Being in vogue is never easy. There are trends to look out for, accessories to snap up, labels to lose sleep over and, importantly, faux pas to avoid.

First Commandment: Let Bollywood not be the measure of what’s in, especially when it comes to leopard spots. Animal prints are better left in the fashion wilderness, says designer Gaurav Gupta. “Animal prints are well past their prime, and I see no reason why they should be reincarnated every now and then. Unfortunately, it’s a penchant many in Bollywood share,” he shrugs.

Second Commandment: Labels can make statements, but too many would label you an arriviste. “Don’t wear too many labels at once and never opt for fake labels. It totally spoils the effect,” says designer Nachiket Barve, who is fast making inroads into the wardrobes of India’s rich and famous.

Third Commandment: Not all trends are for you. “A trend to avoid this season would definitely be big, padded shoulders. Internationally, it’s a big thing right now, but it doesn’t work in the Indian context,” says Barve. Gupta agrees and says, like a contrarian, that you go for anti-fits: “Fashion emphasises too much on fits, but it does not suit every body type. Go for something easier if it flatters your silhouette. Anti-fits are amazing, and contrary to popular belief, they do not make you look like a tent.” Clothes can be anti-fit, but you better be fit, says designer Prashant Verma as an aside. “That’s the biggest fashion faux pas one can commit. It spoils everything,” he says.

... contd.