A trend that is gathering momentum in recent times is that of a capsule wardrobe. The term was coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called “Wardrobe” in the 1970s. It was later popularized by Donna Karan in 1985, who launched the essential work wear capsule collection that consisted of seven interchangeable pieces. In recent times, the capsule wardrobe has received much attention on account of fashionistas exploring a minimalistic lifestyle while still wanting to stay on trend.
A capsule wardrobe consists of a few essential pieces that don’t go out of fashion. These are the staples in your wardrobe—the tops, skirts, designer saree, jackets, shoes… that can be easily paired with other statement pieces, such as a designer blouse, to create new looks. Even if you don’t buy into the whole minimalistic lifestyle, a capsule wardrobe is great to keep your wardrobe eternally stylish or for when you travel. A capsule wardrobe consists of a few basic pieces that you can pair with some statement pieces to create new looks every day. Capsule wardrobes are put together keeping a few things in mind—your complexion, your shape, and the events you need to dress for.
While there is a lot of information available on capsule wardrobes for work or western wear, here’s our list of essentials for Indian wear of the formal kind.
Imagine you’ve been invited to the destination wedding of your best friend from school. While an island wedding sounds like a dream, you don’t want to lug your entire wardrobe to the resort island by boat, do you? How is a girl supposed to be ‘glam’ without all her tools and equipment? We’ve got you! Here’s the list of essentials that you can wear multiple times without anyone being the wiser.
A gold, black or silver choli: Or all three. You can easily pair these staple pieces with any designer saree or lehenga. The right kind of lehenga blouse elevates an outfit and keeps things interesting. Here are our tips to choosing a stunning capsule designer blouse.
- Find one that fits you perfectly. A lehenga blouse that is cut right, is a blouse that will look great on you no matter what you wear it with. A cut choli blouse will look absolutely stunning as long as it fits you in all the right places.
- Choose a blouse that is made from the right material. A simple ghagra blouse design in stunning velvet will be on trend no matter how often you wear it. Same with a silk blouse or one made with ultra-feminine lace.
- Choose a blouse that has simple yet stunning work on it, beautiful embroidery or zari work do so much to elevate a saree or lehenga that you choose to pair with it.
- Wear universal colours. A black cropped top or a cropped white top works well with any coloured saree or lehenga. A golden blouse for lehenga elevates the lehenga.
This royal blue velvet choli will look great paired with a velvet lehenga or net or lace saree.
Or this gorgeous gold and blue, off-shoulder blouse can be worn with harem pants or a fusion outfit and look fantastic for a sangeet or mehendi occasion.
This shimmery laser work crop top will look great paired with a solid colored or lace saree. A sky blue saree with contrast blouse makes a stunning style statement.
A red saree or lehenga: You can’t go wrong with a red saree or lehenga at an Indian wedding. Whatever the occasion, the colour red is considered auspicious and is welcome at a shaadi occasion. A simple or lace red saree that can be paired with contrasting saree blouses is a win every time. You can even experiment and convert your saree into a dhoti for dramatic effect.
Harem pants: A pair of embroidered harem pants are a boon to every girl at a wedding. You can wear it as stylish pants paired with a crop top blouse or under a churidar. The same can be done with dhoti pants. Nothing says fusion more than a pair of Indian pants paired with a crop top blouse.
An embroidered jacket: This is such an essential piece to Indian occasion wear. Pair your harem pants with a jacket that is partially opened, add a sequined bralette underneath and you’re all set. An embroidered jacket fits most Indian outfits well and can replace a lehenga blouse when paired with a saree.
What are the staples in your Indian occasion wear capsule wardrobe? Leave a comment and let us know.