Swirls of soft chiffon. Tulle and lace. Sharp linen sheaths. Bohemian block printed numbers. Cotton mul that softly clings offering sudden glimpses of flesh beneath.
Elegant. Classic. And oh so very feminine—dresses make a girl really feel like one.
And summer is one of the best time of the year for dresses. Toned arms, sun kissed shoulders, bare legs and beaches demand pretty little sundresses, clean non-fussy silhouettes, breathable fabrics and swatches of bright colour.
Priyanka Haridas of Pilgrim, a brand that designs and creates contemporary women’s clothing out of traditional fabrics agrees, “Dresses have always been a summer staple because they are effortlessly wearable, have a relaxed appeal and are easy to put on and accessorise depending on the occasion.” Designer Veda Raheja adds, “Dresses are perfect for the hot summers in India. This season will see a lot of florals and minimal prints. Fabrics like cotton and linen are perfect for the hot scorching summers. Light pastels with some bright hues are trends to watch out for this summer.”
Jayanti Bhattacharya, a city-based entrepreneur confesses that she simply loves dresses because, “It is no fuss, it is a complete outfit by itself and can be dressed up and down for each occasion,” she says adding, “I love maxis in summer. I am a 70’s girl at heart and there is nothing like a long, flowy, comfortable cotton dress to beat the summer heat.”
For fitness evangelist Pooja Bhatia Arora, an ACE certified trainer and founder of Fit Mermaid, dresses are also a great way to show off the curves she works so hard for, “Dresses make you look cool, sexy and great. And summer is a great time to show off a toned body. I love linens and cottons during summer. Noodle straps and calf length dresses are really girly.”
And while a fit body is always an asset of course, the not-so-fit among us need not despair. There is a dress to suit everybody—literally. “I cater to the real women, not ramp models,” says Kakoli Roy of Ethnique. “I think A line dresses best suit our bodies. The fit and cut is very important. And I always tell my clients it’s better to go one size bigger than one size smaller,” she says.
Veda says, “Dresses which are loose and flowy works for all ages and body types. Full length maxi dresses are perfect for anyone as long as they can carry it off with finesse. And of course personal style matters a lot while choosing your clothes.” And nothing expresses personal style as well as the accessories you choose to pair your dresses with. “I love pairing my dresses with a chunky neckpiece or throwing on a belt,” says Pooja. “A basic dress can be accessorised with chunky neck pieces, a light scarf or hat, good pair of sunglasses and comfortable footwear like gladiators or flip flops to create the perfect balanced look for the summers,” adds Veda, who feels, that creating a look defines who you are.
“I am a firm believer of less is more and I like to dress up the look with accessories. Your individual quirks are you and your style. A dress can be accentuated by a great pair of earrings or a stunning neckpiece. You could wear a contrast colour shoe and a matching cocktail ring. I hate matching bags and shoes—its so passé and predictable, no originality at all. After all, it is not required to dress fashionably or expensively but dress imaginatively! Know what best suits you and carry it off with élan and confidence,”says Kakoli. “I don’t follow any trends. I do what appeals to my sensibilities. As Yves Saint Laurent once famously said, “Fashion is transient but style is eternal.”
