Wear and not Tear

Second Commandment: Labels can make statements,but too many would label you an arriviste. “Don’t wear too many labels at once and never opt for fake labels. It totally spoils the effect,” says designer Nachiket Barve,who is fast making inroads into the wardrobes of India’s rich and famous.

Third Commandment: Not all trends are for you. “A trend to avoid this season would definitely be big,padded shoulders. Internationally,it’s a big thing right now,but it doesn’t work in the Indian context,” says Barve. Gupta agrees and says,like a contrarian,that you go for anti-fits: “Fashion emphasises too much on fits,but it does not suit every body type. Go for something easier if it flatters your silhouette. Anti-fits are amazing,and contrary to popular belief,they do not make you look like a tent.” Clothes can be anti-fit,but you better be fit,says designer Prashant Verma as an aside. “That’s the biggest fashion faux pas one can commit. It spoils everything,” he says.

Fourth Commandment: Let go of Lycra. Designer Asmita Marwah cringes every time she sees someone don a pair of Lycra tights. “Everywhere else in the world,shiny Lycra tights have been discarded in favour of the trendier ruched trousers or cotton churi pants. But,in India,for some reason,people are still inordinately fond of it. It’s time they modified their wardrobe,” she says.

Fifth Commandment: Do not commit gladiator overkill. One of the common mistakes,says shoe designer Swati Mehrotra,is to team heavily embellished shoes with equally ornate outfits. A case,in point,she says,is the rage of the season,gladiators. “Simple gladiators work beautifully with dressy outfits,but the moment you trade it for one with too many things going on,it kills both the outfit and the shoes. Opt for one with less buckles and embellishments and you are bound to make heads turn,” says Mehrotra.