Sartorial Safari

While you may not be actually jetting off to Africa on safari, you can still conquer anything the urban jungle may throw at you by spearing into the safari fashion

Hey fashionistas, take your pith helmets and get ready as we are taking you to a 21st-century safari; not a Twentieth Century Fox Hollywood Blockbuster but a gorgeous sartorial smash hit. Function and practicality are the keynotes and layering is the formula — even in hotter and colder months. “This tried and tested trend is a perennial favourite because it is beach friendly and city chic at the same time and works best at any age. In fact, safari chic is less a fashion trend and more a style of dressing with each season seeing its return to the runway.

From crazy African adventures to utilitarian safari styles divided into big cat prints, palm prints, lush embroideries and exotic punches of hues along with sprinkling of quintessential khakis and camouflages in vivid editions, the trend just sunk its gleaming claws deeper into the fashion industry’s flesh this season,” elaborates designer Pallavi Mohan who adds that the safari trend right now is highly influenced by the androgynous uprising. “Tribal patterns flood the print scene,” reveals designer Shalini Jaikaria of Geisha Designs of the prints and patterns. She points out that this trend is all about an individualistic take on fashion where spontaneity is appreciated. So go wild and tell your colour story with an eclectic mix of patterns, “Small in scale, dizzy and compact, they play with chaos and order. Mixing animal print with tribal print in a loud and lively manner, blurs the boundaries between man and his world.

Since layering is the mood, it is good to mix multiple small compact patterns like tartan checkered cigarette pants, tribal infused animal printed pleated long skirts, bold coloured block tops worn with fringe detailed sweaters, wraps and ikat border scarfs. The colours are bright and so warm ochres, oranges, browns mixed with greys, navy blues and blacks are in.”

However, you have to be cautious about the silhouettes, warns designer Gautam Gupta. He suggests, “The silhouettes should be kept basic and neat. If one wears a safari-inspired kaftan, then it should be paired with a basic lower. This trend boasts utilitarianism, so basic trousers, skirts, slim pants, long maxis, tops, polo knits, striped coats, wraps, fringed sweaters, shorts, shirts and T-shirts; a lightweight rain/wind-jacket or roll-up cagoule; a jersey or fleece; scarf or bandana; trousers that zip-off to turn into shorts and long-sleeved T-shirts or vests with zip-off sleeves are ideal.” About the fabrics designer Paresh Lamba advises, “Safari-inspired fashion always looks best on tough fabrics such as cotton, khadi and leather.”

Meanwhile, Natasha J., on the styling front, suggests, “Pair a safari-style jacket with skinny black pants and ballet flats. Keep your accessories neutral that complement your look without detracting from it. Strappy heels or metallic flats provide a balance to this somewhat masculine style.”