Go OTT with statement pieces

There's a new movement in fashion. One, that's emphasisingand redefining fashion trends, with a twist. Be it tassels, lace stockings or power shoulders, they are in your face and stand out on their own. Trupti S tells you how to say hello to OTT fashion dramas and say goodbye to understated performances

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Sass it up with tassels
Swinging back in full action are exotic tassels and not just a small peek here and there on handbags and purses.We’re now seeing them prominently on everything from shoes to dresses, belts and hats. “Tassels in different forms and sizes are a strong trend, whether perceived in traditional clothing as ‘latkans’ or otherwise as fringing. They work as exaggerated details trailing down backs and hems adding an interesting element of movement,” says fashion and textile designer KarishmaShahani whose collection Atulya has loads of it.So take your pick from oversized, extra long or brightly coloured.They’re outstanding anyways.

Empower your shoulders
Is something up your sleeve? If it isn’t, it should be as it’s time to empower yourself with some weight and ferocity of power shoulders. From Milan to New York, this look sported by actor Joan Collins is back in fashion with a vengeance. “A returning look from the eighties, it has been prominent in fashion weeks throughout the AW 10-11 collections of new and old designers alike, silhouetting and accentuating the shoulders in any garment style,” says Karishma.

Be it the Balmain fall-off-the cliff shoulders shrugs or the exaggerated sleeves on jackets and dresses with shoulder pads, your sleeves will do a whole lot of talking. Just remember to balance the look by keeping the focus on the upper half of the body and let the lower half be simpler.

Ventwith vintage tent dresses
Adding a dreamy and floaty appeal is the very cool 60’s trend-the tent dresses. Coming a long way from where it has originated, it sure multi-tasks well even to this day and age. “The tent dresses work well in a range of fabrics from softer and lighter fabrics like chiffon and silk jersey to stiffer canvas-like fabrics. The best thing is it compliments most body types, adding a fresh take on the silhouette,” says Karishma.

Stock up lace stockings
One of the hottest trends of Spring/ Summer 2011 fashion season, lace stockings ooze femininity and oomph with a lot of fashion relevance. Karishma says, “Lace stockings and tent shaped dresses and jackets, two contrary styles have a lot of appeal. With silhouettes moving away from the body and creating a structured look on the wearer, the lace stockings contouring are bringing back a feminine appeal.”

You can either choose classy, vintage lace with large prints or opt for tiny patterns for a more sensual look. Though our favourite are the sexy cut out lace stockings paired with a cut out lace dress. It’s daring and super hot too!

Come hitherto leather
Leather has gone through a luscious makeover post winters by reinventing itself. “A far cry from the dreary colours, it has been stained to achieve a variety of pop shades and tones, mergingits way through accessories like thin belts, side bags and even brooches,” says Karishma. From cowboy ruggedness to a dash of flirty chic, you can attain it all with leather.