SHIMMER AND SHINE
Top designers share festive fashion tips
The invitations have gone out, the artisanal cocktails have been prepared, the flowers have been ordered and RSVPs have been sent out. However, the eternal conundrum remains: what does one wear to the most coveted gala of the season? If you are someone who loves party hopping in the run up to Diwali, chances are you are busy fretting over your sartorial choices. We asked four designers to break down the top festive trends to make picking out the perfect outfit easier and more fun for you this season.
EKA BY RINA SINGH
A huge trend that I see this festival season is stripes. Experiment with a slightly masculine silhouette but use extremely feminine fabrics like silk in monotones which can be broken down with touches of embroidery or a patchwork stole. The final look turns out to be contemporary but one that is endowed with a smidgen of nostalgia and heritage. The colour palette I see being popular this season is jewel toned. Emerald green paired with a lighter green is a popular pick but one can pick any two colours in the same family. Layering is an unexpected way to stand out as is paring dresses with trousers. The idea is not to fit in but to stand out and create a newer version of festive wear. One can pair a striped kurta set with polki jewellery or other traditional accessories, keeping the look avante garde yet festive-appropriate. One can also pick sarees in a modern weave with colour blocking, or a metallic one and accessorise it with heavy jewellery.
PANKAJ AND NIDHI
Unlike earlier, people are now experimenting with muted shades for the festival season. Nude peaches, pearl greys and ivories with muted silver are popular picks. These colours look and feel modern and this is one of the reasons why women are gravitating towards them. Ornate embroidered jackets are a really chic way of adding some flair to an outfit. We recommend picking a jacket with a long trail or pairing a peplum jacket with trousers. One can even try pairing jackets with skirts. People want to make a statement, but an elegant one— not an outlandish one. We also see women of all ages willing to experiment with shapes. Long dresses, too, look beautiful at soirees. It does not necessarily have to be a gown but somewhere in-between an anarkali and an evening gown—something that you can easily wear to a ball in Hong Kong as well as a card party in Delhi.
PAYAL JAIN
A great way to stand out in a crowd of festive fashion is by adding touches of individuality to your outfit. Bright colours, eclectic embriodery and a bohemian vibe will certainly make you stand out from the crowd. This season is all about a harmonious blend of organic fabrics, vivid colours, eccentric combinations, warm details, random weaves, bold checks, vibrant prints and experimental treatments. Pick clothes that reflect your personality and are not dictated by conventions. Pair sarees with trousers, skirts with dupattas and kurtas with boots. Festival fashion can be about anything one wants it to be.
SHYAMAL AND BHUMIKA
A good way to stand out during the festivities is by adding fun, flirty details to traditional outfits. Draped gowns with delicate embroidery can be worn with stylised blouses. Pick fabrics like rich raw silks, wild handwoven silks, translucent organzas, matkas and tussars in vintage pastels, bluish pinks and muted olives. Ruffles are a huge trend for the festive and wedding season and we are seeing them on everything from lehengas to gowns. Peplum tops, poet sleeves, shoulder baring blouses,draped sleeves are some of the trends that we can expect to see this season. For those who prefer more traditional threads, classic sarees can be teamed with fun blouses or embroidered dupattas, and classic tops with dhoti cowl pants. Highlight embroidery can be done to add fresh bling to classic outfits too.