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DARE to be DIFFERENT
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"If at all females expose skin, they have their own conveyance." Sruthi, DJ
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EVER IMAGINED strap-less singlet hugging the contours of a gym-toned body making a debut in Kochi? Or tattooed abs peeking out of low waist jeans? And minis sitting precariously on stiletto stilt legs? Well, the Bold and the Beautiful have taken it upon themselves to shake the placid backwaters and send it rocking all over. But have they succeeded in doing so?
Bold in vogue
Fashionistas have declared that being bold is the current fashion statement to be made. Hari Anand, Fashion Consultant and proprietor of `Gladas' at Convent Junction says, "Bold is in vogue." He would vouch for, "low waist jeans and transparency" as the current `hotties' to flaunt. "Baring the midriff is the boldest way to go about it," he adds. But the ground reality is different.
Says Sandhya, student of Communicative English in St.Teresa's, "Its just a minuscule percentage of the people who take to weathering the seasonal fads. It isn't a highly visible factor." Shamerinen, proprietor of Shezone at Convent Road also feels that Kochi still hasn't accepted certain ways of dressing. "All my stock of sleeveless churidars needs sleeves attached because none of the customers like it. Skirts too are bought only by 15- year- olds." Shalini says, "The line is drawn at cleavage show. Here showing off your legs is really considered bold whereas the everyday sari doesn't get into the bad books." Adds, Hari, "women don't generally dress boldly on the streets because they wouldn't be left alive." Shruti, DJ and college going student too says, "If at all females expose skin they generally have their own conveyance and so they can go about doing it confidently, otherwise bold fashion statements are only relegated to parties." Familiar with the party circuit she should know. "Off shoulder gowns and bustier are common wear at parties. They don't seem scandalous anymore."
For Penny George, Marketing and PR professional, its more than just clothes that do the talking. "In a conservative place like Kochi its left to our Genext to induce changes and being bold is more of an I- don't- care-attitude that comes from being immune to comments." Jeans that were once taboo has come to be the undeclared uniform for youngsters and with females taking to it with ιlan it's no more a bold statement until you don its variations like the current favourite being the torn and ragged look or the alternate jaded coloured jeans.
Tattoos too
Of course the conventional saris allowed for much navel gaze but that was coyness personified. For the dare to bare ones, glittering tattoos, brazenly gracing the belly have started to take its rightful place in fashion circles. If you want to tone down a bit you can see the tattoos climbing to sleeveless arms. But Shalini, designer of Mantra Boutique, says the blouse is the one going places. "We see a lot of demand for noodle straps, petal sleeves, stark backs and the like." Sarah of St. Teresa's College says, "Even the conservative salwar has gone bold and is being donned in daring new ways." The dupattta either has vanished or it lies coiled around the neck, retro style figure moulding salwars have replaced baggy fits, plunging necklines and side cuts that really go a long way up, cut shoulders, spaghetti straps or even cap sleeves have all altered the salwar to give it a chic look. Rohit Vijayan, model too says, "If it is exposure just too grab attention it would seem stupid. One has to be poised and assured."
`We like them modest'
College campuses too have their restrictions when it comes to the dress code. Says, Sister Tessa, Principal of St.Teresa's, "We want our students to be modest in their dressing. Changing along with the times doesn't mean discarding decency. We place certain restrictions like no flimsy dresses, short tops and sleeveless clothes can be worn on the college campus and none of our students have a problem with these necessary codes."
Body-hugging
Guys have just begun to express the flamboyant part of themselves so as Sunil George, designer puts it, "It's all about bright psychedelic stripes and shades. More flashy and vibrant to beat the muggy blues." Aeronautical engineering student and DJ Ryan would go for stuff that fall close to the body. "Tight tops, netted stuff, transparent shirts with coloured belts are the flavour of the season." Faded, printed, striped and textured denim are also in. Rohit, model, prefers "the torn and ragged look in jeans that is high on the fashion graph." Sunil adds, "You see some of the guys in three-quarter trousers with their calves exposed. So men are getting to be more confident and comfortable in their skin." They are also getting bold in experimenting with their once too sacred- to- mess- around- with hairstyles. "The 60's messy look with long hair et al is in a la Hrithik and Saif." Even St. Albert's College Principal, Prof. Leslie Pallath feels guys are getting more conscious about fashion and the campus is sure getting to see more colour. "But it is slow to pick up because you see there is no one to admire them over here," he laughingly jokes.
But with all this some people still feel that Kochi hasn't still woken up to embrace the bold look. Rehana points out to a more conservative factor that often deters people from going bold. "The marriage mentality at the beginning and end of everything stops many from going bold in dressing. Most of the parents get worried that the tag of bold for their daughter would hamper her chances in the marriage market."
Peripherals
And all just doesn't stop with clothes, the peripherals have begun to take centre stage too with accessories, hairstyles, shoes, bags and gadgets getting to be the cynosure of all eyes. Bottle blondes and Burgundies are quite familiar sights. You need outrageous colours like streaked blues and purples to have heads turning in your direction. Tina, a degree student adds, "Scarves, bandanas, grandfather umbrellas, waist belts, nose rings and anklets are all high on the fashionometer." As Sunil points out, "Kochi has much catching up to do in bold fashion statements but an upward trend is inevitable."
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