’Tis the season to shine on
Despite the Omicron scare, it’s still the season that warms your heart and ushers in the festive cheer
To blend in the Christmas and holiday spirit, here’s a quick style-guide for all those who believe in looking sharp for winter parties and brunches lined up for the yearend festivities.
BEAT THE BLUES
Designer Saaksha Bhat from the label Saaksha & Kinni feels after almost two years of back-to-back lockdowns, restrictions and health scares, this Christmas is all about going glam.
“Let’s ditch the comfortable home clothes we’ve been living/working in and instead go all out to make a bold statement. It’s all about OTT prints, layers and embroidery because ‘go bold’ or ‘go home’! Bright, happy, festive colours like pinks, yellows and reds are our go-to picks for the season,” Saaksha says.
DON’T DULL YOUR SPARKLE
Winter evenings can get cold and gloomy, but holiday lights and festive mood make it a time for extravagant parties.
For Divya Aggarwal, creative director at Kazo, winter shenanigans are incomplete without trendy party outfits. She recommends investing in a fitted denim or leather skirt for a party.
“Sequin, mesh, PU leather for down jackets, lurex mesh for dresses, tweed fabric for skirts, and overcoats are some wardrobe essentials to uplift the holiday mood. One can also choose warm jacquards, polyesters and lurex knits for dresses, tops and jumpsuits that elevate your party wear to a whole new level. The sequin fur capes can be mingled with any mundane outfit, making it look exclusive and fashionable. Similarly, high-waist stretchy trousers can be paired with elegant tops and go well with sequin beadwork pullovers,” Divya says.
Christmas marks a sense of new hope, of new beginnings. Yuktie Jhangiani Verma, founder of clothing brand Kosha suggests picking an outfit that makes you happy.
“Christmas colours red and green with gold accents are trending more than ever before this season. It’s time to bring out your winter boots and trench coats to enjoy the evening chill or bonfire parties without care. Ensure to accessorize and play with gold. You can choose a shimmery eye shadow or a sequined top, a string of charms on your hand or even a gold handbag, nothing is too much, cause ’tis the season to be merry,” Yuktie states.
READY TO PARTY
It’s the time for the ultimate extravaganza and celebration when people like to dress up in glamorous outfits. While vibrant jewelled tones are a common choice for apparel, one can try something different with the monochromatic flow of the accessories and keep the hair tied with a gel finish, suggests designer Lipika Bhuyan of Larrarh Studio.
Her makeup advice is to go for face contour, white eyeliner and matching eyeshadow to vibe with the holiday mood. “Chic winter evenings of barbeque and drinks demand special attention — look glam in a red outfit, pair it with a white faux fur overcoat and accentuate your makeup with red lips, voluminous hair, and sequined hairclips,” she adds. “Add bling to the look with a luxe clutch and choose kneehigh boots in white leather for a sassy Christmas party look.” Divyata Rastogi, manager at Steve Madden, suggests investing in statement accessories for holidays and parties.
“For shoes, go for thigh-high boots, pumps, or comfy wedge heels,” states Divyata. “This season is all about spreading cheer, so a bit of bling can be incorporated with rhinestones, crystals and spike details in matching cross-body bags and shoes. A neon shoe with sparkling crystal details is a standout accessory that can go well with ensembles. Match it with subtle nude colours or solid winter tone ensembles to make it pop.”
“LET’S DITCH THE COMFORTABLE HOME CLOTHES. IT’S ALL ABOUT OTT PRINTS, LAYERS AND EMBROIDERY BECAUSE ‘GO BOLD’ OR ‘GO HOME’! BRIGHT, HAPPY, FESTIVE COLOURS LIKE PINKS, YELLOWS AND REDS ARE OUR GO-TO PICKS FOR THE SEASON,”
—SAAKSHA BHAT, designer