Monsoon weddings are here and we got three top couturiers to tell us the weaves, drapes, hues and styles you should sport to up your #OOTD game. Read on!
Sourav Das, designer and sari revivalist
For the women, I would suggest a double veil look where you combine two veils –one over the body and one over the head – coming together over the shoulder. This Maratha warrior queen-inspired look is sure to get you the views on social media.
Pop culture references: I love how actors Sobita Dhulipala and Dev Mohan (Dushyanta of Shakuntalam) showed up at events recently wearing dramatic traditional outfits with a spot of creativity. Sobhita wore golden organza and golden tissue saris at two movie promotional events. Dev Mohan, styled by Preetham Jukalker, wore a rusty brown sherwani jacket and sported ear cuffs. He looked stunning.
Colors: Yellow, orange and fuchsia mixed with lilac, rose gold (pink with gold), angoori (mild tender green) and feroza (turquoise). In July, a month before the wedding season, I held a pop up and these were the colors that sold out fast.
Fabrics and designs: Men tend to dress up conservatively to work and social gatherings. So, weddings are the time to look dramatic and become a conversation starter. I recently designed historically-inspired black matka and cotton blend angarkhas for a band of boys, cousins, for a family wedding. I paired it with a katan silk organza beliphul paar dhoti and black silk organza safa and heritage jewelry.
Gazal Gupta
Opt for outfits with cheerful hues. Be experimental with silhouettes like a drape skirt and a cape, a pant sari, a drape dress, a peplum top and a skirt. Lightweight and breathable fabrics that dry quickly would be a smarter choice. The very staple for any Indian wedding is a lehenga and this monsoon you can go along with floral motifs and embellishments.
Pro tip: Ditch your stilettos and go for the juttis this season!
Varun Chakkilam
Colors: Electric blues, plum, viva magentas, sea greens, tangerines, and emerald greens.
Fabrics and designs: The menswear monsoon fashion trend is an ethnic outfit with a contrasting dupatta for a pop of color and also that extra layer of protection from sudden drizzles. Fusion is in. So, pair a kurta with slim-fit trousers or opt for a sherwani with fitted pants. Classic sherwanis with contemporary elements like asymmetrical cuts, statement buttons, and with unique embroidery and print patterns are the trend. Khadi, a handwoven fabric with excellent breathability adds charm to traditional outfits like kurtas and Nehru jackets. So does linen that looks elegant for shirts, kurtas, and bandhgalas during monsoon weddings.
Cotton silk and tussar silk (with a beautiful dull gold color) sherwanis and bandhgalas, Chanderi silk kurtas with delicate zari or threadwork, Western suits with dainty
Indian embroidery made in matka silk is another hot seller this season.
Kirthana Sunil
Colors: Pastel saris or lehengas with fullsleeves blouses with embellishments are the trend now. If you are wearing a two or three-piece outfit like a half sari or a lehenga, ensure only one of them makes a statement and overshadows the other pieces. A lot of NRIs love fusion of English and Indian colors as they look Western but with a pop of ethnic Indian touch. So, I would suggest a look that blends pastels like baby pink with bright orange. Those who want to sport a minimalist look, opt for a recycled heritage sari. A sari from your grandmother’s era with modern styling is the look to go for. Pair it with statement jewelry to balance the look. n
MANJU