Summer is the best time to embrace prints, and one of the most popular printed patterns that heightens the mood at all occasions is the candy stripes. If you can pull off stripes – horizontal, diagonal or vertical – there is nothing else you would need to make a statement. Flaunt them on dresses, shirts, jumpers or even swimsuits – stripes are a classic print that can be pulled off by all body types, as it can be worn in all forms.
While thick stripes can be used to widen a linear figure, vertical and diagonal stripes can make a broader person look linear. Designer Sougat Paul thinks stripes are quite a fresh and modern approach to mix prints in the season. He says, “The best thing about tonal/multicolour stripes is their versatility of being mixed with anything and everything. They’re back in a big way, adding verve to casual get-ups and quiet charm to more sophisticated renderings. The runway has seen quite a few up-takes on the trend, be it nautical, or the rainbows, or bold ones or the monochromes.”
The trend can be re-invented by mixing it up with Indian silhouettes and techniques, to transcend it into something very contemporary and modern. Sougat Paul adds, “The stripe pieces in the wardrobe can be styled and mixed in multiple ways to be a favourite for the beach or a cocktail party, depending on how you wear it. Wear the striped swimsuit with a floral cape for the beach, and reuse it with tonal pants and jacket for a formal affair, or drape a sari around it for a cocktail evening.”
Most designers agree that this summer is all about the candy stripes, and organic fabrics, and this print is one of the most popular prints among young fashionistas. Designer Mithi Kalra says, “This trend is one of the most versatile trends of the season, and it includes various colour choices. Right from spotting bold colours and pastels, and multicolor variations – stripes can be styled with a solid bottom or top or the other way around. Jumpsuits look super nice in candy stripes and one can also go for a solid colour jumpsuit with a striped blazer or vice-versa. If you’re bold and ready to take on the candy stripes game, combine the two coloured stripes and wear them as a stripe on stripe look.”
Think linear this summer with the 70s stripes, and don’t be afraid to mismatch colours. While accessorising, just keep a few golden rules in mind suggests stylist Nidhi Singh. She adds, “Keep the accessories minimum and let the stripes do the talking. Pair your look with a solid or neutral colour shoe for a well-defined look. Pick up ornate, intricate baroque or floral inspired jewellery if you are going for a formal look. Remember not to overdo stripes, especially if you are picking bold colours and jewelled tones. Keep the body contours in mind while styling and do not add horizontals or verticals without planning ahead, as they can make the body look disproportional.”
