Trend Report for fall 2016

Return of jumpsuit

Jumpsuits are the new normal. The patterned, cinched-waisted jumpsuits with several different variations were on display on the catwalks of Anita Dongre, Aneeth Arora, Bodice and more. Hence, it is safe to say that they are basically de rigueur at this point. For every reason they’re becoming less on the “pretty” side and high on the cooler quotient. Watch out for the ones with lower necklines and timeless sleeveless.

Layer lure The beauty and excitement of the changing weather and the anticipation of holidays makes Fall one of the favourite seasons, for many of us. And designers made sure that you were all set to sharpen your layering skill come this Autumn/Winter. With pieces like shawls, ponchos, long jackets over blouses, layering exuded hauteness on the ramp.

Roll up your sleeves Sleeves are the ‘detail in focus’ for Autumn/Winter 2016, something that all fashion geeks, who know their bells from their bishops, can rejoice about.

From bell sleeves at Reynu Taandon, elongated cape like cuts at Dhruv Kapoor to asymmetric arms at Gaurav Gupta and tied at the wrist at Gaurav Jai Gupta, sleeves were a major trendsetter this season.

Merino wool wonder This year will be best remembered for merino wool going the deluxe way. No other fibre has such a rich heritage driven by innovation and change as the merino wool. The fiber that is inspired by nature and connected contemporary culture with progressive apparels, welcomed innovation with open arms at Pankaj and Nidhi, Pero, Eka, Hemant and Nandita and more.

Suit yourself Proving that fashion knows no gender lines, designers at the recently concluded AIFW Autumn/Winter 2016 presented their renditions of the powerful trouser suits.

The deux-piece ensemble has become a strong staple for women including the A-listers who just can’t get enough of it. With countless options, from Rajesh Pratap’s all-gold loose and slouchy version to bold-shouldered and cigarette slim pants at Namrata Joshipura’s and more, there was something for everyone’s taste and body shape.

‘Sari’torial delux Sari, the essentially Indian garment in its contemporary avatar, redefined its appeal at Anavila, Joy Mitra, Ashima-Leena and more. The long trail of cloth of one straight single length, with no zips or stitches managed to ooze vigour, strength, femininity and elegance, and most of all insistent of the fact that the grace of the six yards is — eternal.

Anti-fit action This year’s fashion trend witnessed a gradual move towards trends that are in many ways the complete antithesis of the clean and fitted silhouettes that we had all once religiously embraced. Oversized and longline garments are having a moment, in an effort to challenge the style status quo and make a case for the anti-fit.