Your style guide to dressing up for next 4 months

iTALK tells you how to make Spring/Summer 2009's must-sport fashion trends straight from catwalks, work for you. PLUS which desi celeb got it right

Your style guide to dressing up for next 4 months

iTALK tells you how to make Spring/Summer 2009's must-sport fashion trends straight from catwalks, work for you. PLUS which desi celeb got it right

It's bright and sunny already, and that makes it the perfect time to show some skin. If you are uncomfortable going the whole hog, how about a teeny weeny peek that's sure to add a zing of sensuality? The safest bet for the unadventurous women, is to sport an ensemble that shows off a shoulder, like actor Shefali Shah did with this aqua dress that she wore to the Slumdog Millionaire premier held in Mumbai recently. Don't forget to rub on some body lotion mixed with a pinch of white or beige shimmer eye shadow, for skin that gleams. pic/shadab khan

There's nothing like a bare back dressed up in yummy coloured knots or hand detailed ornamen-tation. And Katrina Kaif knows that. She slipped on a ruby satin gown for the Star Screen Awards, and looked yummier than a cherry. Designers across Indian and international ramps have experimented with back detailing, including those at November 2008's China Fashion Week in Beijing. And yes, it doesn't have to be a gown. Even a trendy racer-back tee can glue gazes on to your shoulders and spine.

Together with green, the blue-purple is this season's hottest shade. It looks best in silk, satin and georgette, adding a rich feel to your ensemble without you even trying. At a recent film award ceremony, actor Arjun Rampal's wife, Mehr Jessia, film star Tabu, and actor Hrithik Roshan's wife, Suzanne, wore floor length gowns in various shades of blue-purple. Team it with ivory, if you want to play it safe, otherwise go acid pop by pairing it with a dash of lime.

Make the jacket your scream-out piece

There's something fascinating about the ladies' jacket, and it can make an attention grabbing piece at work, and at play. If you intend wearing one for an evening do, make sure it has a subtle hint of fantasy, like Suzanne Roshan's at a recent movie premier. The collision of armour-like edge (pick a piece that has sculpted shoulders) with feminine grace is what makes the combination irresistible. Opt for a glamorous blow dried look, and don't forget to dab on some scarlet lipstick.

The wrap drape works well for women who are broad shouldered, or heavy busted. While designer Ritesh Kumar presented an experimental version in a dhoti-skirt that could well have been a dupatta wrapped innovatively around the model's waist, Rahul Mishra used Maheshwari sarees to create wispy wrap-around dresses held together by traditional border belts.

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