Girls just want to have fun

“A well-fitted dress, a pair of trousers that sit well on the hips, a shimmery blouse and an evening jacket are perfect to take you from dinner to dancing,” says Indrani. Works for a Christmas brunch too.

Casual chic

“It is a day look for someone who is looking to go from a brunch to an early evening tea party,” says Indrani. Two thumbs up for culottes, which have made a “sexy comeback”. Not for skinny ankles though. “It depends on where the culottes are ending. An ankle-grazing one will make it look dressy. It’s a tricky silhouette. I have never been a fan of it. As a kid, I had a pair of culottes, which ended above my knees and was this flared, almost like cat’s whiskers. The length of your culottes needs to be tailored to your height. If it’s a flared pair, I think ankle or calf length is a good length. Has to be worn with high heels. If it is a slim pair of culottes, you can wear it with sports shoes,” says Indrani. 

Picking our winter alphabets

‘P’ for print: The size of the print is very important. Ideally stick to a medium to a large print. Use colours from the opposite side of the colour wheel. Black-and-white is the most famous sort of print story that works on mostly everything. A print-on-print can look like an optical overload. It is necessary to have some sort of a break. Stick to the same colour family. Similar-sized prints usually work. Prints need relief. Do it with a deep neckline. For example, if you are doing full sleeves and high-neck, do a shorter hemline. If it is a maxi gown, do a halter neck. Pair it with solid shoes and nude bangles. For winter, use a print that perks you up a little bit. Calcutta has a mild winter, so it’s easier to work it. If you are layering it with a jacket, then I suggest you layer with a solid jacket,” says Indrani. 
The ‘R’ed challenge: “Those who dare, wear the hue from head to toe,” Indrani suggests. Accents also work. Think clutch, jewellery or heels. 

‘T’ailor time: This season, Indrani is big on the tailored look. “A pantsuit scores high on my wish list. I would team it with ultra-feminine stilettos and a teeny clutch.”

‘V’intage ‘W’inter: A pair of black leather pants, high-heeled peep-toes or closed shoes, a white turtleneck, like a fleece or a cashmere, with a black shrug or a red shawl.

Blackboard 

Black makes Indrani feel best. “It is known to be slimming and when you are looking to dress up and you want to look slimmer, taller and leaner, black is most people’s go-to colour. There is something very glamorous about black. It is easy to make it work with accessories and make-up and it is flattering on most skin tones,” smiles Indrani as she picks up three different hemlines — “one almost like a black-tie, cocktail gown, very slinky”, a “rock’n’ roll-ish leather one” which is Indrani’s personal favourite and a black-and-white number— for the formal look. “My personal favourite is the knee length, but a lot of people like wearing full length. It is much more dressier,” she adds. 

Winter black: “Throw in some shimmer, shine and sequins and I’m all set to dazzle,” she laughs. Indrani also suggests faux fur stoles, wraps, lace gloves and patent shoes. “I would also do a bright red mouth to make black work more for me. A bold red lipstick is timeless. Chanel No. 38 flatters most Indian skin tones. I also love Mac Brave Red. With a name like that, how can I not?!,” laughs Indrani. 

Top tip: Black paired with black smokey eye is a complete no-no. “Use a brown or a burgundy, which doesn’t look too severe. Instead of a black kajal pencil, use a brown kohl pencil and definitely use colour on your nails and lips and accessorise to balance it out. I am always about choosing one accessory and making that the statement piece. Carry a statement bag for the evening. Take something that is comfortable to carry and is not heavy.” 

Pictures: Rashbehari Das;
models: Sachi, Radhika, Tanvi; ensembles available at Coral