Cora Whoever thought bralettes were meant for the sunny Saint Tropez climes hasn’t clearly warmed up to the beachwear undercurrent taking the runways by storm. Take a look at Louis Vuitton’s Resort 2017 presentation — a rash of neoprene zip-up dresses or Courrèges’ tribute to the scuba suit for Spring 2017. Even Alexander Wang sent out beach-bum board shorts. In India, designer duo Hemant and Nandita have been strongly advocating beachwear as day and nightwear. The bodysuit has emerged to be the party circuit favorite.
Says designer Hemant Lalwani of the label Hemant and Nandita, “The new buzzy trend calls for wearing a designer one-piece to the beach or as a ‘bodysuit’ under your jeans. It’s actually quite innovative and a pretty genius two-for-one deal — and there are several chic ways to do it. A bustier can be paired with a jacket to create a chic look that goes from day to night, a cape paired with wide pants is understated yet trendy.”
Nandita adds, “Once upon a time a major staple of our vacation looks, the swimsuit has gradually become a key component of summer outfits, now this is extending out to a lot of other staples such as capes, bustiers and even maxi dresses and we couldn’t be happier. We started this brand keeping in mind that comfort goes hand in hand with style and what’s more comfortable than fuss-free beautiful printed pieces that take you from day to night. We are constantly trying to innovate, making sure that our garments can be worn all year round. The style isn’t about making or breaking trends only, it’s constantly evolving and wearing ‘beachwear’ as daily wear is another step into the style evolution!”
Beach to the bar
Designer Maheka Mirpuri suggests that wearing swimwear as daywear seems to be ideal to beat the Indian summer fashionably. “People have been styling up their swimsuits to go from the beach to the bar, from rooftop bars to pool. It is a decadent little secret under whatever you decide to pop on top. I think if you have a great body you can flaunt it with this look. A one-piece swimwear works as an ideal ‘bodysuit’ under your jeans or under an open dress. Something in a fun, neon shades is both an attention-grabbing layering piece and essentially water-ready that can take you from lunch to a splash in the pool. Tailored separates elevate this look so style this with a ‘summer suit’ to make this outfit office appropriate, like breezy wide-leg trousers and a graphic blazer,” she says.
Designer Pria Kataaria Puri, who recently picked six to seven pieces from Victoria Secrets says, “A lot of celebrities are wearing it internationally and it’s a very flattering style. Also, the fact that the swimwear is corsetted gives one a long torso.”