Sweating buckets alreadyIJ We give you five “easy breezy” picks for this season’s fashion. By Unnati Joshi
The harsh summer is here and it’s almost as if the heat has made us lethargic about most things. The look department is the worst casualty as we look for easy throws and whites. Yet let’s not despair. You can keep things comfortable and cool with a slight twist of inspiration.
Flower power
The best way to beat the heat is to take inspiration from nature. The floral trend continues from previous years with printed pants, mini-dresses, skirts, and everything else retailers can put a flower on. “I would recommend lots of florals as it’s more colourful, more intense this summer. From bandana to footwear, from your head to toe, everything with flowers is in vogue this summer,” says designer Anupamaa Dayal, known for her bright, floral patterns.
But not just Indian fashion designers, even Italian fashion houses of Milan-Gucci, Prada, Versace served up an eye-popping bouquet of florals at the runway at spring/summer’17.
Cotton cool
Summer and cotton are inseparable. When it comes to summer wear, cotton seems to be the best option. It’s comfortable, breathable and easy to wear.
With the heat wave having taken over the city, designer Samant Chauhan recommends wearing natural and light weight fabrics to be comfortable and stylish at the same time, “Wear fabrics like cotton and avoid wearing silks and bulky fabrics. Cottons and natural fibers like khadi should be your go to fabrics,” he says.
Designer Gaurang Shah too concurs that cotton is the fabric for summers. “The best fabric one can wear in summers is cotton or khadi. One can experiment in khadi, kota, benarasi in cotton. For daily wear one can opt for different textures, block prints in kurtas, palazzos, dupattas and of course saris. For something more dressy, jamdani in these textures is apt,” he shares.
Keep it light
The lighter, the better. After all, it’s all about the fabric. The lighter the fabric you wear, the cooler you will be. “Pick light cottons, khadi and linens or even light silks,”says designer Payal Khandwala. Designer Rinku Sobti agrees. “Summer is the time when you can wear the lightest of the light clothes. Go for natural fabrics which don’t stick to your skin,” she shares. She further adds that dark colours should be avoided. “Don’t go for dark and deep colours. Try light shades of every colour family and see what suits you the best.To beat the heat, stay minimal and let your skin breathe.”
Flowing fabrics, easy, loose-fitting silhouettes and muted pastel shades are high this summer.
“linen and mulmul tunics are ideal because they are light, natural and comfortable. I would also recommend linen sari for summer paired with a cropped shirt,” says designer Anavila, who has given the sari a new spin.
Our body agrees heartily, for it positively adores the feel of linen and mulmul against it, from the shoulders down to the toes. This one has us falling in love over and over again.
“Add light weight mulmuls, khadis and linens in whites, broken whites and simple prints in easy, simple and flowy silhouettes to get the clean yet chic look,” Jaya and Ruchi from Indigene suggest.
Cut it short
Denim shorts, skirts and short dresses are of course summer staples.
For Mansi Bhasin, Creative head of Olbees summer is the perfect time to show off some skin. “Don’t be afraid to show some skin, make sure you have your sunscreen on and wear super fun outfits like off shoulder dresses, crop cape tops, sheer shirts, short hemmed skirts and shorts.”
Sobti also mentions that nice cotton dresses or linen shirts with cotton shorts are good options. “If you are going for work linen coats are the best,” she says.
Goodbye jeans
When it comes to comfort clothing, we all first think of pairing our favourite jeans with a T-shirt. As much as we love pulling off jeans, it might not be the best option in the peak of summers. Why not try something that’s lighter and more airy. Think dhoti pants, palazzos, cullots and even the cool pajamas which are fashionable and so cool. Ditch your jeans this summer for this oh-so-chic trend.
“I would definitely stick to loose fitting clothes like capes and skirts, so that there is room for your skin to breathe. Style yourself in the colours of summer, shun the sun with eggshell whites and off-whites, wear pleated culottes and pair with a loose fit- asymmetrical cape. Pull your hair back in an elegant bun and make sure you use water proof makeup to avoid sweat-smudges,” says designer Ridhima Bhasin known for her contemporary Indian designs.
Samant Chauhan too is all for palazzos and other loose fitting options. “Try wearing outfits that will not cling to your body, anti-fit, long but structured blouse with palazzo pants would be an ideal outfit for the day, this will keep your style quotient up and ensure you beat the heat,” he says. Culottes and plazzos have have been trending on the fashion circuit for several seasons but they have certainly been reinterpreted for Spring/ Summer’17.
“Cullots are very much in fashion and it’s suitable for this weather. Dress in very light silk or cotton,” Anupamaa shares.
Many designers have showcased culottes, plazzos and pajamas with their most stylish interpretations in New York, london, Milan and Paris. Satin, wide-leg, pants with delicate botanical prints should be your summer favourite. Pair the piece with solid basics to tone down the trend.
And Payal Khandwala has the last word. “layer less and avoid jeans. let your skin breathe,” she says.