Summer’s Staples

We ordered drinks (the sultry weather dictated superb citrus coolers and Bellinis only) and began to survey the scene. By the bar were several “Bombabes” — to borrow from Malini Ramani — each one out to prove that Delhi may be the fashion capital of the country,but Mumbai is still the capital of chic. A single-shoulder jumpsuit was an instant eye-catcher. Very Balmain and very Chrissie Hynde. Ponytails were seen on almost everybody — not the wispy off-side romantic sort but a slick,confident sling-back of an equestrian tail. Red shorts with a biker jacket provoked much debate: for me it was a sure-shot Suzi Quatro winner,but the conservatives no-noed the shorts-at-night look.

Then we made a list of summer staples,clothes and styles that would take us through the hot ensuing months. (I am serious,girls do stuff like this.)

The Rebel,as portrayed by Hynde and Quatro,is everywhere and to be devoured. Rocker T-shirts and light biker jackets,clean jeans and chunky jewellery set the mood for rule-breaking. Colours and prints always announce summer is here. Pull out the abstracts,geometrics and florals — the season can’t have enough of them. A personal favourite is Erdem’s leaf-print dress,but Stella McCartney’s citrus print top and skirt have so much humour. Missoni’s zigzags and Moschino’s florals are so easy on the eye.

Choose a bold solid colour that matches your skin tone and team it with contrasting accessories. Aki Narula styled Kareena Kapoor in this manner three years ago,but each summer brings it back. One of us wore a superb red silk shift dress with powder blue suede heels. I loved the look and complimented her all night.

Beautiful baubles always dress up a basic wardrobe. So even if you are in a white vest and brown shorts,think of chain-mail necklaces (rose gold is tres chic),a big brooch or a cotton flower in your hair to play with.

Shoes are the best way to show off your style quotient. While flip flops are all the rage (thankfully,none to be spotted at the bar that night),a sculpted heel says there’s no one more fashionable than you in the room. Tres Mode had a special line of these at the just-finished Mumbai fashion week,but Walter Steiger’s are a fashionista’s favourite.

An Indian summer may be a curse but mul mul is the only way to counter it. The softest cotton available to mankind is the only way to let your skin breathe through the stickiness.

My favourite haunt is Ahilya — two superb stores at opposite ends of Mumbai run by three trad-loving sisters — for soft chikankari blouses and dresses. But I’ve belatedly discovered Cottons where I shopped up a small wardrobe for the price of one Zara shirt. Cottons in Bandra (where else?) has the most delectable items for subcontinental weather — mul tunics teamed with Pakistani salwars,sheer cotton tops to wear with linen pants or shorts.

April may not be the cruelest month after all.namratanow@gmail.com