FASHION 
First impressions last long
Saloni Kaul

Aishwarya Rai’s dresses at the Cannes film festival were a fashion faux pas

REMEMBER Neeta Lulla’s off-shoulder gown Aishwarya Rai wore at the inauguration of the last film festival at Cannes? Even now, the actress is being reminded and pulled up for her choice of clothing—some critics insisting that she looked more of an Indian maid than a responsible member of the jury.

Whatever be Aishwarya’s explanation, first impressions are usually hard to erase. Unfortunately, in our anxiety to stand out in a crowd and make an impact at the very first instance, we try too hard and end up committing some silly mistakes. It happens with everybody. It happened with Aishwarya Rai.

The trick here is to just relax and be yourself for some time. Then, check your dressing options—the colour scheme, fit, cut, pattern, detailing... relating every feature to your personality and the occasion or the environment in which you would be seen. In any setting, your dress must enhance your persona.

So if you want to be noticed, go for bright colours. Warm shades in the family of reds and yellows scream for attention, whereas pastel shades, blues, greys, khaki and ecru are understated and would very easily merge in a crowd. Remember, the right colour can scream or whisper.

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, do not mix too many colours that clash. Try mixing bright and neutral shades for a balanced look.

Your dress must also be cut well and fit right. Most Indians designers are respected for their imagination and innovative skills. But they invariably lose out to their western counterparts in the finish of their garments. The design could be perfect, but the finishing touches would be lacking.

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 is neither too loose nor too tight. Also, double-check the length as anything short can ruin everything. The right length always adds to your height. For instance, long bootleg-cut trousers will automatically make you look taller than wide palazzo-styled trousers.

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. Also make sure you do not have too many bold prints in your wardrobe. People tend to remember prints more easily than plain colour.

Then comes the choice of material. 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.

Finally, check the detailing. 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. Equally important, are your 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.

This feature was published on November 1, 2003