Bollywood’s multi-chained chiquitas
ONE CAN EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT TEXTURES OF CHAINS, BUT KEEP THE PENDANTS AND LOCKETS OF ONE THEME
This red carpet season has been about stacking up the neckline with multiple pendants, charms and chains. Sonakshi Sinha was seen layering a multistrand piece on her bustier and Sonam K Ahuja artfully adorned her high-neck outfit with a couple of gold chains. Janhvi Kapoor was seen accenting her sweetheart neckline with an army of minimal neckpieces.
Stacking up neck chains with pedants and medallions has been a key trend internationally and has gained momentum in India, of late. The many layers of minimal chains helps one accentuate the neckline and makes the décolletage less revealing. Also, the positioning of chains at different levels highlights the neckline as well. It’s best worn with a deep V neckline and also goes well with a classic crisp shirt or a shirtdress with a few buttons open on top. One can experiment with different textures of chains, but keep the pendants and lockets of one theme. The charms in the chains can be of various materials such as stones and pearls, but make sure they are not loud and cohesively coexist, creating a whimsical pattern and story within it. Jewellery designer Mrinalini Chandra sees its two interpretations on the red carpet. “Some stylists are layering in terms of fine jewellery while others create rapper inspired looks which can be styled over T-shirts. So it could be styled in two distinctive ways — from a chic glamazon, who has to walk the red carpet to a sassy musician heading to perform on stage,” says Chandra.
One could wrap a chain around one’s wrist and create a multi-layered bracelet or combine two bracelets and make a necklace out of it. Stacking one’s rings into a chain could be a cool look, too. Stylist Isha Bhansali sees it as a casual take on jewellery with a retro vibe. “Sonam’s layering works the best. I’d suggest to either team it with a high neck blouse or a low neck dress but not a piece which is in between. Also, ensure that earrings aren’t big. Striking a balance is crucial,” she says.
Manish Mishra