You can never go wrong with kurtis. However, regardless of our indelible love for this silhouette, the thought of wearing them all the time invokes the same fear of monotony that comes with wearing anything else from our wardrobe for far too long -unless we can find newer and more fun ways of wearing them. And that we have. We're seeing the fail-safe kurta in a new light and jazzing up things a little bit, cuz, why not? A little R&D that involved yanking these kurtis out of their perfect hanger-setting and trying them in front of a mirror revealed that with the help of some very basic accessories, these mundane kurtas can go from quintessentially Indian to becoming the MVP of our contemporary chic wardrobe - a.k.a. dresses. And just like that, you have the best of both worlds with one outfit.
Should you want to try out the concept of repurposing (environment-friendly AND easy on the pocket), give the following kurtis a go - and reimagine them as a dress.
Pick that maxi, but make it short! Ritu Kumar's red tie-up anarkali is gorgeous, yes, but works even better as a dress. The hem is of perfect length, and can completely pass-off as a contemporary iteration of a kurta. Wear it to your day-out with friends, and style it with a printed scarf and wedge heels.
Anita Dongre's serene styles make them a mainstay in our wardrobe. Breezy and balmy, this green hand block-printed tunic is a great option if you're staying in for the weekend to rejuvenate. Feel like dressing up a bit for yourself? Wear this A-line piece with some simple drop earrings.
Short tunics FTW! This geometric-printed knee-length number from Pankaj & Nidhi can moonlight as a mini option for 'em house parties. The dainty 3D embellishments on the collar make it easy for us to ditch the necklace and go with a pair of contemporary danglers instead. Grunge it up by throwing in a pair of boots or keep it feminine by wearing them with dainty sandals.
Saaksha & Kinni's boho-chic styles are a hit this season regardless of how you wear them. Cue this multicoloured kurti with organza sleeves, that you can wear as a maxi dress to a day-time brunch. Since the outfit is replete with abstract prints, it's better to keep the outfit as a statement and pair of contemporary earrings to complement the look.
Sure, asymmetric kurtas are the face of an indo-western style, but how about we transform it for a completely modern look? Take a look at this striped rust-hued kurta by Myoho that you can totally style with your denim jacket, sneakers and pendant chain necklaces! We can't wait to give it a go.
Can't forget them maxi dresses! If you're in search of an 'It' pick (since they've been trending thanks to all the celebrities), you may want to take a look at this dusk rose floral-printed anarkali by Dot. It's minimal, elegant, and not to mention super-comfortable, since it's cotton. We can totally visualize this outfit with open-toe sandals and embellished hoops, can you?
This fuchsia-coloured chanderi style by AMPM is extremely urbane and classy, and perfect for all your east-meets-west wardrobe needs. Wear this collared number with a rope-waist belt to give it a modern look. We love how this asymmetric outfit is equal parts easy-going and chic, so style your pearl-drop earrings to complete the look.
What do you think about these kurtis? Won't they look chic as dresses? Let us know in the comments below.