Haute winter

Designers suggest warm shades for a cool season

WINTER brings along with it a fresh breeze of fashion trends. It’s time to dig into the cosy jackets, sport those vibrant sweaters, and show off the long boots. It might not be very cold, but, we still love to team up a bright coloured sweater with a simple formal shirt, and put on those jackets for the evening party. It’s fun and it’s stylish apart from giving you a break from the routine. Also, the colours, textures and designs of winter wear are simply tempting. Just like designer Debarun Mukherjee who loves his long coats and turtle neck sweaters. He says “Even though it’s not too cold in India to actually opt for these winter wear, I simply adore my coats and sweaters. For me, it’s a smart option for a formal gathering. When teamed up with corduroys or Italian fit trousers they look great on men. For a casual look though, men could wear the evergreen ice-coloured denims and a bright coloured shirt. For girls, it could be a mid length skirt with tight fit jacket or a dried coloured shirt with multi-coloured scarf or muffler. Half sleeve jackets too look great on women.”

Winter is the season to experiment with colours and designs. You can try different stuff, mix and match fabrics and colours to give it an edgy touch. Designer Smriti Gupta suggests, “Make it funky and add the quirky element to your wear. People want to wear something that is comfortable and stylish.” Talking about her latest collection she says, “I have used embellishments and lots of geometric shapes including circles, checks and stripes. A constructed look is definitely not ‘in’. Opt for drapes.

Winter calls for more layers, and it’s also a great time to look good while getting all covered up. Designer Purvi Doshi says, “Winters are all about layering of the garments. Coats with falling lapels, capes and hoods are nice options for you protect yourself from the chill.” Those into Indian wear, she says, can opt for blouses with a hood and fabrics like gajji, raw silks and brocades that are not only classy but comfortable as well. For designer Vikramjit Choudhury, winter wear means a structured look, interesting buttons for jackets and zipper details.

On similar lines designer Sanjay Hingu suggests, “The silhouette this winter is going to be close fits for men. Europe has seen this trend for the longest time now, and we seem to be slowly embracing that change too. Bomber jackets, cardigans, close-fit jackets and even hoods for that matter will be seen in a new avatar.” Don those warm tones for a cool look is what the designers are suggesting. The ‘haute’ colours this season are dark shades. Vikramjit feels, “Shades like burgundy, navy blue, military green are good for evening wear. Daytime colours are beige and powder blue, which give you a fresh look.”

The designers are bang on with colours like charcoal black, greys, turquoise blue, chocolate brown, and aubergines. Designer Arpan Vohra feels, “Considering it’s winter, there is a burst of colours. Purple, fuchsia and even bright orange are the colours for the season.”

Gloves, mufflers, jackets, sweaters and shawls, stock up on all things stylish and trendy for this winter. As designer Arjun Saluja states, “Keep it chic and sleek. Winters are all about power dressing!” So wrap up and keep warm this winter season.