Reap the fruits of fashion

Pics/Instagram

The pandemic has inspired many to mentally rewind to simpler times. Not surprisingly, trends that evoke nostalgia are making a comeback, with a few contemporary edits. And this season, it's fruit prints that are making their way on to clothes, upholstery and other decor items. "In addition to nostalgia, fruit prints are a mood-lifter. They remind us to not take things too seriously, and inject some vibrancy into our daily lives," says stylist Disha Selarka.

Singling out

"The easiest way to sport a bright and peppy fruit print is to wear it as is in a single garment, such as dresses, jumpsuits, rompers, or even coordinated sets. Pick solid colours for your bag, shoes and accessories," Selarka says. She adds that fruit prints are a fun and easy way to balance your body shape. For those with triangular body types, wear the fruit print on your upper half to mimic the hourglass shape - the print draws attention towards the narrower part of your body. Those with an inverted-triangle body shape should wear the print on their bottom half. In this case, she suggests completing your look with neutral pieces for a perfect balance.

When picking accessories, choose either neutral tones or colours from the print to make a bolder statement. For a more eye-popping look, team a fruity print with a classic print such as stripes, plaid, gingham or polka dots, Selarka adds.

Small is beautiful

Pankaj Poddar and Disha Selarka

Choose smaller-sized fruity prints for drapes, upholstery or wallpaper to keep the print from overwhelming your space, advises Pankaj Poddar, co-founder of Hipcouch. Smaller-sized prints, especially in sombre tones, can add an unexpected flair to your home decor. You can also experiment with statement panels of larger-sized fruity prints in brighter colours for areas such as your kitchen, children's rooms or lounge. Make sure to keep the rest of the room neutral-toned so that the prints can take centre stage. Finally, accent pieces such as rugs and throws in delicate fruit prints can add visual interest.