Opt for Indian weaves and Western cuts: Tisca Chopra

The actress tells <i>DNA</.i> how Indian colours, weaves and fabrics can keep us stylish in summer.

1 If one is uncomfortable in what he or she is wearing, it shows! Clothes that make one happy always look nice. The only exception is high heels, they are not always comfortable but they don’t fail to add value to any outfit.

2 Nude coloured underwear under white and light coloured outfits are a must. Never wear white under garments under white, the outlines are clearly visible!

3 Volume looks good on only one part of the outfit so restrict it to either the top or the bottom. A blouse on top with harem pants will make one look like a character out of Ali Baba’s story.

4 Matching isn’t a great style statement to make; people who wear overly co-ordinated clothes look like they are trying too hard! An unusual combination always looks good like peach with grey, lemon with brown or a long kanjeevaram jacket with denims.

5 Wearing clothes from one’s mother or grandmother’s wardrobe is cool, you will never find workmanship like that anywhere and it’s all free! Wear all the vintage stuff in a modern way; I wear my mother’s old jadau ‘rani haar’ with jeans and a white shirt.

6 Indian women have a lovely complexion and they look even better with colour. Bright hues of saffron, vermillion, indigo and peacock blue look amazing on us, so one needs to experiment more with such colours.

7 We are the envy of the West because of our weaves; they are our treasure whether it is the Jamawaar, Kanjeevaram, Pashmina, khadi, mul and now Malkha. Western cuts in Indian weaves look stunning and cannot be found anywhere, not even at the best international design houses.

8 Wearing black at night is very boring, try white instead specially on warm summer evenings. Nothing beats a white and gold sari for a festive dinner.

9 Try something new each season; one tends to get stuck in a style rut. A new silhouette maybe dhoti pants or a very short kurta or a draped dress is great to change lanes. It will keep one looking fresh and exciting.

10 Personal style must always reflect one’s inner self, copying is the end of one’s own personality shining through.