Style your Holi

Wanna go beyond the predictable Ice Maiden look or 'care-two-hoots-and-wear-something-worn-out' dictum this Holi? P S Bhavana suggests five OMG-inducing fashion theories that could change your mad, colour-filled festival's party dynamics

Theory 1: Make black your new white.
Reasons: An all-black ensemble can counter any unsightly see-through concerns. And besides looking sexy, slimming and modish, it can also work as a mysterious palette to flaunt the mish-mash of colours.
Tips: Wear something sleeveless and snug (say a mid-length kurta, short tunic or a shirt-dress). If it’s loose, cinch it at the wait if you must.
Offset with: A cool pair of colourful flip-flops and a bunch of solid-coloured beads or bangles. Or a silver belt with charms or trinkets.

Theory 2: Get going with light denims
Reasons: This timeless fabric is ‘brawny’ and worth being abused. Well, after the festival is over, you can always re-use this coloured silhouette-jeans, capris or knee-lengths-as a great style statement. Wear it with a white shirt. Alternatively, get denims dyed professionally (a tie-dye effect rocks!)
Tip: Use light-coloured denims. If your legs permit, nothing can look saucier than a pair of über-trendy, ripped shorts.
Offset with: A white or black ganji (vest) or a tent-like top; and a pair of flip-flops/colourful Osho slippers.

Theory 3: Go shapeless and layer up
Reasons: Nothing conceals better than this look. But it can look ultra-mod especially when both the trends-layered and amorphous-are blended in well. After all, the fads have stayed on longer than expected, haven’t they?
Tips: Try either the Indian layer-up-formless kurta with a vest (fold the sleeves up); or the shapeless halter-neck dress or sack-shirt-with-vest style. Psst: A wee bit of prudent skin show helps!
Offset with: Strappy slip-ons, Osho slippers or thongs. A pair of hip shoulder-dusters (longish ear pieces), or a stole or a scarf (if outdoors) can add interest.

Theory 4: Slip into a kimono or kaftan
Reasons: It’s very comfy-cool, very lounge and very street at the same time. If you can, let its neckline plunge or go off-kilter (modestly) to work your charm up.
Tips: How about donning a knee-length style? Remember here you can safely either go short or long depending on your body type.
Offset with: A wrist cuff (dark leather wouldn’t get couloured easily) and simple slip-ons. Or a string of black pearls or cluster of chains. An obi-style belt (it can work wonders).

Theory 5: Tee off in a sweeping white tee
Reasons: It’s a great number that’s safe, versatile and can look smashing hot. Wear it over a pair of black capris, plain denims, or snug or billowy track pants.
Tips: A solid white tee looks better than a printed one. Apart from a usual shape or a high-cut vest, you can go for a radical knitted form-with bat-wing or kimono sleeves, tunic-style, with cowls or even surface decoration like appliqué or crochet. Don’t forget to wear an inner or sports bra under this one!
Offset with: An embroidered belt. A random mix of hued beads or an armful of wooden bangles. Coloured or metallic Kolhapuri slip-ons.

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.

Power of plaids

They are one of the most remarkable friends your wardrobe could ever have. Plaids can be fun, smart and totally versatile in the same breath. P S Bhavana suggests you know them through-and-through

These crisscross designs were a hot ‘07-08 trend (Dolce & Gabanna’s School-cum-masculine look; Moschino Cheap & Chic’s interesting shapes; Marc Jacobs Marc’s Brit silhouettes; other designers’ radical watercolor washes or plaids with super-punk accessories). Now you can flaunt them this year as well. Fashion is cyclical! Every fab print, weave or texture that pretends to go out of fashion for a while, hops right back on the scene when you least expect it to. We bring you a must-haves list, complete with how-to-wear cues.

Tunic or bias-cut dress
Go short or knee-length. Create a magical Gossip Girl look with a short checkered dress. Up it with jewel tone leggings and a pair of ballerinas or as-cute-as-buttons thongs. If it is rather cold in your part of the world, throw on a light cardigan and a pair of Uggs. You can add a chubby bag and chain-link accessories with some metallic accents. Check out designer Vineet Bahl’s plaid dress teamed with gold accents, it’s rather quirky.

Oversized or to-fit shirt
Nothing can beat this androgynous shape. Ever. So do Kristen Stewart’s famous Twilight look-wear a plaid shirt with denims. Cinch the shirt at the waist, if it is baggy, with a belt. Finally, slip into a pair of comfy keds or slip-ons. Don’t overload this shirt with accessories, save a chunky neck or wrist piece, maybe.

Short or long skirt
Flaunt a semi-formal, aristocratic look or an utterly girly one. A feminine plaid skirt can look yummy with a boyfriend jacket, a pair of leggings (try hatch-patterned tights), and a shapeless or structured blouse. In short, experiment with asymmetric, box-pleated, flouncy or even billowy skirts.


Scarf or stole
Hop, skip and jump into the realms of eye-popping colour and neutrals. Besides off-whites, blacks and greys, try accents like teal, blue, grass or leaf green, berry, wine and tomato red. Wrap one as benignly and casually as you can on any chic look. No gaudy neckpieces with this one, please!

Slim pants or shorts
This time steer away from usual red plaid combos but grab black-white, beige, brown, purple or fuchsia. Both Mango and Pero by Aneeth Arora, at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week October 2010, had these scrumptious checkered shorts. These shapes look cool with vests, semi-fitted blouses or tees and casual accessories, although a semi-formal structured jacket may do the trick sometimes as well.

Silk sari or kurta
If the Western line is not you, try going the Vidya Balan way. She looked yummilicious in a South Indian silk sari by Sabyasachi, with yellow and black plaids, at an event. You can pick a pretty plaid polly from a sari store. Or get a silk, cotton or voile kaftan or kurta tailored to your shape. Punch it with leggings or cigarette legged indigo denims.

Bags and shoes
Go beyond plaid clothes and separates; invest in a radical pair of keds or shoes. Diesel has these lovely leather and plaid wool shoes. Large dump-all, totes or duffel bags are cool must-dos too. If you can save a lot, buy a Salvatore Ferragamo bag. It’s ever so smart! Alternatively, how about watches with funky straps?

Ooze elegance this winter!

Say hello to the chic winter style that imbibes the "First Lady" look. Timeless, classic and always in vogue, this look can be adorned everyday. Fashion stylist Shruti Kothari tells you how

Start by keeping in mind the timeless wardrobe basics. The designs, fabrics and colours are essential; if you have all these right, half the battle is won! Next, it’s all about putting it all together. Remember, a classic sense of winter chic is not about going out and buying all the fads possible. It’s about investing in the right winter wear!

The chic top coat!
A coat in black, grey or camel is a must have. You will be spoilt for choice in styles, designs and colours. Pick one that suits your body. It could be woollen, a long A-line silhouette, single breasted, of a solid shade and perhaps even with a dramatic collar or sleeve. Take this and team it with a scarf or a dignified string of pearls for a classy exemplified persona.

Pair it right
Team your classy coat with a black, cream or grey skirt or one that matches the colour of the coat. If you are going for a casual chic look, a pair of dark blue jeans, a pair of woollen trousers or even a pair of tweed trousers is de-rigueur in the winter wardrobe. Throw in sweaters or cardigans in browns, blacks, whites, reds and beiges. Silk or satin blouses in bright colours or in subtle shades of cream and beige help light up a dreary winter morning.

Sheath it
Another fashion essential is the sheath dress. It’s simple, refined and elegant! Preferably of the princess cut, pick up one in a bright colour - fire red, fuchsia, bottle green or cobalt. Make sure it’s of a flattering length and has an old-school jewel neckline. Try pairing this dress with a high black belt, a string of pearls and lace gloves up to the elbow or even just up to the wrists. You could also throw in a dark-hued cardigan and slick pumps. Tie a looped silk scarf and carry a stunning bejewelled leather clutch and voila! Keep in mind that the wilder the print or colour of the garment, the more classic the cut should be. The tension between a conservative cut and an edgy colour is what creates the style.

Don’t forget the frills!
Accessories play a vital role in attaining the ‘First Lady’ look, especially shawls, hosiery, gloves and scarves. You can either opt for a silk square neatly tied and tucked into a sweater or go in for a “knotted scarf sitting outside the collar” kind of look. Long cashmere scarves teamed with jackets and coats are stylish and sexy! With shawls, choose wisely and drape well. Add a brooch to keep the shawl in place; a beautiful brooch can change the look of an ensemble altogether. Keep in mind that the colours of both scarves and shawls must compliment your outfit. Gloves in leather, cashmere, lace or light wool add a touch of refinement to the entire look. Hosiery, if you intend to wear it, must be in neutral tones matching the skirt and the shoes.

To get this look right, attention to detail is a must. Combine different garments with “one-of-a-kind” accessories and up your individual style quotient. Take a cue from the elegant Mrs. O, even the colour of her coat’s lining or a belt that she has clinched over an unbuttoned cardigan oozes panache!

Stand out in Goth glam

Black is back. Burrow up that dark nail polish, studded belt, and skinny black jeans. Embrace Goth glamour and dress eclectic this holiday season. Ramya Iyer provides last-minute clandestine details on how to gussy-up and stand out in this look

The fashion world is now facing the dark side, a style to die for. “Latest Goth style trends combine finesse with the sombre aura of glam,” quips Puja Mehta of Rocky S designs. Inky black seems like the perfect colour for the grey, nippy winters. Don’t lose the opportunity to flaunt your dark side without any regrets…it’s in fashion!

Snug as a bug
This trend calls for taut clothes. Bring in the dark velvets, fishnets, lace, and leather outfits with tight sleeves, tight pants and deep necklines. Those slim leather pants and jumpers can be heaved out of wardrobes, including fishnets that can be worn on legs, arms or even shirts. Also in vogue are lace-trimmed long skirts, flowing light skirts, ragged skirts, and shiny leggings. Mix in some black lace and you are good to go. Puja observes, “Mini dresses, over sized coats and skinnies with leather are considered basic pillars of ‘Goth Glamour’. Fur and feathers add the details that dominate the overall look, presenting real style-fantasy masterpieces.”

Blockbuster boots
To abide by this fashion trend, definite must-haves are tall black boots with high heels and combat boots. Sturdy, heavy, handsome boots go with everything. Even when teamed with skirts, they look really chic.

Refurbish with accessories
“Pairing in perfect accessories, the look resembles that of ‘Queen of Darkness’ in person,” says Puja. To get this look right, bold, junky, big and loud neckpieces, especially chokers, in black diamonds are essential. Put on a pair of black goggles and embellish the look with bat earrings. You may complete your look with a black umbrella on apposite days. The other essentials of this fashion trend are good old studs on ears, belts, boots, and almost anywhere else. Even studded headbands in leather look hot, while the hair must be in frizzy spikes, clustered, and dyed jet black.

Black-out
Though black is the predominant colour of this trend, seen doing the rounds are dark reds, violet, blue, green, and white, all in deep shades. Even neon colours are commanding attention. Used in small quantities, these colours break the monotony of an all-black outfit and still let black rule the day.

When asked what would be the perfect description of this trend, Puja comments, “It’s shiny, it’s classy and bold, a mixture of the 60s sexual revolution and the Frankenstein Gothic vibe. Dark colours like silver, black, dark grey and blue have turned the ageless rules of formal and informal looks upside down.”

Garish make-up to spice it up
As for the makeup, the typical would definitely be dark, loud, and heavy. However, to balance out the dark clothing, fashionistas are playing up the make-up, highlighting the eyes and keeping the lips as subtle as possible. But for the fearless, what is definitely in is heavy black eyeliner and dark red lips. Colours such as black, red, and purple around and on the eyelids with cat-eyeliners will look fabulous with the right outfit. The idea is to get the big, hollowed-out eyes effect with huge lashes!

If you fancy a different and unique look this party season, Goth glam is perfect for you. It’s outlandish and makes a fashion statement like no other!

Sexy and stylish in Rs. 2500 (India)

Haven't saved up for the perfect dress to hit the hot spots in? Don't fret, you can still dress to impress this party season. Fashion stylist Shruti Kothari suggests some ü ber cool looks for you well within Rs. 2500

Look 1: Fringed benefits
Perk up your style this festive season with fringes, they are back and how! One of the most popular styles, the fringe has been evoked to add flamboyance and fun to fashion. Go revolutionary with boho chic. A well cut skirt flaunts your curves and can be further spiced up with fringes in bright colours or neutral shades. Teamed with polka dots or stripes, fringes lend a great visual appeal to an ensemble.

Purple fringed skirt - Rs. 1200
Polka dotted top - Rs. 550
Beads - Rs. 70
Hair pin - Rs. 50


Total = Rs. 1970

Look 2: Flow boldly
Every designer is swearing by flowing, draping dresses in soft fabrics with funky prints and colours this season. They are perfect for dressing up in the holidays! Go in for neat bow blouses, especially the ones with billowing or bishop sleeves. These look particularly superb in silk or satin. Wear tons of jewellery, but remember to keep it clean and shiny. Don’t hold back; balance the softness with a bit of boldness!

Brown printed dress - Rs. 1300
Stone necklace - Rs. 350
Handbag - Rs. 600
Ring - Rs. 100

Total = Rs. 2350



Look 3: Ladylike and fun
We all love vintage in our wardrobes, the ripples of an era gone by. A rerun of the 1950s and 60s sees shapes that highlight curves and accentuate femininity. Very versatile and fun! Take a hip-hugging sheath dress with a just-below-the-knee hem and flaunt that hourglass figure. Full circle skirts in woollen blends (read Louis Vuitton and Prada, Fall 2010) that are clinched at the waist exude prim and proper style for this holiday season. Try our blue polka dotted mini dress. Take a cue from the gold rush this season…belts, earrings, handbags - it’s time to go bold with gold this New Year!

Blue polka dotted dress - Rs.1000
Earrings - Rs. 250
Waist let - Rs. 300
Clutch - Rs. 500

Total = Rs. 2050

Look 4: Bare that houndstooth
A hot 2010 trend, it’s stylish and if worn well, even a trend setter of sorts. Teamed here is a houndstooth skirt with a black camisole and a fuchsia pink short jacket to add that dash of colour. Thrown in as an accessory is a bowtie just to keep things chic! If you go in for one highlighted colour like purple along with black and white, then highlight the purple in your accessories. But if the print is just on one item of clothing, then unleash that creative beast in you and let it roll!

Jacket - Rs. 1000
Camisole - Rs. 150
Skirt - Rs. 850
Bow tie - Rs. 200
Hair band - Rs. 100

Total = Rs. 2300

Take your pick from any of these styles and look like a million bucks… without burning a hole in your pocket!