INTERESTING TRENDS TO INCORPORATE THIS FESTIVE SEASON
Like every other thing, last year and a half has seen our fashion spirits too doused to our
athe-leisure wear. We were happily styling ourselves in our Pyjamas and sweats, channelling out the luxe- sports look to glam up for any ‘virtual celebration’ we may have to ‘attend’. The Diva in us was exploring more with make-up and hair trends than clothes actually.
Good Times are round the corner and we must allow our fashion spirits to soar high again. Let’s look at some interesting fashion and colour trends that can bring us back in the festive fashion game after this hiatus.
GO BIG ON SLEEVES
Statement sleeves are going to be the fashion statement this season and with the changing season it suits us fine too! This element of fashion has the power to uplift almost any garment, be it ethnic or western.
Voluminous puff or bishop sleeves, ruffled sleeves or ruffled cuffs at the end of fitted
sleeves, cape sleeves, cowled sleeves, bejewelled sleeves, off-shouldered volume sleeves, layered and two toned sleeves, tiered sleeves, rouched sleeves, shirred sleeves, volume sleeves with bold big cuffs/ bands or draped sleeves, the choice is amazing. We just need to choose the right kind as per our body type and also team it with a fitting silhouette to have a balanced look in the ensemble.
When choosing to follow this trend, remember to keep the focus on the sleeves of your garment, rest of the elements are just to complete the look. Be it a western outfit or our quintessential blouses teamed with either sarees, lehengas or ghararas, the sleeves offer amazing scope to experiment.
BE THE COVER GIRL or TEASE WITH THE MIDRIFF
On the contrary to fashion beliefs where skin show is a part of clever fashion aesthetics, which many fashion victims end up following beyond their ease, the trends this year is about the more fabric cover the merrier. With Kim K appearing at the Met Gala with 100% coverage (yes, even her face was covered!) in an all black layered bodysuit ensemble, this suddenly has become the talking point.
Talk of masking up in style! Go stylish with your masks and scarves and layer your body suits with a nice sequined skirt or lehenga with a bright scarf/ stole and you are festival ready! Our classic lehenga choli perfectly fit the midriff baring trend hot in the season now! Twist it by pairing your structured blouse or cropped ‘Shacket’ with a gharara, our very own wide legged pants and be the hottie on the block!
SEQUINE DAZZLE
This year fashionistas aren’t looking for any reason to pull out their sequins rather jjust flaunting them left right and centre, so we, in our Dandiyas and Diwali, definitely have all our reasons to pull out and pull off our heavily embellished attires. The key is to keep one heavily embellished piece and prep it with another pop piece, either colour wise or print wise in case you are attending a day time celebration.
Bring our your ‘Chaniya Cholis’ and dress with a vengeance!
GO FLORAL
Floral motifs and prints bring festive cheer! And when they are embellished and embroidered, they
speak for themselves. From mid size to small ditzy print, flowers are our way to bust the drab of pandemic life!
HUES THAT CRY OUT LOUD
Bright saturated hues in pink, mustard, yellows, blues and green are the scene stealers and when you clash them it’s even better! Black is the ever classic, just jazz it up with embellishments, bright contrasting prints, sequence in monotones or contrast and you are festive good! If black is not your colour, live it up with Lilac, Lavender and bubblegum pink! Those who believe in saying it with colours, pull out your brightest of pinks and fuchsias, tonal yellows or marigolds, deep rich jewel tones and own them like never before. Our very own Bandhej and Kutch embroidery are embodiment of festivity by their sheer presence.
90s IS THE NOW
It’s not only the reruns of FRIENDS on the loop, it’s also the 90s fashion that is seeing a comeback in our lives. So all the moms out there, who have been seeking fashion tips from their daughters, its rather time to give them some! Girls out there channel your yesterselves and get some chunky flatforms/ platforms, team minis with midi/ maxi outerwear. Big shoulders and sleeves, tailored and structured look, tailored layering, low waist, wide legged bottoms, cut-outs are some elements to base our styling on.
STATEMENT PIECES TO JAZZ UP YOUR FESTIVITY
Come October and we Indians get in the celebration and ritual mode. We may have hibernated in our loungewear all the year long, but we shall dress with as much aplomb for this time of our year.
Here is the list to remind us of our deck up possibilities. Yes ‘Sarees’ are our go to garment but this festival, it’s time to team it with very unconventional blouses, shirts, shackets and even vests to give a spin to the classic. Layer the saree with structures sequined blazers or bombers for that urbane and edgy look. The pre-draped versions of this classic, where saree meets gown can be made very ethnic with use of ethnic fabrics or Indian surface ornamentation techniques like sequences, embroideries, cut works, quilting, puffing and rouching.
Lehengas or Ghararas can be given a trendy twist by keeping them low waist and pairing them with sequenced crop tops. Young brigade can add layering to it and also make it more fun by keeping the length of the bottom garment cropped and team them with sequenced trek boots, swapping their stilettos.
How about swapping our regular ‘kaftans’ for more dressy versions of the same?! Add some midriff
baring cutout/ keyhole, throw in flashy ornamentation/embellishment and team it with a vibrant scarf and you are festive ready.
- Written By Shipra Anand
- afclko@rediffmail.com
Author’s bio
A Lucknow based Design Entrepreneur & Design educationist & counsellor, NIFT Delhi alumna with 24plus years of experience, founder Academy for Fashion Careers, Co- Director JD Institute of Fashion Technology and co-owner TISYE Fashions
