Campus Fashion

Come to college and it is good-bye to school uniforms; time to step back into the world of colour. But shopping for college can be a horror for some and, by default, an eyesore for others. Mail Today conducted a small survey on the ever-changing campus fashion: what's "so totally in" this summer, the absolute "no-no's" or the "oh-so-yesterday's", where to go, what to buy and how much to pay for it. DU fashion experts come to the fresher's rescue with this summer's fashion forecast…

DO's

Colours: Light/pastel colours (white, relatives of yellow, coral/peach pink)

Prints: Minimum, if at all then floral/graphic/illusion prints (graphic and illusion prints are more wintery)

Fabric: Cotton, linen, denim

Western

Uppers: Ganjis, formal white shirts with waist-coats, long T-shirts, shirt dresses/short dresses and shirts for guys

Lowers: Loose shorts, dungaree shorts, harem shorts (knee-length), pyjamas, white cotton three-fourths, denim capris, skin-fit/straight-fit jeans

Indian

Salwar-Kameez/Kurta-Pyjamas: Anaarkali style, long kurtas with churidaar pyjamas, printed patialas with chikan work kurtas

Accessories: Chunky (single long beaded necklace and single wooden bangle), Metallic (particularly silver), Glass jewellery (colourful bangles) besides big bags, shades, stoles and cloth belts

Make-up: Nail art with bold colours in nail-paint (green, blue, purple, golden), light blush-on, kajal/kohl (black/grey/blue/green), mascara

Hair-style: Wavy/curly/messy

Foot-wear: Oshos, Floaters, Canvas shoes

Brands: (Western-Uppers :) Westside, Benetton, Mango, (Western-Lowers :) Numero Uno, Levis, Lifestyle; (Indian :) Cottage Industries, People Tree, Sabhyata, Fabindia; (Foot-wear :) Nike, Converse, Crocs


DON'T's

Colours: Bold/Dark colours

Prints: Polka dots/ stripes in prints and sequin work

Fabric: Lycra, Corduroys, Silk, Velvet

Western

Uppers: Frilly dresses, balloon dresses, peasant tops (balloon short-sleeved ones), and asymmetrical dresses

Lowers: Flared jeans, acid-washed/faded jeans, leggings, harem pants, cargoes, asymmetrical skirts

Indian

Salwar-Kameez/Kurta-Pyjamas: Short kurtis over jeans/patialas/churidaars

Accessories: Golden/silver bags, too many beads, anklets, loud dangler ear-rings, jholas, bandanas, scarves

Make-up: Lip-stick, black/red nail-paint, eye-liner

Hair-style: Poker-straight, hair colouring and/or streaks (especially golden/yellow/bleached streaks)

Foot-wear: Heels/stilettos and boots, golden/silver belles with ribbon bows

ONE-STOP SHOPS

· "Delhi University swears by Sarojini Nagar market and Janpath" observes NIFT's Keerti Kataria, next door neighbour to Kamala Nehru, Gargi and Institute of Home Economics. Sarojini Nagar was unanimously voted as the ultimate shopper's haven when it came to tops, T-shirts, etc. (Budget: Rs. 150-200 per piece).

· GK-1, M-Block market should be approached by those with generous parents (Budget: Rs. 250-300 per piece).

· Go to Tantra/People Tree for slogan T-shirts (Budget: Rs. 150-200 per tee).

· Janpath is good for accessories (Budget: Below Rs. 50 per article) and so is Khan Market. Khan Market is for the unconventional, style-statement making 'elite'. People Tree has some great stuff too.

· Good quality jeans are available at GK, South-Ex and Kamla Nagar Market. Wait for sale-time.

· Fabindia (GK N-Block, Lajpat Nagar, CP) and Sabhyata (Lajpat Nagar) have taken the Indian-wear scene by storm and continue to be, more or less, high-priced (approx. Rs. 300 for one kurta).

· For canvas shoes head straight to Converse. Oshos (Flip-flop jute chappals) are still in, still priced at Rs. 100, and still all over the place. Stick to brands for floaters and shoes.

· Check out the fari Market opposite McD's Priya Complex, Basant Lok for bags.

To sum it up in Designer, Sidika Kapoor's words "The formula to looking good is feeling good. It's all about your creativity, sensibility and street smartness; where you buy your clothes from and to where you wear them. Carry off whatever you wear with confidence, wear your attitude!"