Fashion: A knotty affair

Staying sweat-proof during Mumbai’s scorching summer is a feat to achieve. But what if you could step out in loose, comfy outfits and stay chic at the same time?

Well, our Bollywood lasses seem to be doing just that, stepping out in anti-fit cotton shirts, knotting them up over their outfits. The boho-grunge effect is almost immediate. This season’s knotted shirts come readymade, with the knots in place. Whether it’s actress Sonakshi Sinha’s knotted tee over a fitted yellow tee or actress Karisma Kapoor’s twist to the original knotted shirt,  retro is taking over high street fashion in a big way.

Fashion designer Pria Kataria Puri feels that it’s a very functional trend. “I’m doing it myself. Throw on a shirt over, in bright colours like electric blue or yellow, team it with dresses or t-shirts… it looks really nice,” says Pria adding that it is a practical trend.

“It’ll be great for summer. But remembernot to show your navel unless you’re on the beach. Don’t go baring the midriff at a party, a mall, or lunch. It may end up looking trashy. It’s a very Bollywood trend, so don’t go overboard with the knotted shirt.”

Fashion designer Gayatri Khanna doesn’t find this trend to be very classy. “Personally, I don’t like it too much. It’s a style coming from the West — both high-end and high street do it. Here, the style is copied. I don’t think it’s fit for our Indian body types. You’re accentuating a part of the body that, in general,doesn’t look great unless you have a supermodel figure.”

However, if one is confident enough to carry off the latest knotted shirts with elan, one shouldn’t be afraid to experiment. Says designer Rimi Nayak, “Anti-fit, loose outfits are very in at the moment. Knotted shirts give the summery effect. It looks nice, it’s casual and it’s comfortable in summer. Accessorise with a nice bag, bright flip-flops and you’re good to go!”