It is
probably the biggest fashion cliché of them all; that little black number that
is the staple of every woman’s wardrobe. Its size may vary, the hemline may
rise and fall dramatically, the neck may either plunge immodestly or remain
decorously high, and it could be made of anything from silk to lycra. But the
little black dress has a special place in the wardrobe of every fashionable
woman, whether she is a housewife, a model, an actress, or even a wannabe
glamour puss.
Recent sightings have been recorded at
discotheques, on the fashion circuit, and during cocktail parties. Perfumed
women in black flaunting their bodies in skimpy dresses, or relying on the colour
black to hide a multitude of sins are a dime a dozen on the social scene. So
much so, that so to wear colour during the evening seems like a social
solecism.
Ask women why they prefer the little or not
so little black number and the answers come
thick and fast. Black is a safe colour to wear. It makes you look much thinner.
Wearing a black dress means you don’t have to worry about colour coordinating
your accessories. It’s the perfect choice when you want to blend in. A black
dress survives many seasons. And much more in the same vein.
Of course, the black number has sustained a
few changes at the hands of Indian designers, who have taken it upon themselves
to innovate an old classic. But it has survived this treatment, even though
these days it has to jostle for wear with its second cousins in a vast range of
colours from the metallic to pastel in anything from linen to velvet.
There are some who feel, however, that the
little black dress has had its day. I feel that it is not the choice of the
fashion- conscious either in the west or in this country. ‘’ the short length
is outdated and women abroad prefer to wear the dress knee length today,
besides, I feel black as an evening colour is obsolete. Its substitute is grey,
ivory and olive green. In India, women resist wearing a knee length dress
because they think of it as dowdy.
The term classic, I feel is often stretched
beyond a limit. And Indian women fall back on the black number as it has
formally been elevated to the position of being timeless. ‘’it has a ‘classic’
for most people because this is one item in your wardrobe that will carry you
through the day, which is why it will continue to remain simply a basic
favourite.
‘’ But
now trends are changing with an edge on the millennium. I think we are moving
towards a technology driven age. So much so that one sees the face of
technology even in fashion. Hence you have this burst of metallic colours like
silver. I mean, ten years ago, you could not have imagined anyone wearing a
silver outfit. But now, silver has entered even the casualwear segment.’’
My personal favourites remain black and
white.There’s so much so one can do with these colours. Accessories them with anything,
any colour. In that sense, I don’t think these colours will ever go out of
fashion. And what can replace them. I can’t think of any other colour, not even
poppy red. They have many limitations. ‘’ even if the black number has had a
temporary dip in popular, following the circle of life in fashion, ‘’whatever
goes out comes back after a while. So, I am confident that this number would
also make a comeback‘’ the little
black dress can never be dead. If you have the body and the legs you will
always want to flaunt them. Prints and stripes can be here today and gone
tomorrow. But black is eternal. You can team it with gold, diamond or pearls.
It is elegant and never overbearing.’’
I
remember girls wearing the regulation black outfit at discos, pubs and parties at
the time. Of the recent innovations, a finely cut dress in lycra, net and lace
catches the eye. Black is versatile, one can never really go wrong with it.
Black is a very flattering colour. It brings out the best in you and conceals a
lot of flab. Besides, it is an attractive and a formal colour at the same
time.’’
It is also flexible. It can be styled and restyled
very easily. With a change of accessories certain outfits get completely transformed,it
can be accessorized with a stole or a scarf or anything. So in that sense, it
is a very versatile garment. I don’t think it can never completely die. There
may be a lull at the moment but it is bound to make a reappearance. Maybe in
different proportions. Perhaps the length would change.
Besides it is also the simplest of all
outfits, which is why many designers feels there can never be any replacing
it..It is attractive, sensuous and at the same time formal . However, indian women have just about got
the hang of the outfit. They haven’t learnt to be adventurous with it yet. ‘’
which is why they conform to wearing the outfit only at night. But this is one
outfit that can carry you right through the day.
The little black dress is seen as a
necessity abroad. But, it is also treated as in a very casual manner as well as
worn in cocktails. On the contrary here a big deal is made of the dress. It is
seen as being extremely glamourous. While it is a conservative wear in the
west, women in India look upon it as an opportunity for some back and cleavage
show.There may be options with lycra and velvet, and in different colours, but
everyone must have a black dress.
Today many bollywood designers has mastered
the craft of creating sexy black outfits out of velvet and lycra. But she
despairs the absence of the little black number on the screen.The locale and
situations dictate costumes. Which is why there is a spurt of colourful clothes
on screen and indeed street fashion too is dictated by sliver screen divas, but
black remains an all time favourite. It
is a must in any fashion conscious woman’s wardrobe. It’s a pity we do not use
the original black in films. Maybe it’s too elegant for them. That however,
need not be the last word on what seems to have been the woman’s best friend
for a long time.
The black dress is like jeans. It is for
all times and nothing can ever replace it. Indian women have just about got the
hang of the outfit. They haven’t learnt to be adventurous with it yet. ‘’ which
is why they conform to wearing the outfit only at night. But this is one outfit
that can carry you right through the day. Black is the number one basic that
more than any other stays with us season in and season out. It’s a very grown
up colour which is why little girls long to wear it and any mother far sighted
enough to dress her 7 yr old in black velvet and white lace is likely to get
her offspring style buds off to an early start. Not true. Black is prepared to
be anyone‘s best friend of you treat in right .Wear unrelieved black only if
your skin colouring blooms without the help of too much make up. [or you’re in
mourning]. Whatever make up you normally wear, in black you’ll need more
.Especially eyeshadows and blushers. Vivid red lips and nails to match
punctuate black brilliantly. So do nudey pink ones looks very sexy.
If black is your number one basic choice
then there are two colourful paths to pursue. One is for extroverts and is
enlivened with great splashes of brilliance orange, red, blue, yellow, emerald,
purple, shocking pink. Or travel the more subtle route with smoky or neutral
tones the spice colours, taupe , tan, slate , lavender. If maximum impact is
your aim invest in a huge multicoloured shawl. Or wear a scarlet shirt and
white satin tie with a business like black suit. Or an orange t shirt black
jeans and a purple patent belt. Try an emerald heavy sweaters with bold black
and white check trousers. Wear all black including lacy tights and spike with a
pair of wicked red leather shoes. If you rather shoulder than burn then go for
the laid look. Team your basic black with anything in leopard print. A t
-shirts even tights or as seen here a huge leopard bag, and no basic black
wardrobe is complete without the little black dress this one in jersey is
teamed with black leather and beret.
+91 9706001220
prasanttghosh999@gmail.com
www.prasanttghosh.com
www.prasanttghosh.com
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