fabric wardrobe

GIVE YOUR WARDROBE A DESIGNER LOOK:
Umpteen options on what to wear and yet be really comfortable when the days get hot and the nights turn warm. In fabrics, pure cotton (the organic type is even better) is the best choice but Nachiket Barve has used cambric, organza, voile, raw silk, lurex, and shot silk for his creations, with two fabrics layered over each other.

FOR HIM
Don't get hot under the collar but select fabrics that help you keep your cool. Wear linen in pastel colours for corporate shirts. If work demands that jackets are mandatory, then choose a short cotton one with two buttons and a slightly fitted silhouette, in vogue globally. Trousers for summer vary jeans, cargoes, chinos or just formal pants. They are mainly flat front and slim fit this season in colours like beige, white, brown, grey, pale blue.

For some relaxed lounging, nothing can beat capris or bermudas. Designer like Kunal Rawal have them in solid colours, checks or stripes. What is making news for men are the season's most popular Jodhpuri pants or the dhoti trousers. These are a fashionable mix of the east and west and have been a big hit on runways in the west too. The Jodhpuri pants are rather versatile. They go well with shirts, blousons and western jackets as well as bundgala jackets.

Of course, for really cool options nothing can beat the kurta in white mul with a pair of blue jeans or cotton churidars/pyjamas. Ethnic wear is probably the most comfortable during summer.

FOR HER:
When it comes to summer wear for women, the sky is the limit and designers work overtime to launch their latest styles for the hot humid months. The trends on top of the fashion charts this summer are fluid shapes in sheer fabrics. Urvashi Kaur has layered chiffon and georgette dresses in pastel shades with a French inspiration while floral prints are in the forefront for women's wear. Raakesh Agarvwal has a line of lovely chiffon-draped gowns and dresses in pastel tones of pale blue, pink, lemon for evening wear.

For casual wear, tees are the first choice, preferably in funky prints. Go for tights orleggings in pastel colours teamed with oversized shirts or wide leg trousers that are cool and comfortable to wear.

Designers are using a lot of craft this summer, giving traditional embroidery techniques a modem touch. Ikat was turned into a more interesting contemporary design by Anand Kabra along with kalamkari. Kantha is delicate and ideal for summer dresses. Block prints in earthy tones are used by the Ekru label and chikankari embroidery looks ethereal in tone-on-tone shades as used by Rahul and Firdos in a seamless technique.

Geometric silhouettes work really well in hot months. So asymmetric skirts, tops, and dresses which allow the fabrics to drape the body are going to be popular on store racks.

While dresses and skirts move from mini to maxi lengths and sheer covers over halter tops are right for summer evenings, ethnic wear for women has a distinct Indian touch with the kurta turning into a majestic flowing angarkha with metres of sheer fabrics like mul, chiffon or georgette swirling around. The look is ideally teamed with chundars or loose palazzos. The 'A' line, trapeze or smock style kurtas with discreet embroidery or painting are also hot selling items for summer.

Flowing tiered frilled long gypsy skirts are favourites for summer too. The dhoti has inspired pants and skirts in women's wear and surprisingly, the inspiration looks great for the latter version.

Presentation at WIFW had sleek dresses in pure white with touches of geometric floral motifs in neon colours. Designers Ashima and Leena present kaftans that are great for summer—feminine, cool and regal in appearance. Corsets are perfect for day as well as evening wear and Vikram Phadnis gave his version with delicate embroidery and bead work at WTFW.

Tunic dresses make a great fashion statement which Tarun Tahiliani has created in macrame. The shift dress is another good choice with outwork and in linen with hints of embellishments. Ranna Gill has pretty pastel shades.

A fabric that is ideal for summer is khadi designers like Agnimitra Paul and Soumitra Mondal have used it with traditional craft like kantha for a fresh delicate look and are promoting it in a big way this year. Khadi's relaxed weave is a cooling choice for hot summer days.