Word on the street

Though not exactly right on top of the fashion revolution, what the youth wears on the streets affects the way retail businesses react to the market.

And with street fashion being a big part of the scene, know what to wear without sacrificing your sense of style

 Anitha Kholay, who dabbles with fashion and styling, believes that there doesn’t have to be a difference between clothing worn during the day and those worn when you’re going out at night. As long as one can pull off the look, everything goes.

Take the simple instance of clutches, once the must-have evening accessory. “Clutches now cater to any kind of look, even in the daylight,” points out Anitha.

So let’s start with the basics. And that of course means T-shirts first.

Tees that sport messages with double entendres have been taken over by the high street brands. And you get to see more of sporty tees, which, according to Anitha, look trendy.

She recommends bright colours and graphic prints too. You do get them everywhere around the city, so just step out and pick your pair.

The perfect pair of denims to pair with your trendy tees is also important. In Bangalore, skinny is in. Though international fashion has veered towards slightly more flared look, straight cuts and skinny fits hold the sway here. Our suggestion is to pick a cut that flatters your silhouette.

The next on the list are shoes. Now shoes do say a lot about a person. And Anitha’s recommendations are all for colourful pairs.

“It is cool to have yellow and orange shoes on,” she says. And she has nothing against other shades, as long as they make a statement in bright hues. Anitha also holds that people shouldn’t go by the demands of an occasion, but the comfort factor.

According to her, stilettos look nice on youngsters when they go out partying but that does not mean that such shoes should be restricted only for big occasions.

But before you pull off the edgy, yet clued-in look, think seriously about planning your wardrobe and shopping smart. Fashion designer Namrata G feels that we have to go a long way still before Bangalore can hold its ground when it comes to fashion.

It is not like Japan or China where street fashion absolutely defines fashion. There is a lot of mismatch in the ensembles that one gets to see on Bangalore’s streets, she feels. She has a simple suggestion: visualise your entire look before you shop and then co-ordinate your collection.

“You need to understand your style,” she says. There are many things to be taken into consideration — your attitude, your budget and so on,” she adds. And accessories, which do not clash with each other or with the clothes, are also important.

Her recommendation for the youth is to shop sensibly, according to the demands of their wardrobes. “Just because a mannequin is wearing something, you don’t have to blindly buy it, assuming that it is your style too,” she says.

afterhoursblr@dnaindia.net