Delhi-based designer Anupama Dayal wants female college goers to adopt a simple lifestyle, look smart but ensure that expenditure on clothes is limited. She urges them to do affordable shopping in South Delhi markets, which are well stocked with hand woven goods. These are rooted in traditionalism yet go well with Westernised outfits.
“My advice to girls is not to let go of the opportunity to have fun during their college life. For a youngster entering a college life means that this is the time to relax, unwind and go in groups for movies or rummage marketplaces. Since clothes need to be essentially comfortable, they need to wear light fabric. Scarf can be used as a fashion element. It not only enhances the attractiveness of the wearer but also covers them adequately,” says Anupama. While the designer fully understands the compulsion of girls to look fetching she is also aware that Delhi is notorious for being a city where teasing on the streets, public transport and neighbourhood market is becoming quite rampant. “Girls need to think from the practicality of the safety angle. Steer clear of dresses which might be okay in today’s time but may appear vulgar, outlandish to the man on the street. This needs to be uppermost in their mind when they go to the market to select their wardrobe.”
Exhorting undergraduates to explore markets which sell garments having diversity, a contemporary touch and make a fashion statement, Anupama says, “Rather than go in for big brands in malls, I would like them to explore markets like the Sarojini Nagar Market, Dilli Haat and Janpath. These markets are treasure houses of bags, shoes, T-shirts, anarkalis, kurtis and a wide range of amazing looking accessories. But these places are also ideal destination for procuring hand woven stuff.”
Anupama also emphasises the need for college girls to abide by the environment. “As 18-year-olds they would naturally like to look presentable and want to adorn outfits which make them look slim and attractive. But they are students of educational institutions. Silhouettes need to be culled from tradition but look modern. Sharara inspired trousers, lehengas inspired skirts and jamas are recommended. But they need to desist from wearing anarkalis as in this weather they would make the wearer feel miserable.”
As this is the monsoon season cotton is the in-thing. Layers of soft breathable cotton are recommended.
“Cotton kurtas need to be worn in this weather. Kurtas can be worn intelligently with jeans to give an Indo-Western look. But they do not need to go in for long kurtas but kurtas with loose easy silhouettes. In this sticky weather it is important not to wear long kurtas.”
Some essential clothes for college goers are at least three pairs of good denims – culottes, skinnies and flare. “Then they need to invest in T-shirts, voile shirts and tunics from Sarojini Nagar Market. Some shorts, skirts and accessories from Sarojini and Janpath. Scarves in many varieties from Dilli Haat and Dastkar.”
To make a statement, the more adventurous sort can go in for fancy umbrellas, which college-going girls use while waiting for public transport or even while moving on the Campus. “A fun umbrella would be fantastic as it is utopian and shows that the person is basically a practical sort of person. Fashion cannot be at the cost of weather.”
The designer would like the college girls to wear something which highlights Delhi’s richness in cultural heritage and monuments like Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, iconic edifices like the Connaught Place, India Gate. “This would make Delhiites proud of the city they live in. I have lived in Kolkata but after coming to Delhi I realised that the Capital has so many interesting places to discover. The colour of monuments is sandstone, which can go with a number of dresses. Sandstone is a colour which can be worn in any weather and doesn’t look outdated or cheap. Shades or amber or white are the preferred ones,” says the designer, who draws inspiration for her collections from the rich Mughal heritage of the city.
Noting that students like frequenting to South Delhi markets like Khan Market, Defence Colony, Greater Kailash, Anupama does not want them to buy outfits from designer stores as they would be a tad too expensive. “But for those who still want to they can buy dresses from designer stores operating in these markets as they can wear them in six different ways. These outfits would last them a longer time than the cheap stuff available in other markets.”
The designer roots for correct footwear. “If college girls scout the market and get a pair of right jellies which have a modern look and are also comfortable then half the battle is one.
