KEEP AN EYE FOR THESE ADD-ONS!
Greetings to Khaas Baat readers everywhere! It’s time to get ready for the Indian holiday Season. With designers everywhere scrambling to finalize their Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali and Karva Chauth collections, we have so much to look forward to! Especially, however, are the embellishments being used on mostly every outfit that excites me the most. Let’s learn more about them!
LACE
Lace is everywhere in Hollywood, from dresses to blouses, from hairbands to even shoes. Bollywood is no different. Indian designers have taken cue with this feminine look. Solid colored lace saris look delicate and glamorous all at once. To add some edge, try the sari in a red, gray or beige version. Pastels will look too small girlish! If wearing the whole sari in lace is too bold a look for you, try a sari with a lace blouse or border. Details stand out too.
EMBROIDERY
Indian and Pakistani fashions originate from embroidery, always resulting in elegant and classic looks. The sequins, the ‘bling’ came later on through the ages. The flash is still in, but solo embroidery suits and kurtis are making a big comeback, especially in contrasting color palettes. A white churidaar with thick, bright orange embroidery or red kurti with royal blue embroidery are so beautiful. An updated look involves tiny crystal or beadwork for some added wow.
CUTWORK
Cutwork is everywhere. From sober slits to eye-popping sheer panels, so many ensembles want to be noticed. Sari blouses, for example, are practically being stitched backless. Very sexy indeed. If it’s too much skin-baring for you, you can cut out the back, but then have a sheer net or mesh panel in its place. It’s the same thing with suits. Backs with embroidery or sequin designs have been replaced with cutout designs in teardrops or ambis.
Lenghas, however, are the most exciting. From long, long cholis with high, high slits and choli designs made like sari blouses but with sheer net vest panels overlapping the lengha, these looks are popular and oh-so-party-ready!
Send us your fashion questions and concerns. Follow the trend! E-mail us at [email protected], and we’ll answer any and all your fashion dilemmas. Here’s this month’s Fashion Drama Question of the month:
Q: I have lots of long kameez (shirt) suits, but tighter fitting, not Anarkali style. Are long kameezes still in for suits? Short kameez patialas don’t suit me. – Geeta, Lutz
A: Hi Geeta! Good news, you can still wear your suits! Yes, Anarkalis and patialas are very in right now, but so are the longer style kameez suits. They’re, after all, classic looks. Just keep them updated with fitted tailoring, ‘now’ textures and maybe add some embellishments discussed in this article!
Looking great is definitely an attribute to feeling great, but most importantly, carrying a positive and confident attitude is what ultimately counts! During the upcoming holiday season, look forward to having fun to the fullest, and forever remain bindaas (carefree). And as always, remember to gro with style!
Kiran Bahl of Gro Styles, “An Indian Boutique,” at 2035 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, FL 33612 and 9456 S. Orange Blossom Trail, in Orlando, FL 32837, can be reached at (813) 843-9040, (813) 903-8334 or (407) ALL-SARI.