6 “All You Need” principles for shining in Indian Ensembles…

Worried about not looking your best even in the most exclusive Indian Ethnic wear creations? Keep in mind these 6 vital principles and shine in weddings and functions.

You buy the most sought-after outfit, you hire the trendiest stylists and hair-dressers, you pick the most vibrant make-up, and you accessorize like a queen — and yet, the end result doesn’t please you. Specifically, when you look at your pictures, you feel something indeed was missing!

What could have gone wrong? Why did you not look as charming, as you had envisaged?

Heck, you grew up wearing Indian garments! So, why do you fail to look your best in them?

Maybe, you are making a few mistakes, which you must not.

Enlisted here are 6 principles; you must keep in view, to look your best in your favorite ethnic attire — each time, every time.

Invest in Quality

• Good quality matters, even more so in Indian outfits, because of their complicated and intricate designs, patterns and embellishments. Often these are expensive purchases, meant to last you a life-time. Think of the sarees in your trousseau!
• The aspect of quality extends to the base fabric, lining material, embellishments, trimmings, stitching and everything that goes into creating a costume. Imagine a button coming off from your pretty party-kurta, the first time you wear it!
• Good quality fabrics are more resilient, and better withstand pulling and stretching that come with wearing any ensemble.
• Fast colours, sturdy embroidery and quality trimmings ensure that you don’t have to run to cleaners and dress-menders, after/ before every wear. 
  Better quality translates to better drape and fall, especially in case of sarees, dupattas and lehengas.
• Pure, natural fabrics are easy to maintain; they let you breathe. Synthetic fabrics are difficult to iron. Wrinkles, anyone?

Cut, Fit and Drape

• Indian costumes are as fluid and relaxed, as they are structured and fitted. Thus, one aspect you can’t afford to let go of is the right tailoring.
• It is a known fact that the best of the dresses can be spoilt by bad tailoring!
  Sarees are unstitched, but reams can be written waxing eloquently about what a well-fitting blouse can do for a saree, and what an ill-fitting one can do to that very sari.
• Salwar Kameez, elaborate Anarkalis, blouses, palazzos and capes — all depend on right cut and fit — to reflect their best on the wearer.
• Paneling (adding Kallis) is very useful in crafting ornate designs and styles in lehengas, shararas, kameezes and other Indian silhouettes. This cannot be done flawlessly by someone, who is not adept at the art of cutting and tailoring.

Confidence

• Nobody will believe in you, until you DO!
• Body Confidence — If you are not confident about your body shape, size, height etc., it is bound to show, and adversely affect your overall look.
• Looks and Style Confidence — Not happy with the way your dress reflects on your complexion? Worried about the rosacea on your face? Well then, don’t expect even the most exquisite of the Indian outfits to uplift your look (and mood). Again, if you believe you are looking-out-of-place, then you will!
• It is extremely important that you feel confident and secure, in whatever you wear. Do leave behind stuff, however trendy it may be, if it harms your confidence.

Comfort

• Ever tried squeezing into an outfit 1 or 2 sizes smaller than yours? Worn nylon garments in peak summers — in a crowded party, with little or no air conditioning? Unsure of wearing a sleeveless blouse, even when others in your gang are gung-ho about it?
• If you have found yourself in any of these situations, you would know the importance of COMFORT.
• Indian Ethnic-wear tends to be ornate and heavy, and if you happen to be uncomfortable, you are least likely to enjoy the whole experience.
• Do not wear overly revealing ethnic outfits like transparent sarees, tiny, back-less blouses and low-cut lehengas, if you don’t feel comfortable. Or else, your discomfiture will show through, making you look fidgety and restless.

Posture

• Posture refers to your body alignment, when you sit, stand and walk — or when you lean, hug or maneuver. The significance of good posture in context of Indian dresses cannot be over-emphasized.
• Do maintain a good posture — back upright, tummy tucked in, shoulders relaxed, neck straight and arms not very stiff — or you may look dowdy.
• Gait — or the way you walk is a vital aspect, with regards the ethnic fashion. Keep your feet close, when you walk in Indian wear.
• If you slouch, while sitting or walking, don’t expect your expensive lehenga cholis or salwar kameez to do much for you. Sarees also look the best on women, who walk with their head held high.
• Don’t rush past a crowd, without thinking about others or yourself, when dressed daintily in a wedding lehenga choli or wedding saree. And, eat carefully!

Accessories

• Bag it right Carrying huge purses is not a good idea with heavy, cumbersome Indian silhouettes, especially when you have pallus, pleats and dupattas to manage. But, neither is going bag-less! Find a balance — carry small potli-style ethnic bags or slightly roomy clutches with dainty shoulder straps/ chains. Match them to your outfit’s color theme, and carry only essentials.
• The Cinderella Shoes –Needless to say well-fitting, comfortable and stylish foot-wear is a must, if you are to look and walk well. Do not make the mistake of wearing too-high heels or overly dressy shoes, or you may be miserable throughout the festivities (and even after them, as blisters take days to heal). However, do not wear flats with sarees, lehengas and floor-length styles.
• Jostling Jewels — Your jewels jostle with your costume for attention. Your sparkle and shine are dependent on them, in good measure. Ensure wearing right jewelry with your Indian ethnic attire. Match in terms of style and color, and don’t go over-board or garish.
• Remember, grace and subtlety are of prime importance, when wearing any Indian ensemble to perfection. Keep this in view, and take care of the 6 all-important principles, and no one will be able to hold you back!