Summers call for flowy, shapeless silhouettes like capes swhich are trending this summer
A model displays a cape creation by Krishna Mehta
Summers are here and this year’s surprise addition to the wardrobe are capes. We saw beautiful summer capes during Anamika Khanna’s LFW 2015 Summer/Resort finale show, which were picked up by celebrities like hot cakes.“Even though they are a winter favourite, yet the right kind of effort and innovation can ease the restriction,” says designer Karan Berry of Karleo. He suggests a change of fabric is essential for the switch over.
“A breezy and light weight fabric is what you need for this trend. Organza, crepes and simple cottons are good options to make a stylish and elegant statement. Keeping the weather in mind, prints and hand paints work as perfect embellishments for your cape instead of embroidery,” he says.Pairing your capes with the right apparel is vital to the story. Keeping that in mind, Karan comes up with some attractive options. “Usually, with capes, the inner top should be body hugging as the outer one is designed as shapeless and fluid in structure. Pencil pants and slim cut trousers definitely make good companions. And do rule out oversized and baggy tops, they are a strict no no.”
On the other hand, designer Leon Vaz offers a completely new perspective for your caped outing. “A longer version of the cape can make the cut as a dress — to be flaunted solo with inner wear. We love the relaxed feel that comes attached with a cape, a sheer knee length cape with an off shoulder sheath dress underneath makes a pretty cocktail hour picture. For other glam options, try these two variations of the cape — a big cape topped with a pair of jewelled trouser or a sleek cape top that goes to midi length with subtle embroidery work.”
Suggesting another big trend this year, Leon adds, “Although both have a few loose ends but capes and dhoti pants/Jodhpuri pants are trending big. All colours are welcome but my eyes are fixed on black or nude shade embellished with burnt metallic copper hue.”Capes do exude a certain energy and grace. You can experiment with the shapes too, avers veteran designer Kiran Uttam Ghosh. The designers favour deconstruction of capes to fluted shapes, slouchy tents that lean at the back. And she surely would like to play with contrasts like sheer versus opaque, horizontal weaves versus embroidery detail.
“It will be interesting to introduce something so conventionally Western as the cape to an Indian flavour. Handlooms like Maheshwaris, Bengal dhakai and tant weaves, Chanderi Benarasi brocades and kinkhwab, soft delicate sheer fabrics and ikkat offset georgette and heat pressed pleated fabrics can be used to create many styles of capes. Go for bright shades like red and fuchsia. The innerwear should cling to the body and jersey looks apt to do this job,” concludes Kiran.
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