A cocktail of styles

A cocktail of styles

Without doubt, sarees and our other traditional attires will always have precedence over Western outfits at weddings, sangeets, cocktail parties, and other functions. But with women wanting to experiment and willing to try out new looks, fusion is becoming an obvious choice for many, especially for those who aren’t too comfortable making a switch from Indian wear to Western wear. A fusion look is not just popular among middle-aged women but even young women love to sport the look on special occasions, and with designers experimenting in fusion wear, the options are many that go beyond age, size and body type. With International Women’s Day just a week away, we speak to fashion experts to find out how you can make fusion wear a part of your everyday life.

Sugandha Mishra, Chandigarh-based stylist, feels that one need not shy away from experimenting with their looks. It is time women shed their inhibitions and went for a makeover that is subtle yet visible. “So, whether it is your work-wear, a look for a casual get-together or a dinner party with your gang of girls, you can always ditch the six-yards and the typical anarkalis and wear something that is stylish and yet makes you comfortable in your own skin,” suggests Mishra.

She believes that the best way to create a fusion look is to juxtapose Indian weaves, fabrics and prints with modern cuts. “To contemporise your look, you may don a maxi dress in shibori or ikkat prints and flaunt a Kolkapuri with them which make for perfect hangout attire. In order to make heads turn at workplace, an asymmetrical kurta with torn denims, paired with chunky jewellery and smoky eyes will do wonders. However, if your work place allows casual clothes, then you can get a little more experimental by pairing simple culottes with a short print kurta,” advises Mishra.

In the last couple of years, ramp shows have taught us the best way to create a fusion look. Commenting on this, Mishra says that it is because of fusion that women who do not possess a svelte body or an hour-glass figure have become confident in putting their fashion foot forward. “Cigarette pants can easily spice things up if  styled in the right way. A pair of contrast coloured cigarette pants worn with a simple top and a jacket in Indian print is the answer to all your fashion worries. Similarly, denims can sort out a lot of our fashion woes. Wear it as a jacket over a printed long skirt; a denim shirt sported over plazzos will look very smart too,” she adds.

THE PERFECT MIX
According Krina Panjwani, brand head of Indian Ink, the fusion in Indian apparel is one of the best things to have happened in the world of fashion. “Fashion designers are picking up lovely Indian attires and tweaking them with modern Western wear elements to create chic prêt that is innovative, attractive and absolutely easy to carry. Right from traditional sarees, lehenga-choli, salwar suits, anarkalis, dhotis, patialas and shararas, contemporary fashion bigwigs are creating a new range of Indo-Western with a royal grace and a touch of novelty,” says she, adding, “The Indo-fusion wear redefines today’s generation which is bold and highly experimental.” Styled together with evolved textiles and machinery, Indian Ink’s new collection offers latest designs, artwork, fabric layout and patterns that look fresh. “Crafted for utmost comfort and available in an affordable range, these incredibly beautiful attires are mix matched for a glamorous look,” she adds.

PANJWANI’S TIPS FOR FUSION WEAR
- You can team dhotis and dhoti pants with funky tees and shirts. You can also create a chic look by pairing these dhotis with chic elegant tunics, and accessorising with fancy jewellery. A trendy sling bag is great to complete the look.
- Salwar suits have been replaced with well-fitted kurtis and straight fit palazzos or narrow fit pants that give it a refined look.
- Anarkalis are back in vogue with hand-worked palazzos or churidar and complimenting duppatta.
- Lehenga with ample layers is now being coupled with crop tops, capes and jackets for a modish look. Sheer and double duppatta are the ‘in thing’.
- You can wear long Indian skirts adorned with beautiful ethnic tops. Block prints and mandala and tie and die make for a perfect offbeat look. A pretty stole with eccentric accessories will make you look sensational and enhance your personality. 
- If you love sarees, you can jazz up your look by teaming them up with crop tops and jackets.

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