The khadi winter edit

Winter season may have its staunch supporters, but it demands a bit of a blitzkrieg in the fashion department for most of us. Often enough, if you’re a big fan of ethnic attires, it becomes problematic to continue wearing them with bulky sweaters and jackets. Colours may consequentially disappear from your wardrobe (my own currently looks a mix of greys, blacks and more greys), as can variety in fabrics. This is a moment that requires you to be creative with your attire, and circumvent the boring winter stuff.

Cropped blouse sweaters Cropped blouse sweaters, especially in neutral shades, are a great way to continue wearing summer staples such as flowy skirts, colourful saris, dresses with folk and paisley prints , jodhpur pants — there is much experimenting to be done if you have plain (or plaid) woollen or warm blouses in neutral colours. While what you match it with gives your outfit its charm, the blouse may be fun in itself. Try having a mix of structures and materials for variety. Traditionally, high-necked blouses work very well with saris. However, try it out with a loose cropped-shirt fit sweater and a low slung sari, or fitted A-line skirt, and see how your regular attire is transformed.

Trench coats It’s not just Audrey Hepburn who wore it best. Wearing the sari how the previous generation of women wore it with trench coats in holidays to Shimla or Manali, the ends wrapped around their necks and brought in front like bright scarves, may have been the best winter fashion trend worth writing home about since the ’30s. An update on the classic trend: pair a hot leather jacket offset with a strikingly coloured sari, and boots, or Oxfords.

Phiran ponchos and jackets Phirans and shawls may be beautifully embroidered, and made of the warmest wool, but are often cumbersome work wear. This can easily be countered by altering them into a poncho — any good tailor will do it for you — and make them a talking point. Ponchos are versatile, and look great with a number of things such as trousers, straight-fit pants or even skirts.

Androgynous fashion Athleisure is a risqué combination with ethnic wear, considering traditional clothes lend themselves to flamboyancy quite naturally. But why not try a long woollen T-shirt or jacket over a woollen salwar? Contemporary Indian fashion is veering towards the minimalist aesthetic. Here’s an opportunity to stick to the plain palettes you are used to during winter, and play with texture and fabric for variety. Pair your chic yoga pants with long woollen jackets, or long tees and shawl ponchos, some pumps, and you can wear this outfit anywhere from a brunch do to post work parties. Let the winters not take your desi mo-jo away from you, when it comes to fashion.

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