Marry plaids with prints for an unconventional and surprisingly refreshing combination. Be it eye-popping floral prints, optical geometric patterns or intricate pretty designs, mix with dainty schoolgirl plaids to large tartans. Stretch your style to the extreme.

How to: Shake off those gloomy, solid, colour separates from your winter wardrobe. Colours speak loud! Do not hesitate to pick up canary yellow, kumkum red or a psychedelic pink. Remember to keep the colours constant in your florals and checks, with minimum variation.

This unusual fusion works well with pleated skirts and ankle length, narrow pants, slightly high-waisted, reminiscent of the ’40s and the ’50s. Blouses with frills and fancies can work their way to your front drawer — the more ladylike the better. Throw on your crochet cardigan, consciously worn a wee bit oversized. Dior’s new floral bag is the perfect accessory to complete the look.

For the traditionally inclined, switch to a tartan churidar with a bright floral kurta or a pair of floral ankle length pants matched with a plaid kurta. A worn to death salwar kameez will never feel the same. Manish Arora’s checked kurtas with floral churidars are just what you are looking for. Take a look at Rajesh Pratap’s batik and block printed shirts and skirts, as well.

Go for it: Bandana Tewari, Preity Zinta, Vidya Malavade.

Collections: Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Sonali Mansingka, Anshu Arora Sen, Sabyasachi, Mango.