<p>The festive season is here and a number of Christmas and New Year parties are taking place. As fashion and shopping trends change every year, fashionistas across the City speak about what they will be buying this season.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Charles Clington, a businessman, usually gets a suit to look his best on Christmas Eve. “Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations. For the eve, I bought a tuxedo with a bow so that I can look my best. And for Christmas, I plan to get something trendy and semi-formal, like casual pants with a good shirt or tee,” he describes. He also intends to get a new watch for the season. Shopping for Christmas and New Year is a family affair, and this has been a tradition ever since he can remember, says Charles.<br /><br />Chandana Srinivasa, a software engineer, is yet to shop but has chalked out her plans. “For Christmas, I’m going to wear a floral dress that I just purchased from Goa. And for New Year’s Eve, I intend to buy something bright, sophisticated and trendy. I will go for a bright blue dress with big bracelets which suit the dress,” she lists out. Apart from the many chain stores that the City has, Chandana also loves shopping at the Tibetan Plaza in Koramangala.<br /><br />For some, fashion is all about playing with new themes. “I usually buy a simple dress and match that with accessories. For Christmas, I like wearing the dress with a long chain and a pair of great looking but comfortable shoes,” says Sharon Mendonce, a student. <br /><br />This year, Sharon is impressed with the ‘preppy’ look and will be buying a sweater, <br />pleated skirt, leggings and flat ballerinas. She adds, “For the younger lot, anything that is cosy and comfortable, especially oversized sweaters or knitted beanies, goes well.”<br />Fashion experts in the City say that breaking the convention in terms of colours is fashionable now. Namrata G says that the little black dress is no more the in-thing now. <br /><br />“The trapeze look is in and bling is in fashion, which basically means gold or shimmery dresses are in style. So instead of the little black dress, metallic shades are in. The other colours of the season are coral, lime green and neon with black,” lists Namrata. She adds that the looks for Christmas and New Year differ accordingly and that Christmas is mostly a family affair while one “dresses to kill” for New Year. <br /><br />“Chantilly saris and skirts are also in. No matter what you experiment with, you should stay away from colour blocking as it is done to death,” she says.<br /><br />Paresh Lamba, a designer, says that for men, black rules during this season. “It’s formal all the way. But people are including neon colours like yellow or purple neon pocket squares or even neon socks, in their formal attire,” says Paresh.<br /><br />Shopkeepers agree that the colours of the season are red and green. Sebastian Paul, the co-owner of a casual and formal wear shop in Commercial Street, feels that though people are losing jobs and the value of money is constantly changing, everyone is still shopping with festive cheer. <br /><br />“When people know they have to shop for new clothes, they start saving in advance. After all, people don’t shop just for themselves during this season,” he adds. “Women like to wear elaborate dresses and even suits, for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve. And men like to look their best in suits, semi-formal corduroy pants and jackets,” he adds. <br /><br />Ramesh, a shopkeeper in JP Nagar, adds that since it’s a chillier time, many just layer up and wear something red or green to express their festive spirit.<br /></p>
<p>The festive season is here and a number of Christmas and New Year parties are taking place. As fashion and shopping trends change every year, fashionistas across the City speak about what they will be buying this season.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Charles Clington, a businessman, usually gets a suit to look his best on Christmas Eve. “Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations. For the eve, I bought a tuxedo with a bow so that I can look my best. And for Christmas, I plan to get something trendy and semi-formal, like casual pants with a good shirt or tee,” he describes. He also intends to get a new watch for the season. Shopping for Christmas and New Year is a family affair, and this has been a tradition ever since he can remember, says Charles.<br /><br />Chandana Srinivasa, a software engineer, is yet to shop but has chalked out her plans. “For Christmas, I’m going to wear a floral dress that I just purchased from Goa. And for New Year’s Eve, I intend to buy something bright, sophisticated and trendy. I will go for a bright blue dress with big bracelets which suit the dress,” she lists out. Apart from the many chain stores that the City has, Chandana also loves shopping at the Tibetan Plaza in Koramangala.<br /><br />For some, fashion is all about playing with new themes. “I usually buy a simple dress and match that with accessories. For Christmas, I like wearing the dress with a long chain and a pair of great looking but comfortable shoes,” says Sharon Mendonce, a student. <br /><br />This year, Sharon is impressed with the ‘preppy’ look and will be buying a sweater, <br />pleated skirt, leggings and flat ballerinas. She adds, “For the younger lot, anything that is cosy and comfortable, especially oversized sweaters or knitted beanies, goes well.”<br />Fashion experts in the City say that breaking the convention in terms of colours is fashionable now. Namrata G says that the little black dress is no more the in-thing now. <br /><br />“The trapeze look is in and bling is in fashion, which basically means gold or shimmery dresses are in style. So instead of the little black dress, metallic shades are in. The other colours of the season are coral, lime green and neon with black,” lists Namrata. She adds that the looks for Christmas and New Year differ accordingly and that Christmas is mostly a family affair while one “dresses to kill” for New Year. <br /><br />“Chantilly saris and skirts are also in. No matter what you experiment with, you should stay away from colour blocking as it is done to death,” she says.<br /><br />Paresh Lamba, a designer, says that for men, black rules during this season. “It’s formal all the way. But people are including neon colours like yellow or purple neon pocket squares or even neon socks, in their formal attire,” says Paresh.<br /><br />Shopkeepers agree that the colours of the season are red and green. Sebastian Paul, the co-owner of a casual and formal wear shop in Commercial Street, feels that though people are losing jobs and the value of money is constantly changing, everyone is still shopping with festive cheer. <br /><br />“When people know they have to shop for new clothes, they start saving in advance. After all, people don’t shop just for themselves during this season,” he adds. “Women like to wear elaborate dresses and even suits, for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve. And men like to look their best in suits, semi-formal corduroy pants and jackets,” he adds. <br /><br />Ramesh, a shopkeeper in JP Nagar, adds that since it’s a chillier time, many just layer up and wear something red or green to express their festive spirit.<br /></p>