Styling your traditional kohlapuri

Whether you’re off to a casual day out or a wedding, completing your apparel with kohlapuris is the easiest way out

The traditional kohlapuri remains timeless. Whether you’re off to a casual day out or a wedding, completing your apparel with a pair of kohlapuri chappals is the easiest way out. If you’re facing trouble thinking how to make good use of your kohlapuris, then this one’s for you. Compiled below are our favourite kohlapuri looks from the past few years to make your outfit look effortlessly stylish.

The dashing dhoti shalwar



After a long break from the fashion repertoire, dhoti pants are back in style. Coupling the modern dhoti pants with a short embroidered top is ultimate. Indian designer Sabyasachi’s ethnic dhoti pants collection entailed short embroidered blazers, paired with contrasting dhoti pants and embellished blazers. From the family of kohlapuris, we love how the designer chose traditional khussas as footwear. Do justice to your attire by tying your hair in a bun and pairing it with a pair of intricate Ram-Leela earrings for the occasion.

Westernising your kohlapuri



When you’re having a lazy day, matching your kohlapuris with a plain white T-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans is the classic combo. To add a bit of glamour to your appearance, accessorising your look with a neck-piece or a pair of knuckle rings and a messy hairdo is the right way to go. Model Preeti Dhata made a casual yet trendy entrance at the Lakmé Fashion Week 2015 when she turned up in a pair of ripped cropped jeans and a sky blue collar top. We absolutely love how she chose to slip on those pastel-coloured kohlapuris to complete the look.

Mixing it up with a maxi dress



Full-length maxi dresses are often associated with a dressy occasion. However, the style is changing now, making it more stylish to wear a maxi dress whenever you want, all depending upon how you style it. Wearing a printed maxi dress to the beach gives a comfy and chic look. It’s important to pair your dress with the right accessories. Complete your maxi dress look with a chunky hand-cuff bracelet and a pair of funky-coloured kohlapuris. Dresses in shades of beige, white and orange paired with colourful kohlapuris are definite favourites of the autumn season. This year, Shradha Kapoor made a statement in an Aztec print off-shoulder maxi dress, with contrasting kohlapuri flats and messy hair topping her boho look.

With the iconic long kurta



The most graceful of all remains the long kurta and churidar look. Exuding an air of elegance, the long kurta is often paired with the traditional Indian churidar pajama. If you want to opt for a traditional dress at a wedding, a helpful tip to remember is to contrast the colour of your churidar with the colour of the kurta. A glittery gold kurta with a deep maroon churidar mark our favourites in terms of traditional wedding colours. As seen on Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone, pairing your apparel with a pair of glitzy earrings and silver or gold kohlapuris would definitely make your look stand out.

The newly trending harems



Coupling your coloured harem pants with a tucked in button-down shirt and a pair of kohlapuris completes your classy look for the day. Jacqueline Fernandez turned heads at the launch of a new ride at Mumbai’s amusement park Essel World when she was spotted in grey harem pants with a plain white tank top. The actors accessorised her look with a watch, beaded belt and kohlapuri chappals. Braided hair and minimal make-up completed her look.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th,  2015.

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