Exquisite ethnic is the way to go

It’s that time of the year when people look their ethnic best and enjoy the festivities in style. With Navaratri just gone by and Deepavali just around the corner, youngsters have been pulling out the best Indian wear they have from their wardrobe. They have various plans of what they will be wearing for the festivities. They speak to Metrolife about what’s in and what’s out this season.

According to Rinu, who is a designer and stylist, people are opting for a blend of Indian and Western looks nowadays. “Keeping this in mind, you can wear palazzo pants and a tank top with kalamkari motifs. Always make sure that you wear bright and catchy colours,” he advises.

“If you are going for plain colours, make sure that you wear a bright sequined waistcoat,” he adds. “Raw silk kurtas teamed with bandhini dupattas or contrasting shawls look really good too. One can also opt for dhoti pants,” he exclaims.

Girls of course love to flaunt their ghagras. Namitha, a model, has always worn ghagras during the festival. “One can go for ghagras with bandhini prints. I accessorise my ghagra with bangles and jhumkas,” she says.

Sushmita Monnappa, a B.Com student of Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College, wore an anarkali to a function in her college recently. “Traditionally, one must wear a ghagra but it’s also important that you are comfortable,” she notes. “One can look trendy by going for a neon-coloured ghagra or one with bandhini prints. On boys, a traditional heavy sherwani looks really nice,” she adds.

The more ethnic we look, the more we bring out the spirit of the festival, feels Aqib Faraaz, a model. “During the olden days, people would only wear a traditional attire. These looked way grander than the modern kurtas that are available these days,” he says.

According to him, one should wear kurtas or salwars with a lot of embroidery.  “Team these up with jutis, Kolhapuri chappals or mojharis and you are good to go,” he adds.
Popular designers have seen several changes in trends with regards to festive fashion. Anil Hosmani, a well-known designer, has been working a lot with silk.

“People feel that silk is a better investment when compared to any other fabric. Linen, which is an ideal summer fabric, is the next most popular option considering the weather also has been unpredictable,” he says. Sheer fabrics and crepes, which were highly popular last year, are out of trend this year, he notes.

“Chiffon, however, is back again in trend," he adds. Anil’s advice to fashion-conscious people is to keep their accessories simple. “Contemporary designs, especially in gold and silver, are highly sought-after and look great on everything,” he sums up.