Trios tales-Textiles.Travel.Trend: July 2016

While our shoulders are entitled to carry loads of responsibilities as we say it, they are also an embodiment of elegance and pride. So flaunting them too is our sole responsibility and our current trends have bestowed our gratitude to them in the coolest way possible…the hot sensation off-shoulder attire is setting everthing ablaze from ramps to red carpets to roads. Girls of all sizes, all shapes are donning them with equal aplomb and style. From designers to premium brands to online shops –everyone have paid their tribute to the off shoulders creating a spoilt choice for all of us. While off shoulders had always been the trendsetters for centuries at different times, the avatars of it we are seeing these days are the most sensational because it is liberating us to create our unique style by flaunting them whatever way we like, wherever we want and however we want to pair them. Now that’s quite a freedom.

From the nerdy ones to the girl-next-door, prom queens to the tomboy ones, diva types to the boho types-everyone have their favourite off shoulder look. Now here’s my take on the various possibilities of styling them gelled with your mood, your occasion and your own personal style statement.

THE EASY BREEZY:

This is perfect for your sunny day out with your girl-gang…fabrics like cotton, viscose, chambray in prints,bright colors or stripes, will keep you super relaxed throughout and you don’t have to compromise on your fun. Pair them with your ripped shorts or suspenders or just wear them as a playsuit or a shift dress with fun elements like huge ruffles, bell sleeves, bloomer sleeves, interesting necklines, trapeze detailing for the super comfortable yet chic look. Accessorize as you wish. Splash whatever color you like because everything is served on your platter.

THE TOMBOY

Now who could have thought that something as delicate as off shoulders can even look so sporty, so peppy and jaw dropping hot. Take your brogues and sandals out, accessorize with your caps or denim shirts and pair them with your shorts or jeggings or your favourite pair of denims and you are all set for your activities with swag. And you already have an array of choices from checks to stripes with fun detailings in cottons and jerseys to help you out with your look.

HIGH ON GLAMOUR
This is something which we all dream of-grace, beauty and panache personified. This high end look is the ultimate crowd puller with the paparazzi behind making you feel every bit like a diva. Now who doesn’t seek attention? And to carry this sensibility with an off shoulder ensemble is no big task with premium brands and big designers offering you all that you need in fine fabrics of satin, crepe, silk, crafted in mind-blowing patterns of big ruffles, band shoulders, sweetheart necklines or plunging necklines with dramatic finer nuances…all you need to do is carry that right attitude on your shoulders and walk with elan. Also remember that your pointed pumps and stilettos, large glares and sexy purses are your best friends this day. Go for a paired up look with A-line skirts, pencil skirts, pleated skirts or a classy full dress or jumpsuit-nothing can go wrong.

THE SMART EDGY LOOK

Look sassy, sultry yet clean and uncluttered-now that’s quite a challenging compliment. This look in minimalistic appeal goes well on any formal or semi-formal occasions. Have a neat hairstyle, choose a crisp clean bardot top in cotton or cotton Lycra in soft detailing, keep your blings away and pair up with well fitted trousers/denims, A-line skirts or structured culottes.We wonder what else could defeat this sensuality!

THE BEACH FUN

Why don a boring bikini or monokini when you can raise your oomph factor in just a second. Well just tug in your off shoulder lace crops on top, in big ruffles or Edwardian sleeves and you are ramp ready even on the sands you are playing with. Sounds like a super cool idea, isn’t it? Add some funky element of your choice or you can even go without any such thing-either way u will still look hot. Now there can be no better thing than a little off shoulder top doing all that trick-very much justifies the x-factor it possesses.

Having figured out the various styling tips with bardot ensembles, it’s time now to have a look at our trendsetters-our super talented designers, celebrities and brands who just give us the right flavor at the right time. It’s their consistent indulgence and efforts which bring to us everything that is impeccably crafted, adding on to the zing and spice of every seasonal trend.

While designers like Manish Malhotra, Shehlaa Khan, have aesthetically intertwined off shoulders in their Indian attires, western designers like Ralph and Russo have created an ethereal saga in their ornately detailed off shoulder gowns in super interesting patterns with cathedral train back . Again few designers and brands like Nimish Shah, Atsu Sekhose, Mara Hoffman,Zara, Chloe, Cord, D&G have infused their own incorporations into their off shoulder dresses in a more playful way with bright floral prints, checks&stripes, ubercool patterns, simple detailings, lacey trims. Below are some ways our celebs justified these attires in the coolest possible way leaving us with some serious fashion statements. Be it the ripped denim look or the plain Jane look in pretty A-line and full skirts or the exotic boho look with high buns, funky accessories and baggy bottoms –they have adorned everything with élan and extreme poise. All the more reason for us to keep discovering our own style statements with this elegant attire. High time ladies!