Malayali youth flaunt Vishu fashion with a modern twist

Yes, yes, all of us still love a Kerala sari and mundu, but who doesn’t like to ‘spice up’ their Vishu-wear a bit, especially in this hot weather?
Our youngsters are increasingly looking for newer, comfier styles in ethnic wear, by striking a balance between the old and the new and Malayali designers too are catering to the changing trends. What’s the millennial Mallu wearing for this Onam and how are they styling it? Malayali designers and young fashion enthusiasts tell us!
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!
Kerala sari-inspired frocks embellished with Malayali imageries like kathakali, jumpsuits, palazzos and short tops with mural paintings, feminine shirts paired with mundu-like skirts with festive designs for girls, dhotis and ponnadas enriched with traditional painting prints for men as opposed to their general plain versions… umpteen varieties of mixing and matching can be seen in the Vishu attire flaunted by our youngsters in the online space.Kottayam-based designer Anjali Parameswaran, who has put together some Indo-Western and androgynous style Vishu collections this year, says, “New age Malayalis, especially our college students and non-resident Keralites request designs that incorporate both traditional and modern elements in Vishu wear. I feel, our youngsters have changed a lot and grown bolder, even in rural campuses, and are willing to try something new during such occasions. I think it is all thanks to social media.”
GOLD ISN’T DOMINATING
Designer Smruthy Simon, whose men’s special for Vishu is a print-heavy mundu-veshti combo, says the signature golden hue of Kerala attire isn’t a prerequisite anymore in Vishu wear. He says, “Many youngsters show interest in showcasing unique patterns from our traditional designs in their festival costumes now, so that they stand out even when they are ethnic. Kalamkari, mural designs and prints are preferred by many. This year, specifically, many have been ordering mundu in silver, black and green hues other than gold, in combination with the overall off-white shade.”
COMFORT IS ALSO IMPORTANT
According to Bengaluru-based Malayali designer Pravina Saju, who has lined up frocks, jumpsuits and more this year, youngsters often ask to keep the Kerala-style cotton material as the base even when the styling is modern. “That in itself ensures comfort. And as many of these attires are given applique work, they have a complete look even when you don’t wear extra accessories,” she says. Anjali says that she gives extra cotton lining, whatever the dress is. “And, most of them are padded too. The benefit is that you don’t have to wear tight inners or worry about straps showing, and they enhance the fitting too,” she explains.
Modernising tradition
Techie Naznin Nazar is a blogger, specialising in ethnic wear, and she explains that traditional wear is definitely getting a 21st- century upgrade. “While I like to wear ethnic attire for festivals, I am not so keen on the sari, so this year, I picked up a long skirt and crop top with a high-neck, styled in the kasavu type look. It still looks very apt for Vishu, but at the same time is stylish, on trend and comfortable. Last Onam, I wore a kaftan made out of the kasavu weave material. These looks are easier to style, and even the jewellery that young fashionistas like are a silver statement piece rather than gold,” she says.