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Top it up
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Tops are all about making a style statement. Check out what is happening on the fashion front
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THE WINDS of fashion do blow in Thiruvananthapuram, albeit long after they have swept across the rest of the country.
Kurtas and kurtis for women made their presence felt a couple of seasons ago and now it is time for tops - both long and short - to make it to the wardrobes of the hip n' happening crowd. Just about everybody these days seem to be dressed in tops, teaming them up with jeans, trousers and long skirts (yes, skirts are the toast of the season).
So, let us take a look at what sells.
Cottons are forever
At Parthas, leading garment showroom in the city, plain cotton tops with a dash of embroidery on the sleeves and the neck, those with Kalamkari and batik prints are popular with college students. Voil tops with chikankari can be had for Rs. 105, while those in chiffon come for only Rs. 90. Organdi tops with sequins covered in appliqué work are available in double shades. Handloom tops with beautiful embroidery and a matching chiffon stole can be had for Rs. 990.
Full-sleeve cotton lycra tops in checks and stripes are available in hues such as orange, pink, and green. Crushed lycra tops are available for Rs. 220.
Crepe silk tops are also in vogue. You can try the kaftan style top if you want to sport an Arab look, or the wide-necked one for a more modern look. Since skirts are back in fashion, co-ordinated sets of crepe silk top, skirt and stole seem to be a good buy.
Hand-worked tops in raw silk are worth a dekko. Available in colours such as grey, red and green, these tops look elegant and are priced around Rs. 800. If you are a denim fanatic, tops in soft denim with embroidery all over are the things for you. These are priced at Rs. 665. Denim tops with embroidery in contrasting colours are available for Rs. 735.
If you are a party animal, halter-neck tops in crepe are something you could check out. Or if want to bare some skin, go for tops with spaghetti straps.
Cotton Studio at Catholic Centre also has a nice collection of cotton tops. Short tops in cotton with beautiful chikankari work on them are priced at Rs. 250 and above. These are available in shades such as lilac, green, lemon yellow and blue and look stunning.
For casual wear, try block printed tops in cotton and crepe, as also those with mirror work on them. These are priced at Rs. 300. Check out tops with Kalamkari print and embroidery work for that different look. Raw silk kurtas look good at social dos and Cotton Studio has quite a few of them.
Mangalgiri tops with zari on the neck and sleeves and zari or coloured stripes on the body can also be picked up. Tops with Ikat prints and patchwork are also available as also plain handloom ones and those in dyed fabrics. Says Sheila James, owner of the store: "Tops can be matched with stoles. One can mix n' match them with Kantha-worked stoles or embroidered ones."
Not everyone does their own thing though. Many stores bring their stock from Mumbai and the latest trends visible on the streets of the fashion capital of the country soon find their way here.
Ladies' Planet near Pulimoodu Junction has a huge collection of tops - for casual wear and party wear. Says owner Shaji: "All our tops come from Mumbai. Cotton tops are always popular. Handworked tops as also those with fancy necks and sleeves are the hottest thing on the scene. Thigh-length crushed cotton tops with Chinese collar and fancy buttons are priced between Rs. 600 and Rs. 800."
A variety of cotton tops can be found at the store. Wide-necked tops in crushed cotton with drawstrings, a la `Chalte Chalte', look cute. Tops in kurta style give you a casual look. But what dictates the choice of tops is often the sleeve. Tops with bell sleeves, Magyar, even sleeveless ones are making the rounds.
Party wear
If dancing away all night is what you have in mind, some of the tops here may do the trick. Crinkled, crushed, printed and plain tops, square and round-necked, bell-sleeved and Magyar sleeved - tops in just about all designs one can think of can be picked up at Ladies' Planet.
Hash Bush, at Attukal Shopping Complex, has short tops mostly for casual wear. Tops with floral prints, stripes, tie and dye, embroidery are available at the shop.
There's nothing too shimmery here. Only tops with sequins come close to the party wear range.
So, if you are in a mood to mix n' match, stock up on a couple of tops that can be teamed up with jeans, pants and even skirts. And in case, you are wondering about the style and cut, do not think twice - the latest is on offer for you.
R. K. ROSHNI
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Metro Plus
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