FAVORITE HUES FOR SPRING SEASON!
By KIRAN BAHL
The month of spring is here, and finally! The birds, the bees, the trees – all are renewed with positive energy, peace and love. Also, unity is diversity. Cultures and fashion, both eastern and western, are melting together in one glamorous pot. Let’s reflect the happiness in our wardrobes too!
Pastels, Pretty But Sleek
Baby pink has been chosen as a favorite hue this spring. To modernize and rejuvenate the color a bit, silvers and grays paired with the shade looks almost pretty and powerful. A baby pink sari with gray or even white embroidery is just perfect with silver bangles and large dangling silver earrings. Inverse with a gray anarkali contrasted with pink and crystal jewelry. Pink heels would be the icing to the look!
Baby blue, also, is a predicted hit color of the season. Wear with the traditional silvery shades, like the pink looks. To amplify your look further and keep with the retro feel (think the movie “Gunday’s” saris with Priyanka Chopra), wear gold hoops and gold bangle cuffs/kadas with a sky blue sari. Or, try an aqua net/chiffon salwar kameez with gold sequin work.
Brights, But Not Too Loud
We are who we are, and color is who we are! Hot pinks, greens and oranges are in our saris. Yellows, reds and blues are in our suits. Even our jewelry doesn’t stop at gold and diamonds. We want the rubies, emeralds and sapphires – more is more! How fearful, however, I’ve become seeing beautiful women wear bright colors on top of more colors, and more colors. Some tips to follow below:
Neon shades are beautiful, especially on desi skin tones. A hot pink sari is gorgeous with a white sari blouse and green sequin work. Add silver heels and some jewelry, and your outfit is complete! What to avoid? Too much. Too much can mean adding more color. Red lips instead of neutral or light pink ones will add unnecessary color. Too much can also mean adding more everything. Mixing gold heels with only silver jewelry or putting your hair up in a bun decorated with a pink hairclip or green crystals allover is, yes, way overdone.
Multi-color outfits can be tricky as some girls go wild with ‘over-color’ outfits. Lenghas in trend now are of course multi-color. A lime green lengha with a yellow and turquoise choli is pretty with a purple dupatta. The look becomes messy when also wanting to add hot pink lipstick and orange heels. And further sloppier when layering jewelry dripping with emerald green and ruby red shades. Maintain neutral grounds with all jewelry, accessories and makeup when showing off beautiful multiple shades.
All White, It’s Just Right!
White looks grand on absolutely everybody. Light or dark, tall or short, white is just right. And no matter what, white isn’t a ‘fattening’ shade as sometimes thought. When worn correctly, it’s a flattering shade!
An all-white sari is stunning. Embellishing it with gold embroidery, even on net choli sleeves elevates your status to very Bollywood, very superstar. Sandals and jewelry should be neutral and minimal though. A white anarkali with crystal work will leave you looking like royalty, but make sure it is of longer length or drop-down waist. A baby doll flare or knee length look might look a bit larger around your hip area, and that is something we never want!
Enjoy the new season with the warmer temperatures, the longer days, and the renewed color all around. Most importantly, enjoy each other with respect, serenity and care. And as always, remember to ‘gro with style’!
Kiran Bahl of Gro Styles, “An Indian Boutique” in Tampa, Orlando and Sunrise, can be reached at (813) 843-9040, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/grostyles