Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman —Coco Chanel
Oh dear, the drastic summer is here and it does call for dramatic measures. But that doesn’t mean you cut up your clothes into half and drape yourself in dowdy silhouettes and flimsy fabrics to keep cool. Gasp! What would Coco Chanel say? Sundowners, pool parties, days by the bay, sleepovers, brunches…the social calendar is buzzing and limiting wardrobe choices to racer backs, ganjees and flowy pants isn’t the best idea. Though comfort is important, there’s always a trendy way of doing it.
“During summers, it’s always best to keep it light. A bit of texturing and block printed fabrics also help,” says designer Chaitanya Rao. Keep the velvets and raw silks away. Cottons, linens, georgettes and mulmuls are your best friends this season.
We know most of you love your blacks but say hello to blue; it’s the new black. Apart from aquamarine, scuba blue and classic blue, Lucite green, custard, toasted almond and tangerine are the other colours to go for. “I’ve played with a lot of printing and texturing this summer, adding yellows and whites for a brighter look,” adds designer Vivek Karunakaran.
And if you are still confused, here’s what we recommend to bring out your sparkle.
P.S. Don’t forget your sunnies, hats and sunscreen.
Kaftans
When the Sultans of Ottoman walked around their majestic palaces in their rich printed kaftans, little did they know that it would become quite the trend nearly five centuries later. With its roots in ancient Mesopotamia, of late there is hardly any fashion capital that hasn’t embraced this trend. It did start off make its debut as night clothes and then the runways gave it a chic twist. No matter what your body type is, this garment can be rather flattering. The lengths vary — it can be worn as a top, or a short dress or even a glamorous evening gown. After a day of lazing by the pool or tanning by the beach, just slip into a kaftan, it works as a cover up and also takes you from pool to the bar stool. Add a belt and some blingy accessories such as long neckpieces and you’re as good as the Kardashian sisters who are often seen sporting kaftans.
T-shirt dresses
We love our comfy T-shirts. Sometimes it’s a bit of a pain to slip into those jeans/trousers when the mercury is soaring rapidly. So here come the T-shirt dresses to our rescue. They are longer in length (almost grazing the knee or a few inches above) and can give your bottom wear a miss. There’s a wide spectrum available in the stores — dainty girly prints, sporty with the logos of your favourite teams, or just plain solid colours. Team it with a pair of gladiators and an aviator and you can rock casual chic.
Playsuits
Coordinating separates can sometimes be a task. Let’s face it; we’ve all gone through that stressful moment where we stood in front of our wardrobe not knowing what to wear with that yellow skirt or with those peach shorts. Now, forget coordinating and step into a comfy playsuit. The shorter avatar of the jumpsuit — a clever mix of a dress and a pair of shorts — this outfit is girly with a rugged touch. Collared, halter neck, strappy, sleeved, one shoulder, off shoulder…there are myriad patterns to cater to your style sensibilities. Chaitanya Rao’s pick is, “In light chiffon, with a bit of surface ornamentation and worn with a singlet making it the perfect look for summer.”
Dhoti Pants
Ladies, say hello to dhoties. Traditionally a garment for men, the humble dhoti is now a favourite of female fashionistas. Light, airy and chic, dhoti pants are all the rage. Reinterpreted by Indian designers such as Wendell Rodricks, Nupur Kanoi and Masaba Gupta among others, this pant has got numerous celebrity takers such as Sonakshi Sinha and Shilpa Shetty. In solid colours or with quirky prints, this trend is worth experimenting. Wear it with a long open jacket, crop top or waist coat. “Stylish and versatile, these pants are a variation of Indian wear and adds a hint of western style,” says designer Payal Pratap.
Fringe top
The fringe top is so much in vogue that even Hollywood actor Zac Efron couldn’t resist it. He was spotted wearing one last week. A favourite from the spring 2015 fashion shows, it’s also one of the major Coachella-inspired trends. Bags, boots, skirts, jackets, accessories…the fringe has breezed its way into the limelight. For a Bohemian feel, team a fringed vest or waistcoat with a pair of shorts, culottes or skirts. Go easy while accessorising though, you do not want too many elements on you.
Shorts
Yes, this one has been around for a while and its popularity has only soared. Earlier worn for a day by the beach or to lounge in, the shorts is now a staple in almost every stylish woman’s wardrobe. The loyal fan following has grown in Chennai. From shopping malls and gyms to pubs and nightclubs, the shorts are an obvious choice. Denim shorts might be the most popular but the printed and laced varieties aren’t far behind. And it doesn’t have to always look sporty. Take a leaf out of Deepika Padukone’s book, who for a recent promotional event wore a pair of lacy shorts along with nude peep toe heels and a denim jacket.
