Pretty palazzos take over

P’ stands for pret and pretty and ‘p’ is for palazzo pants as well. The flared pants of the 60s and 70s have given way to the sleek and elegant palazzo pants. Palazzo pants are the top choice of all women be it working women or students. One can opt for vivid designs and shades in these and go the chic way by combining them with coloured tops.

Bollywood actress Hasleen Kaur loves flaunting them whenever she can. “I own a pair of black palazzo pants as black goes with everything. They are ideal for casual wear as well as if you team them up with a nice top and stilletto, you can look extremely chic for an evening out,” says the former Miss India-Earth.

“Personally, I don’t want to stick to jeans always. So whenever I want to wear something easy and breezy, I opt for palazzos. Also when you travel, they are comfortable and don’t look too sloppy like pajamas. One can also opt for palazzo jumpsuits as they make you look lean and tall instantly,” she adds.

The chilly City has warmed up to the trend as well as one can sport girls teaming them up with full-sleeved top and shawls. Saumya, a working professional, teamed an animal-printed palazzo pants with a jacket, top and stole.

“I love to cover my legs. So this is perfect and frilly. You can wear them with halter-neck tops during summers. They would also look very good with plain tops. While choosing one, go for lighter colours like peach or white and not very bright ones,” she advices.

Even in colleges, these have found many takers. Says Aleena Imran, a student of B.Com in St Joseph’s College of Commerce, who wears palazzos as often to college as she can, “Everyone in college wears them too. Actually palazzos have been there for decades but keep going in and out of fashion,” she says.

“I love wearing them as I love the idea of a skirt-cum-pants look. They are different from the same old ‘churidars’ and pajamas. They can be worn with long kurtas for the retro look or a nice short kurti or T-shirt,” she notes.

No wonder the stores are also stocking up on them. Designer Sounak Sen Barat from the label ‘House of Three’ says, “The palazzo pants have been in trend for a while now. After the sari, the palazzo is the most forgiving and graceful silhouette you could possibly get your hands on. High-waisted ones give you an hour glass shape, add length making you look taller, and hide the problem areas altogether.

You can wear them in tailored high waisted linens for a sharp day look, or cropped length regular waist for a casual look, or in flowy jerseys for evenings. It’s even better if you wear jumpsuits with palazzo legs. Wear them in dark or light colours or prints.”

According to Srinivasa Rao, head of marketing, Lifestyle International Pvt Ltd, “Palazzos are chic and effortlessly lend style to the wearer, which is why they are the hottest trend to sport currently.

But what makes them such a hit is that they are flattering for every body type and can be styled with ethnic as well as contemporary silhouettes. Palazzos in solid colours such as red and black and trendy deeper nautical styles are an integral part of our lookbook for this year.”

Even in the store Max, the palazzos sell like hot cakes. Kamakshi Kaul, head designer, Max Fashion, says, “Palazzo pants are a huge trend at the moment with deep vintage roots as these were very popular in the 1930s and then again in 60s.

We have ethnic palazzos which give a traditional and chic look at the same time. They are extremely easy to wear and flatter your figure and create an illusion of a maxi skirt while keeping the freedom of pants intact. This is a must-try style trend this season.”