The Big Four—that is, New York, London, Milan and Paris—do not have a monopoly on style. Other parts of the world have just as much to offer if one knows where to look. Such is the case of India—yes, rich, vivacious, colorful India, where women’s clothing are not shy of intricate designs and eye-catching hues, accented with jewelry and other trinkets to make the ensemble appear even fuller. If you’re a fashion-conscious Desi woman looking to up your your game this 2019 while still proudly bearing traditional pieces, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the new year’s top trends for Indian women’s fashion, especially curated for a scene incomparable to the rest.
Traditional fabrics
India’s biggest designers are embracing their heritage, using local fabrics to create their fantabulous garbs. While deeply rooted in India’s history and therefore considered very traditional, the textiles are now given a modern spin, allowing some space for self-expression. Expect khadi and other hand-woven fibers to be in vogue this year.
Wide-legged trousers
We have to thank ‘90s nostalgia for the comeback of this trend. Wide-legged bottoms will be the go-to of those who skip the skirt, but it will be just as feminine and comfortable thanks to its loose silhouette. You don’t even have to look overseas for modish pants to try: the dhoti pants, even though traditionally worn by men, can be categorized as your wide bottoms for 2019, paired with a tighter top to balance your OOTD.
Denim
Here’s another trend that’s brought back alive from the nineties: denim. While denim jeans have been a staple everywhere else, the decade slowly closing will make denim tops, denim jackets, and basically anything denim the norm. We’re seeing this happen in India already: besides the different cuts for the pants, we’re also served with denim kurtas that are slowly catching on with both men and women.
Sari
Young Desis are looking at the garments they grew up with to form a sartorial identity, and the sari will inevitably be part of that. Rather than sticking to the conventions, the current times permit more liberty at mixing and matching. The sari, with its rich colors and intricate design, will take the spotlight. The good thing about that it is that it can be a pretty versatile piece, so it doesn’t hurt to stock up with styles that speak to you.
Black, White & Grey
While the rest of the world is going bold with color, a way to go against the tide in India is by picking neutrals, which pertains to your blacks, whites, and grays. Black is especially classy, and can be paired with fiercer accents to really magnify its luxuriousness.
Boho-chic accessories
Desi fashionistas have long nailed the accessory game, but you can be slightly ahead by using more earthy accents. This means going for flowery trinkets or wooden jewelry, which is not much of a challenge to do since they click easily with vibrant colors. Don’t be afraid to experiment with chunky statement pieces, too; you might just surprise yourself with the fresh getup you’d have before the mirror.
Clashing patterns
Have you always wanted to go for two patterns at once but were afraid of judgment? Well, 2019 is your year! Besides bold colors, you can make yourself stand out with stripes paired with animal prints, or checks with florals. It can require a bit of effort to find the right look, but trust us, it’s worth every shot.
Image credits: The National, The Indian Express, Sabyasachi, Vogue India, Sharmila Nair, The Style Cocktail, Style Over Coffee
