Wearing runway clothes or designer labels won’t make you straight away fashionable. A big part depends on your comfort, your attitude and the fact that whether you’ll be able to carry a certain dress or not.
By Shahida Khan
Looking good and feeling great has become almost a cliché in fashion circles. From fashion writers and dress designers to models and boutique owners, everybody seems to be mouthing this mantra without explaining how to go about it. Well, for starters, we all know that a great cut for design does not automatically make for style unless accompanied by attitude and comfort.
It should fit in with your personality and lifestyle. You should be wearing the dress and not, as so often it is, the other way around. But what do you do when your heart falls for an outfit, that looks dashing on a model, or perhaps your friend and you know deep inside that it would not be the same on you? How do you add that personal touch, a special something that could make all the difference?
First and foremost, you have got to understand that elegance, beauty and style are no longer the preserve of the rich and famous. Your clothing is an instrument to make people conscious of your presence.
Secondly, a natural ally to your belief is the realization that how you feel will always show in what you wear. If you are feeling down, even the trendiest and most glamorous outfit will not lift your spirits.
Finally, the wearer is the final arbiter on what is right and what is wrong. No matter what the world has to say, if you are not comfortable in a sari or, say, in a kimono, there is little anybody can do about it unless you are willing to experiment. This is why you must know your mind before venturing into anything that is high fashion. You need to choose your fabric, the colors, cut and silhouette knowing well what best complements your complexion, figure and personality.
Should you be on the plump side, you will have realized that black is a better option than white. For the slim and long limbed, the reverse is true. Those with a light brown complexion look better in brown shades of make-up rather than pinks and purples. As far as colors go, beige is a happening option these days. It works universally with all skin tones and on most occasions. The fusion look is the most popular across the world.
An outfit with too many details looks terrible. You cannot combine an ornate top, including multi-colored threads with trousers, including too many pockets and flaps. Keep your dressing understated and chic. When it comes to elegance, nothing can match the timeless appeal of a sari. Whenever in doubt, pitch for this five-and-a-half-meter drape, which suits every body type and can be worn on almost any occasion except on the beach.
So wear well. Just as what your mother wore in her youth has become the latest look, your daughter will value your designs when she grows up.
