A feminine twist

Trends are mushrooming by the day and taking the fashion world by storm.
   There is a shift from the utterly feminine to tomboy-ish style of dressing, and women are preferring more relaxed outfits these days. From crop tops to jumpsuits and palazzo pants, the latest addition to the closet of a fashionista is the shirt dress, which is an oversized, buttoned-down outfit that is inspired by menswear.

According to designer Parul J Maurya, a shirt dress has become an all-time favourite of  fashion enthusiasts.

    She says, “It suits almost every body type, making it a true closet-keeper. An edgy shirt dress with sharp cuts, if teamed with heeled boots, it gives a structured feminine feel. The best part about this ensemble is that one can treat it like a blank canvas and accessorise with funky neckwear and clutches.”

    Looking at it as an ideal summer outfit, she adds, “Shirt dresses are comfortable and are great for summers. Pastel hues and whites work well for a cool, fresh look. However, bright colours with frills and details on the collar give these outfits a ‘beach-y’ vibe. Experimenting with looks, people can unbutton the dress and team it with a crop top and jeggings to give it a street style inspired look.”

Fashion is all about experimenting and creating a style statement that makes one stand out in a crowd, and it is never a bad idea to try out something different and quirky.

     Designer Shibani Sanghvi reasons, “For me, fashion is about timeless garments constantly being reinvented. Whether they are oversized or more tailored, shirt dresses are pretty much a perfect piece for every season. Shirt dresses are a classic and with time, they have evolved from being something basic to having accents of minimal detailing so as to keep the essence of vintage fashion alive while keeping it innovative.”

Explaining her work with shirt dress, Shibani says, “I have tried to play with traditional shirt dresses by giving them a new dimension with light shirting fabric to maintain the classic fluid feel and details such as structured, exaggerated collars, cut out shoulders, piecing and wrapped ties to add a fresh twist to this versatile silhouette.”

    She adds, “Some of the trending colours are rose quartz, marsala, oxblood, pristine whites, powder blues, mauves, sunrise orange, emerald and ruby red. While sporting the shirt dress in a more casual manner, one can go for a pair of basic sneakers, high bun-tied hair, deep kohl and berry pouts. However for a  dressy look, ‘oomph’ it up with stilettos, statement jewellery, winged eyeliner and lose, wavy hair.”

Labelling it as “the perfect attire for summers this season”, designer Farah Sanjana says, “Be it oversized or tailored, shirt dresses are summer’s perfect piece to opt for. They are super comfortable and are climbing to the top of style charts. They can be worn with skinny pants or bare legs, and are a complete blend of comfort and edginess.”

Pointing out how shirt dresses are gaining popularity, and becoming a staple outfit
in everyone’s closet, she says, “Shirt dresses with checks, denim and stripes have become a favourite in everyone’s wardrobe whereas chambray shirt dress is a versatile trend. Pastel and light-coloured shirt dresses can easily find place in anyone’s closet.”

Looking at shirt dresses as both casual and formal wear, Jayati Goenka elaborates, “Shirt dresses can be sported on any occasion. It is basically an adaptation of menswear which has gained popularity over the years. We can see many professionals in their mid 20’s pulling off this trend in a great way. As all shirt dresses look alike, styling is the key to making them look different and stylish. Unique cuts, patterns, fabric and even, belts play a big role in the styling. Like for a formal look, the belt will be on the waist, whereas for a laid-back look, the belt is usually below the waist line.”
Talking about traditional fabrics, she says that printed Indian textiles are also trending. Like ‘khadi’ — it looks subtle but makes  a strong statement.
“It is important to focus on the neckline, and to complete the look, one can wear bangles, wedges and chunky necklaces. When dressing more formally, one should keep in mind not to go overboard with the accessories.

Bangles, studs on the ears, formal shoes, boots or scarves can do wonders,” explains Jayati.