How To Emulate The Style Of Bollywood Beauties From The 60s, 70s, And 80s
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Fashion trends in Indian culture have been derived mainly from Bollywood. These two have always gone hand-in-hand, and the fashion industry has drawn most of its inspiration from the big screen. Remember the glorious decade of retro fashion from the 1940s to the 1990s? When the iconic Bollywood actresses of that era donned every style trend with grace and made it popular among the masses? The process was very simple: a blockbuster movie was released, an actor created a bold statement with her outfit, designers copied the look, and voila! We see everyone on the street wearing that look. In fact, most of us would have seen snippets of how our moms rocked these vintage fashion trends from the ‘60s, 70s, and 80s, and the nostalgia of these trends does thrive over generations.
The sleek retro-styled sarees, plunging bell-bottoms, funky shades, platform heels, and the quintessential polka dots! The styles from those eras were evergreen, and the good news is, right now, we are seeing a resurgence of every trend from the golden era and they have returned more stylish than ever. So, if you are here for the ‘60s, 70s, 80s styles and want to recreate some of those iconic vintage looks, here are a few outfit ideas inspired by our B-town celebs that you need to add to your wardrobe.
1. Floor Length Anarkalis
This style trend became popular after the release of the blockbuster film Mughal-E-Azam where Madhubala or Anarkali looked ethereal bedecked in beautiful floor-length anarkalis. Rekha, too, looked stunning in her floor-length anarkali during her song “Dil Cheez Kya Hai.” The best part about wearing an anarkali is that it flatters almost all body types. The A-cut lends you that slim and elegant look. From flowy embroidered sets to simple printed ones, floor-length anarkalis are an absolute inspiration and are perfect outfit ideas to wear during the festive and wedding season. Choose from a collection of light anarkalis to floral or bejeweled ones, and add jhumkas and some gorgeous juttis to complete the look.
2. Paper-bag Pants
A classic style from the ’70s that has currently made a comeback is the paper-bag trouser trend. Many actresses adorned this vintage look during the black and white era, and they have now made their return to fashion runways. These pleated pants are known for their comfort and can be styled for both casual and formal looks. It helps give you a slim look without making you uncomfortable. And now they even come in variants of jeans, palazzos, shorts, and skirts. Style them with crop tops or a crisp shirt, and don’t forget to put on your favorite accessories.
3. Waistcoats And Shoulder Pads
This trend is not for the faint-hearted. It takes extreme sass to pull off exaggerated shoulders with vibrant colors. When it comes to this trend, our B-town beauties understood the assignment (if you know, you know). Back in the ‘80s, when oversized clothing was popular, actresses would pair shoulder pads with moderately puffed sleeves to enhance the look. How do you add this style trend to your wardrobe? First, experiment with a palette ranging from cheerful colors to soothing neutrals, and style it with a chic waistcoat and a pair of high-waisted trousers. Complete the look with gold chains and accessories of your choice.
4. Ruffled Sleeves
Ruffles were quite the trend in the ‘80s. It was popularized by our very own Dream Girl, Hema Malini, who wore a ruffle-sleeved blouse and a printed dress in a movie with Jeetendra. The current B-town celebs such as Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Deepika Padukone are now giving this trend a test run. From ruffled sari blouses to ruffled hem dupattas, this vintage trend is having a moment right now. The best way to add ruffles to your traditional wear, you ask? Stick to one color, and introduce ruffles by way of your hemline, pallu, and perhaps a touch on your collar. You can also add a belt to your look to add a hint of international appeal.
5. Oval Shaped Sunglasses
This style trend was a huge hit in the ‘70-80s. These metal frames were a go-to for actresses like Rekha, who made this look stand out. And now, these chic glasses are resurging and are a favorite among B-town celebs and many social media influencers. Take style cues from Priyanka Chopra, or Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, whose ‘80s-inspired oval sunglasses look equal parts sophisticated and smart. Even Deepika Padukone nailed the look when she casually styled her oval-shaped sunglasses with a sweatshirt and track pants.
6. Polka Dots
Over the years, trends have come and gone, but polka dots have faithfully stuck around in every woman’s closet. The style initially took off in the ‘70s, thanks to Dimple Kapadia, and is still going pretty strong. Since then, polka dots have been soaring on trend charts and always make for a safe investment. Current B-town celebs love to channel fashion’s favorite print through silhouettes such as romantic dresses, playful jumpsuits, pantsuits, and even elegant saris.
Now that you know all ways to recreate some of the most iconic vintage looks, why not add these statement-making styles to your wardrobe? Pick a trend that suits your style, and don’t shy away from adding a vibrant twist to these styles from the past. Which vintage style trend did you like the most? Let us know in the comments below.
