After scooping up the Colors Screen Award for Best Costume for her work styling Saif Ali Khan’s Cocktail (2012), Vogue’s fashion director Anaita Shroff Adajania highlights her favourite looks from the film.
Dangerously high hemlines, floral palazzos, and plenty of sequins seem to be the key ingredients to a critically acclaimed wardrobe. Especially when worn by the lithe body that is Deepika Padukone.
Palazzo perfect
The 70’s casual vibe that Deepika portrayed with her floral palazzos and green vest became one of the most popular looks of the film.
“The ensemble had an easy vibe,” explains Anaita, adding, “As if she had partied hard the previous day and didn’t want to think too much about what she was wearing.”
Tone on tone
Pairing a green shirt with a pair of green shorts was a fashion risk, even though it played perfectly into the monochrome trend of the time.
“The fringe boots became the stand-out accessory of this particular look,” Anaita says.
Introducing the ‘skort’
In a shorts-meets-skirt happily-ever-after tale, Deepika struts into a club wearing the party girl’s new best friend: the skort.
Added advice from the award-winning stylist: “You don’t have to wear one look from head-to-toe. Here an embellished vest worn with a bright bra underneath and layered necklaces works best.”
Stars and stripes
“Veronica (Deepika’s character) had many faces, and this was her demure side,” says Anaita. The crisp, comparitively covered-up look — striped body-fitting sheath, high ponytail, clashing purse — was a clear departure from the character’s usual style.
The new party look
Wanting to break the myth of traditional club wear, Anaita paired a worn vest with a sparkly skirt for the beach bash.
“It needed to look as if she’d worn Saif’s T-shirt to the party,” the stylist explains, adding, “And the best part is this whole ensemble can transition from day to night.”
