 I've
always been a big fan of the Indian style
of dressing. I love the beautiful fabrics
and the comfort and elegance of the long,
floaty tunics worn loosely over trousers.
I also adore the wonderful jangly sound
of the many bangles and embellishments
the women often wear.
Watching the fabulous Joanna Lumley in
her latest Nile journey series I was struck
by just how simple, yet effective her
clothing was. In such a hit climate she
still radiated a cool, classic, poised
look that many women would love to achieve.
Joanna, of course, was born in India and
has picked up many of the items she wore
along her travels but there are many alternatives
around on the High Street just now.
Kaftans are really big news this Season
with just about every designer with several
in their collection, but even the more
humble supermarkets have a few of their
rails. Go for really long tunics or even
dresses over slim leg or cropped trousers
for an authentic look. There are loads
of linens out there too if you're not
worried by the 'creased' look.
Try to stick to neutrals on the bottom
half - this will allow you to team up
either block colours or highly patterned
colourful tunics and long shirts on top.
Long necklaces fabulous with this style
as does the more organic, beaded look
and lots of bracelets or bangles are ideal.
If you don't like lots of jangle then
stick to a statement cuff bangle in either
silver or gold and team with either large
hoop or statement matching earrings. I
noticed Joanna Lumley wore large but unfussy
gold disc earrings with a hammered texture,
again, simple but effective.
 If
you're a scarf lover then it has to be
a really long chiffon draped from front
to back and left to hand down the back,
or alternatively one of the many cotton
slightly 'ragged' types that are in every
shop right now. Team the outfit with a
neutral coloured cross body bag as a conventional
handbag will spoil the look or go for
one of the raffia style shopper bags which
look like you picked it up in an Indian
market.
I think this style is much easier to achieve
than oriental, which can look a little
contrived and is a little too 'fitted'
for some figures. The easier, relaxed
fit suits most body shapes and can even
be loosely belted if you have a waist
to show off. Go for a plaited leather
belt for best results as it will continue
the easy organic feel of the look. If
you tie your hair back then try wooden
hair accessories or a simple cotton -
covered scrunchie for best effect.
 As
far as make-up is concerned go for a natural
look with emphasis on a lighter, neutral
eye shadow with perhaps a soft grey liner
with a nude or earth-tone lip colour.
Deep terracotta looks fabulous of the
nails with this look or a simple American
manicure effect, where the tips are less
white than with French. And to complete
your flavour of Asia choose a perfume
with Jasmine as its main note or one of
the white flowered musks.
It's a look which I'll certainly be investing
in this year - I may not, not be travelling
to India but I can carry a little piece
of India with me this summer in my outfits.
We're all loving the neutrals this season,
both in fashion and make-up. If you've
treated yourself to the lovely tops and
floaty overshirts then here's our favourite
neutrals from the cosmetic ranges.
• Grey Suede polish from Revlon,
a beautiful taupey, caramel cream colour
in a crθme finish.
• Supermodel nail polish from Leighton
Denny, a slightly darker taupe colour
again in a lovely, high shine crθme
finish.
• Adore U lip colour from Cliniques
Butershine range. A fabulous colour
that extra kind to lips giving them
a plump, dewy look.
• Benefit eyeshadow. 'Love Your
Look' velvet eyeshadow in Fawn Over
it, Rich Beach or Where There's Smoke,
three beautiful neutrals that will suit
all skin tones and eye colours.
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