Essays

Although Oscar Wilde said, 'Fashion is so ugly that it has to change everyday', fashion changes have become a part and parcel of Indian life nowadays. Starting with the times of Miss "......" titles, music channels and Cosmo magazines, urban society has emerged as a very fashion conscious set. To keep in tune has become a necessity, lest you are seen in XXL clothes when 'XXX' small is the trend. The pattern that trend setting follows is that Mumbai apes the west a couple of months after the onset of new designs there, which then filter into the south another two or three months later. So now that the eighties fashions are back abroad, with garish colours and heavy jewellery, stilettos and large sunglasses in light brown hues- opaque, the same fashions can be expected back here.

Currently, sportswear is making waves in town with Adidas, Nike and Proline stores selling their wares, in a big way. MTV accessories are on the same lines, skimpier and tighter for the small and frail teens, like the compeers seen on the television channels. Leggings are back, especially in black. Bright colour shoes are stylish with the image of feminine sophistication enhanced by colour. Belts are here to stay for the next few years. Broad and ornamental, actually hippie is 'hip' now. Wrap around skirts teamed with matching fitted t- shirts go well this season.

Let's not forget traditional wear that is considered Indian lormal dressing. Velvet stretch blouses add elegance to all sarees. Even well stitched sleeveless blouses lend more grace to saree wear. Team it with silver arm jewellery. Short kurtas are a fad, worn with the salwar/churidar and a dupatta to compliment it. Whether half or quarter sleeve or sleeveless, the short kurta style can be seen for a while now. Accessories as in handbags are in mini sizes and creative design playing with colours and graphic patterns with short shoulder straps.

Loop earrings are in after a long time now. A dozen, or may be two dozen, bangles in metal or glass match well with Indian outfits and give a touch of Indian style even to western outfits. Costume jewellery is inexpensive. Diamonds and platinum are favoured among the well to do with Nakshatra diamonds and international brand Jewellery coming in. So stay in touch with style and fashion and make sure you don't lag behind in this fast-changing interesting world of Indian fashion the pot pourri of yesterday and today east and west.