Steal the show

Akshita Sethi

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Fashion tends to conjure up images of metallic shades, sweet pastels, and ditsy prints. Add to this some subtle sequins and delicate laces, you get an ideal transfusion for the festive season. In the blink of an eye, our calendars will be hit by a wave of pujas and pre-Diwali card parties followed by grand family dinners. 

The outpouring of fun and frolic is at its peak as ethnic ensembles take center-stage to celebrate this leg of the party season. And, while we love playing dress-up, it’s but obvious that we begin the quest for a fresh crop of outfits. 

Ignore the rules

Anyone with a credit card can walk into a Manish Malhotra store and come out with the best; it is however, not a guarantee that it will be the best fit, cut or colour only because Alia Bhatt wore it to the Ambani’s wedding. For master couturier Tarun Tahiliani, there is only one way to ace festive dressing. “Be yourself; because the most attractive person in a room is the one who is comfortable in the way they are looking. Centering your look around what works best for your body always supersedes the look that you want to create following an ongoing trend that may not even exist the morning after”, he says. 

Celebrity stylist Akshay Tyagi, who is redefining the concept of male fashion, is responsible for Varun Dhawan’s inventive street wear and Siddharth Malhotra’s dapper suits. On individualism, Tyagi says, “The idea of trends itself is dead. It’s important to dress according to your body’s strengths and not mimic fashion blindly.”

Go bonkers with colours

In 2019 if you still think of blacks and greys as dull tones and reds and pinks as party appropriate shades, you’re most definitely living under a rock. There is an influx of earth-toned ensembles and the non-boring beige with a hint of mystique is taking the spotlight, case in point the popularity of hues such as khaki and cappuccino. 

Talking about seeking inspiration from the raw colours of nature, designer Jasmine Bains, known for her signature beaded embellishments, says, “Instead of the usual pastel palette, I’ve experimented with turmeric, cinnamon, and Mykonos blue and green this year.” Unsurprisingly, limiting people to colours is a forgotten practice. 

“While I will always suggest soft hues, people currently are ready to think (and dress) out of the box,” opines Tahiliani. For the ones on a party carousel, Tyagi suggests a mood board that ranges from lime and tangerine during the day to burgundy and forest green for the night.

Let’s twist

Our schedules are chaotic and lives utterly manic; versatility in dressing is more of a necessity. Whether it is a morning puja at a relative’s place or going to a Diwali party your BFF organized, you have to look the part. Designer Rachit Khanna deconstructs a convertible look by dropping the dupatta and adds, “Replace it with a flowy scarf. Team up your ethnic skirts and lehengas with a crisp white knotted shirt. A chic drape skirt with a snazzy blouse is a win-win for all occasions.” 

While Bains says her sensibilities lean towards modern silhouettes such as jumpsuits and flowy anarkalis with minimal embellishments for a contemporary environment, for Tahiliani, a concept saree works like a charm. “The structured draping gives a sense of modern India and it can be paired with a bodysuit or a shirt,” adds Tahiliani. Ensuring that men stay in vogue, Tyagi, stylist to the stars, places his bet on a classic bundi. He says, “The addition of a bundi (or a Nehru jacket) on a solid coloured kurta can elevate a regular look.”

The green brigade

And if nothing pleases your sartorial tastes, accomplish your goals with sustainable fashion that is the mother of all trends. 

Imagine breathable fabric, smooth touch, and also eco-friendly. Talking about one such semi-synthetic textile, eco-conscious Bains says, “I have introduced Cupro for festive wear. It is made from cotton waste and has the sheen of silk.”