By Sanchita Paul
College, for some, is more than books and the claustrophobic classrooms. It is a place where one has the liberty to express oneself, in words or weaves. Be it a reluctant geek, a casual tomboy or a lascivious beauty, everyone gets the freedom to make a statement.
Youth fashion is the most vibrant and innovative section because it is driven more by the myriad moods of a youngster than the trend. On a breezy summer morning, one can pair a tulle skirt with sleeveless knotted denim shirts, and add more funk to it by flaunting desi chappals, and still look chic. A serious young man can wish to wear flannel trousers and Chinese-collared kurta with a pair of floaters and stand out in the crowd.
There is no end to innovation in youth fashion as long as one’s personality is not overshadowed. And Shillong being a fashion hub, youngsters pick the right apparel to look stylish. With the new session about to begin, the style street (read Police Bazar) of the city is abuzz with young shoppers.
But for youngsters, fashion is not all about making a statement or following the trends blindly but is also about feeling comfortable and confident in what they wear. Rose, who is pursuing her Masters from NEHU, says fashion should be something that is comfortable and that makes you look good and smart according to physical appearance, be it weight, height or complexion as long as one is confident enough to carry himself or herself.
For confident youngsters like Parijat Biswas, “Fashion is the trend that I create, not follow.”
Fashion trends are changing constantly and what was in vogue yesterday becomes “outdated” today. Youngsters say this season, crop tops, cold-shoulder tops, wrap dresses in acid shades, high waist jeans and boyfriend jeans are among the must-haves in the wardrobe.
Besides, shirts and denim jackets are always in. For summer, light dresses, palazzos, shorts and jumpsuits are essential for Shillong’s pleasant yet unpredictable weather.
Rubina from NIT Meghalaya says clothes should be worn according to body shape and what flatters one’s persona. Casual jeans and a simple T-shirt are the most popular comfort wear. Gingham shirts and dresses give the perfect summer look. In terms of accessories, chokers and backpacks are the rage. Oxford shoes, boots, mules, sneakers, heels are all-time favourites for girls.
Young men too are also flaunting the latest trend in the market or making their own statements. Shillong is the rock capital and band T-shirts are always favourites among boys. Casual shirts and T-shirts along with ripped jeans are basics in every boy’s wardrobe. Sneakers, vans and boots are in this season.
As the season changes from winter to spring to summer, a youngster’s wardrobe changes colours and patterns. The winter’s coats, jackets, jumpers and boots are replaced by “comfy dressing” in floral prints, shorts and flip-flops.
Rishan Shabong, a fashion blogger and alumni of NIFT, feels the youngsters in Shillong have a unique and individualistic sense of fashion. He says the youth do not follow trends blindly but rather express their fashion sense creatively, and besides having their own styles, they interpret other people’s sense of fashion in their own way.
When we talk about fashion, it is not just apparels and also means an overall makeover and hairstyle is an important component of it.
Youngsters say hair highlights in bright colours is the global trend. They are also not afraid of flaunting bold haircuts and hairdos. Mohawks, spikes, braids, messy buns, crew cuts are some of the popular hairstyles among college goers and some of these styles are often unisex.
Bhabor Lyngdoh, a well-known drummer, says, “Shillong is a place where different tribes and communities coexist. It comes to show that there is indeed a significant sense of fashion in the city adopted by varied groups of people. With the passage of time, there is a growing range of style and people here do like to experiment with the ongoing trends and try to remain up-to-date with latest styles. Generally speaking there is ‘Fashion’ in any urban place, depending on people’s ability to observe, incorporate and create style.”
But for a college-goer, keeping up with the changing fashion trend is not an easy task as pocket money is limited and “it is not always right to coax your parents to pay for your luxury”, says a 20-year-old fashionista.
So how do they manage their finances? Many feel online shopping is the best way to judiciously use their money as the discounts on apparels and accessories are high. “The variety of options and offers is more. Online shopping is more accessible and reasonably priced,” says the 20-year-old student. Most of the youngsters say they have part-time jobs that earn them the extra buck.
For the real feel of shopping, there are options like Glory’s Plaza and Fancy Market in Police Bazaar, Anderson’s Arcade in Laitumkhrah, and Pantaloons. One can also explore the small local shops in Police Bazar, Bara Bazar or other localities to find their perfect apparel or accessory.
Clarissa, an 18-year-old student waiting for her Class XII results, says she prefers shopping from local shops as she could pick and choose and feel the apparels or accessories.
With regards to shopping in Shillong, Shabong says in spite of Shillong being a small town, shops and stores here are well-stocked and keep themselves abreast of contemporary fashion. Online shopping is, in no way, adversely affecting local businesses, he says.
Innovation and improvisation help keep youth fashion here fresh and vibrant. A college-goer in Police Bazar says one has to go for the right mix-and-match of colours, fabrics and style and youngsters here do that with aplomb.
Parijat says fashion in Shillong is fresh and innovative and there’s not an iota of cliché in it.
(Photos: Andrew Lyngwa)