Powder hues are a timeless favourite in every women’s wardrobe. Pastels have been long associated with just spring and often stereotyped as elegant and demure. As trends revamp, couturiers are introducing these candy colours in a more dramatic vibe with new textures, prints and silhouettes. Soft pastels easily add a feminine side, but they can be deemed far from understated if you choose to do so. When experimented and styled just right, they are sure to add much more to the dynamics- from sporty and edgy to glam and even grunge.

Mellow & Metallic

Metallic accents on a pastel hue add a sober bling without looking OTT. Try incorporating a piece with metallic undertones for a bold impactful look. Sweet pastel outfits like pale apricot or blush pink with hints of metallic accents instantly lift the statement. You don’t want to be mistaken as a disco ball, so choose one piece in a light metallic shade and anchor the ensemble with a piece in a neutral colour like tan, black or grey to raise the bar.

Leather Lustre

Feeling brave to experiment? The tonal slickness of leather coupled with a hallucinogenic sheen of metallic pastel would be a definite statement in itself. Think contrasting black, brown, red leather separates teamed with a metallic tinted pastel number for an evening look or simply go for a monotone pairing. For a more offbeat style, never underestimate the glamour of statement accessories. The look is best pulled off keeping the leather piece as the hero and a subtle anchoring sheen good enough to make heads turn.

Chic Cut-out

Intensify the subdued glam of sombre colours with peek-a-boo elements. Strategic cutouts add instant appeal, especially when featured with an otherwise demure pastel ensemble. They add a surprisingly edgy dimension to feminine powder hues when flaunted around collarbone area of a shirt, at the waist of a sundress, back of a pretty tunic or a backless piece. For maximum panache, try a dress with side or above the midriff cut-outs and be the torchbearer of this trend.

Suave Power Dresser

As dreamy as a flowy pastel outfit looks, pieces with a body-skimming line or that are form fitted are power dressers to amp up the game with pastels. Go from cosmopolitan to fierce teaming your tuxedo or a suit with your crop top showing off your midriff for an added edge. Go for a monotone honey yellow or lilac palette for an upbeat glamorous look. For an eccentric edgy high street style, pick a trimmed printed jumpsuit. You’ll get bonus points for leather accessories!

Playful Prints

Pair solid candy hues with interesting prints and bold patterns for an unexpected look. Edge up your pastels with bold prints like chevron, plaid, abstract or even animal pattern. A pastel piece paired with trendy prints can take you from charming to striking. Chunky statement accessories like necklace and cuffs are a perfect offbeat accent and take the ensemble from lacklustre to tantalizing. A longline printed overcoat can even make a candy coloured lace dress seem avant-garde.