Hot, hotter, hottest!
While the rules of the game have changed, the game certainly hasn’t. Albeit indoors, summer fashion is as much the talk of the town as it would be usually
Published in: The Times of India
Date: 27/04/2017
Written by: Divya Menon
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Every true blue Chennaiite knows that hot is the only true season that the city has. Although we’ve had a few unexpected showers in the past few weeks, the weather is back to its sultry best once again, and is expected to stay that way for some time to come.
The baking heat combined with the pandemic holding us hostage indoors, many would say that things like fashion and style have taken a back seat. But in fact, that is not at all the case. Many Chennaiites have been taking this time to rethink their fashion choices and make their style work for the current situation. “I used to be the kind of person who had separate wardrobes for home, casual settings and work. And I was so used to that concept that often, I could not bring myself to relax and hang out while I was still in work clothes. The past year has seen those silly concepts fly right out the window. I have been forced to rethink my wardrobe entirely. Ever since working from home became the norm, I have made sure that all my day clothes are semi-formal, presentable and yet as comfortable as they come. This transition did not come easy. I made quite a few wrong choices and only over the last few months have I found a style that suits my personality. The comfort I need, blended with a style that is completely me, no matter the role I have to play, that is what my work wear is all about now,” says Amrita Vaid, a businesswoman.
This is not a singular sentiment. Women across the country have been reconsidering their fashion choices based on their current needs. The way we dress has changed drastically in the last one year. While earlier, even while working from home women would dress up the way they would while going to office, over time they realised that this was not feasible. One needed to be comfortable as well as presentable if one was expected to be productive at home. The fashion world needed to up their game and it did. “In the beginning, many people resorted to gym wear combined with a few accessories to make them feel comfortable and still look professional. But as the months passed, more and more people started looking for clothes that would not only provide ease of movement but also look and feel classy on their own. With weather like Chennai’s, most trends have indicated a heavy leaning towards flowing silhouettes. Lounge wear has seen a spike like never before. Also, a huge chunk of people have been exploring Indian fabric, designs and cuts, since they are mostly comfortable, look smart and breathe easy. Loose kurtas and airy skirts have been as popular as palazzo pants and flowy shrugs in the past year,” Kavita Sadhya, a Chennai-based stylist. With online sales encouraging people to make purchases constantly, many people have also been using this time as an opportunity to stock up their wardrobe with the things they felt it lacked.
Payal Andhariya, a marketing professional for a footwear brand, has recently realised the power of accessorising. “I have always considered myself a well-dressed person. But somehow, accessories have never been my thing. It is funny that it was only during the lockdown that I realised what a game changer they can be. When it comes to work, impromptu meetings are the norm. This usually does not give one the time and to get dressed up and become presentable within a few minutes. Accessories can help change the whole look in a few seconds. For such occasions I now like to keep a few accessories handy around my work space. A smart shrug or an embroidered stole paired with my favourite pair of dangly earrings and I’m good to go for any kind of meeting. Also, it gives me the freedom to wear more comfortable clothes, without having to worry about whether I am looking presentable,” she says.
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