Parisian chic: outfit inspiration.

I posted this on the PC book thread too. One of the pieces of Ines's advice really hit home with me. She suggested asking well travelled friends to bring back colorful kurtis ( tunics) from india and to wear them with cardigans and pearls. I am not necesssarily overly well travelled but definitely have a lot of kurtis given my south asian origins. Here I layered a kurti with green and pink flowers on a white background under a black shawl neck cardi, karen kane jeggings and anne Klein boots. I added pearl studs and a hand knotted pearl necklace!

I will be visiting India in March 2012 and would be happy to bring back some kurtis for YLF'ers that are interested. about $10-20 on average. cotton, handwash only. please pm me if you are interested!

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12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

love this look. so simple and chic.

Makrame

This looks great! With your curtis collection, you must have great selection of bright colors to liven up black/dark outfits! Looks like the length is just right to wear with skinny jeans and jeggings.

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Yes, I loved that suggestion too, Sona. And how fantastic that you already have a great selection of kurtis. The colours are so vibrant, and the patterns striking. I love this particular one and I think you look fantastic. Modern and elegant, super stylish! I really like the style of the cardigan with this, because we get to see more of the fab kurti this way.

JennyAnne

Oh how pretty! It's the perfect length for that look.

Queen Mum

lovely outfit!

Transcona Shannon

This is absolutely beautiful Sona...truly.

modgrl

Fun look! I love the base of it as much as the blouse. You could do this uniform with any layer top and you will look polished from head to toe.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Super - duper! This is a great unique look

Isis

I love this look, Sona! And it is so sweet for you to offer to be our conduit to India!

Anonymous

How cool Sona! Did you shorten the kurti at all, or is this the typical length?

Isabel

Oh my this is such a beautiful look !!

I HAVE o find some on the web !

Deborah

This is a fab look. I love it on you. Clever blending of styles.

Janet

I love it! I was also struck by that suggestion. I enjoy mixing unexpected elements with classic ones.

The colors and patterns of kurtis, saris, etc., have appealed to me ever since I was in grade school. Some day I'd love to visit India -- a few of my husband's colleagues and employees are from there, so we have invitations to visit, we just haven't taken the opportunity yet!

Suz

FABULOUS, Sona! WOW, this seems to satisfy so many of your requirements on those "blah" days....you don't have to tuck, you get to look fab in skinnies, it's contemporary, it's cheerful, it expresses your heritage, it's YOU!!

So kind of you to offer to pick us up a kurti when you go!

elpgal

Sona, what a great idea. In the last few years, I have hardly bought any new Indian clothes, but now you are inspiring me to take a look again.

san

Love this Sona!

Jjsloane

This looks really good and I love how you are incorporating your culture in a modern way.

velvetychocolate

This is really pretty!!

HelenInCanada

I love the infusion of bold colours into your cardi and pants outfit, Sona. I LOVE tunics. You're wearing an element of your culture beautifully. The East Indian women I see here who are dressed up in the neighbourhood usually have the kurti (usually knee length), scarf, and matching loose pants. ALWAYS in bold, jewel-toned colours, and some bling, and looking stunning!

I have a question about kurtis - it's about sizing - do they generally run 'true to size' or is there also the vanity sizing thing going on as with a lot of the clothing here? There's an Indian shopping area in my hometown that has the most beautiful fabrics and stores.. in fact, I bought the midnight blue raw silk material there for my bridesmaid's gowns when I got married.

Now I'm thinking....hmmm....I should ask my Mom to go there and find me a kurti. Believe me, my Mom and aunt would love an excuse to go shopping there - as they find the most beautiful fabrics in that neighbourhood.

So, if I wear around an 8-10 in mass-market US retail clothing stores (generally), but still sometimes need a large for a sweater or close-fitting knitted dress - what size would you recommend for a kurti? Also - do you think the shorter ones or longer ones are better? I'm not all that tall, but not short either - about five feet six inches tall.

Any advice on sizing and/or length? Thanks

Sveta

Lovely outfit, Sona! Isn't it great to incorporate your national clothes in a modern way?

Vicki

Sona, I love this kurti look and was also inspired by it after reading Parisian Chic. I posted something about it under the book club. That is so kind of you to offer to pick some up for YLF'ers and I'd be interested and will pm you. I just have to figure out what "pop of color" Angie and Ines would recommend for me!

Thank you for posting your photos. Now, I really want one.

Sylvie

Sona, where do you buy yours? I (or someone in my family) will be going in February but we have no clue about where/how to shop. Do you get yours tailor made?

I find that my broad shoulders/muscular arms won't fit into the "youth generation" clothes but swim in the "auntie generation" clothes, so I can never buy off the rack.

Sona

Claire: it came this length. 'kurtis' are shorter tunics, 'kurtas' longer.

velvetychocolate: no vanity sizing. but sizing all depends on bust size and is not consistent. they don't really market readymade clothes to large busted women ( this always stumps me?!). My mom is s size 6US and can wear a small or medium in kurtis usually.

Sylvie: mines is off the rack. A really good chain with fab kurtis is: Cottons ( delhi, mumbai, jaipur, few other cities?). also fab india ( more casual, cheaper) and anokhi. tailormade is another option. I had a tory burch pattern copied for $20 including fabric!

Lisa

Lovely outfit! I really like the bright pattern peeking out from the cardigan!

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