Street Style : Dinasha Alles 

Dinasha describes herself as a ‘glass is half full’ kind of girl, always looking at things with a positive attitude so is it any surprise that her signature style is all about the ‘bright, bold and the colourful’? 

“Fashion should be a reflection of your personality. I believe that the best outfit a woman can wear is her confidence. So if you’ve got that going on you can pretty much wear a brown paper bag and make it work” she says. 

So this week on Street Style, we take a peek at Dinasha’s electrifying wardrobe and learn a thing or two about dressing bold and still keeping it classy. 

LOOK 1 : Kaftan Dress 

I love this flowy kaftan dress! For a night look I’ve paired it up with stilettoes and bold statement earrings. It’s one of my favourite outfits because depending on what I pair it with, I can switch the look from casual day time to glam evening. The kaftan is by a local fashion label called Rachel Raj that has this amazing resort wear collection and is one of my favourite labels. 

LOOK 2 : Long Day - Dress 

This is my dressy day time function look. I love long dresses that clinch at the waist and this particular dress is raw silk so it’s important if you’re picking a slightly heavier fabric for a dress to make sure it highlights your shape and compliments your body. I love halter necklines because it starts off right at the base of your neck, so it’s adding a few extra inches to your body which elongates by creating longer lines. I paired this dress with easy slip on sandals and a woven leopard print clutch that's playful and fun. 

LOOK 3 : Jeans and White Georgette Top 

This is my everyday casual look. I wear jeans A LOT! I usually team them with easy breathable tops that keep me cool in this crazy island heat so most of my tops are chiffon or georgette. In this pic I'm wearing the only white top I own (because like I said I tend to wear bright colours) but I wanted to highlight how you can make muted colours like white and beige come alive by adding a splash of colour. I'm wearing Michael Kors orange wedges with a large orange clutch and my favourite spikey orange earrings. 

Style Role Model : I don’t really have a style role model. I believe that fashion is what you buy and style is what you do with it. You shouldn’t ever try and steal someone else’s look, you can be inspired by it but never duplicate it. You’ve always got to remember to dress for the body you have and not the body you want. The golden rule with whatever you choose to wear is to make sure you keep it classy. 

Favourite Colours to Pair : Like I said I love colour. So there are no two favourites, the brighter the better! Life is too short to wear boring clothes. 

Style Must Have’s? 

- A great pair of jeans which fit you like a second skin is a must. 

- Splurge on a fantastic dress that makes you feel like a movie star. 

- My daily must haves are definitely a great handbag in an earthy tone that goes with every outfit. 

- Make-up essentials! Mine are MAC Long Wear Foundation, Napoleon eyeliner, MAC Taupe lipstick and Neutrogena skin clearing powder. 

- A nice signature fragrance is also vital. My favourite at the moment is Roberto Cavalli. 

- I also think a woman should own a few pairs of statement shoes that can liven up anything, if you are throwing on a LBD then shake things up a little with a pair of fun shoes. My favourite pair is this pair of Steve Madden printed wedges which I pair with this bold necklace, they look like they were made for each other! 

Style Tips 

- Always carry a compact powder and lipstick in your bag. 

- Wear clothes that make you feel your best, clothes that draw attention to your best features, for instance nobody looks good in jeans that have faded panels on the thighs it makes your legs look chunky and is not flattering on many Sri Lankan women unless of course you are super skinny and want to create the illusion of larger thighs. 

- A great pair of heels will always elongate your legs and make any outfit look instantly more glamorous. 

- Don’t wear clothes that are too tight or too loose, highlight your figure and show off curves, big or small, be proud of the body you have, confidence is sexy, wear it daily! 

By Panchali Illankoon