What is a bikini sari...
It’s an amalgamation of the boldness of a bikini with the modesty of a sari. The idea came from modernising a bathing suit while catering to the needs of the Indian societal set-up. We launched it in our summer-resort 2011 collection. 

Where to wear it...
It’s a glamorous resort sari that can be worn from the beach to the bar to the cocktails to destination weddings. 

How to wear it...
The bikini sari can be draped in 10 different ways. It can be worn in the traditional drape style, a Gujarati straight pallu style, as a dress and even like a gown with the trail wrapped around the waist. Those who find the bikini sari daring can wear it with a pair of high-waisted palazzos. It looks simply elegant and sophisticated. 

Who are wearing it...
Young honeymooners to 45- to 50-year-old women who are body-conscious.

What kind of a bikini suit goes best with the bikini sari...
We usually work with one-shoulder styles for the swimsuit. But it is workable with all styles of swimwear — from twin-shoulder to halter styles.

How to accessorise a bikini sari...
For a destination wedding cocktail party, accessorise with a jewelled collar grazing the neck. 

Colours trending this season...
This season will see a combination of 1950s pop canary yellows, vermillions and sky set against earthy moss and classic monochromes.

One celebrity who will rock the bikini sari... 
Internationally, Amal Alamuddin Clooney would look stunning in a classic black bikini sari. Closer home, Deepika Padukone with her beautiful long legs would carry the bikini sari elegantly. 

How to wear this yellow bikini sari...

The yellow drape comes attached with the monochrome swimsuit. “This is an extremely chic look. Your occasion might be a cocktail or a bachelorette or a Mehndi or a Sangeet or your honeymoon. It comes with a pair of palazzos. You can choose to wear one or go without it. Without the trousers, it is like a swimsuit. And with palazzos, it is like a complete outfit. You can wear it to the beach or the pool or you can also wear it more formally in the evening. It’s an Italian jersey… so extremely thin. It’s how chiffon or silk falls, but at the same time, it doesn’t crease or crush. So, that makes it perfect for a holiday carry-away. It’s user-friendly. This is a slightly formal look. So, it needs that punch. That is why the bright mouth.”

Try the trikini

What’s a trikini: It’s a cut-out one-piece swimsuit. And there’s a casual silk wrap thrown around you. “It’s signature indulgent mood,” says Narresh. 
Where to wear it: On a holiday, honeymoon, a girl’s trip out or a Sunday swim. 
Layer it with: A shirt or a tunic. “That makes it very easy for you to walk from your hotel or resort room to the pool. Once you are out of the pool, you can have your lunch in it. It’s very modest, yet bold because of the colour.”
Make-up: “Since this is a day look, keep your make-up as minimal as possible.” A hint of lip gloss and a coat of mascara would be good. 

Narresh on the season’s colours
Indian skin can carry off bright as well as subtle colours. For the sheer joy of a holiday, sticking to bright colours is a good idea. Canary yellow, aqua green with some monochromatic prints adds punch to your outfit. Bright colours also camouflage your body. Those who are slightly on the heavier side, colour-blocking also helps. It creates an illusion making you look one-size down!

What else is hot?
“Two-pieces are great, but those of you who are slightly apprehensive of wearing it, stick to a more retro style of a two-piece. A high-waisted bralette bikini or a 1950s high-waisted style is great because it tucks your tummy in, your bustline is covered well and yet it makes you look fashionable. 

For the one-piece connoisseur, picking up a one-shouldered bathing suit is advisable. It makes you look elegant than a sporty one. A halter or a racerback are great for athletic swimming but when you are lazing or are at a pool party, you want to be dressed in something more glamorous. That’s where a one-shoulder fits in perfectly,” says Narresh. 

Text: Saionee Chakraborty
Pictures: Rashbehari Das; model: Lisha Sharma; hair and make-up: Don Hsiao; location: The Park