Go frugal with fashion

Dressing well doesn’t have to be an expensive affair, and if you want to avoid overspending, it is essential to work with the right set of styles that are seamless and versatile. With the scorching heat waves coming our way, one needs to be smarter about picking the right outfit and make the best use of it.

According to style gurus, if you want to take a frugal approach towards fashion, try and invest in minimalistic outfits that are both- comfortable and chic. Narendra Kumar, creative director at Amazon Fashion, suggests, “For young fashionistas and working women, asymmetrical cuts work best. Instead of classic shirts, opt for cuts and silhouettes that have an edge. Pair them with checkered or striped pants for a refreshing break from the monotonous dressing. Avoid heavy prints if you want an all-seasons look. Pair them with oxfords or strapped heels for an in-vogue look. One versatile outfit for the wardrobe, denim shirt dress, can be worn as dresses or can be used for layering depending on your comfort and preference. Denim is also easiest to accessorise and can be worn for evening sundowners and morning brunches. They complement bling and matte accessories equally well.”

Make smart choices:

'While casuals can be styled into smart semi-formal with the help of a few clever ideas, one can also invest in quirky pieces that can be paired with multiple things and work well in different looks. Designer Masumi Mewawalla of Emblaze, says, “T-shirt dresses are a steal deal as they look uber chic and can be worn anywhere. You can pair it up with sneakers for a girls’ day out, or team it up with your favourite pumps and a flowy shrug with dainty jewellery for that perfect date-night look. Also, pant-suits and coat dresses are trends that we should all be thankful for. From parties to cocktails to boardroom meetings, you can never go wrong with them. The pant-suit trend is one to swear by, no matter what the occasion is. Wear your pastel colour pant-suit with a dark, solid-colour shirt or high-neck to look polished and uber stylish in your next boardroom meeting. Replace the shirt with a tube crop-top for that perfect date night look. Let go of the inners and button-up your pant-suit for that confident, boss-lady look that is hot, yet classy and turns heads wherever you go.”

Shades that don’t fade:

While choosing a versatile colour palette, think of soothing shades that are evergreen in all seasons. Talking about the colour trends for Spring-Summer 2019, designer Nikasha points out nudes, beige, earthy brown and khaki shades are extremely prominent for this season. She says, “To get along the entire look, khaki can be paired with colourful prints. If you are going to wear a full nude coloured look, carry accessories with antique silver or gold accents to really bring out the tone." To which, designer Abhinav Mishra adds, “From office look to elaborate evening dresses, the nude-toned colour is the latest trend. My idea of everyday look this summer season is shades of light brown, nude, khaki outfits to which one can add accessories of lighter shades like blush pink scarf which can make it look very fresh.”

Accessories on point:

It is definitely recommended that accessorising in summer should be minimal yet vivacious. Be unafraid to colour block with funky sling bags, wedges and easy-going flats. For eveningwear, a pop of neon won’t hurt either. Crop tops paired with wide-legged pants and jumpsuits are a great pick this season as you can wear them at work as well as to a get-together. Add a few pieces of statement jewellery and you are good to go from day to date. Shimul Shah, the co-founder of B:Kind Clothing, recommends, “A shrug is an ideal option as they work in all the seasons and can be styled in many ways. You can also wear a waist-belt on a long summery jacket to create a different look each time. Currently, prints are in vogue, so go for printed long capes, shrugs and jackets and match them with solid coloured tops and dresses. Invest in tunics, camisole tops and beautiful scarves that can be mixed and matched with different pieces.”