Soothe with sorbet shades

Our sense of style is reflected by the things that we see around us; For summers, think ice creams, sorbet and chilled popsicles for some cool colour inspo and beat the heat. Soothing colours like strawberry pinks, peach, mint green, powder blue, berry maroon or mango yellow are instant mood lifters on a hot day, and when matched with colourful accessories they can be worn at any occasion. Go all out and experiment with colours is what the experts are saying this season.

Ditch the dark
While we all instinctively veer to dark berry tones and the ever easy black and navy for most seasons, sorbet colours and ice cream tones are best for the hot weather. Designer Payal Singhal believes the best way to pair them is with neutral shades. She says, “These delicate and cheerful shades make a bold statement. They are fresh and light for the summer and a great way to beat the heat. Wear flowing, lightweight fabrics that do not stick to your body. Silver and crystal embroideries work really well on these ice cream shades for an on-trend vintage vibe. Experiment with cool accessories in white and neutral shades to make the pastels pop.”

Set your own mood board
It’s time to think outside the box, innovation in fashion, and one can easily play dress up by mixing unique shades and fabrics to tell a beautiful story. Smart layering with hues of one shade or using a contrast of two pastels is an easy way to get a new look says designer Kanchan More Sabharwal. She says, “Sorbet shades can be paired with stripes, checks, prints, according to the silhouette of the dress. A solid colour dress can be worn with crop jacket or structured pants or as layers, let one colour take the lead and give the others a supporting role. These colours are the most important aspects of design and can help relieve stress, lower body temperature and make us feel more relaxed. Lavender, fantasy blue, pretty pink, mint green, yellow express positive emotions like harmony, peace, playfulness, and calmness.”

Mix and Match
For the Indian skin tones, soothing shades like mango yellow, peach and lilac are the perfect alternatives to everyday whites. Designer duo Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor love to use these colours for wedding wear and they mention, “We like to use these shades in a unique manner for lehengas and cocktail gowns, which is a hit among summer brides. One can get innovate by using these colours in their daily wear as well -- add a touch of watermelon to your white jeans for a fresh summery feel or a mix of mango and peach in a georgette fabric for an easy breezy feel. If you wish to push the boundaries, go for a boiler suit in candy floss pink with white kicks to finish the look.”

This colour palette works wonders for all age groups, and the soft colours can be paired with some bold hues to create interesting looks, opines designer Kanika Jain. She says, “Colours such as aqua teamed with ivories are a great combination to wear for summer or a blush pink with mint tones is great too. These colours worn in fabrics such as chanderi or cotton are a great option for summer to keep it breathable and light. I feel this trend is classic and timeless and even my mother wears some gorgeous pastel saris that are amazing options for women her age.”

More fun for men
Fabric differentiation when it comes to women’s or men’s wear is a thing of past, gender fluidity has certainly been adapted to this particular subject. Gone are the days when men would sport only colours like blues or blacks. Mellow yellow, tangerine, gold, mint green, bubble-gum pink, or even powder blue are good options to add a dash of colour to a man’s wardrobe, says menswear designer Rohit Kamra. “There never has been a better time for men to experiment with sorbet shades than this season. Menswear in India has evolved, and it is no more limited to staple colours, cuts, and fabrics. In terms of traditional wear, men can definitely experiment with yellow kurtas and mint green bandhgalas or blue sherwanis. If you’re going to have one piece that stands out, limit it to one. Don’t overdo the look. I suggest keep it simple,” sums up the designer.