Are your busy work schedules around the city demanding all your attention? Well, you’re lucky you have that street style party to attend. But you haven’t decided a cool look yet? Have no fear as MissMalini gives you a quick guide to make a statement.
1. Bindis
What: It’s a stick-on ornament used by Indian women with Indian traditional make-up. They come in different sizes and shapes but no bigger than a coin.
How to style: Traditionally worn on the forehead with Indianwear, but you can choose to push the envelope. Like Gwen Stefani, you could sport a bindi with your non-Indian look. To funk up your style quotient, use bindis to decorate your bags, jeans, shoes. The list and possibilities are endless.
Where to find them: The local market places across Bombay stock them. But Santacruz market shops will provide you with a never ending ranging of bindis. So, go crazy!
2. Topis
What: Head covering
How to style: Sport a Nehru topi with a pair of jeans and t-shirt. Or choose to go the other way around it and style your short kurta/trouser look with an Englishmen’s hat.
Where: In Bombay, street shops in Hill Road at Bandra and Colaba have hat shops. But if you are looking for traditional hats, Gem Dresswala in Andheri (East) and Maganlal Dresswala in Juhu are the best options.
3. Indian Textiles
What: Sarees, scarves and dhotis are the best example of un-stitched garments made from Indian fabrics.
How to style: Drape them interestingly to make a statement. Borrow a cotton saree and work a Tshirt instead of a blouse or simply throw a denim jacket over it. Boys can work a scarf made of Indian silk into their outfit.
Where to find: Fab India stores all over the country stock saris. Traditional Indian garments are a safe and sure option. OR beg-borrow-steal.
4. Junk jewelry and mojaris:
What: Tribal Indian jewelry and traditional Indian footwear
How to style: Mix it all up! Take your favourite outfit and style it with a cool tribal neck-piece or a pair of mojaris. Play with colour, craft or embellishments but always keep the look balanced. If your outfit is busy, keep the accessories calm or choose statement accessories to spice up a sober outfit.
Where: Junk jewelry stalls are spread all over streets of Bandra (Hill Road and Linking Road) and Colaba Causeway. For Indian footwear, Hasnabad lane near Santacruz station and Colaba Causeway house stalls ideal for both men and women.
Always remember to clear your head and take a good look at that cool dress in front of you. You know you like it but something seems wrong. Rip it, break it, stick in some safety pins and accessorize it with spoils from the street. Just take it one step at a time and be sure to never complicate the look. The best street shops are in Bandra, Colaba, Andheri. Hunt for some cool deals in garments and accessories. Even if they don’t fit you, don’t sweat it out! Safety pins, sticky tapes and suspenders available around can help you tailor the look to your own liking. Enjoy your Bombay Street Style.