From the plunging necklines and thigh-high slits, the ladies on the red carpet seem to have been injected with a dose of conservatism. From the mini-skirt loving Priyanka Chopra in a grey fitted sheath to cleavage-baring Mallika Sherawat in her orange knee-length dress, the top female actors are opting for secretary chic, over their usual styles.
Sonam Kapoor, never one to be caught in anything too revealing, is a torchbearer for this mature trend, keeping her version young and fresh with a bright canary yellow. Ask designer Narendra Kumar what the new trend is all about and he says, “This style is becoming increasingly popular because it compliments the Indian woman’s naturally hourglass figure well. You could attribute it to the Mad Men revolution, where the dressing style from the ’50s and ’60s has made a major comeback.”
Designer Sabah Khan attributes the ‘less is more’ philosophy to the Will-Kat royal wedding, saying, “The designs sported by the bride’s sister Pippa Middleton didn’t reveal any skin, but showed off her back and curves in a subtle fashion, which became a rage internationally. And now the socialites and actors are picking up on this trend, since it works for Indian women who have the perfect ratio of bust to waist to hip.”
Kumar adds that the new conservative hemline helps women who aren’t gifted with naturally shapely stems. “The knee length hides the flaws and accentuates the right curves,” he explains, adding, “The high waistline also lengthens the torso, and draws attention to a small waist. To break up the silhouette a little, you can add volume to the top with shoulder pads or a draped neckline.”
E-Paper
