Durga Puja Clothes

Dress to dazzle this Durga Puja

With the sun rising on Durga Puja, shopping for clothes and accessories has reached an all-time high. Everyone – irrespective of age and gender wants to look his/her best this Durga Puja. The markets are already witnessing high footfall on weekdays as well as weekends, with shoppers thronging the markets to buy the latest line of clothes and accessories. If you are still confused of what to buy and what to avoid this Durga Puja, Headlines India is here to guide you about the hits and misses in fashion this year. Ahead of Durga Puja, Headlines India spoke to renowned fashion designers Agnimitra Paul and Abhishek Dutta in Kolkata, and found out what's hot, and what's not this season!

An Agnimitra Paul creation for puja 2007

In Sync With Fashion...

Clothes:

Lots of feminine dresses, and trendy clothes are ruling the racks this season. “This season is the season for a lot of leggings and harem pants, worn with dresses and tunics”, says Agnimitra Paul. “Dresses, leggings and harem pants – ankle length as well as calf-length – are the 'in' thing this Durga Puja”, says Abhishek Dutta. The fall-winter fashion season of 2007 also seems to be dominated by a lot of layering in clothes. Says Paul, “Spaghetti strap tops worn over Tees, and Tees worn over full-sleeved shirts are a big hit this season. Again, very short skirts worn over leggings are also in vogue”. So, in short, Durga Puja fashion this year is all about mix-and-match.

For men, fitted shirts and Kurti-Shirts are the latest fashion fad. Abhishek Dutta says, “Shirt, Kurtas and Kurti-Shirts are very big this season”. In the perennial favourite Jeans, slim fits and straight cuts have taken over this season. “Also, very much in demand among women are cigarette pants, with 'churidaar-like' bottoms”, says Agnimitra Paul, adding “Cargo pants and capris are also in vogue among both men and women”. “Men are opting more for straight fits in jeans this season”, says Abhishek Dutta. Paul adds, “Sleeves are changing as compared to last year. This season, baby sleeves and cap sleeves are more in fashion, along with three-quarter sleeves”.

In Indian wear, too, the emphasis is on an Indo-Western look. Paul says, “Indian wear is a must on at least one day during Durga Puja. However, this season, we are emphasising more on giving an Indo-Western touch to the traditional clothes. The Kurtas are in western cuts. Also, the Sarees are having more of geometric and animal prints, rather than the traditional floral patterns. Sarees are being teamed with corset blouses, and noodle-strapped tops this season”. “For men, the Kurtas with embroidery are very much 'in'”, says Dutta.

Short skirts are hot this season By Abhishek Dutta

In 2007, bold colours have given way to soft, earthen hues. Says Agnimitra Paul, “This being the festive season, the traditional colours are used in clothes, but in softer hues. However, this autumn, earthy shades are more in demand”. Abhishek Dutta echoes her in this, adding, “While women are preferring earthy shades like beige, rust and greens, men will be seen more in soft shades of feminine colours like pinks and mauves this season”.

Bold prints are in, too. Paul says, “This year, there are a lot of animal prints besides polka dots in clothes”. Foil Print is another thing that has really caught up with the masses this season. “With a good amount of Bollywood influence, there are a lot of foil prints – in gold and copper – being used on shirts, tees and dresses this season”, explains Paul. Dutta adds, “Foil prints look really bold, and are very much in demand among the youngsters”.

As far as the texture of the clothes is concerned, chiffons, georgettes, printed cottons, stretch cottons and cords are very much in demand. And when it comes to embroidery, both Agnimitra Paul and Abhishek Dutta agree on thread embroidery, in textured, toned patterns!

What's Out This Season

“Long skirts that were a rage last season are completely out”, says Agnimitra Paul. She adds, “They have given way to short, fitted skirts this season”. Abhishek Dutta says, “Boot-cuts are a big no-no this season. Go for slim fits in jeans and trousers instead”. Very bold colours and gaudy embroidery is also not the 'in-thing' in fashion this season, agree both the fashion pundits.