Style Check (Midriff Fashion)

 

Wrapped in Hotness and Attitude!

Stay one level up with midriff fashion tips this season, failing which you might tread the precarious line of disobeying the accepted norms of cultural etiquette. Midriff fashion is more than just putting a bold foot forward. It is about free spiritedness as well.

By PRAMITA BOSE

Being oomphy is no cakewalk as one has to tread the fine line between sensuality and vulgarity. It can go south if not pulled off in the right perspective. Success comes with gravity, dignity, responsibility and a keen fashion sense.

Not Just a Hot Pursuit!

Apparently, midriff fashion might come across as a ‘hot and sensuous affair’ but there’s more to the story, affirms the experts.

“Absolutely! You got to think bigger and beyond a hot bod. Today, it’s all about balance and self-assurance. When designed thoughtfully, midriff silhouettes exude elegance and empowerment, concentrating majorly on proportion and movement rather than revealing the skin,” claims designer Pooja Bhatia, also the founder of her namesake label.

Designer and stylist Ruoma Jain too sets the record straight. “Midriff fashion isn’t just about being outrageously brazen. Instead, it reflects the changing attitude of the generic mindset towards body positivity, freedom and personal style. It is how you look at things and convey the same to the world around you, which becomes your runway to strut out on with a charismatic flamboyance. A liberated, creative soul must fly out of the pigeonhole of culture policing,” she enlightens, resting all speculations.

Fabrics in Focus

A variety of sarees in a wide range of fabrics are ideal for exposing the midriff without looking risqué.

Sarees in fluid, breathable fabrics like chiffon, georgette, silk crepe and soft handloom cottons highlight the midriff gracefully and decently without appearing inappropriate. For example, a classic chiffon saree with a well-fitted blouse or a lightweight Banarasi or Tussar silk draped conventionally unveils the midriff in a sophisticated fashion.

“This emits a charming radiance that comes from deft craftsmanship, the uniqueness of the drape worn and correct proportion rather than an uncovered patch of skin alone,” observes Jain.

Draping Deets

Are there any specific styles to tie, knot and drape the saree that can highlight the midriff?

“Traditional drapes, such as the Nivi style (originating from Andhra Pradesh) wraps the midriff in a measured, harmonious manner. Modern, streamlined pleating and precise blouse tailoring can further elevate it while maintaining the chic element,” informs Jain.

Blouse Basics

Blouses of distinctive types with interesting cuts can enhance the beauty of a woman’s midriff.

“Blouse design plays a critical role in how the midriff is perceived,” views Jain. “Timeless cuts, such as a tailored short choli, sleeveless or cap-sleeve blouses as well as classy necklines like boat, square or gentle sweetheart shapes create a well-defined silhouette. For instance, an aptly fitted raw silk blouse with an enduring square neckline or a minimalist deep-back blouse paired with the age-old saree lifts the midriff subtly. This finesse is derived from structural accuracy in lieu of overt exposure,” she elaborates in lucid detail.

Wear Desi and Phoren With Flair

Other outfits — both domestic and western — can also highlight the midriff region with élan.

“Midriff-flattering outfits span both Indian and foreign fashion. On one hand, the desi wardrobe could work well with high-waisted lehengas, dhoti pants with cropped tops and pre-draped sarees with tailored blouses, while on the other, overseas styles will emphasise the midriff with poise and panache through high-rise trousers or skirts teamed with crop tops, wrap tops or co-ord sets,” sums up Jain.

High-Rise Versus Low-Rise

When quizzed if low-rise cuts always play up the midriff fashion better than the high-waisted jeans, parallels or skirts, to that, Bhatia debunks the myth with a blatant “No way!” reaction. “High-waisted palazzos, skirts and lehengas often bolster midriff fashion by tendering more convenience, modishness and a richer taste. That way, the wearer looks a notch smarter when she steps out! Low-rise is just one option, not a rule,” she argues her point.

Palette and Prints

A plethora of colours and prints works for both dusky and fair skin complexions in midriff fashion.

Certain hues tend to be in sync with a palette of skin tones. Earthy shades like olive, rust, beige and warm browns are generally eye-pleasing as are jewel tints, namely emerald, teal and deep blue. When it comes to prints, patterns like abstract designs, soft florals or muted stripes are versatile and adaptable. The key is contrast and tone rather than the skin colour only.

Free Spirit

Notably, midriff fashion epitomises freedom and self-expression. Today it is largely about individualistic choices.

“It underpins one’s comfort level and how that person wants to express herself through clothing. Rather than following a rigid trend, it allows couturiers and clotheshorses to interpret the style in their own ways, whether that means subdued exposure or a garish statement. This flexibility of being a noncorforminst in the creative designing landscape is what gives midriff fashion its sense of liberty and self-styled expressions,” comments designer Charu Arora, also the founder of her fashion label Saisha.

Gloomy to Cheery

Is midriff fashion a form of post-isolation expression, especially in post-Covid era as there were a lot of physical distancing and creative restrictions imposed during the pandemic?

“There has been a noticeable shift in how people approach clothing since the corona era. They are embracing diverse dressing styles with a more open mind and less inhibitions now. After long periods of restraints, dystopian fashion sensibilities, ramp walks in bio-secure bubbles with strict quarantine and safety protocols in place and minimal social interactions — fashion has become more overt, utopian and outward-looking at present,” differentiates Arora.

Midriff styles mirror this switch from a sullen state to a sunny atmosphere by departing from purely functional dressing towards clothing that conveys positivity — an essence of lightness, happiness and emancipation. It aligns with a broader desire to reconnect with personal styles and physical presence, thus replacing virtual images.

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