerald green, fiery fuchsia, passionate purple, and, naturally, iridescent gold, highlight the fact that metallic mania is ruling the roost…

HOW TO

Stick to tone-on-tone combinations to avoid unflattering, overpowering clashes. A pale lilac camisole-shrug set, an amethyst mini, a Gucci purse with plum piping, a Technomarine watch with a plastic purple strap and some violet slip-ons will help create an effective and workable look.

The exact opposite, that is, using these hues in minute doses, is also a good idea when trying to make a subtle impact. A big bunch of jangling long chains in differing lengths (start with a choker and extend downwards so that the last necklace ends at the waist) will lift a basic white evening dress up a few notches. Finish with an organza stole, in shaded lemon, with patchwork roses. Jewel tone appliqués on neutral fabrics are another great alternative.

Coming to fabrics, probably the best bet would be leather - crocodile totes, skinny trousers or skirts, an obi style belt, or just a plain headband for 'look-at-me' appeal! Satin definitely comes next in line; allow the silhouette to go more free though, with blousons, drawstring pyjamas and billowing kaftans - the only exception to this rule is lingerie; a pleated magenta bikini top peeking though a nude ruffled shirt is always unquestionably electric.

Make-up and hair can go jewel-hued too…try copper highlights or shimmer glosses for just a touch of glitter and shimmer.

Re-dip those rodium polish earrings back to a yellow tone and be bold in pure gold! Select individual pieces to create a complete ensemble (See page 146) and carry off this style with composed élan - Verve predicts you will be the toast of the evening.

Go for it: Simi Garewal, Farah Oomerbhoy, Dipannita Sharma.

Collections: Cue, Gucci, Rohit Bal, Miu Miu.