10 Times Fashion In Bollywood Movies Was Not Only Gorgeous But Also Practical And Affordable

Whether it is the million dollar wardrobe of Sonam Kapoor in Aisha or Deepika and Priyanka's elaborate and majestic costumes in Bajirao Mastani, the dreamy unattaible fashion quotient of bollywood is a part of its enigma. Though Bollywood has set the trends in fashion since its inception, it has mostly been a desperate or sometimes even a caricaturist attempt at duplication. Clearly what looked pretty on stars on screen, looked ridiculous in real life, sometimes because of the impracticality of it or sometimes because the cheap knock-offs were never as good.

However with time, the stories and narratives have become more real and relatable. Our stars now talk and behave like the way we do in real lives. The same pattern has creeped into bollywood fashion where instead of always going for flamboyant, over the top fashion that Bollywood heroines are usually known for, they are going for fashion choices that like their characters are real, practical and above all affordable, without compromising on the aesthetics and gorgeousness, of course.

Here is a list of 10 movies in which the wardrobe of the leading ladies are not only to die for but can also be attained by non-filmy, regular mortals.

Ranjhnaa

Usually clad in fashion labels that mere mortals like us can’t even pronounce, our very own fashionista extraordinaire Sonam Kapoor is a gush of fresh wind in the movie. Essaying the role of a girl from Varanasi who moves to JNU and becomes involved in the world of politics, stylist Payal Saluja created a look that was simple, real but still every bit gorgeous. From a major throwback to 90s style during the teenage sequence to the artsy kurtas in chanderi or jamavar in beautiful earthy tones, jhumkas, bun pins, handcrafted slippers and kajal rimmed eyes, her fans finally got a Sonam approved look that was possible to draw inspirations from without going bankrupt.

Dear Zindagi

Although she was introduced to us in SOTY while literally chanting the names of international labels, SOTY's Shanaya and Dear Zindagi's Kaira is a testament of how each aspect of Alia has evolved.  Fashion wise, Dear Zindagi was perhaps Alia's most desirable wardrobe. Stylist Anaita Shroff Adjania gave her pieces that actually reflect her coming of age even when it comes to experimenting with her personal style and eventually finding her individual sense of style. Shot against the backdrop of Goa, Alia's wardrobe channeled an authentic easy-breezy Goan vibe, without being stereotypical, unrealistic or overtly sexy. Dressed in denims, shirts, shorts, dresses, variety of tops and gorgeous shrugs, Kaira is just a well styled version of how most an urban 20 something actually dresses up.

2 States

Another Alia Bhatt entry on the list, the best thing about Ananya's style in Two States is the variety. Remember the times when heroines only wore one of fashion? It was either entirely western or entirely ethnic (depending on the stereotypes). Ananya's style is again a reflection of her values that is a sensible and balanced blend of tradition and modernity. Styled by Manish Malhotra, from kurtas to churidaars, long flowy skirts, dresses, denims and even elegant sarees- she wore it all and slayed them all. But the best part, however, is most of the pieces were probably sitting in your closet already and the movie just proved how gorgeous they are without being ostentatious or super pricey.

Piku

Say what you may, but apart from SLB in Devdas, nobody has ever accused bongs of being blingy, gaudy and over the top grand. Definitely not when your father is a self-proclaimed 'kiptey' (stingy person) . Jokes apart, Deepika and her style in Piku screamed the quiet elegance and simple charm that bengalis are known for. Veera Kapur gave Piku a look that was urban, sophisticated, functional, powerful yet nothing that is too out of the ordinary, which was so befitting to her character. Cotton no non sense kurtas with breezy palazzos for work, fuss free tops and denims for running errands or travelling or simple jeans and kurtas it was all extremely relatable. Even when they went the ethnic route, they stayed way from bollywood's tendency to over dramatise and over glamorize. It was kept all chic and minimal making it possible for fans to actually embrace Piku's style that was gorgeous, practical and affordable.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

When it comes to fashion nobody can blame Kareena for not channeling royal diva vibes, even when it comes to maternity fashion. However, her desi girl avatar in Bajrangi Bhaijaan was different in many ways from her previous desi avatars. Stylist Manish Malhotra dressed her in mainly kurtas with patialas or churidaars for the film. Though it had an element of glamour, it did not look like pieces from couture collection but rather something a decent local tailor can happily whip out.

Madras Cafe

Though it is difficult to focus on the fashion of this film given the masterpiece of screenplay and cinematography it is, Nargis Fakhri, who played a war correspondent was quite a vision. Veera Kapur gave her pieces that are functional, given her character is in a riot torn area, but it still had a sense of confidence. Dressed mostly in no non-sense shorts, denims and shirts with scarves she looked every bit like the efficient journalist she portrayed but with a sense of style that is chic, practical and nothing designer or fancy.

Tamasha

Although people were divided on their verdict on the film, there is no doubt that Deepika as Tara was an absolute treat to the eyes. Not to say that Anaita Shroff Adjania has not dressed her up in expensive labels but the pieces has a casual charm that can be easily found in our local markets. A living testimony of it was the lip printed shirt that Deepika donned in the song 'Matargashti' from the film that made its way into every girl's wardrobe, not only because its adorable but it is not as unattainable as other iconic bollywood fashion pieces and can easily blend in with the items in any 20 something years old's wardrobe. 

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

I know that the idea that fashion in Karan Johar's movies can ever be a part of our wardrobe is ridiculous, but spare a moment and revisit Anushka a.k.a Alizeh's look in the film. Now once you are done drooling, think, is it really impossible to re-create the looks? Styled by Manish Malhotra once again, Alizeh channels major indo-western fusion vibe in her chikkankari kurtas with denims and oxidised jewellery in the major part of the movie. Yes, there are some looks that are very typically Karan Johar-Manish Malhotra's brand of dreamy, unattainable and opulent bollywood fashion, but Alizeh's everyday look is something any Indian girl can comfortably rock without burning a hole in pocket.

Raabta

To give credit where it is due, Kriti Sanon's look is Raabta was perhaps one of the very few good things about the movie. Chic, urban, casual and feminine, Kriti's wardrobe is on every girl's wish list. Styled by Anaita Shroff Adjania her look was kept simple, cute and chic. Though she has wore a lot of expensive international labels, it is not impossible to find similar pieces in local malls or even street shopping districts.

Main Hoon Na

Its been around 13 years and we have still not gotten over Sushmita and her gorgeous chiffon sarees in Main Hoon Na. Styled by Manish Malhotra, Sushmita as Chandni Ma’am looked like the epitome of desirability that she is. Though the sarees used in the film were all designer pieces, they had a minimal chic air to them that makes it very easy to find them locally.