Fashion
HERE ARE SOME CAPTIVATING STYLES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY!
It’s the month to celebrate love, Valentine’s Day is Friday, Feb. 14! As we celebrate with our loved ones, let’s dress up and get into full spirits too. Let’s look into the most enchanting styles right now, so you look from a romance movie and not a comedy! Deeper shades are in with some pastels, too, making a reentry to soften the palette and create an essence of sweet allure.
JEWEL HUES, ONYX TOO
Like last month, runways are showcasing jewel tones in all fabrics. Black mixed in, however, can add a layer of mystery to your look of romance.
Ruby reds, sapphire blues and amethyst purples displayed in saris, lenghas and suits are beautiful in solid or matching prints. Adding some black embroidery and stonework will deepen and darken the mood. It’ll also keep all eyes on you.
Wearing black head to toe is honestly an iffy situation when dressing to impress. It can feel elegant, chic and sexy. It can also come off as dull, boring and unthoughtful. An all-black sari in lace or organza is rich and balanced with its semi-sheer or sheer look. A silk lengha in black is beautiful with a smaller, daintier sequin or mirror blouse/choli. But if wearing a long sleeved all black kameez with black churidar and dupatta, although coordinated, can look stuffy, older and thrown on.
Balance is key. Wear jewel shades with some added black work to offset. Wear an all-black ensemble but with a sheer or even contrasting palette of heels, jewels or makeup. You’ll look put together but still clean.
PASTEL SHADES, BEIGE TOO
Pastel shades always make a comeback during this time of year. Why? Baby pinks, powder blues and pale yellows look oh-so-sweet and invoke a pretty romantic vibe.
A baby pink palazzo suit is girly, a powder blue lengha is nice-looking and a pale yellow sari is cute. To modernize these ensembles, choose a deep red or dark pink lip shade, jewels and heels. Hair should be worn loose, wavy or blown out so you look a 5 out of 5 – not 5 years old.
Beige ‘wows’ me. It’s a neutral color, I love it and somehow it manages to squeeze into a season for a short while until it sneaks away for next time. Beige disappeared for the past couple of months and is now being seen as the right combo color pairing for pastels in outfits on many a designers’ look books. A peach lengha is gorgeous with an allover beige/gold dupatta covered in silver sequin work. So is a mint green one with allover tan/cocoa embroidery. So pretty!!
Keep your pastel as the primary shade in your look. Beige, if mixed in, should be an accent color. If switched though, an all- beige outfit will make you look washed out with pastel embellishments. It’ll make you look tired, when you really only want to look fresh and lovely!
MENSWEAR, COORDINATING
Jewel tones are still in with regards to kurta outfits. Black, too, is still not a favorite (again) this season.
Pastel colors are given a green light for menswear this month and are good to go along with gold and silver metallic sheen looks. They present a lighter mood, but when decorated with embroidery or stonework, can look formal enough to wear to a wedding!
Valentine’s Day is all about love. Not just a love with your significant other but a love with your family and friends. Your children, your parents, your siblings, your friends (heard of Galentine’s Day?), your pets all love you. Why not appreciate them too? There is no emotion or feeling that makes us feel greater. Love your own and spread the energy further by loving all around you; it’s infectious actually! And, as always, remember to ‘gro with style’!
Kiran Bahl of Gro Styles, “An Indian Boutique” in Tampa, can be reached at (813) 843-9040, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/grostyles