The season of summer has always been the time where conversations and laughter over tea surround the corridors but so far, this has been looking somewhat scarce. While the world is still in varying degrees of standstill, you cannot put a hold on the thought of clothes being your form of escapism. Debuting a fresh take on how our wardrobe will look like with striking a balance between everyday relevance and joyful recharged power, we are slowly moving to a closet that is mindful and sustainable. Of course, a lot needs to achieve but there are small wins on the way. And the summertime trend picks are going to be a new proposed fashion landscape. Classics are reigning supreme, and the spicier, more statement-making styles can easily be DIY'd or replicated with a few quick tricks. So, how exactly would summer fashion look like in 2021 amidst a pandemic? We tell you all about it!
Trends Are Season - Transferable Now
Stalwarts of the fashion industry are banking on clothing and trends that are season transferable. The key is to be able to mesh the two groups of seasons together to create the ultimate versatile closet. I don't mean you have to wear your bikini in the middle of winter. Much like when considering where a garment can be worn, a piece of clothing should have the potential to be layered to suit a plethora of weatherly needs. Ace designer Ritu Kumar states, "Especially with India where almost, we have one weather across the country, our seasonal trends are getting more coordinated with rituals and occasional events since consumers now buy for Karwachauth, Diwali, Holi as well as they come looking for things that they can use for the next season, shawls for instance."
Most of the times our garments are only worn a few, countable times before it's tossed in a landfill. Are we dedicated to wearing that piece more than that? And how can we? "When you buy quality and pick what makes you feel great and is cut according to your body type, then you end up making proper use of the garment with multiple wears. Everyone has understood the need to be aware, the need to pick quality so that it lasts longer, and you get multiple wears out of it. Even bridal wear. Even, we ran a very successful digital campaign on 'Love & Relove' where we are encouraging brides to re-style and upcycle their occasional wear, something that we have always done at the stores as well. In fact, fashion has been streaming in that direction in the last decade, but the boundaries are definitely about to blur out more." shares couturier Tarun Tahiliani.
The Forever Classic Trends:
There is no better time and also urgency than these present times to only invest and look for designs that are actually timeless and will hold an irreplaceable position in your closet and heart. Tarun Tahiliani shares, "All the ladies I remember finding elegant were always very simply dressed and often repeated outfits because they were so timeless and in classic tones of ivory, golden and beige. I also see Chikankari being a big pick for the season and men stepping up to share the centre stage with their brides. Since the gatherings are no longer as big as we have been used to, the focus is more on the clothes especially the embroidery because everyone can see it up close and of course in all breathable fabrics. It's the fabric that needs to be considered. There are ways and means to work through breathable fabrics, classic colours and threadwork that transcends seasons."
This doesn't mean you can't enjoy fashion. It just means you care about making your fashion choices a little more sustainable and mindful. "At the moment, there's a clear movement in favour of the classics. Fast fashion with extreme silhouettes, etc. isn't on trend these days. If people want to buy classics, they visit us looking for something that we've been known for like embroidery, prints or colours and that can stay the test of time as well as can be passed on to the next generation. Our inspiration is to look into our wardrobe and see how we can pick up old odhani's, pyjama's & kurtas and coordinate it," tells Ritu Kumar.
Getting well acquainted with your closet and your choices can help you actually have a lot of options - like try catfishing your garments, mix and match to the most can help you even nail "short-lived" trends also. Purchases have ethical and environmental consequences. Learn how you can use it the most before throwing new pieces into the mix! "It hasn't been possible for people this time to go and buy a new wardrobe because of the pandemic, they can either pick up something from the internet or give them options from what they already have because it's time for sustainable choices and no waste."
Today's fashion choices are very evolved and tuned in as global citizens. What was once in will surely be back again in the future. That's just the way the sartorial world works. Traditional, vintage styles that were a rage are only finding their way forward in with both sartorial and sustainable trends moving in the same direction. Mr Tahiliani tells, "The modern woman is very progressive in her choices, both for her clothes and her partner! They are not afraid to experiment with lighter colours, simpler embroideries and want to be traditional while also being their modern self. "
"Buy less, choose well, make it last" - this quote by Vivienne Westwood gets straight to the point. It initially might sound a bit like the old '60s or the '70s but it's actually pretty good advice on how to handle style and fashion in a way that is confident and even get to play your part to be an ultimate mindful trendsetter.
(Also Read: Sorbet Hues, Y2K Trends, Wild Prints And More Ruled The Menswear SS'22 Runways)
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