The coming season’s muted palette sees dresses vie with more masculine lines to create a delightful variety of fashion options. Plush knits, cottons, silks and laces with gleaming heels add to the fresh new look of spring!

The Concoction: Power ’N’ Seduction

Spring’s fresh take on androgynous dressing is all about adopting a masculine silhouette and paring it down with loads of girlish oomph. Indulge in unusual combinations – pinstripes with pompoms, leather with lace, structured tailoring with drapes.

Styling Mantras

• Must-haves for this season are smart, knee length, boy shorts (a refined version of Bermudas) in solid blacks, whites and neutrals. Couple them with jewel coloured empire waist tops with lots of kalis in varied tones to add feminine flare.

• Try a teal or khaki kantha-embroidered pantsuit – fitted jacket with a portrait collar and drainpipes. Add a charming twist with a tie-up ruffled blouson and pretty embroidered stilettos.

• A stiff organdie shirt with rolled up cuffs can be tucked into a pleated mini with a crochet embroidered waistband. Go all white and add a sparkling Swarovski brooch belt. Metallic pumps would complement this ensemble perfectly.

• A long and sleek style for after dark parties is the way to go. Look très chic in a velvet, peacock hued, skirt suit and wear nothing under the jacket...except for a dangling multiple string diamond necklace!

Go for it: Nina Manuel, Tanishaa, Priyanka Chopra.

Collections: Narendra Kumar Ahmed, JJ Valaya, Paul Smith, Roland Mouret.

Stella McCartney

Narciso Rodriguez

Dolce & Gabbana

Abraham & Thakore

Rajesh Pratap Singh

Ashish N Soni

Deepika Gehani

The Spring Essential: Dresses, Dresses And More Dresses

‘Feel like a woman. Wear a dress’. – Diane Von Furstenberg. Dutiful fashionistas are packing maximum style by wearing dresses once again, but this time around, it’s all about layering with interesting separates.

Styling Mantras

• Step out in a puff sleeved printed poplin bolero worn over a just-below-the-knee shift dress in simple hakoba fabric with a bubbled hem. Diamanté-studded, big dial watches are great accessories with this semi-sporty look.

• Opt for similar dresses in softer fabrics with khari prints flaring waist down to calf length. Build on detail by wearing a flimsy chiffon skirt a few inches longer than the dress to create a contrasting layer.

• Simple sheaths and tunics in silks or knits provide a stylish take on today’s mature sobriety. And it’s easy to lift them up for a night out with a long chiffon trench – choose one with a jewelled closure for some shimmer.

• Wrap dresses in printed cottons look extremely sophisticated. Tie a velvet ribbon to draw attention to a slender nipped-in waist.

Go for it: Shivani Kapur, Dia Mirza, Yana Gupta.

Collections: Cue, Sonali Mansingka, Kenneth Cole, Nicole Miller.

Moschino

Manish Arora

Mandira Wirk

Narendra Kumar Ahmed

Mango

Narciso Rodriguez

Ashish N Soni

The Current Fixation: Ornate Feet

How can we not fall in love with those velvet pumps, snake skin t-bars and embroidered espadrilles? Dolled up feet will continue to be spring’s fashion favourite and we do have a lavish spread to choose from!

Styling Mantras

• Contrast your shoes and clothes. Go for mile-high richly woven beaded platforms in sunflower yellow with an all white ensemble for a dash of colour.

• Pretty bows and rosettes on knee high boots lend a soft touch. Don them with satin skirts or casually tuck your jeans into them to instantly glamorise your attire.

• A carefree daywear option would be flat Roman sandals with printed tie-ups over a muted pair of leggings. Pointy mojris in rich shades, embellished with gothic details also make for a good choice.

• Be bold and daring in a pair of gold, art deco style wedges or choose from an elaborate selection of soles and heels with op-art prints, intricate patchwork, delicate tasselled hangings, faux fur trimmings and lots more.

Go for it: Shilpa Shetty, Diana Hayden, Preity Zinta.

Collections: Namrata Joshipura, Shantanu Goenka, Christian Louboutin, Moschino.

Christian Dior

Rinaldi

Malaga

Moschino

Narendra Kumar Ahmed

Manish Arora

Louis Vuitton

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