From Dimple Kapadia’s polka-dot co-ord in Bobby to Raveena Tandon‘s frill blouse and saree in Mohra and Rani Mukerji‘s long shirt and Patiala suits from Bunty Aur Babli to Priyanka Chopra’s golden saree in Dostana, Bollywood movies have given the audience a variety of iconic fashion. It is true that fashion and movies go hand-in-hand. Be it a period drama like Devdas or Bajirao Mastani or a family drama like K3G or Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, movies have showcased unique costumes and ensembles.
Fashion has changed over the years, like Sharmila Tagore’s swimsuit in An Evening in Paris being a big rebellious moment to bikinis becoming the norm. Even tones took a turn from the bright costumes of the 90s (think Govinda’s films) to Deepika Padukone’s monotone golden look as Mastani. We take a look at fashion goals and aspirations that Bollywood bestowed us over the years.
1. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
Fashion and Kareena Kapoor Khan are synonymous! K3G’s Poo stunned us with her red affair she adorned while dancing to You Are My Soniya. And charmed the audience with the famed pink sharara lehenga in Bole Chudiyan. But the sone pe suhaaga moment was certainly Kajol’s mesmerising sarees in the song Suraj Hua Maddham! There was something for every woman, from moms being inspired by Jaya Bachan’s garments to Didi copying Kajol’s style. Definitely categorise this one under, ‘Good looks, good looks & good looks’!
Trade Secret: You can get designer lehengas at Delhi’s Chandini Chowk market for a fraction of the price of the real one!
Bebo is known to give us women some serious fashion goals! Watch this video now and recreate fabulous looks inspired by Kareena Kapoor Khan.
2. Chandni
Remember dancing to Mere Haathon Mein at any and all weddings in the 90s? This movie presented the gorgeous Sridevi clad in chiffon sarees and all-white ensemble surrounded by rose petals. She truly was a fashion icon and certainly inspired women across the country. Her apsara costume might have been a little over the top but her various fashionable and colourful pants, leggings and skirts made up for it all.
Trade Secret: If you are worried about not feeling the best in a chiffon saree, try the latest shapewear options made just for sarees!
3. Dhoom 2
Anaita Shroff Adajania shook the world of Indian fashion with her bomb styling in this movie. Aishwarya’s bikini became the talk of the town and her Crazy Kiya Re outfits certainly made us go crazy! Bipasha Basu enticed us in the orange dress as she shook a leg. And her colourful, striped bikini simply made her an even bigger fashion figure.
Trade Secret: If you are conscious thinking your bikini might reveal a little too much, use fashion tape to keep everything in place!
3. Aisha
Chic and ultra-glam; two words to describe the girl gang from Aisha. Dubai-based designer Ayesha Depala clad the women in head to toe sophistication while men looked dapper in cool outfits. With over 100 different costumes, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja certainly shone brightly in every frame. The song Suno Aisha perfectly encapsulates the long and arduous journey women undertake to make a fashion statement, from shopping for outfits and shoes to putting on the right amount of makeup. And Amrita Puri’s transformation was worth watching!
Trade Secret: If you plan on splurging on a designer handbag, invest in something classic like the Chanel Classic Flap Bag, the Gucci Marmont Bag or the LV Tote!
4. Cocktail
Deepika Padukone’s Veronica gave us major fashion goals. From the gold sequin dress to the wide-legged pants retro look and Aztec skirt and crop top beachy look to the trendy striped dress in Daaru Desi, she simply ruled! Her colour choices made an impact with the olive green shirt, brown shorts and the contrast pink top and green hot pants.
Trade Secret: If you wanna wear a crop top but all you have is a regular t-shirt, tie a knot at the front and tuck it in your bra to create the illusion of a knotted crop top!
5. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
90s nostalgia and this movie are inseparable. Shah Rukh Khan’s Polo outfits single-handedly boosted the brand’s status in India. The costumes revolutionised college attire. Kajol’s red dungarees were a game-changer for many. Her haircut with a wide hairband created a massive trend that was followed for decades. Every millennial’s fashion icon, the film also gave us Rani Mukerji’s teal velvet dress and of course the stunning silver one she flaunted in Koi Mil Gaya. Backpacks, platform boots and everything athleisure are KKHH.
Trade Secret: Dungaree shorts and dresses are back in style. They’re super cute and comfy and are available in fabrics other than denim.
6. Dostana
From the subject of homosexuality to Priyanka Chopra’s drool-worthy wardrobe, everything in Dostana was ahead of its time. Dressed in stunning ensembles that burst with a crisp style and bold colours, the main cast remoulded Bollywood fashion. From pretty sexy dresses that showcased Priyanka’s long legs to the golden bikini and the muted golden saree she danced in, every single piece was an inspiration. The edgy-chic Miami-appropriate look is still a major look for many.
Trade Secret: You can totally rock a halter neck dress or top to work, just throw in a semi-casual blazer and your favourite pair of pumps.
7. Bunty Aur Babli
The bright, beautiful array of colours, the collared top and equally fun bottoms were a kaleidoscope of fun. Though the trend might seem out of place today, it was all the rage back then. Rani Mukerji‘s shimmery Patiala suits were copied in every suburb of the country. She brought the multi-coloured thigh-length collared kurtas paired with polka-dotted Patiala salwar, blue hoops with a matching bead ring and a wrist-full of jingly bangles look and rocked it.
Trade Secret: Swap the regular Patiala salwar with dhoti pants and pair it with a contrasting short kurti. Remember to keep the colour palette bright!
8. Parineeta
Vermillion on the forehead, the ‘Ath Poure‘ style, Lal Paar sarees and vintage florals made Parineeta stand out like a delicate flower in a field of grass. Vidya Balan’s green and white suit was as graceful as it can get. And who can forget Rekha’s stunning, bold look and performance in Kaise Paheli Zindagi. But the crowning jewel was Vidya’s red saree. The red and white saree in Kasto Mazza He Relaima with the blouse with frills was fashion goals.
Trade Secret: This Durga Puja, travel back to the 60s with a full-sleeved blouse or one with frills.
9. Jab We Met
Wearing a long t-shirt with salwar to bed became the norm and Kareena’s Jab We Met wardrobe was the inspiration. The red skirt, white puffy blouse with the black corset is what we imagine when we hear Yeh Ishq Hai. Donning a bright pink suit like in Nagada or the completely black look with crop top with pants look like in Mauja Hi Mauja make women go, “Main apni favourite hoon”!
Trade Secret: Take a spin on the crop top trend by pairing it with dhoti pants and a long, shimmery jacket.
10. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Deepika’s sexy blue saree in Badtameez Dil with her gorgeous smile made us all go gaga. The Dilliwaali Girlfriend song gave us the stunning red piece that was sangeet-goals. And who can forget Madhuri’s lehengas that matched the elegance of her thumkas. The orange lehenga with the blue blouse is an absolute cult favourite. Deepika’s white ensemble with a hint of red during the mehendi scenes and floral dresses in the first part of the movie served fashion on a platter.
Trade Secret: If floral dresses are your thang, invest in a pair of ankle boots, brown or tan, to look absolutely chic.
From uber-stylish and summer-favourite colours apt for your next vacation to an ethnic outfit ready for the next wedding you have to attend, Bollywood has everything. Mughal-e-Azam inspired the trend of Anarkalis while Piku made simple and graceful kurtas fashionable. While certain fashion trends are evergreen, the other tends to repeat itself every 10 years. And Bollywood movies are ready to give you even more fashion goals! Check out this video to see how you can recreate popular Bollywood styles.
