NOVEMBER 2018
Khaas Baat : A Publication for Indian Americans in Florida

Fashion

HERE ARE THE LATEST DIWALI TRENDS!

Kiran Bahl

By KIRAN BAHL

Happy Diwali!! Time to get your most beautiful clothes and jewels ready, accept or host those invites from/to family and friends, eat delicious treats and sweets, and party with cocktails and fireworks! To help dress the part and stay on trend, here’s the latest in Indian fashion this Diwali season!

HALF–N-HALF SARIS

Saris are No. 1! Beautiful bright neon hues and patterned jewel tones are making an ultimate comeback. Store those pastel and pale hued saris for next year. Electric yellow with royal blue and hot pink with neon green are combinations waiting to be shown off.

Half-n-half saris, too, are becoming another ‘version’ of the sari trend. Basically a regular sari with a contrasting interior (the center pleats) than the pallu, this style stands aside in pattern play, textural differences or just easy contrasting color blocking.

Ruffles are still in demand on designer saris. Cholis are still short and almost backless, but varieties of sleeve designs are exciting now. Ruffled sleeves, long bell sleeves and even balloon sleeves are almost mimicking the western trend of sweater arms gone wild. When wearing this look, however, keep the sari simpler.

What I’ve been noticing on runways and Diwali forecasts, too, is the shift from those pretty banarasi foil designs on saris to stone, crystals and beadwork. Indian fashion is still bright, only moving from shine to sparkle!

Are saris for you too much to handle with the holiday hustle and bustle? Use your lenghas/chaniya cholis from last occasions and wear the dupatta like a sari pallu. Close enough!!

BIG JEWELRY, BUT HOLD THE SET

Jewelry is super flexible this season, but one statement piece allowed. Those Indian TV serial women sometimes have us imagining wearing three gold necklaces, two sets of chained earrings, hair chains, tikkas, bangles up to the elbow, etc. But it’s a vision and not a reality, please. It’s all too much. Gold, silver, oxidized metals and even silk threaded sets are all a yes to wear, but the particular way to wear the set? Pick one standout piece.

A large choker or long necklace is enough. Earrings should be small to medium length at this point and bangles can either be worn in just half dozen amounts or one kada set worn on one wrist suffices. If earrings are big, then lighten up on the necklace and bangles. Tikkas, waist belts and anklets are fine, only remember the easy rule of the now – one outfit, one statement piece!

KURTIS COME & GO

Remember these past few years of mixing kurti tops with leggings or matching them with a churidaar/dupatta and makeshifting an “ensemble”? It’s been super easy, I admit. But also a bit sloppy, you all have to admit. Thankfully, finally, the look is done. Only long kurtis stand, paired with palazzos, slim pants and maybe a churidaar/legging here and there. Here’s the update on the kurti, evolved.

Kurti dresses are the replacement of kurtis. Long, flowy dresses that are the western equivalent of the maxi dress are the way to look casually and completely eastern looking. Pretty stonework, pompoms or tassels are embellishments. This floor-length fitted, flared, feminine look is beautiful! Pair with leggings/churidaars if desired, but this style is the one that’ll last through 2019.

Diwali is the celebration of lights. Spreading light throughout our lives and one another is all we need to do to further spread love, kindness and compassion for all. It’s an awesome chain reaction, and starts with just one – you! Please do this, 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 kiran@grostyles.com or visit www.facebook.com/grostyles

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