Fashionably young

Actress Alia Bhatt in Student Of The Year turned college fashion into something extremely desirable. Dark lipsticks, shorts and oversized bags in pop colours became quite the rage with young girls soon after the film hit the screens. But it’s not exactly possible to dress up like Alia and go to college, now, is it? It’s a universal truth that films aren’t always the best source of inspiration when it comes to dressing up for practical purposes.



This is where fashion designer Anu Nagappa comes in. She gives some user-friendly ideas to help girls in their 20s dress better. And one of them, even though it sounds a little predictable, is a pair of jeans and a few tees in bright colours. “The Indian skin tone, which is mostly wheatish, can carry brighter colours really well,” Anu says, adding, “Along with that kurtis in basic colours such as white, black and brown always come handy; they can be teamed with churidars, patialas and even jeans.

Accessories are crucial when it comes to such outfits and one can play around when it comes to adding layers to your overall appearance.” Considering that a girl in her 20s might also need to attend job interviews, go to parties and various other social occasions, a smart wardrobe is a must. “Apart from jeans, a pair of trousers, a well-fitted shirt, a dress, a good handbag and a pair of good shoes are a must,” Anu adds.



The essential things to remember while picking out outfits, as Anu points out, are the cuts and the colours. According to the designer, the early 20s are ideal for all kinds of fashion experiments. It is, as she puts it, “a stage when one can choose to dress either like a teenager or someone slightly older and carry off both with ease.”

She further adds that for a girl’s day-out, one can just wear a pair of shorts (if it’s nice and warm outside) with a T-shirt or a nice short cotton dress; for a party, a cocktail dress and for formal occasions, a sari or a dressy salwar kurta works just fine.

Then comes the question of replenishing one’s wardrobe; how does one go about including things in one’s collection. “One should always include different kinds of clothes, so that she never runs out of options, no matter what the situation is. “Having an assortment of both Indian as well as Western wear is a good idea. Stacking up on outfits in earthy fabrics in neutral colours, eases the problem of finding the perfect outfit for the occasion,” says Anu. She further adds, “For those who like experimenting, fusion clothes (Indian fabrics in westernised cuts) can come to the rescue.”

Before ending the session on lessons in fashion, we couldn’t help but ask the designer for some serious advice — how does a 20-something avoid becoming a victim to fashion trends? There’s always that temptation to wear what’s in or on the big screen. “The first thing to do is be confident in whatever you wear. A good pair of shoes and a handbag always does the trick. And the way the famous Yves Saint-Laurent had remarked, have “expression, modesty, sex appeal and simplicity,” she ends.