Slit Wide Open

A few months ago, Natasha Poonawalla made an appearance in an Emilio Pucci yellow dress, which had a cut-out detail at the waist. At the recently concluded IIFA awards, Lisa Haydon and Huma Qureshi showed up in gowns and jumpsuits which were cut at the side waist. Kalyani Saha, the big boss at Christian Dior Couture was seen in a poufy full-skirted dress from Raf Simon’s couture line recently which had slits at the waist. Even though the trend has been around for the last so many seasons, it refuses to die down thanks to the likes of designers like Shivan and Narresh, Gaurav Gupta and Payal Singhal including this element in their creations season after season. Internationally, designers Rosie Assoulin and Narciso Rodriguez have shown tops and dresses with cut-out details in their resort 2016 line. What is it about these design elements that makes our B-Town lasses and society ladies enter slit-ville? Let’s investigate... 

Sexy on the red carpet 
Since red carpet is all about grabbing the eyeballs, a femme fatale-ish evening dress with daring cut-out details is a nobrainer. Bollywood stylist Aastha Sharma says, “It adds glamorous, sexy elements into a red carpet look. However, I see it being a seasonal trend and not lasting for too long.”
Designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula share, “With exposed patches of skin at the bust, waist, and everywhere else, it’s clear that the cut-out is having its moment this season and with celebrities right from Kate Hudson and Kim Kardashian to Kangana Ranaut endorsing it, the trend is here to stay. Stars love this look for it’s a mix of sophistication and sexiness. It’s coy-yet-inviting at the same time.”

Will continue in Fall 
Designer Hema Kaul says, “Cut-out details were seen trending from the Spring of 2013 until the Spring of 2015 it’s been done way too much. Autumn Winter 2015 will definitely have it but I doubt Spring 2016. Since Spring 2013 cut-outs have been a rage on the red carpet, with exposed patches of skin on the chest, waist and everywhere else.”

Here to stay
Designer Karn Malhotra says, “Cut-outs are here to stay. We have seen several variations in the patterns. The technique gives designers the opportunity to explore various dimensions and style to make an outfit appealing and sexy. There is still scope to explore.”

Adds drama to an outfit
The peek-a-boo at the right areas adds drama to the outfit. You can flaunt the abs you have been working so hard on. 
Sana and Sulakshana of The Circus say, “The trend reveals skin in a subtle yet interesting way. This trend is here to stay because of its subtle seductiveness. Cut-outs make an outfit interesting. A pantsuit with cut-outs on the side of the blazer is androgynous and feminine at the same time.”
Internationally, actresses like Jennifer Lawrence, Betty White and Miranda Kerr have been rocking them with poise on the red carpet. 
Designer Babita Malkani shares, “2014 was termed as the year of the cut-out dress and every year it’s gonna get more experimental. It’s a rage because a cut-out detail adds a hint of glamour to a simple dress, and a simple stomach cut-out can make one look lean and fit. Also, cut-outs in mesh, solid dresses or gowns like black or white adds to a super elegant look.”

Thin line between sexy and crass
The look is quite tricky and can border on being vulgar. Besides one has to be in excellent shape to pull this off. Designer Shruti Sancheti cautions, "There is a thin line between looking sexy or looking crass so one must be careful about the depth and number of cut-outs used, the idea should be exposing one part of the body or else cut-outs used in many places or huge cut-outs can make one look tawdry and highly vulgar. The other prerequisite is to be toned and expose parts which don't have love handles, muffin tops or cellulite and lastly the look has to be kept minimal and less ostentatious."

Accentuate femininity
Designer Kunal Tanna shares, "They accentuate the femininity of the silhouette making it even more bold and statement making and hence the obvious choice for majority of the red carpet ensembles. While selecting a cutout detailed ensemble one must most importantly consider their body structure, such that it enhances the one's personality and does not emphasis the wrong curves."

Designer Kanika Kedia adds, "It will be much easier for someone with a thinner waistline to carry off a stylish cut out gown/dress. Someone petite or someone with a thinner upper body will look more flattering than someone heavier on the bust. However, there are always smaller cutouts for those who like to experiment with stylish trends like these."

Here to stay
Designer Karn Malhotra says, "Cut-outs are here to stay. We have seen several variations in the patterns. The technique gives designers the opportunity to explore various dimensions and style to make an outfit appealing and sexy. There is still scope to explore."

Slimmer silhouette
Designer Pria Kataaria Puri says, "I think the reason it is a rage on the red carpet is because if the cut-out is done strategically and aesthetically, it gives you a slimmer silhouette, especially if the cut-out is near the waist area it gives an illusion of a similar waist."