Fashion
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR FESTIVALS
Celebrations! The Indian holiday and festival season have begun! From Ganesh Chaturthi to Navratri and Diwali, let’s humbly offer our prayers and excitedly party the nights away. Some fashion do’s (and don’ts) to keep in mind follow!
Garba Gulaals
Last Navratri season focused on vintage workings, subdued shades and neutral palettes. This season, it’s all about color. Think of gulaal, think of rangoli. A rainbow of shades together forms this season’s garba wardrobe foundation.
Reds, blues, pinks, yellows, purples and even hues of black – all colors are good to go! In jewelry, however, keep all to a minimum or neutral route. If wearing a chaniya choli or sari with panels of color and gold foil throughout, balance with gold earrings, tikka and bangles. All eyes should be on you and your outfit, not distracted with details of more color too.
Pooja Pastels
Garba is such fun, almost mixing a prayer gathering with a dance party. For stricter pooja ceremonies, however, the new do is to incorporate a pastel tone to your look, that too with a neutral foundation. A beige churidaar with baby pink or pale yellow embroidery will look just sweet. Also, a white patiala with powder blue or pretty peach working will have you glow with purity. Jewelry can be contrasting and bolder, though. A simple gray floral print sari can be accented with matching jewels and bangles a shade deeper to shine up the look, without contrasting heavily to the outfit or prayer to the Gods themselves!
Dainty Dinners
Ladies, ’tis the season to dress like one! Diwali parties will be brimming with glamorous ensembles, rich tradition and a bit of flair.
Sari and lengha looks are a bit complex and opposing this time around. Saris are fashion forward with past success combinations such as red and gold, and black and silver. Lace and beads are still quite relevant, so is heavy embroidery. One sparkly addition back in style, however, is the use of sequins. From all-over sequin sprinkles to large patchy works of them, sequins are back. Following the merry color carousel trend, a black sari is now updated with a bolder multi-colored sequin working, versus just silver or gold.
Not feeling too blingy? Keep the sari simpler; just add sparkle to the blouse. A little glamor, too, can go a long way!
Lengha looks, unlike the glamorous feel of the sari combinations, are heading towards a more romantic feel. Pastel tones such as sea green and coral are being worked into the embroidery and sequin designs of the outfit, versus bolder, brighter shades. Designers Manish Malhotra and Tarun Tahliani filled their bridal show ramps with these pretty hues and to further customize, added a sheer white or cream net layer on top of these colors to further flow. However, I’d steer clear of going too light. Formal dinners require a brighter or more neutral palette. Too many light colors together can create a bit of an informal, summer feel.
Once again, enjoy the holiday season. Celebrate with loved ones all around, appreciate them wholly. Help those in need and maintain a positive energy – it’s contagious! Of course, also, look your best (it feels even better!), and, as always, remember to ‘gro with style’!
Kiran Bahl of Gro Styles, “An Indian Boutique” in Tampa, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, can be reached at (813) 843-9040, email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/grostyles.