Not another Spring-Summer trend forecast please! If you have had even a peep-eye open for fashion (and we know you know what Aishwarya wore at Cannes!) then you are already sick of hearing about colour blocking. Every magazine, newspaper, tabloid and flyer in town has screamed from atop colour-clashing benches that you must forget all rules and go Govinda-style this season. Orange shirt with red pants and yellow shoes will not only make you fashionable but might also land you a post or two in your friendly neighbourhood style blog.
While you probably already know that; and you’re also familiar with the ‘budget’ options pitched by the lady mags, choosing a Rs. 10,000 trench coat over a Rs. 2,50,000 one would still not be easy. We know, we have been there too! So, we bring you real-budget versions of the prominent style trends on runways for the summer. Something that even we can afford!
It’s Still the biggest trend!
With our love for bright pinks, flaming oranges and fluorescent greens (a trend which started in the ’90s and is still around as net-ganjees on those in the transport business), mixing colour isn’t a big deal for us. But the colour-conscious West, which rarely dips into the crayon box, has gone hyper this season – with Louis Vuitton, Dior, Haider Ackermann and Gucci taunting us into making a splash. Coral with pink, orange with blue, green with pink and of course our favourite red and blue Superman/Wonder Woman combination.
Nothing is forbidden anymore and you needn’t go far to look for this trend either. Almost all high-street fashion brands have neatly arranged colour combinations for you to pick from, right down to the orange shoes. You don’t even have to stop at a mall, just be crafty and visit the dye-guy with old cottons. You’ll be painting the town, red, green, blue, orange and pink or whatever-a-rainbow-looks-like.
Forget the official preppy handbook
While we don’t recommend that you walk out of a Hollywood musical, we certainly think that it’s time to spend on looking good. And make sure it shows. It’s the season to be dandy but with a modern twist. Get that bowtie on. Pull out the half-sleeved shirts in Madras checks or ginghams, and pair them with cropped trousers or those with front pleats. Take cues from the elegance of the ’30s with refined sportswear, jackets with nipped waists and bright bold checks.
Refer to the looks that Salvatore Ferragamo, D&G and Costume National sent out on the runways. And even though a throw-back sweater on the shoulders might be too SRK circa 2000 (and it’s too hot right now!), you could pull it off by using a bright cardigan and chequered shirt. In the mood to experiment? Try teaming bright sports shoes with colourful socks. You’ll be the flame to many moths, we guarantee.
Get ready for a beach holiday
If khaki is the first thought on your mind, then kill it immediately. True, the military print ran longer than we imagined, but it’s over, for now at least. Embrace colour, bold or pastel, depending on your comfort, and seek tennis shorts. Keep the length just above the knees, no longer, no shorter and begin your experiments with linen if you haven’t already started. Even though designer Raf Simons would rather have you wear lush pink from head to toe, we empathise with your sanity and would recommend a visit to a Wills Lifestyle store for cheery options in pink, green or yellow. Like beach wear (NOT Baywatch!) and hiking gear mixed together with brighter, happier coloured suede shoes. 
Monkey Business at Prada
No, we haven’t received any free clothes from the brand and yes, we are still going to announce it as a trend. Just get online, if you haven’t seen it yet, and go through the spring/summer collection. We dare you to not say ‘crazy’ even once! Baroque prints, monkeys crawling on T-shirts, bananas spread out on dresses, colour-blocked flat-forms, conservative ’40s silhouettes, this was definitely the most-talked about collection of the season.
There was even speculation about whether it work at all. But as the more daring fashionistas wore it, it flew off the shelves, so much so that it became almost impossible to find as much as an original pair of shoes from the line. So, Mango brought out similar T-shirts (this pic) sans monkeys, along with the now famous banana print dresses. Grab them while they last and pair with a clean face or a subtle monochrome palette and yes, go bananas!
Get ready for a beach holiday
If khaki is the first thought on your mind, then kill it immediately. True, the military print ran longer than we imagined, but it’s over, for now at least. Embrace colour, bold or pastel, depending on your comfort, and seek tennis shorts. Keep the length just above the knees, no longer, no shorter and begin your experiments with linen if you haven’t already started. Even though designer Raf Simons would rather have you wear lush pink from head to toe, we empathise with your sanity and would recommend a visit to a Wills Lifestyle store for cheery options in pink, green or yellow. Like beach wear (NOT Baywatch!) and hiking gear mixed together with brighter, happier coloured suede shoes. Monkey Business at Prada
No, we haven’t received any free clothes from the brand and yes, we are still going to announce it as a trend. Just get online, if you haven’t seen it yet, and go through the spring/summer collection. We dare you to not say ‘crazy’ even once! Baroque prints, monkeys crawling on T-shirts, bananas spread out on dresses, colour-blocked flat-forms, conservative ’40s silhouettes, this was definitely the most-talked about collection of the season.
There was even speculation about whether it work at all. But as the more daring fashionistas wore it, it flew off the shelves, so much so that it became almost impossible to find as much as an original pair of shoes from the line. So, Mango brought out similar T-shirts (this pic) sans monkeys, along with the now famous banana print dresses. Grab them while they last and pair with a clean face or a subtle monochrome palette and yes, go bananas!
(Note: The prices accompanying these looks do not include accessories)
(Photos by Neal Kartik)
- From HT Brunch, May 29
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