Gone are the days when wearing a veshti was looked down upon. Girls went crazy after watching Nivin Pauly wearing the black shirt-white mundu combination in Premam. Inspired by his look and style, not just boys, even girls in Chennai college campuses are dressing up using their favourite hero’s choice of wardrobe these days!
Recently, actress Amala Paul’s stylist, Sonya Sandiavo, posted a picture of her wearing a saffron-coloured mundu on her social page. And much to her surprise, Sonya received a lot of praise and many women started asking her for suggestions! “This is not the first time I am wearing a mundu. I try and wear it at home — it is very comfy and good to wear during the summer. The misconception that mundu is a guy’s attire should change. Unlike before, people are open to experimentation in fashion. If you have the confidence, you can carry off any clothing with ease,” she assures.
Sonya suggests that the stylish pairing of a mundu with a crop top, shirt or a tee shirt will make your day. “This is a classic combination that’ll never go wrong. Various types of kolhapuris will add a distinct charm and completes the look. Since it is summer, opt for mundu in jute, cotton or linen. One should know the trick to wearing it neatly and elegantly,” shares the celeb- stylist.
Sonya, who is planning to wear mundu for parties and concerts, along with her girlfriends, says that it is inspiring to see a lot of people changing their wardrobe preferences.
Chennai designer-stylist Amritha Ram, a lover of everything quirky and spontaneous, believes in the keyword — presentation. “Nothing can beat the beauty of a veshti if one could flaunt it confidentially. Our favourite costume saree has a come a long way and has found global acceptance. Though a few disagree on the draping style, it has conquered our hearts. Likewise, the veshti too will go through all the criticisms and finally win! I constantly look around for ways to tweak the presentation in different costumes. Even if it is the same pattern or fabric, what makes the difference is how we present it.”
Amritha feels that there should be a bold breakthrough in fashion. “It is just a little bit of stigma that pulls girls back from wearing it. Once it withers off, am sure it is going to be accepted.”
Kochi-based designer, Reshma Binu, thinks that the noise people make are part of a fashion revolution. “There was a lot of hullabaloo even when salwars were introduced. Similarly, the mundu is just one type of clothing and doesn’t belong to one gender alone. The thinking process of Gen-X is different and they are open-minded and ready to accept novelty.”
