In the midst of a pandemic, the upcoming festive season calls for clothes that are timeless and classic and will not look out of place on a casual or non-festive occasion.
So, while curating your festive wardrobe, Lounge suggests some ways in which you can help elevate the simplest of outfits, while keeping them multi-functional:
Seek out separates
The beauty of separates is that they can assembled with various elaborate outfits. From the traditional salwar kurtas, tunics and shararas to slickly tailored jackets, blouses and palazzos, there’s the freedom to play around with a host of silhouettes, and create a new style each time.
Lounge pick: Embroidered short jacket by Jade Closet. Available at Jade by Monica and Karishma, Mumbai; price on request
Sari stories
The length and breadth of the classic unstitched garment allows for it to be worn in numerous ways, and drape every body shape and size. There is also a huge range to choose from, be it the traditional and regional saris or modern ones which come pre-stitched and pleated. This season, opt for lightweight fabrics such as kota and tissue, which are both easy to manage and also look festive.
Lounge pick: Printed kota sari by Urvashi Kaur. Available at Ogaan.com; ₹18,500
Enter lightweight embroidery
While some embroidery styles such as zardozi and metallic embellishments can look and feel heavy, threadwork like chikankari and kashidakari can look ornate but are also subtle enough to be worn on less formal occasions. Even shinier styles, such as mirror-work and Rajasthani patchwork, can be rendered in designs that look detailed and intricate, but are convenient to wear.
Lounge pick: Chikankari kurta-sharara set by Anjul Bhandari. Available at AnjulBhandari.in; price on request
Remember to wrap around
Apart from tailored layers, shawls and dupattas can also make for fluid layers that can be styled in various ways. While fabrics such as cotton, chiffon, georgette and crepe can be used comfortably in warm weather, woollen, velvet or cashmere ones are good options for winter. Buy ones with interesting prints or weaves.
Lounge pick: Steel grey velvet kurta set by Label Varsha X Ayush Kejriwal. Available at LabelVarsha.com; ₹11,499
Acing it with accessories
The simplest way to make any outfit look more put-together is by choosing the right accessories. Your jewellery, watch, belt, pocket square, socks and footwear can make a world of a difference if they are coordinated well enough with your main outfit staples. Besides, it also gives you the freedom to coordinate in various ways—matching colour to colour, tone-on-tone, colour-blocking and print-mixing.
Lounge pick: Mard X SKO monochrome mules. Available at Sko-Store.com; ₹9,500
