Fashion
HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR SUMMER WEAR!
Summer is almost upon us and the temperatures are rising! Stay sunny, bright and light in the extra sunshine of the season with these simple easy breezy tricks and tips!
EMBROIDERY IS FLOWY, EVEN ALL OVER
Embroidery is still having its moment surpassing any and all sequin ensembles of late. Chicken or lakhnavi workings, zardosi threads and silk stitchings are being displayed in runways and designers’ look books, even in bridal wear!
A plain ruffle sari with an embellished and embroidered short choli/blouse in floral design is perfect for a spring to summer transition piece. A bright jewel toned lengha set with all-over gold embroidery will scream regal, especially with a matching cutwork dupatta with matching stitching. A palazzo or gharara suit in a soft pastel shade will radiate class with a complimenting or even contrasting chicken work embroidery color in intricate patterns. When in doubt, choose white as your embroidery color – its classic.
Surprisingly, bridal wear has changed extensively over the past few months. Net has been replaced by silks and dripped sequins have been switched out with royal gold and silver embroidery art, including Moghul designs with king, queen, elephant, peacock and parrot motifs. Very Indian, authentic and beautiful!
Gentlemen, there is finally a welcoming change in your Indian wardrobes too! Jodhpuri jackets and sherwanis are being made in wonderful floral prints to coordinate (or sharply contrast) with the occasion and/or person of choice. A white jacket with red/blue floral allover embroidery or navy blue sherwani with gold paisley threadwork is just enough without being overdone.
SATIN, CREPE OR SILK BLENDS ARE AIRY TO WEAR
We have already been seeing net outfits fading away into our store-for-future drawers/closets. Georgettes and chiffons are still good but now, silks have taken the driver’s seat. Light satins, crepe silks and silk blends show how a rich and heavy looking fabric can be worn with complete versatility in even the hottest temperatures.
Keep with embroidery workings or print work throughout instead of heavy sequin and lace looks to lighten the feel. Foil looks have been suddenly missing, but when worn with a banarasi look, it will keep the evergreen look still going along.
Note when you wear a silk ensemble, to keep to tradition with your jewelry and accessories. Too modern and too much will confuse the eye. Stick to lighter gold, diamond or stone sets, matching bangle or kada sets and a bindi/tikka for polish!
SHOWCASING HEAVY ILLUSIONS FROM LIGHT WORKS
Wedding season is flowing well from spring to summer, and dressing heavy seems harder with each hotter month. Create an illusion of heavy from a lighter piece with these pointers.
If you have a solid colored sari or lengha set with contrasting colorful blouse/choli, add a couple of light gold necklaces, medium to heavy jhumka earrings and a set of matching bangles. Since sequins are not as in-trend, the gold jewels make up for the absence of shine and sparkle. Just a little more jewelry than normal will turn your outfit from OK to wow.
As we are soon welcoming summer, celebrating another successful school year end and making plans for a summer holiday (or more!), let’s also remember that each day is a celebration we can enjoy with our family and friends. Even spreading kindness to someone we don’t know is a fulfilling feeling, so smile at everyone 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