The deep blue scene

Intriguing indigo

Blue has a certain charm to it like none other. And indigo blue has the appeal to make heads turn, be it in Indian or Western wear. While the colour is considered bright and lively by some, others feel it is a notch apart. There are others who consider the shade the colour of royalty and for the elite. Fashionistas in the city talk about how this shade is in vogue this season.

Indigo blue is considered as a shade that symbolises leadership, according to young fashionista Benita Nivedhitha J, a fashion student from Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology. “Earlier, wearing this colour used to be considered a status symbol, especially during the era of Elizabeth I. Wearing the colour was even taken to be restricted by the law then. Carrying this trend forward, one can often see Kate Middleton wearing different hues and mixes of the colour in pretty dresses,” she says.

Closer home, block prints and ‘batik’ prints in the colour are trending big. “Mixing and matching long ‘kurtis’ in indigo blue with palazzo pants is considered stylish. Long skirts in the colour are also a top choice among youngsters,” says Benita. Motif prints in varied outfits including jackets are also increasingly becoming popular,  she adds.

Fashion designer Michelle Salins says that indigo blue is the colour of the season and has been in demand for a while now. “Indigo blue is a very classic hue and is a pickup from denim. It can be worn in Indian or Western wear. I believe that the hue has originated from Rajasthan and now everyone is using it in different ways, be it in mini skirts, shirts, ‘kurtas’ or dresses,” says the designer.

Michelle has created dresses in indigo blue and says that the colour suits the Indian skin tone. “We worked on fabrics like pure satin silk and cotton. It suits most people, from the fairest to the dusky ones.” She adds that bright orange or black colour accessories can be added to an outfit in indigo blue. “For a pop of colour, a bright red lipstick can pep up the whole look,” she states. 

Another highlight of the colour is that it is a unisex shade and goes well in all styles. Be it a man in a white and blue ‘sherwani’ or a woman in an indigo blue blouse with black trousers, the looks will make them stand out in a crowd. Designer duo Shammy and Sanjay Choraria say that the colour has a certain appeal to it, which makes it noticeable yet chic.

“The best part about the colour is that it works great in all categories, varying from Indo-Western to Western and casuals,” says Sanjay. He has worked with the colour in half vests and marble-print blazers, and feels that it is a versatile shade that goes well with all silhouettes. “The best part is that most fabrics can take this colour — right from silk to linen, cotton and ‘malmal’. I’ve even worked on shirts, T-shirts and trousers in this colour and they stand a class apart,” he adds.

In women’s wear, the colour can be worked into blouses or shirts, or even traditional salwar suits and ‘anarkalis’. Shammy says that the bright and vibrant colour suits most people and adds life to one’s look.

“The colour works great as day wear, evening wear and party wear too. I have worked on elaborate ‘lehengas’ in the colour and even trendy Western blouses,” she says. As it is a bright colour, it has the character to meld in with many other shades and create a
different look each time. “Indigo blue can be mixed with dark colours like maroon. One can also experiment with gold and silver,” says Shammy.

The colour is not just fashionable in outfits but is also trending in accessories and makeup. Arshitha Noushka, a fashion student, says that stoles in indigo blue are a perfect addition to one’s attire. “They add a dash of vibrance to the entire look. Also marble-printed indigo blue nail art or even plain indigo blue nail paint adds the pop this season. A hint of the shade on one’s eyes also works great for a day out with friends,” says Arshitha.

 She adds that danglers or an indigo blue choker work well when wearing a classic black dress.

“It’s bold and blue this season,” she adds with a smile.