Off the ‘book’

It’s the season of Lit fests. You’re going to be rubbing shoulders with a stellar line-up of literary world’s finest, so why not dress accordingly? Here’s a lowdown on how to get that artsy and eclectic look at these hip literary festivals, even if books aren’t really your bag and you don’t talk in verse and think in metaphors like most people around you do. Sophistication is the key to style yourself in a quirky and fun way as you dress up beautifully to spend a day outdoors around all the beautiful books.

Avante-garde avatar
City based fashion designers Anu Nagappa and Susan Fernandes, frequent lit fests every year dressed to the T. Anu & Susan share their style tips saying, “Anu and I go to the Jaipur Lit Fest every year, we absolutely love the ambience, the cold weather, the fact that you can walk up to your favourite  author and have a glass of wine with him. We have met such interesting people at the JLF. And you always notice those who are dressed beautifully, stunningly or just plain crazy. It’s a feast to the senses, literary and artistically. Here in Bengaluru with summer already creeping in, we will see a lot of ladies in stunning sarees – with linen, khadi and denim being the rage. Some women design the most sexy saree blouses which really make them look so striking. We will also see lots of pure handloom and cotton tops being paired with white jeans or linen palazzos. Sunglasses play a huge role, being out for most of the day, hence it’s equally important to accessorise with cool sunglasses!”

Quirky quotient
When the setting is more organic, quirky is the way to go feels city’s fashion guru Prasad Bidapa. He feels, “It’s very important to mismatch your clothes if you want to look artsy at the LitFest. Checkered pants and a floral shirt are basic must haves. Orange shoes will evoke sighs of envy, green socks with polka dots match well with that! A hat or cap with a rock band emblem adds a nice touch. Shades with round frames and an artisanal jhola bag to put your books in, if you’re the reading type. For women, draped dhoti pants add a literary touch. Wear a man’s shirt with a lacy bra worn over it, that’s a killer look. You can even try a bomber jacket. Mob caps, shades and bright orange lipstick for a burst of colour, and men’s shoes complete the look!”

Khadi cool
Intellectual and understated is the key feels author Bhaavna Arora who just got back from giving a talk at the Pune Lit Fest. “Remember to stay away from bling and stilettos as you’re not going for a party but a literary festival! Though there aren’t any hard and fast rules, one must dress in a fashion that matches the tone of the event. Pick from fabrics like khadi, cotton, raw silk or chiffons. You can’t go wrong in an eye-catching dhoti skirt. Accessorise to the bare minimum, preferably in silver jewellery, pearls or beads and carry a handbag in a cheerful fabric. Jute bags go well at literary events,” she shares.

Beauty & the books
Book and literary festivals are becoming a very international affair and it’s nice to see literature enthusiasts dressing up their part. Michelle Salins says, “I was recently in Colombo and there was a literary fest going on there. I had a chance to meet their very own and popular Ashok Ferrey. I had just read a part of his latest book Serendipity and The Good Little Ceylonese Girl. It’s important to dress up right for a Lit Fest and not go out in bling or short cuts and long slits. You could be stunning yet simple. You can try pairing an ethnic jacket with a saree or try layering if it’s a fest during winters. A stunning stole can also add that charm required for the cultural air around.”