impressive dresses

Featured: A ‘cut’ above the rest

This season is all about cut-outs adapted on a variety of clothes. Noted fashion designer Sonya Vajifdar shows you how to stay 'cutting edge' in fashion. By Aneesha Rai

Dress to impress
Designers like Givenchy and Marc Jacobs have brought out several cut out dresses, this season. With Gucci starting off with this ‘peek-a-boo’ trend, several designers are following suit. Several Hollywood stars like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen even showed up at several award functions with trendy cut out dresses. “Cut-outs are hitting the racks like crazy this season and why not?  They tend to be feminine and subtly sexy too. Especially the small but noticeable cut outs add a mystery to the clothes, that reveal but do not reveal it all,” says Sonya.
‘Cut-outs’tanding
If you have a nice cocktail party coming up and are tired of wearing the cliché d LBD, invest in a stunning gown with cut-outs that show off your slender shoulders. And if you have a stunning waistline that you’re dying to flaunt, a dress with a cut -out midriff seems just ideal? For casual wear, opt for T-shirts or tops with cut-outs that look like interesting threads. They exude the ‘dare to bare’ attitude well.
You can even opt for candy coloured dresses with sultry cuts that draw a fusion of cute and sultry or a LBD with cuts in the right places. Just mix ‘n’ match the material and colours, to create an interesting fusion.
Take a short-cut
Who said there wasn’t a shortcut to looking good? Well, have a look at the cut-out shorts designed by the likes of Gucci and you just might eat your words. They are trendy and show off those gorgeous legs, just right! You can even opt for a one shoulder dress or an ultra sexy mini dress flaunting only a sliver of skin below the chest area.
Getting the cut -out couture right
Cut-outs are all about revealing and accentuating your best side, so choose a part that you wish to reveal. The designs vary; some may have slashes or a butterfly motif on the front with added emphasis through intricate embroidery. To accentuate your waistline, Swarovski adorned crystals or pearls on the sides, look chic.

“Simple dresses can be enhanced with memorable detailing that would immediately attract attention. Crafting the cut-out is interesting if there is a shape to it, like a butterfly for instance. And if the cut outs are subtle, they can be carried off by anyone,” says Sonya.
Cutting edge accessories
A variety of shoe brands such as Aldo and Bata do have several cut-out shoes that are bang-on couture-wise. There are several lace-cut bags available by Accessorize, which exude a very chic yet feminine look.
Experiment the trend
Jean Paul Gaultier’s new summer collection features several cut out clothes that challenge the limits of tailoring and offers flattering ensembles as it gracefully covers ‘problem areas’ such as the hips. Akamai apron tree cut-outs that have grooves and a crossover banding look and butterfly motif is the latest.

The idea is push the envelope and experiment with the trend. But remember, when it comes to cut-outs there’s always a fine line (cloth actually) between a fashion wonder to a fashion blunder. So tread the path carefully!