Doing up your holiday wardrobe

By Nikhil Bhagat

TO many of us, the onset of the festival season means travel time — taking a break from work, going back home, catching up with friends and relations... in other words, letting your hair down. Or it could just mean a conscious move to be away from it all, as they say.

Either way, thoughts turn towards a holiday wardrobe — to be able to travel light and yet, project a fun loving image of being with the times with an assortment of classic cuts, a melange of colour and references that are culture-based.

This season, wraparounds have become a hit in holiday wear, particularly in striped buff, white and brown knits. Jersey is a hot favourite, though in warmer climes, there are a lot of organzas in ocean blues and crisp linens in pure white floating about.

Fashion pundits suggest that the spotlight is currently on gentle tailoring with a good deal of soft-flowing shapes and silhouettes, that spell ease and comfort. Neither sharp cuts nor grunge has any takers this season.

For the young and athletic sort, designers are recommending corset dresses, hussy skirts and nymph cami-tops, besides mermaid dresses, ship blouses and pirate shoes with buckles. These are available in splashes of aqua, metallics, pinks and burnt orange.

If you not have the body to carry these off, a safe bet would be standard wrap-dresses, wide-legged cotton trousers, conventional jeans, flattering shots and a sporty shirt or blouse line in wool or cotton knits, depending on whether it’s hot or cold where you are going.

For those in love, this season’s most romantic look includes dresses in frothy cotton and gathered cheese cloth in double layers with kit. Try them out in pastels or naturals with shades of summer greys, maroons and blues. There are also chiffon coat dresses with an underslip for that sensuous look and feel. Ruffle fronts are particularly popular in such dresses, as well as blouses with boat necks and three-quarter sleeves in lace.

Raw-edged cotton organdie dresses with cap sleeves and silk underslips are also recommended this season. And for the beach, go in for the bikinis in candy stripes, florals and checks. They come with matching slippers in the same print.

A new entrant in the range of holiday wear is the halter-necked, crochet common bikini, which presents a very interesting look. It is best suited for the young and adventurous and needs to be complimented with stylish footwear and straw hats.

Shoes, this, season, take a turn towards flirty kitten heels and flats — a perfect accessory to flippy skirts and cut-off trousers. Wooden or jute mules with raffia flowers also look cool on those out to project a sporty look.

Significantly, a lot of Indian prints, ranging from the classical tie ‘n’ dye bandhinis to sober batik works have staged a comeback in holiday wear this year. Besides the prints, there is a good deal of Lakhnavi chikanwork shirts and skirts on show.

Paisley embroidered silk sarongs and the Madras plaid are also making it to holiday wear. But then, keep it all simple and understated. Refrain from garish nail colours and lip gloss of the last season. Instead, opt for soft colours, preferably shell-pink or naturals.

The idea is to project a clean, scrubbed look with comfortable, easy clothes and shoes. Remember, on a holiday, the way you feel will reflect on what you wear. The time you take to plan your wardrobe is a worthy investment. (MF)