TONAL LAYERING: A KEY WINTER 21-22 TREND

Fashion is often an anthropological commentary on what’s going on around us. With the world at large still far from Covid-19 recovery, designers at the recently concluded Milan Fashion Week had comfort layering on their minds along with an earthy palette. No surprises there, as we could all use some soothing hues and forgiving tailoring at this point. Alessandro Sartori at Zegna showcased an array of chore coats and relaxed-tailored suits, clubbed with cozy knitwear underneath — all layered up in a delicious palette of cappuccino, biscotti and caramel. Tod’s digital showcase clashed beige corduroy with sandy suede and Silvia Fendi layered long johns with cardigan scarves in the same family of hues.

Stylist Akshay Tyagi sees this as fashion’s way of embracing earthiness. “The menswear presentations sent out a meaningful sartorial message of a comfort-driven wardrobe consisting of boxy tailored pieces in a muted palette. However, if I were to use any of these layered looks to style actors back home, then heavy layering may not necessarily work. For instance, I’d love to style Sidharth Malhotra in a classic knit and baggy trousers — both tonally paired. On the other hand, I’d like to give Varun Dhawan a salmon pink jumper layered with a rust coat,” he says.

Stylist Isha Bhansali feels warm hues of deep chocolate browns, sands, cream, slate grey showcased this season can be smoothly pulled off. “Tone on tone will be at the forefront this year. But, I’d like to add that avoid using shades such as red or pink in these clean looks. If you want pop, say with an accessory, opt for a pastel option. Avoid candy tones,” she suggests.

Stylist Eshaa Amiin seconds that. She says, “When you’re trying to create tonal layering, play it up with a cool accessory which is not in a stark contrast. Say a camel look can be offset with an off-white, cream or tan bag. Moreover, a tone-on-tone ensemble, like say one comprising shades of black, grey and charcoal, makes you look taller. For instance, if you are opting for an all-denim ensemble, finish it off with a pair of navy sneakers or brogues.”

I’d love to style Sidharth Malhotra in a knit and baggy trousers — both tonally paired.

AKSHAY TYAGI, Stylist

PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM ◄ A model layered with a cardigan scarf over a shirt in the same family of colours on the Fendi digital runway ▲ Actor Lorenzo Zurzolo layered in corduroy and tonally matched shoes in Tod’s digital film showcased at MFW

► A paisley print coat layered over a pair of beige trousers at Etro Fall Winter 21-22

▲ A relaxedfit suit in tones of camel by Alessandro Sartori