Normally, the word ‘trousseau’ is usually associated with all-things bridal: referring to a bride’s clothes, linen, jewellery and more. “People often refer to the trousseau as the bridal trousseau because women are looking to go trousseau shopping often right before their wedding,” reasons AiSPi founder Aisha Saraf Kothari.
However, she truly believes that a trousseau is a lifelong state of mind. “The purchases that you make in a trousseau would probably be the most investable purchases in fashion that you make through your lifetime,” says Aisha. Inspired by the modern-day version of this traditional practice, AiSPi is now bringing the concept of an ‘Investment Trousseau’ to life.
Let us guide you step by step on how to build your very own investment trousseau. After all, you don’t need to be a bride to build your own! Ahead, you’ll find Aisha’s top 5 recommendations on building your forever style trousseau.
Start With The Basics
It all starts with the basics. “The first thing to add to your trousseau is something that you would wear all the time,” says Aisha. She explains that comfort doesn’t have to make your outfit any less fashionable. Choose pieces that can be added on to other outfits easily, things that are extremely versatile. And what is more versatile than minimalist pieces? She says: “Make minimal colours like black, beige, white, navy, and others, your BFFs.”
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Make A Statement
Our first tip focused on comfort, simplicity and minimalistic, now let’s bring on all the glitz, the glamour and statement! Let it be a statement bag or a flash of hot pink, the items you add to your trousseau must turn heads. “Add pieces that catch your eye the minute you wear them, pieces that can be worn with a simple black dress and has the ability to elevate it instantly,” recommends Aisha.
Invest In Quality
“Investment and quality are two concepts that have been tied together for centuries and both are extremely important,” she says. When we spend money on luxury, we consider it an investment and in believing so, we expect the product to have a long life cycle. This is why we cannot express how important quality is. “If you are looking to keep something with you for a long time, the quality of craftsmanship, material, and design is extremely important,” reiterates Aisha. Add products of the best quality to your trousseau as it is an investment.
Exclusively Yours
Your trousseau is yours and yours alone– so the one you create will have an air of exclusivity to it. When you spend your time and effort curating your trousseau, you would want it to be unique from others as your style is exclusive to you. “You would want it to have a search element to it. It has to be something everyone, including you, have made the effort to procure,” she says.
Individuality
Fashion is a space where you create and express, a place where you can weave your own story. Let your trousseau be your personal style statement–one that tells stories of your travels, your personality, and your desires. It will be a true expression of you. “Each product you choose should tell a story about you, who you truly are and your personality. Fashion is an expression of who you are, how you feel, what you believe in,” she says. So, the next set of pieces you invest in should speak your truth.
Interviewing Aisha Saraf Kothari, written by Kirthi Anand
All Images are courtesy of the respective brands
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