Dressing the bohemian way
Fashion
By Suneeta Bahl

POP singer and some time actress Ila Arun had always represented the bohemian look in the Indian context. With a large bindi on her forehead, wood and bead jewellery and those colourful ghagra-choli outfits with mirror work, she was the eternal banjaran — a gypsy.

Today, the look has been refined to stark, clean cuts with less ostentation. You don’t have to appear a Christmas tree to be bohemian. As long as you’re prepared to be socially unconventional in your dressing and can carry the look with confidence, you’ve got what it takes.

Mainstream designers would of course, talk about layering your favourites, working towards coordinating and trying various mix-‘n’-match options. But ultimately, the choice is yours — in how you allow yourself to get the gypsy out in you, in style, and without fear.

Here are a few pointers:

* Try out a printed cotton pyjama and matching kurta. Alternatively, substitute the pyjama with a crinkle cotton skirt and combine with a woven silk scarf. Silver beaded necklace with a granite pendant, silver and brass finger rings and an enamel-on-copper amulet would complete the look.

* A mukaish work bikini top with a matching ghagra and dupatta could just set the right mood for a romantic evening. Accessorise with a beaded bag, coral and turquoise necklace and silver bracelets and rings. If it’s too windy, wrap a woven silk stole or scarf around.

* This is ideal beach wear: sheer swimsuit and matching bikini, teamed with short silk trousers. A loose over-sized shirt is optional, but don’t ignore the footwear. Nothing can be better than a pair of embroidered mules to create that carefree, liberated look.

* If it’s party time with friends, try combining simple white kurta-pyjamas with an embroidered or beaded Nepali cap. Or else, try a pair of cropped trousers with a crinkled cotton kurta and accessorise with beaded necklace and leather slippers.

* For the rather bold and beautiful, there’s the option of embroidered net shirt that can be worn with lycra trunks. If you want to be still more adventurous, try out a cotton sarong skirt with a bikini top and tinselled cropped blouse.

* A printed lycra tube top with beaded trousers and a diamante encrusted net coat can be flattering to the figure and just as classy. German silver necklace and antique amuletes studded with stones would create the gypsy look.

* You might even try an embroidered lycra blouse with a contrasting cotton skirt with bugle bead work. The combination is right for the summer and could well be accessorised with faux leather sandals and plastic hair clips.

* Another option for the summer could be a satin bra combined with a crocheted blouse and lycra skirt. The bra may be substituted for a bead-fringed bustier and worn with faux leather sandals, cloth roses in the hair and oxidised silver necklace.

* On a still sober note, you could try a double-layered slip dress with cotton blouse and pom poms. A pin-tucked kurta with matching pyjama would be just as fine with the right accessories — thread-work anklets, beaded silver and lapiz lazuli necklace and silver earrings.

* For those who want to splurge, there are bustiers with brocade panels to go with either wrap around skirts or faux brocade trousers and accessorised with tin necklace, embroided mules and a heavily sequinned stole. — MF