Not Just the Little Black Dress

Bold, confident alternatives are the answer as designers and stylists suggest ways to embark on a refreshing evening dressing route and avoid the cliches

- By MANISH MISHRA

The Little Black Dress will always hold its place, but this year calls for a style reset—fluid drapes, sharp cuts, saturated colour, modern Indian detailing and couture-like textures that feel personal. It’s about individuality, not safety—outfits that tell a story and stay memorable. Just look at Alia Bhatt in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s chikankari kurta with a chiffon skirt-sari: airy, unexpected, and refreshingly festive. Proof that the future of occasionwear lives well beyond the LBD.

Embrace Playfulness