Pretty little pinafores

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That old school uniform couldn’t have asked for a better makeover. Say goodbye to plain Jane and welcome the pinafore dress to make heads turn like never before.

A pinafore dress is a sleeveless and collarless dress worn with a belt mostly over a shirt or a blouse. Designer Swati Vijaivargie says, “This season layering and blocking is in, so a pinafore can be worn with a sheer blouse or a shirt. To bring an element of freshness, my current pinafore collection is sans the inners. Replacing them is a drape or cowl that creates an interesting illusion. To add a twist, make sure the belt is tied at the sides instead of the back.”
Speaking about the colour and concept, Swati recommends, “Since monochromes with bright accent colours and geometric patterns are in vogue this season, they fit perfectly on pinafores too.”
As it comfortably makes the cut in the ‘young and fashionable’ style category, designer Jyoti Khaitan is all praise for this particular trend. She says, “'Pinafore dresses usually look best in straight lines or pleated form. There is not much scope to compromise with the length, it looks chic in short form. It can be made to look more glamorous and trendy by having a cutout on the waist from both the sides, bright colourful button detailing, teamed with a very short top that offers glimpses of the midriff. My ultimate look for summer fashion is a pinafore with a deep plunging neckline worn over a sequinned inner.”
For a day out, she recommends cotton lycra, printed, checked cotton, striped or dotted cotton or linen fabric in colour and pattern blocking as a stylish catch.
Denim pinafores have also moved beyond the blue and black track and gone colour happy in grey, yellow, red and white.
Both Swati and Jyoti agree that accessories can play a big role in upping the fashion quotient here.
“In order to make sure that it does not look bland, one has to accessorise well with bright coloured sling bags or shoes. Hats worn with a pinafore dress can really look very chic and elegant, while a sophisticated neck piece adds to the ensemble,” adds Jyoti.
The schoolgirl to glamour girl transition of the pinafore makes it the talking point of the summer 2013 fashion trend.
The reworked efforts have found favour with designer Shraddha Murarka as well. She suggests, “Loud colours, black and white stripes, square cut neckline, the gingham pattern and buttoned up front are some of the popular innovations. At the moment, it doesn’t get better than that.”