Tulle great lengths

Once reserved for ballerinas and brides, tulle is poised for an edgier comeback, a fashion designer says

From Emily in Paris to the recent revival of Sex and the City, shows featuring fashion-forward leads have all focused heavily on tulle skirts and dresses. But before you brush this fabric off as princess couture, think again — “As a fabric, tulle is quite versatile and lends itself to dresses, tops and skirts quite well. This season, we’ve seen an explosion of mid-length tulle skirts on runways across the world. In fact, they’re essaying a pivotal role in the rise of the edgy-feminine look, which is replacing the sports-feminine aesthetic that was popularised by athleisure. Also, given the increased focus on skin in spring/summer, tulle tops are gaining in popularity as well,” shares fashion designer Sanjana Bubber.

An edgier interpretation 

For streetwear, Bubber recommends pairing a tulle skirt with a crop top and a leather jacket, or an oversized sweater and boots. This, she says, takes away some of the ballerina-like appeal of tulle. Another great way to wear a tulle skirt is with a crisp white shirt and a denim jacket. “Many designers are veering towards tulle gowns and formal dresses with a metallic sheen, which works very well for an after-hours evening look, when worn with a statement necklace,” adds Bubber. 

Sanjana Bubber

The right palette  

When worn in bright colours, tulle can look quite tacky. It’s important to stick to pastel hues, such as light blue, champagne, ginger, pistachio or even Pantone’s colour of the year — very peri. Another great way to wear tulle is to combine it with embellishments such as sequins (another hot trend for 2022), embroidery or applique, explains Bubber. For instance, you could wear a ruffled and embellished tulle top with a bustier or a strappy camisole, with ripped jeans or trousers. Internationally, tulle skirts are being worn as an extra layer over trousers or jeans, which add a slight feminine touch to the overall look without coming across as too flouncy. 

Styling eveningwear 

“Ever since Priyanka Chopra wore a dramatic tulle train to her wedding, the fabric has been making its presence felt in bridal couture looks as well. In India, we typically use more organza, which has a similar look, but is stiffer and holds its shape better. Tulle is more diaphanous and ephemeral, and tulle lehengas are now being preferred by brides who want a softer, dreamier look for their big day,” Bubber concludes.

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