Jackets speak volumes!

Selecting one key fashion piece and letting it be the focal point of your outfit is sometimes the best way to give a different outlook. Trying out a statement jacket doesn’t have to make you seem bold or brave, the best way to use it, is to tone down your clothes and let the jacket do the talking. We speak to fashionistas and designers to help you style that perfect look and avoid you committing a fashion faux pas.

Laxmi Krishna, a famous celebrity stylist for Sandalwood says, “A statement jacket can make any season seem more bright. A bold jacket allows the personality to shine through. Flaunt it with your favourite colour, go wild and try a trendy print, add some interest with a contrasting collar or mix-in a bit of everything. While experimenting with colours, don’t forget to try different shapes and fabrics. A tailored wool coat is a classic winter ‘must-wear,’ but oversized puffers, belted coats, cozy, fuzzy styles and voluminous fur silhouettes can add even more personality.”  

Giving us a gist of what’s new in the world of jackets she says, “The best thing about jackets is there’s one for everyone. A Maxi trench coat or a wide sleeved trench coat with a belt, long embroidery denim jacket paired with jeans like the one Aishwarya Rai wore in the Cannes festival, you can also bring out the wild side in you and try animal print long trench coats, long voluminous fur coat, fringes coat with pale leather, heritage checks long coats.”

Explaining to us what kind of jackets are appropriate for a formal occasion, a casual one and party is this young and talented designer Deepa Mulani who says, “It is inevitable that brocade jackets look the best for a formal look, for a casual day I’d suggest sheer ones and for party wear you should always prefer to go with a long length jacket with good styling.”

She adds, “I for one don’t care about the material when buying or stitching a jacket because it all depends on the styling and how you carry it. Styling jackets is something you cannot give a blind eye to. Mostly jackets are the ones with the center openings. But I would quirk up the look a bit and prefer to style it with a side opening and I believe this looks the best!”

Accessorising the look is appropriately is the key says Laxmi, “When you are using a statement jacket you have got to keep the accessories simple and sober.  Bold ones might kill the magic of styling. If you are going for a plain shade jacket then go for a  v-shaped statement neckpiece, the makeup should be sober for bolder coats and vise versa, foot wear could be stilettos and boots, either of it is nice.”

Throwing some light on the dos and don’ts of this style is Anu Dixit a fashionista and designer.  She says, “There are different jackets for different body types. It’s important to find the right one like as short girls really can’t flaunt a long jacket until she wears high-heels which is going to be uncomfortable. Do not over accessorise as it just kicks off the chic and elegant look.”