Ring in the New Year with the brand new you. Here's how to upgrade your wardrobe for the year to come with these fashion staples
As stylistas across the world celebrate the New Year, we catch up with designers across the city as they share their jazzed up wardrobes for 2017
Salvage fashion
Up-cycling and re-cycling will
gain importance this year. Silhouettes will reflect an individual’s personal experience of spirituality. This would come as a result of the US election, Brexit, increase in natural calamities, rising terrorism, concern for the planet, conflicts and unrest galore, which have brought immense uncertainty.
The ethnic chic
There will be unavoidable Western influences when it comes to fashion. However, Indian ethnic wear will always stay in our consiousness. In India, with demonetisation affecting our daily lives and purchasing power, the evergreen sari will still come to the rescue.
With the hashtags #IWearHandloom, #IndiaModern and #IndiaCool trending all across social media, traditional weaves and crafts have gone up the high-fashion scale. Mixing and matching Western garments with Indian is redefining the way women will wear their kurtas, dupattas and saris.
It’s in budget
Budgeted fashion will be in. layering will aid the swift change in looks, suiting the different times of the day in many ways to help channel your inner stylist. You can flout the usual dress code and incorporate some ‘versatile’ accessories into your wardrobe and follow an unconventional approach to master the art of creating different looks within minutes.
I would suggest taking elements from the summer wardrobe into winters by making it a part of layering. Experiment with how to pair and how to layer. For a red carpet look, put on a ruffled corset garment and wow the onlooker! This year, I am going to be styling even my saris with layers of garments.
Don’t underestimate the power of a cape!
Spruce up any simple garment like a cocktail dress or a body suit and jeans by adding this accessory. One of the most edgy and unorthodox ways to spice up your sari is by adding capes, whatever is the season.
Add instant drama and indo-Western look by putting on a front cowl draped accessory as your statement blouse and worn in a jiffy with pant style sari too. For the slender bride, it could enhance the silhouette of the draped sari. It works well for heavy and not-so heavy bustline.
A handcrafted versatile collar can adorn a low-neckline top/blouse and plain off-shoulder gown for a sassy look and compensate for any kind of heavy duty neckpiece.
Go green
Green is the colour of 2017, amidst great universal concern for the planet and environment.
I am personally deeply committed to the cause of green or slow fashion and not just in support of the colour but also all the inspiration that “green” brings with it. Do match mint or lime green with white, aqua or yellow for a summer day. You can carry off most shades of green with red, gold, black and any neutral for a wintry ensemble. One can pair the colour as part of an ensemble, layer shades as separates or use it as a one-piece garment.
On international runways and in forecasts, some other trends for 2017 are, the evergreen flower-power, broad waist-cinchers, ruffles everywhere, criss-cross and seaside stripes modified for formal outfits.
Hibiscus prints, folk-lore and crochets for resort looks. Red, green, gold and black can be used to spruce up your office. Khaki, shades of yellow, lovely pinks and fresh greens will be big in the coming year.
Since we all want to be up to speed on the latest, the trend of 2017 is to be your own fashion guru and ahead of the times! Be the change which you wish to see in the glamour world.
So, don’t be a victim of fashion, define your own intrinsic style, cease to indulge in consumption of “Fast Fashion”, support a green economy of fashion with a purpose, wear clothes that are versatile and finally, within trends, be confident.
-Designer Anu PD
Muted tones
Metallics and velvet will be raging the coming season. A simple pleated metallic skirt teamed with a t-shirt and ankle boots and you are ready with a very effective look for the season.
“Velvet and Metallics look rich, fun, yet sophisticated, depending on the silhouette you are going for.
The colours for the coming season that we are digging are rose quartz, serenity, lilac gray and muted tones like iced coffee and camel.
Satin bomber jackets and light trenches or a shearling denim jacket are hit every season as they can be worn effortlessly throughout the year.
We do love our thigh skirts. You can wear your thigh high skirts with fishnet stockings and knee high boots to keep it fun and warm. Another hit we can look forward to in 2017 are faux leather and suede mini skater skirts,” said Sana and Sulakshana from The Circus.
Individualistic swing
Amit Aggarwal believes that the trends are determined by the style and the aesthetic of the designer and the individual who wears it. “The trends in 2017 will not be as simplistic, according to me it will be detailed and textural and artistically inspired. I look forward to structured pant suit with a touch of playfulness, the contemporary mid-calf cut dresses and volume to make the ensemble dramatic and the athletic inspired pieces which will continue to be seen throughout the year.
Eventually it is all about how you as an individual adapt the trend to your style so that one doesn’t get lost among the million trend followers,” he told us.
Bride’s rush
Having a hard time deciding on the perfect wedding dress for your big dayIJ Then let these flattering bridal dresses from Rimple and Harpreet Narula inspire you.
“With brides wanting to be more individualistic in their sartorial choices, they would experiment more with colours in the upcoming year. The colours to look out for would be ivory-gold, salmon pink, pistachio green, ox-blood and midnight blue while floor-length capes paired with shararas would be an interesting alternative to the traditional lehengas. Grooms can opt for mul angrakhas and kalidars instead of the regular sherwanis,” said the designer duo.
The old soul
If you are one of those people who is let’s say an old soul trapped in the 21st century then we have good news for you. We could look at next year in terms of yet another glut of retro re-treats. All hail the return of 70s.
“The summer of 2017 will see a comeback of the 1970’s with cleaner silhouettes and classic fashion. Sheers will make a stylish statement. As for the winters, velvets and metallics will make a modish appeal. The upcoming year will also witness the revival of classy pleats becoming the major trendsetter,” said designer Pallavi Mohan.
Simplicity is in
Every year, fashion enthusiasts await what’s in to wear, what clothes to rebuke and who to follow when it comes to styling and dressing fabulously. According to designer duo Rutu-Neeva, minimalism will rule in 2017.
“This season is going to be ruled by minimalism. We feel that simple and clean cuts are the way to go for 2017 along with minimal jewellery and make up. The focus is going to be on distinct silhouettes and bold colours with a hint of varied textures. Metallic pink, green, blue and silver will be a rage this year,” they told us.