Do you know how much significance a dress plays in Bollywood? Many people working behind the camera spend countless hours perfecting the costumes for each character in a film. Bollywood costume designers make the characters come to life on screen with their in-depth expertise in design and comprehension of the role. Read on to find the list of 7 movies and series that uncover Bollywood styling secrets.
Uncovering 7 Bollywood Styling Secrets In Top Movies:
1. Heeramandi
Everyone on the internet is obsessed with Heeramandi costumes, but do you know why? Because they are a reflection of our cultural past. Women can be seen in the series wearing Ghararas, Lehengas, Anarkalis, and Sarees. At the same time, men dress in a variety of outfits such as Modern Suits, Jackets, and Cravats, along with Kurta-Pyjamas, Sherwanis, Angarakhas, Jamas, and Bandhgalas.
The designers created an old-world charm by combining dusky and earthy palettes and keeping jewel tones for performances. Since the series is set in 1940s Lahore, the costumes combine Nawabi and Punjabi elements with a touch of European influence, reflecting the British influence of the time.
2. Amar Singh Chamkila
Some films truly transport us to the past. Chamkila costumes have the potential to make you feel like you are stepping into the old times of Punjab. Adding authenticity to this experience are dupattas with old-style Sitara work, Phulkari embroidery, and wedding dupattas with Kiran borders and Gota details.
You’ll also find a variety of Jhumkas and Balis with peepal patti details. Chamkila’s attire, which was mostly made up of shirts and pants, revealed his relatability. But he also rocked the traditional Chadra and Kurta when on stage. The styles of every character were very distinct and added a really nice touch to their personalities.
3. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
Poo’s style in K3G is truly iconic, as it is a blend of Indian and Western outfits. And let’s be honest, isn’t this Indo-Western style something that we have all dealt with? Poo’s conflict of being stuck between the traditional and the modern is reflected in her clothes. She paired crop tops with matching pants and layered them under front-open kurtas. She also wears a lot of halter-neck tops, bralettes, and crop tops and pairs them with low-rise bell bottoms. Her style shows us that sometimes confusion and attempting to balance two cultures can give rise to creativity in chic fusion outfits.
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4. Raazi
Alia Bhat’s style in Raazi is so perfectly matched for her role. What do you think an undercover spy would wear? Alia Bhat tricks people with her outfits, which are very soft and flowy. Her soft palette-coloured salwar kameez and sarees with a flowy fabric depict a very harmless look. She also wears clothes with monochromatic thread embroidery and floral patterns that make her look very delicate.
The vintage jewellery like the sleek haars, dainty jhumkis, layered earrings, and anklets reflect the 1970s setting. Being from Kashmir, she also wears many pieces with Kashida and Sozni embroidery. Her makeup is so subtle, with minimal lipgloss and kajal. Her clothing hides her true intentions, easing her disguise.
5. Pathaan
Deepika in Pathaan is a much less subtle spy than Alia in Raazi. Using her sexuality as a tool, she becomes a very seductive and powerful spy. Her costumes in the movie are in a neutral colour palette, signifying her reliability and sincerity. Ripped jeans, leather jackets, trench coats, and boots give her a very savage vibe that also reflects the depth of her character. She also wore snake earrings when she had to betray Shah Rukh Khan. Can you guess what the snake symbolises? We already told you!
6. Gangubai Kathiawadi
While Gangubai mostly wears a white saree, the details of the saree change with different scenes. In romantic scenes, the saree has floral prints and is slightly coloured with a light rose colour. Her sarees also change for celebrations such as weddings and have golden or silver embroidery to add a fancy look. In the end, she wears a saree with a red border, which signifies a powerful woman. Could you imagine that even a white saree has so much detail? Every small detail is so important, as the camera captures everything.
7. Monica, O My Darling
In this movie, Huma Qureshi wears monochromatic costumes in red and dark colours. Her character is a stunning, sensual woman who is not afraid to express her sexuality and also has hints of a dark, psychotic side. Can you guess the main colour for her character? It is red. Red symbolises love, passion, fear, and anger. The film features a lot of nostalgic sensations, and Huma’s outfit and dancing technique reminds the viewers of Helen’s performance of the song Piya Tu Ab To Aaja in the 1971 Hindi film Caravan.
In conclusion, there is a lot of thought and detail behind the costumes designed in Bollywood. Every character wears outfits that match their personality, and each outfit is thoughtfully designed to fit a particular scene. Our list of 7 movies and series, from Heeramandi to Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, aims to uncover Bollywood styling secrets.
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