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Simple is chic

Check out the trends this season with ANUJ KUMAR

DRESS REHEARSAL! A model projecting AT&T's latest collection

Are you moving away from super-fitted outfits? Have you accepted linen as the fabric of the new generation? Are you finally comfortable donning a hat? Are you at ease in V-chappals when you are outdoors? If not than you are not in fashion this season. David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore recently launched a black and white collection in the blistering heat.

Meant for the lasting summer and the monsoon ahead, David says, "We don't have that prominent summer or winter as we have the monsoon across the country. The season signifies greenery and freshness and we believe black counter balances it."

David's collection has quite a few dresses. "Finally, awareness about dresses is increasing in India, particularly the metros. Bollywood is largely responsible." Indeed. Recently both Bipasha and Priyanka turned up to judge a popular television comedy show in almost similar polka-dotted dresses.

Giving tips for the season, David points out the waist has really become prominent in silhouettes. "Those who have loose kurtis, they can tie a belt around their waist. White ones are really in demand."

And Indians are moving away from super-fitted silhouettes. "And this is a great opportunity for designers like us who work on `relaxed' silhouettes." Relaxed here stands for slightly loose-fitted. "Empire line continues to be big for it suits the fuller bodies." David has used geometrical patterns like small dashes in his collection but maintains, floral patterns continue to be big.

Summer fabric

However, designer Payal Jain laments that Indians are not taking to linen as they should. "This is the fabric for summer. The West is offering dresses to tunics to cargos, everything in linen. Here people are not accepting it in a big way because it gets crushed by the end of the day. It is normal for me but not for most of the clients, particularly Delhiites, who want to look prim and proper the whole day. Also it has got a rough texture, not suited for people who grew up on satin."

Rooting for softer colours like aquamarine and prints, designer Ranna Gill suggests blends is an east way out.

"When linen is blended with cotton or silk, the coarseness goes away." She suggests the blended fabrics even to brides. "You can't fiddle too much with the bridal silhouettes, but the brides should opt for thread work like chikankari which keeps the outfit light without losing the classic touch."

Payal suggest hats, big bags and sandals are a must this summer. "Opt for those which can go with more than one outfit. Strapping sandals with aged-soles and V-chappals are also in."

Cotton lace and crochet are also making their way to the must haves as is evident from Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor's latest summer collection. The duo suggests chiffon and georgette for the more feminine types. The skirts are getting shorter both in voluminous and more-fitted forms. The kurtis are taking new forms. Either they are short enough to take the form of the blouse or longish in the tapered form.

Make-up may be the last thing on your mind in summer but jewellery houses are coming with summer options to deck you up. Recently, Amrapali has launched a summer collection with semi-precious stones in pastel colours. Go for a clean, simple and feminine wardrobe this season then.

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