Party like a rockstar

The season for parties is here, and the last week of the year is the right time to let your hair down in style. If you are wondering about how to put forward your best without burning a hole in your pockets, follow these guidelines from the party edit chalked out our style gurus.

The year 2019 was meant for all kinds of normcore and inclusive styles; and, there was something for everyone. The conscious brigade took to recycling old clothes from old wardrobes and invented their sustainable outfits for a better version of the bygones. Whereas, the millennial and Gen Z consumers opted for optimistic pinks and sunshine yellows to brighten up the mood. To invest in a smart party wardrobe, designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil suggest, “The millennial do not believe in following trends, but they are quite clear about their likes and dislikes -- bright and bold colours in any form of clothing and accessories work very well for the new age fashion lovers. Draped outfits are the best way to retouch a simple outfit. For this season, a nice cocktail gown, cowl neck outfit and printed jacket can complete your party wardrobe in no time.”

For a fabulous party season, one should opt for outfits that are timeless and can be worn throughout the year, irrespective of trends. Senior designer Ritu Kumar hints at the classic go-to for all occasions – the LBD, and says, “One of my top recommendations is the little black dress; perhaps, any short body-con would do the trick. It’s always great to repeat outfits that can be styled in different ways, which is why it is best to opt for classic silhouettes. Pair one of your evening dresses from last year, with a belt to cinch the waist and maybe even add a printed scarf to take things a notch up. You can perfect your look with statement shoes. Metallics are all the rage this season; infuse it with shades of burnt red and the ever-dominant black. In terms of silhouettes, bold styles are a great nod to powerful femininity. Additionally, knitwear is worth the investment for chilly, winter night outs.”

On the other hand, Delhi-based designer Poornima Vardhan’s most essential tip for holiday season dressing is to use complementary colours to highlight your most important features and create a striking look. She says, “I also love to mix Indian and Western elements for holiday dressing to stand out from the crowd. For example, pair pleated pants with mirror work capes for a night look or go for a signature cowl blouse with hand embroidery that can be paired with pleated skirt / wide pants for a distinct and glamorous party look.”

While designer Anuradha P. Dhawan wants you to think off the cuff and go for disco minis and polka-dot midis. She says, “Have fun with classic black-and-white, or get festive with your favorite jewel tone of ruby, emerald, and sapphire. Accents like fur trims and gold lame work well with off-the-shoulder and one-shoulder dresses of all lengths— mini, midi and full-length. Leather, velvet and wool are best for cold weather, and georgette and crinkled fabric dresses come to life with separates of sequinned and shimmer fabrics. Last season’s strappy georgette dresses can be layered onto georgette sleeved shirts with a sequin belt. Wear the brocade lehengas with leather jackets and fur stoles or go bold with a bright party cape as an over-skirt. Just wear your trusted blue denim with a sequin top or jacket and you are ready to shine on.”

For Mumbai-based designer Shehla Khan all kinds of sparkles in dresses or accessories make for a noteworthy party outfit, and she wants you to add some bling details for a memorable party ensemble. “Sequin sheeting, crystal embellishments on dresses, blouses, even trousers, and skirts, as well as accessories are abundantly trending. For those who feel like splurging, a beautiful sequin-embroidered or crystal-encrusted dress with simple accessories would do. And, for those who don’t want to splurge all that much could go for lamé or even plain colours such as red, fuschia, bright blue, neon tones and black with crystal-embellished earrings, or a choker and some sparkly shoes. A well-cut dress from last season in any colour with a crystal-embellished choker or long shoulder-duster earrings as well as statement shoes would make an ideal party outfit for this year-end. A sparkling dress in sequins crystal or even lamé, crystal- embellished accessories and statement shoes in a bold colour should be on your list,” sums up Shehla.