The famous five facts of style
By Sumona Roy

REMEMBER the blue suit and frilly skirt that Princess Diana wore when she announced her engagement to Prince Charles? It took years before the fashion Press could get over that image and take the Princess’ style sense seriously.

First impressions last long. Unfortunately, in our anxiety to stand out in a crowd and create an impact at the very first instance, we overlook this basic fact and end up committing some silly mistakes. But it is never too late to learn.

Here are five variables, which determine how you look in an outfit:

Colour: The right colour can scream or whisper. So if you want to be noticed, go bright. Warm shades in the family of reds and yellows scream for attention. In contrast, pastel shades, blues, greys, khaki and ecru are very understated and would very easily merge with the woodwork.

Then there are prints, as well as stripes and checks. Bold prints and checks can look cluttered and add volume to your physique. So if you are on the heavier side, avoid them. Go for flat shades, or better still, vertical stripes which give an illusion of linearity and height. Horizontal stripes carry an opposite effect.

Whatever colour you choose, make sure it matches your complexion. A wrong shade can make a vibrant skin look lifeless. Ideally, never mix too many colours or else, you would end up looking like a Christmas tree. Try mixing bright and neutral shades for a balanced look.

Cut: A well-cut dress always looks good. Most Indian designers are respected for their imagination and innovative skills. But they fall short of their western counterparts in the finish of their garments. The design could be perfect, but the cut could be all wrong.

A wrong cut could add inches to your figure. If you are on the leaner side, you might convert that to an advantage. But it is hard to get what Mae West had been looking for: "I want my clothes loose enough to prove I am a lady and tight enough to show that I am a woman."

Also, always double-check the length of what you wear as anything short can ruin everything. The right length always adds extra inches to your height. For instance, long bootleg cut trousers will automatically make you look taller than wide palazzo-styled trousers.

Pattern: The simple minimalist look has finally made way for the bold and brash. No longer is anybody afraid of making a statement with patterns, often bordering on the outlandish. But then, it always helps to be restrained in certain aspects.

For instance, you have to be very careful about mixing too many prints, as the effect can completely drown you. Try coordinating with flat shades — either with matching colours or better still, contrasts. This can be a tricky exercise.

Also make sure you do not have too many bold prints in your wardrobe. People tend to remember prints more easily than plain colours. Unless you want to create the impression of wearing the same clothes time and again, avoid anything that lends to instant recall.

Texture: The right fabric and texture determines how an outfit falls over the body. Just as synthetics tend to cling close and are wholly inappropriate in humid conditions, crisp cottons create a feeling of airiness and volume.

A pair of silk drawstring trousers worn with a beaded shirt is formal enough to be worn to a cocktail party, whereas a long khadi dress would be more appropriate for a Sunday lunch. Chiffons and georgettes are ideal for casual wear.

Remember, the right fabric can make the simplest of cuts look classy. Among drapes, the options are limited though. Even then, a saree or a shawl of the right texture and feel, can make all the difference to an evening. So choose the fabric according to the occasion.

Detailing: The best way to make or mar a dress is with detailing and finishing touches. Unfortunately this is the most neglected area in designing. Embroidery, tucks and pleats are meant to accentuate the elements of design, not hide faults. Likewise, loose threads and creases can ruin a good dress.

Another neglected area is that of accessories. Somehow , people do not give a second thought to the shoes, handbag or tie that ought to go with a dress. But these are the details that spell class. Like all other embellishments, accessories make a good dress look better.

The most common mistake is wearing the wrong shoes. For instance, stilettos are wrong for a day at the races as you would end up digging holes in the grass. Similarly, brown shoes just do not go well with black trousers. And yet, we see men making this mistake all the time! — MF