Nail the TEA!

The year-end is a great phase for hustlers and fashion mavens. And this season, the sartorial slogan is lucid: Keeping it simple and fuss-free. So what better time than now to pull out all those dresses and strut it like your favorite celeb? From fashionista Sonam Kapoor to global icon Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and Diana Penty to Sonakshi Sinha; everyone’s eyeing the tea! We get city-based fashion experts to lay down the rules...

“A tea-length dress is a versatile piece of garment that suits most body types. You can re-wear them on multiple occasions just by tweaking the styling a bit. Go for a casual look by throwing on a denim jacket over the tea-length dress and pairing it with a pair of chunky sneakers,” begins content creator Rinku Chatlani, who further adds, “Tea dresses are great brunch outfits. Accessorised well with layered but minimal jewelry and a good pair of pumps, they make for a great brunch ensemble.”

The essence of a tea-length dress is to be flowy and unstructured. Designer Brunda Gowda says, “Tea dress is the one with a hemline falling above the ankle and below the knee. In the fashion industry, they are also known by the name midi dress. It is usually contrasted with the summer dress or cocktail dress that has that midi length. The classic black tea-length dress is ideal for the days when you lack inspiration. This complete black outfit is great when you are not in the mood for colours.”

If you’re in the mood to spruce things up and make a statement, look no further than florals. Stylist Siddarth N says, “It’s all about the balancing act. Nothing more stellar than a woman who knows how to strike the perfect balance when pairing a sweet flower pattern and amping it up with a crop leather jacket. Choose flats, gladiators and nude stilettos for the best effect!”

With the festive season just around the corner, the rule-breakers can opt for this number during a fun daytime family gig. “If you like sequins, then I guess you would like to wear it all the time. Well, with this dress it is possible. It can be worn during the day, for some outdoor events like cocktail parties and day weddings. It is not too sparkly so don’t worry that you will look over-dressed for some event,” concludes Brunda.