WITH the spread of fashion consciousness, almost anybody and everybody in urban India has become a victim of style and attitude. Their sources of inspiration are largely movies, pages of lifestyle glossies, window displays of boutiques, television commercials and programmes of fashion.

Fuelling this mass-scale inspirational display is a whole lot of designers, beauticians, make-up artistes, therapists and hair stylists who have become today’s self-appointed gurus of style. But while they would pontificate on what’s in what’s out at an individual level, nobody talks about fashion for the family.

Here’s a ready reckoner for all age groups moving with the times.

Modest mother: The kind who has to make social appearances, attend kitty parties and be the gracious hostess at home must necessarily have her wardrobe stocked with chikan salwar-kameezes, cotton printed kurta sets, woven sarees, as well as jeans and T-shirts... depending upon the occasion.

She must wear open-toed three-inch heels to show off her pedicure, while her bag could be a Dior, Prada or Versace. At any given time, she should be seen with diamond studs in her ears, a gold chain with a pendant, two or three stone-studded rings and a bracelet or a couple of bangles.

Her hair is allowed to fall loose, but within the house, while attending to domestic chores, she may tie it up into a tight bun or as a knot. Currently, the wavy look is in, which would add softness to her features. Her perfume could vary from L’Air Du Temps to Poison by Christian Dior and Opium by YSL.

Fashionable father: Although a lot would depend on what he does for a living, for an evening out, he can appear to be cool and relaxed with shirts in shades of green, burnt orange and salmon. His trousers, ties, belts and socks would be dictated by his professional needs and standing.

Lace-up shoes for work and comfortable sandals for weekends would take care of footwear. His watch may have 12 diamonds on the dial, but it needn’t be a Rolex or Omega. He is not afraid of letting his grey hair show, and if he must smoke, it would be a pipe or cigar and not a lowly cigarette.

Dazzling daughter: A Miss Universe wannabe, she needs multiple dress changes in a day: Nike track gear for the gym, slim-fitting hipster jeans and ruffled blouses for college, mini-skirt and strappy singlets for hanging out during evenings, salwar-kameez for dining with family and guests.…

Her accessories include beaded sling purses and batuas, thick leather belts with beads and metal studs, ankle-length pointed boots, Nikes, shoes with five-inch heels.... Her perfume could range from Dior Addict, CK One and Eternity by Calvin Klein.

Like her mother, she wears her hair loose and wavy and has diamond studs in her ears and a thin gold chain around her neck with a stone pendant. Otherwise, it is costume jewellery with chunky earrings, beaded necklace, nose studs and the works.

Cool dude son: He is an epitome of the cool teen look with clothes to match. His body-hugging T-shirts would show off his physique, but his jeans are loose and anti-fit for a comfortable look. A colourful bandana or else, a baseball cap turned backwards sits on his head.

When he doesn’t wear the cap or bandana, his hair stands out spiky and gelled. A silver or gold earring and a chunky metal-link bracelet make for his jewellery. But more important is the long chain hooked onto the belt loop of his jeans and tucked into the pocket with a mobile phone attached. His perfume is CK One, while the shoes could be unlaced high tops or floaters for a chilled-out anti-fashion look.

Pre-teen boy: He loves wearing T-shirts with imprints of his favourite hero (Harry Potter?) and jeans, preferably in the same style as that of his elder brother. His footwear is restricted to Reebok or Nike sports shoes and for accessories, there’s always a GI Joe toy in his pocket!

Pre-teen girl: She is the one who is happy with her pink Barbie T-shirts with blue jeans or denim mini skirts. For parties, it is a lovely pink or lemon yellow dress with frills and bows, while her shoes would have Barbie imprints or a pair of one-inch heels in the same colour and design as her mother’s. Pink ribbons and pretty clips on the hair complete the picture. (MF)