JOIN USFashion is seamlessly stepping into the next season, which brings with it newness unmatched. From seasonal wardrobe add-ons to the perennial must-haves, summer 2015 brings with it refreshing colours, flowy textures and a whole lot of fashion finds that will keep you beaming in this summer heat with style, excitement and an eclectic wardrobe worth every stylist’s second glance.
Start the season on a bold note by adding bright, colourful, modern prints to your ensembles. While tapping into your Candolim vibe, bohemian luxe look is going to keep you hippie happy and refreshed this summer. From saris, summer dresses in French chiffon, fine cotton muls, linens and breathable cool bamboo fabrics for women to bespoke chino shorts, light-weight summer trousers and airy shirts for men in a kaleidoscope of colours, there’s a perfect summer wardrobe for all.
Renaissance-inspired jacquard prints, three-dimensional prints with infusion of various surface ornamentation techniques or just a customised visual that resonates with your style, these prints will set you aglow through the long haul of fiery summer months. From custom-made florals to geometrics and an amalgamation thereof, summer wear this year focuses on mirrored prints that are fun, bold and colourful. Printed in various techniques, summers will see a use of lightweight summer-friendly fabrics.
Borrowing from hippie chic trends, we will also see easy, flowy silhouettes do the rounds and be omnipresent this summer. Layering of interesting textures in loose, yet sartorially crisp kurtas in mul, cotton and linen with palazzos and light, breezy short and long dresses will let you take on the heat in style.
With military-influenced ensembles - think deconstructed jackets, detachable sleeves, subtle metal embellishments, zippers, emblems and brooches - done in natural summer-friendly fabrics, both men and women can flaunt and strut in soldier-style this summer.
Be it western, traditional or a combination of both, summer months will witness styling combinations that range from safari glamour to functional military clothing for everyone. Men can look at styling their casual wardrobe with the camouflage prints done in traditional khaki green and Mykonos blue. Styling these in bright, summer hues of blues and greens paired with each other or with other tonal shades will surely bring down the mercury levels and take the style quotient up a few notches.
Sheer, delicate and romantic silhouettes in lace, done in lovely pastel tones of nude, blush, chalky blues and dewy greens to the quintessential summer colours like white and ivory, will capture the ethereal and dreamy summer style.
Colour gradation, layering of translucency and opacity, and a veil of soft fabrics over interesting textures, colourful embroideries and a display of contrasts is something to look out for, too. Quilting of fabrics, and weaving different and interesting textures together to create a one-of-a-kind look will make for a hand-picked couture collection.
Talking of contrasts, from easy breezy silhouettes, this summer will also be privy to the 70’s disco style. From metallic undertones of silver, gunmetal, gold to shimmering overalls that make heads turn, the spectrum of shine in your ensemble will vary with your personal level of comfort and chicness.
Keep it dressy
Accentuate with metallics by adding it to your ensemble in subtle ways. Choose from accessories such as sky-high mercury stilettoes, a glittering scarf or a statement clutch for women to add sparkle to your outfit. Men can infuse pastels like powder pink or blue suit combined with metallic-finish shoes or an embellished statement tie and get the disco vibe going.
Another way of including metallics into your traditional or diffusion wardrobes is by using the technique of foil printing, which can be done in floral or abstract designs depending on the occasion you want to wear it for. Be it the lehengas, anarkalis, saris or even indo-western gowns, foil printing adds an understated glamour that has an old-world, yet chic charm.
Another choice of a popular evening wear hue would be the classic white. From the timeless Marilyn Monroe ivory dress and its various modern interpretations to the sensual sari, white and its tonal counterparts have made a perennial style statement.
From bespoke menswear, which ranges from breezy summer jackets to traditional attires such as a simple yet stylish pintuck kurta, white has an innate purity and luxury that captures elegant style effortlessly. Taking off from this trend will also see luxe minimalism done to perfection this summer. White tuxedos, black and white corporate ensembles, accessorised with statement pieces will keep things dressy, yet keep you cool through a scorching summer day.
Shades of summer
Another colour that deserves a mention is red. From scarlet lips and nails to ensembles in red lace, velvet and more, this bold hue will surely make heads turn. From flamingo pink, Ferrari red to the rich, deep Marsala and everything in between, tones of red will be the ‘it’ colour for both, men and women.
Always a popular choice with brides, red will be the colour of the wedding season. Contemporising it with elements of intricate surface ornamentation techniques like foil printing, metallic embroideries, addition of lace, tulle and various other fabrics, this summer will be led by the colour red! Grooms can also look to add crimson to their wedding and pre-wedding attires in the form of kurtas, sherwanis or even a well-tailored suit in jewel-toned Marsala. Bold, vibrant and brilliant, red and its variations will get you noticed this coming season.
Summer 2015 is about adding variety of colours to your wardrobe. Starting with pastel shades of azure, frosted raspberry, ivory, lucite green and even silvery grey, pearlised versions of these softer hues get you noticed and keep you cool without compromising on the glamour quotient. Moving along, the bold and beautiful spectrum of red, the impeccability of white, the crispness of blue and the serenity of green will add to the summer fun and work as a much-needed respite from the tyranny of summers.
Glamour-coded yet subtle when needed, the coveted colour of the season, Marsala will become a luxe summer sighting for both, men and women. From shoes, bags, belts to complete outfits done in this rich hue, Marsala brings with it a sense of eternal style and confidence that is infectious, endearing and so stylish.
A year of contrasts, this year’s fashion diaries will witness polarity and the eccentricity that come with these wonderful juxtapositions. From chalky pastels to the richness of Marsala and its various combinations, from the translucency of sheer fabrics to the starkness and opacity of textured weaves and the blend of this beautiful mix. From layering of asymmetric silhouettes to clean straight lines of a structured suit, from the minimalism of a fabulous cut to the intricacy of densely embellished and handcrafted fabrics…the options are innumerable.
From glamour to normcore fashion, from tonal to bright hues, summer this year is about being comfortable without being stuck in your comfort zone. Add subtle elements of modernity to your existing wardrobe, add classics with a twist to replenish out-dated clothing, introduce fresh, cooling colours that reflect your personal style, infuse select styling notes to your aesthetics and embrace the novelty that this season brings with it. Be a new, chic you in perfect summer style.
(The author is a fashion designer)