Uber cool to flaunt a cold-shoulder'
The cold-shoulder trend was born over a decade ago, somewhere in the 1950s or 60s. The zeal to sport it started when French actress Brigitte Bardot made it her go to look. The cold-should dress gives a peek-a-boo effect which allows you to show a skin without looking tacky. For ladies who love showing of their curves, the cold-shoulder dress has a very feminine feel to it and creates beautiful silhouettes. It has evolved this year as we got to see cold shoulder dress with spaghetti straps and much more.
“It’s a sexy summer look and off shoulder looks are always popular as they make a girl look like she’s got a lovely swan’s neck,” begins designer Prasad Bidapa who stresses that it is important to keep the shoulders gleaming with a good body scrub and rich moisturiser.
Designer Mansi Bihani feels that it is a step up from the stereotypical dress that is dull and boring. “The cold-shoulder dress, with its graceful cut-outs but maximum coverage- is a great update on a basic dress and a winning style as it make people look glamorous within the limits of modesty.”
Adding volume to the sleeve is what designer Deepta Raghunath suggests. She says, “Ruffles bell sleeves and boxy fit and volume is in these days and any dress with these elements would enhance the styling and go apt for summer.”
Fashion is all about what’s new, trends become boring if they are not experimented with. Prasad says that this year cold shoulder dresses are moving towards heritage textiles like Khadi and Handwoven masterpieces. He further adds, “The Indian consumer has realised that what India has in Handloom is unique, we are the only nation in the world to possess these arts in such numbers and varieties.”
Like every other trend we have seen till now there are a few things that one must keep in mind while wearing cold-shoulders dresses. Designer Seema Malhotra says, “For people who are on the heavier side with heavy shoulders, the slit should be taken slightly lower. This works better than having the full shoulder exposed.” She stresses on the fact that the tone of the dress should be kept plain with a little embellishment near the shoulder cuts. Deepta advises that we stick to dainty prints and textures rather than going overboard with it.
She further adds, “Avoid going for bold colours and bold prints, try to balance it and this summer is about pastels and powder blues and peaches and lavender and cooling shades are in, so try to stick to pastels.” Pay attention to the neck while accessorising is what Seema suggests. She prefers to wear a dressy chocker necklace thereby accentuating the cold-shoulder even more. Its very important to let the shoulder do the talking! Mansi adds, “Team a pastel hued dress with nude shoes and bag, soft make up, pearl accessories and you are set.”