Waistlines rose, beaded pieces ruled Indian fashion (2010 in Retrospect)

NEW DELHI - Fashion followers took a cue from international trends and lined up their wardrobe with high-waist trousers, jeggings. In accessories, the stress was on moulded metal, oversized beads and neckpieces with coins and gladiator shoes.

IANS takes a look at what was hot in 2010:

- High-waist trousers: The year saw waistlines going higher - 2010 was truly a year of epitomising yesteryear fashion trends and the most prominent was high-waists with wide or narrow trousers. The trend became popular once fashion icons Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham flaunted it and later Bollywood actors Sonam Kapoor and Rani Mukerji popularised it here by sporting it on several occasions. Also high-street fashion brand Zara took the fashion scene by storm with the trousers by offering them at reasonable prices.

In terms of silhouettes, designer Nida Mahmood says the focus was on volume below hip, hence pleating, gathering was very in and pants were tapered down with low hemlines.

- Jeggings: Tight leggings in denim fabric made a strong headway in Indian fashion this year. From youngsters to women in their 50s, everyone flaunted it with t-shirts, tunics, long shirts and even dresses for a chic look. Jeggings in grey, black and blue sold like hot cakes because they are easy to match with myriad colours.

- Blazers: Who says blazers are only for men? This year fashion took a U-turn and women stole oversized blazers from their boyfriends or husbands’ closet and carried them elegantly with smart skirts or loose trousers. Hollywood celebrity Kirsten Stewart and Bollywood actresses Sonam Kapoor and Shilpa Shetty were spotted making style statements in over-sized coats.

- Gladiators: The sandals with or without heel found a place in every fashionista’s shoe collection. Also known as Roman sandals, they became a must and were spotted all over runways and streets this season. According to shoe designer Swati Mehrotra, the reason for their popularity was they went well with almost everything!

Apart from these, wedges and boots were also very popular because of the comfort level.

- Curly hair: If poker straight hair dominated 2008 and 2009, this year was high on texture and curls. According to hair expert Javed Habib, there was a 40 percent increase in volume and curls and there was no change in length. That’s why Priyanka Chopra got it right - shoulder-length curly hair, the flavour of the season.

- Hair accessories: Again thanks to fashion brands Zara and Forever 21, hair accessories found a new dimension altogether. From bows to stylish hairbands to ribbons to flowers, young girls flaunted the best head gear in town.

- Velvet: If you thought only Rohit Bal and Manish Malhotra have a thing for velvet, well the fabric dominated the ramps and even found a special corner in men’s wardrobes. So be it in a controlled or restrained form or a full velvet coat in bright hues, it was no more a passe. Designer Varun Bahl’s menswear line had stylish velvet coats teamed up with slim fit pants.

- Acid colours: Queen of kitsch Mahmood says the year was about matching acid colours like acid green, sunflower yellow and shocking red interspersed with neutral or pastel colours.

- Animal prints: The prints exude style and sexiness and hence made a strong appearance both on and off the ramp. Be it snake prints, zebra prints or leopard prints, both Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities wore them. Angelina Jolie and Shilpa Shetty looked ravishing in these prints, and Malaika Arora Khan carried off animal print clutches with elan.

- Statement pieces: This year was also about getting over the fascination for glittering diamonds and solid platinum and opting for moulded metal, oversized beads and neckpieces with coins - in short statement pieces. Jewellery designer Vandana Dewan feels the advantage of these pieces is that one doesn’t need heavy makeup, stylish dresses or heavy earrings to go with them; a heavy statement piece spells magic in itself.

At the same time, belts too found a place in every woman’s wardrobe in every possible form. Thin, elastic or broad, everything was in.

(Shilpa Raina can be contacted at shilpa.r@ians.in)