29 April,2010 09:27 AM IST | | Namita Gupta and Amrita Bose
You know it's summertime, when hemlines creep shorter than short. If you don't want to go OTT on the sex-o-meter with skin show, try a pair of formal shorts or a one-shouldered top and push your fashion boundaries this summer, suggest Namita Gupta and Amrita Bose
Street smart
You know its summer when cotton shorts, breezy dresses and flip flops are all around you.u00a0 The Guide gives you a sneek peek on where to snag some casual summer looks at a budget.
Whoever said smart style every season can come only when you dig a big hole in your pocket, needs to check out this style guide.
From plaid knee length ones to those that resemble funky granny panties or bloomers or buttoned up formal shorts are making a huge comeback. Pick from crazy greens, purples and reds to greysu00a0 and blacks.u00a0
At: Chabcha Fashion, Tibetan Plaza, off Brigade Road.
For: Rs 220 onwards
Dress up this summer. Keep them light and bright. Flirt with sporty dungaree-style short dresses, plaid tunics and chiffon dresses.
At: Tsodung Fashion Corner, Tibetan Plaza
For: Rs 400 onwards
Footwear is bright this summer. Choose from flip flops in shocking colours, Kolhapuri chappals in bright metallic shades or the good ol' Osho chappals. For a glittery twist, embroidered chappals are also in vogue this summer. At: Bangkok Centre, Off Brigade Road. For: Rs 150
Must haves this summer are funky eyewear. Choose from aviator styles that are in vogue this season to the retro wayfarer, round or oval oversized shades.u00a0
At:u00a0 Sunglass stall, next to Fifth Avenue mall, Brigade Road. For: Rs 220
Sadia Sayeed, fashion designer and Rumour boutique owner says, "Must have hues this spring/summer are pristine whites, fresh aqua blues, lemons, champagnes, corals, melons, dusky rose, lilacs and lavenders.
Keep your style statement simple, but if you like to add some bling don't be shy of a bit of silver, gold and crystal flecked here and there.
I do a lot of designs in muslins, voils, soft Egyptian cottons, Lahori voils, chiffons and soft crepes for Kurtis, tunics, kaftans, kurtis teamed with churidars or lycra tights.
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Everyone has varied tastes, but the baseline is look only for wearable clothes. Try adding some drama with a fusion of traditional and contemporary.
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Halter neck blouses teamed with light chiffons can go a long way on a romantic summer night out."
At: Rumour, 46, 3rd Main, 1st Cross, Domlur 2nd stage, Bangalore. Call: 4115 4056, 4126 7365. For: Rs 1,000 onwards.
One-sided affair
This one-shouldered top is Ritu's creation carved out of traditional chikan georgette twisted into a very contemporary design.
At: Ritu and Rochana Design Studio, 154, Adarsh Vista, Baswa Nagar, off Old Airport Road, Bangalore and also at Fuel, Hatworks Boulevard, Cunningham Road. Call: 4095 6200. For Rs 4,500
Fashion designers Ritu and Rochana's spring summer 2010 collection evokes a zen purity, forgotten freedom and languorous, romantic, almost endless summers.
The big trend: Soft nude tones, fluid drapes and silhouettes and a dash of sparkle.
Their latest collection focuses on two distinct looks. The first is an understated, individualistic interpretation of urban classics in pure cottons and linens.
Vintage influences like patchwork and crochet are interpreted in contemporary forms and given a minimalist twist by creative use of pin tucks.
Also, overlapped tops with dramatic slashed sleeves, tunics in varying lengths, waistcoats and unstructured pants in monochrome optics with nuances reminiscent of sand, porcelain, almond and skin.
The second look is the 'amour' collection and channels romance with beautifully draped dresses and tops, which evoke a languid glamour.
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Using vintage-inspired embellishments like cutwork combined with trademark texturing, the collection uses oriental and floral symbols of love giving the garments a unique twist.
The colour palette ranges from ivory, nude and blush to a dramatic scarlet conveying all the shades of passion. The emphasis is on intricate draping and fluid layered silhouettes.
