Assam Tribune, The

And here we go vrooming into 2025. Do fashion trends really work in a land as diverse as ours? They work some, they work not many a time. There was a time when the Hindi film industry was the key source of a fashion trend, and, as I have often said, the hair style, the bindi as it moved centre of the forehead to the glabella, the hemline or would it be the ‘fall’ of the sari, to sweep the floor or just skimming the ankles, the length of the kurta, etc was all decided from film to film. Remember...

It’s the time for resolutions. What are your plans? Let me suggest some which will help you be a much-needed drop in the ocean to check that wild careen into 2030. Why 2030? What will be so special about 2030? End of a decade? Well, yes, but not entirely that, and more on it a bit later. Will it be much of an ask if we resolve to cut down our fashion purchase to just 4 items in 2025? It could be anything — a dress, sari, shirt, footwear, bag or any other fashion accessory. Why 4? Simply because...

Tis’ the time to travel… ok, not yet, but soon. And woollies will invariably play the spoilsport hogging half the space, leaving precious little to flaunt the fashionista in you, especially for your SM or social media posts. How can you travel light and yet brandish all new looks in every pic? Fairly simple if you plot it right. Mix and match or monochromes is the way to go, though the latter can get a tad boring on a holiday. If indeed monochrome meets your style quotient, ensure there’s a pop...

Fashion is cyclical and fashion in India is never dated. Especially at our big fat weddings. The silks from each state invariably top the charts, and some recent film star weddings in the richest drapes in traditional hues have brought back the somewhat fading allure of these exquisite works of art. Art yes, because each handwoven piece is a testament to not just nimble fingers but a legacy of thousands of years. The banarsi, kanjeevaram, tussar, bhagalpuri, muga are familiar names but how many...

If the festive season is on, can parties be far behind? What new have you bought and what old will you re-purpose? Let's talk re-purpose first. A soft coloured sari and a contrasting, bright dupatta? Silk on silk will be the way to go. You could also try organza, metallic, banarsi, or even the heavy kanjivaram. On nude capris or underdress shorts, take the centre of the saree across your waist, from the back, and tie a knot right just on your navel. Now take one side under your leg, bring it to...

The festive season has begun, but there’s time still for the major days when we all love to deck up in our best finery. Bring out the silks, be it a kanjeevaram tussar, muga, eri, baluchari, paithani or bhagalpuri, banarsi and so many others. Bring out the bling be it ornately embellished jooties or sequined potlis and clutches, embroidered cloth bags, and those faux or real jewellery in gemstones, silver, burnished gold, crystal, oxidised metals, beads and so much, much more. Do you know...

Imagine a town called Muga, a cluster of villages named Paat, a district renamed Eri or Endi, the Mibu Galuk zilla, the Gamusa municipality, the Kessa Xoon gaon, and so on and so forth. Fashion is not just the clothes you wear, the jewellery, footwear, bag, belt or any other accessory that you style yourself with to get that complete look. Fashion is “instant language’ as Miuccia Prada once said, and going beyond, it also is a strong voice that harks back to our past, running strong through our...

Just the other day a friend flaunted a spacious and stylish satchel. It was trendy in an understated blackish-grey hue, and she declared it to be “vegan leather”. She felt good that her product had not been at the cost of any animal. But what really is vegan leather, I asked and she started the spiel that the brand had doled out to her, and to cut it short — it was environment friendly! Not really. Vegan leather is mostly as fake as it can get! There are shops aplenty that try to cash in on the...

It’s raining cats and dogs and you gotta spend the day out and wrap it up with another do before you head home to put up your dirt-sloshed feet! Dirty? Not really! There are ways to enjoy the monsoon magic and, in style! Tight fits are a no-no, ditto for dull colours. A canary yellow tee with shin-high tapered (not fitted) trousers or a straight skirt, A-line works too, a colourful scarf and go get those nude-coloured water-friendly footwear! Fluorescent shades would be good fun if it is a day...

As the sun beats down and humidity levels cause us to sweat more sans steam, stepping out is not easy and staying cooped indoors with the air-conditioner at full blast more harmful than good. Loose silhouettes in airy fabrics and soft pastels or simply whites make the weather more tolerable but what also needs to be right is the footwear. Be it heels or flats, bellies, platforms or stilettos, the strappy Grecian sandal or slippers… there’s a lot to pick and choose from. But, it is important to...