Personality at play

FASHION FORECAST

From international runways to closer home and into your wardrobes, 2016 is about a whole lot of personality play and a palette that makes you swoon and swoon-worthy, all at the same time. Let’s start with rounding up some of the fashion trends to look out for this year, the must-haves — hues, silhouettes, outfits et al.

Romance in the air

Relaxed romanticism is what it’s all about this year. Think soft hues, softer silhouettes, unfussy femininity and flowers in your hair! The runway witnessed a barrage of girl-next-door variations for weddings, work and play alike and that in itself is something to celebrate this year.

Play with the romanticism. Think ruffles, delicate lace, high-collared necklines, puffy sleeves, English prints - toile, roses etc. Victorian-era influences right from dresses, lehengas, saris to sherwanis and jackets for men, this trend is sure to make your heart flutter and give romance a new meaning altogether.

Now that you know romance is the need of the hour this year, adding lace to your wardrobe will seal the deal with perfection. A piece of sheer elegance, it glamorises an outfit with its subtle confidence and the ethereal air it brings to any ensemble makes you feel like a million bucks. Our suggestion: invest in a statement piece today and make heads turn for a lifetime!

The happy palette

Calm, soothing and gentle, the colour palette this year transports us to a sunnier, happier place in a jiffy and comprises colours such as rose quartz, peach echo, snorkel blue, buttercup yellow, lilac grey and iced coffee.

But if there’s one colour to adorn any time of the year, it’s got to be red. Its tonal counterparts are some of the hot favourites to add to your wardrobe this year. From going all out to adding just a hint of this passionate hue to your attire, don’t shy away from painting the town red hot in 2016.

Another hue to watch out for is blue. And it’s not restricted to eyes only, go true blue with all your accents. Makeup, accessories, detailing and more, blue is doing the rounds and glancing from behind the scenes like a champion. Think under lapels for men’s tuxedos, bright blue edging and piping, under-collar detailing, deep blue stone embellishments and you’ve got yourself a statement piece.

Pretty pleats & fabulous ruffles

Back in style, think dainty knife pleating that goes on anything from lehengas and dresses to skirts and trousers. Channelising the school-girl charm, not only do pleats allow movement, they also add instant chicness, whilst being subtly glamorous.

Also, Spanish influences are big this year. From the big ruffled up dresses to peek-a-boo ruffles on skirts, lehengas, tops skirts etc. 2016 will see a lot of this feminine detailing on dresses, blouses, flamenco–esque lehengas and Toreador-inspired baroque detailing for men too. All we can say is Nos gusta, Senor, Senorita!

Tie-and-dye love

The 70’s were brought back in 2015 and 2016 is all about taking it a notch up. Think luxe-boho silhouettes in a kaleidoscopeof tie-and-dye get ups. From kurtas, trousers, jackets and palazzos, we forecast a celebration of shibori (Japanese term for a type of dyeing) and its clan in a big way. Serenade in style in a range of colours and make the most of this trend to catch on to the chilled-out vibe.
It’s just not limited to tie-and-dye, the add-on of the luxurious suede combined with fringes makes for a visual delight that we’ve not gotten enough of. From accessories like bags and shoes to jackets, trousers, blouses and more, this trend is sure to find its way into the wardrobe and your heart alike and perhaps stay there!

Coats & shoulders

Long jacket-style coats that can be paired with anything from shorts, dresses, saris, lehengas and trousers to whatever you want to pair it up with…really! With so many different styles, fabrics and the silhouettes to choose from, this versatile piece of clothing is a perennial hot favourite of 2016. A must-have item of clothing in your updated wardrobe, just throw it on top of an outfit for layering and transform your look instantaneously.

And for those who can, it’s time to bare it in style. Shoulders, that is. It’s all about baring your shoulders with halter tops, off the shoulders, cross-front tops and the like. A refreshing trend, the runway spotted everyone from brides in lehengas paired with shoulder-showing tops, bridesmaids wearing saris with off-shoulder blouses to fashionistas and all the cool gals rubbing shoulders in style!
The wedding diaries

Making a statement is a piece of wedding cake this year! With a gorgeous palette of reds, oranges, peaches, pinks, blues, yellows and taupe, the possibilities are endless. From adding that 70’s vibe to your sangeet with fringes, off-the-shoulder blouses, sequins and more, doing an exquisite draped gown or a sari for your reception, the brides have a lot to play with and choose a style that resonates with their personality. Grooms can definitely go over-the-top with embroidered tuxedos, ties and even shoes. Gold being the choice of accent colour, going all out is the name of the game this season, whether or not you’re the bride or groom.

And there’s no better way than to say it with a sari. Just don’t wear it, own it! Take your pick from a rich handloom wonder, the gorgeous lace, the classic silk or a concept sari that defines your style to the T. Sport this six yards of pure magic and make it a style staple this year and every year from here on.

And one last thing, don’t shy away from the bling. Sport it any which way in 2016. From accessories for men like bow-ties, pocket squares to sequinned sherwanis and jackets, shoes, bags, hair accessories, makeup, dresses, lehengas, culottes, you name it, you got it. This year, sequins and all shiny materials are having their moment in a big way!

 (The author is a fashion designer)