Indian fashion is unique. The diversity, the wide array of uplifting colours, designs, and a variety of fabrics have awed designers and fashion experts worldwide. Our fashion is very different from the west because we have the flexibility to accommodate concepts that are both indigenous as well as international.

And hybrid styles flatter all Indian women and girls. From casual and quirky streetwear to drop-dead gorgeous ethnic wear, these will be some of the hot trends in the upcoming months. So read on if you want to up your style quotient.

Spring and summer are almost here. It is time to pack away the woollens and bring out the cotton and linen outfits. So which trends will inspire your wardrobe? Take a cue from Bollywood celebrities. Let Sonakshi Sinha’s kurti-dress from Tommy Hilfiger inspire you. You don’t need to dole out a big chunk of your salary on a Tommy Hilfiger. Root around in your own wardrobe for a light-hued short Anarkali kurti or any a-line kurti and sport it without leggings. For a charm offensive, cinch the waistline with a studded or glitzy belt.

Tip: Pair your indo-western outfit with sneakers and you are all set to rock a hot sultry day.

Maxi dresses will never go out of fashion. This time around, maxi dresses with Indian print will be in such as ikat, batik, bandhani, patola, kalamkari etc. Long flowing dresses made from cotton, silk or linen can bring a respite from the sizzling hot Indian summers.

Tip:Pair up with chunky bangles, sandals and summer hats to bring out your inner diva.

Cropped dhoti pants offer ease of movement and they spell out ‘charming’. Teenagers and young women do need to get themselves a pair if they don’t own it yet. What will be different about them this time? The material that will be favoured this year will be cotton with chikankari work. It is a versatile design which you can sport even when not in peak fashion, so go ahead and buy it.

Cropped dhoti pants can double up as your workwear trousers. They are cottony, roomy and breathable. If you are in the mood to flaunt a chic look, wear your dhoti pants with a crisp cotton skirt tucked into the dhoti pants. For casual parties or dates replace the shirt with a sleeveless top or a halterneck top.

Tip:Women in their 40s and 50s can also try out palazzos in chikankari and Indian prints if they are not comfortable with dhoti pants.

The trend that has got the fashion community abuzz is the merger of ethnic and denim material.  You need to jump on this bandwagon right now. Let Sonam Kapoor be your guiding light with this trend.

Decide which Indian outfit you want in denim material. It could be a kurti, dhoti pants, lehenga or anything you want. All you have to do is purchase the denim material and go to your trusted tailor to craft that dream outfit.

Bored to death coupling your kurti with leggingsss or churidar? We don’t blame you, that combination has been done to death. How about you wear knee-length kurtis with mid-thigh skirts? If even that seems hackneyed, wear short kurtis with knee-length skirts. Take your pick between pencil skirt, sheath skirt or a flaring skirt.

Tip:Ps, button-down kurtis that fit your form will be in demand this year.

Jackets will be everywhere, so don’t be left behind! And we are not talking about leather jackets about them. Get yourself a few vibrant, colourful and summery jackets with intricate Indian needle-work that look good on everyone. So wear a muted coloured kurti or long dress and slip on a jacket. The jacket can be of any length and made from any material- brocade, jacquard for ethnic parties or cotton, linen or fine mesh net for an easy-breezy look.

Tip:You can even fashion a jacket for yourself. Grab a kurti or anarkali from your wardrobe and with a pair of scissors snip it down along the middle. Hem the edges so the fabric does not come undone.

If you think the dupatta is outdated, think again because it has just reinvented itself. Dupatta styling videos are trending online. A glitzy dupatta can brighten up not just your kurta but any India or western outfit. There are many old and new styles of draping the dupatta and you may not even be familiar with half of them. So simply train yourself with the help of these online tutorials.

Tip:Another dupatta trend that the bold and the beautiful will love is draping the long piece of cloth around the head like a turban.

It is an undisputed fact that the saree is evergreen. Whether you are a teenager or a lady in your venerable 80s, the saree will bring out the power of womanhood that flows in all of us. The 9 yards of graceful cloth are not stuck in a rut. Since its origin way back in the ancient times it has been evolving with the times.

So what new saree revolution is in the offing?

It’ll all be about monochromes. Dark sarees matched with cream or white jackets are set to be the hottest saree trend. Its time to junk the old-fashioned blouses in favour of mid-waist jackets with three-quarter sleeves and shirt or Peter pan collars. For a brunch or lunch, you can opt for a saree with a peplum top.

Another saree trend you’ll love is cotton sarees in soft pastel shades draped traditionally. A belt at the waist as the statement piece can replace the more gaudy kamarbandh.

Sarees with ruffles will continue to dominate the trendy saree demand. Rich colours such as wine, magenta will be the top picks for ruffled sarees.

Giving ruffled sarees a run for their money will be sarees with tassels coupled with floral embroidery. Remember to keep your blouses or jackets inconspicuous to let the blingy saree do all the talking.

Tip:For women who are older, the trend that will suit them to a tee are sarees in gingham print. Both saree and the gingham print are goliaths of the fashion world and when they come together, they essay elegance and power.

Also Read: Traditional Indian Sarees

No ensemble is complete without the right jewellery. When it comes to the big guns, the styles that were favoured in the 30s and 40s will be back. Passas, jhumars and balis set in precious and semi-precious stones can be a safe bet for weddings. Chokers and neckpieces with multiple strands should complete the look. Floral designs too are set to be the new norm.

For more casual or everyday usage, low carat gold in matte yellow will make you shine bright. And when it comes to chunky junk jewellery, Afghan, tribal and Turkish styles will rule the roost.

Tip:Nose pins, nose studs and knuckle rings in Indian motifs too are back!

We have only one piece of advice- jutis! Gaudy jutis, muted jutis, beaded jutis, threaded jutis, grab all the jutis you can. They go with all indo-western outfits without a hitch. And they are kind to your feet as well. No shoe merges comfort and elegance the way jutis do.

Made your own fashion statement, let your imagination take over. These are simply pointers to give you your bearings in the transient world of fashion. But, let your personality shine through and influence your style. Don’t forget, you’re a diva no matter what you wear.