Even as Spotlight was hailed as the best movie of the year, it got thumbs down for its fashion. The glam stars of Hollywood were seen in faded and ill-fitting shirts, second-hand leather jackets, and wide-legged pants. Wendy Chuck, the designer for the film, told The Guardian it was intentional. “It was important that the characters were treated with utmost dignity, considering the subject matter, which is why they had to look as real as they do.”
Wendy’s words echo the popular perception of journalists as dowdy dressers. Take Indian cinema. Be it Preity Zinta in Lakshya , a winter-clothed war reporter dodging bombs, or the television presenter in formals played by Rani Mukherji in No One Killed Jessica , the onscreen journo sticks to clichéd dress codes.
But, some of us do care about our looks. Moreover, how is a uniform dress code ever possible when our tribe is varied and consists of political, culture, fashion and travel writers? Five fashion designers tell us how to create that perfect look, depending on our field of work.
For the fashion journalistAccording to Vivek Karunakaran, a Chennai-based fashion designer, “There are a zillion ways to dress up.A journalist needs to be taken seriously. Your style must personify who you are and what you do. So, it needs to be something more intrinsic.”
Couple those high-waist trousers with printed shirts or a fitted top. Play around with jackets to look confident. Roll up your sleeves to look casual. Go for Western tunics with a slightly more evolved look rather than those with straight cuts.
Accessories: Reserve your stilettos for formal meetings and choose wedges while on the field. Stick to neutral colours in footwear, so that they match all kinds of dresses.
Hard news journoPune-based Shibani Sanghvi,Founder and CEO of Divaat.com,puts together a look for the serious journalist. Use jackets to pep up a casual denim-and-shirt look. Wear them with a dress for a chic look. Team printed jumpsuits with a jacket to look formal. Palazzos with fitted tops and long-day dresses are also good options.
Accessories: Vintage earrings or a long chain around the neck will spike the glam quotient. A red or rust-colour tote bag will complete this look.
Footwear: Choose from the colourful and printed for sneakers. For a more feminine style, opt for ballerina flats.
The television news presenterMumbai-based designer, Karn Malhotra, says pastel shades look good on screen. Never choose black, white or bright red. Avoid stripes or styles with detailed designs. They look good for red-carpet events and personal interviews. Eliminate low-cut blouses and extremely short skirts for interviews at office or on the field. Bling stands out on TV, but too much may look inappropriate. A straight-fitted skirt or a line skirt with a blouse and a delicate-looking neckpiece can work magic.
For a business function or a formal event, opt for a bright blazer with a dressy top. For the field, keep the attire casual, with minimum make-up and accessories.
The culture journalistMumbai-based designer duo Rajvvir Aroraa and Diya Aroraa of the label DiyaRajvvir suggest cape tops with slight embellishments, shirt dresses and elegant Indian wear. Men should try fitted and structured jackets featuring art in the form of motifs.
As they are representatives of various art forms, they can feature a piece of art on their clothing.
For daywear, women will look good in pastel dresses with a hand-painted organza cover-up and men will look stylish in crisp, white linen shirts. Wear a silk Little Black Dress (LBD) and a net waist cape, hand-painted with golden motifs, if you are attending an exhibition or book launch in the evening. Men can sport a black or marsala jacket, with a splash of hand-painted colour on one side.
Accessories: Women can opt for bags and shoes in black and nude, as they complement almost all looks. A golden purse works well for evening wear. Skater shoes and espadrilles are comfortable during the day.
Keep the jewellery simple, with small ear studs and a stylish bracelet. Men can never go wrong with a trendy printed slip-on, tan messenger bag and aviator sunglasses for day and a leather loafer for the evenings.
Online journoMumbai-based designer, Pria Kataaria Puri customises a funky look for the online journo. Ladies can incorporate a bindi or glass bangles with Western outfits and men can blend Kolhapuri footwear with it.
Accessories: Wardrobe essentials include handbag, shoes and sunglasses, since your profession demands travel. Have fun accessorising blacks and whites with funky and colourful handbags and shoes. Even the pen and note book that you carry is an extension of your personality. A little bling in your stationary won’t do any harm. Sport an alligator skin bag, invest in tan, beige or black footwear that will go with all kinds of attire.
