Over the years, Bollywood has not only made demi-gods out of unsuspecting movie stars, but also given us plenty of fashion icons to take our sartorial cues from. From popularizing jhumkas (and Bareilly in the process) back in the day to being a dictator of tastes today, there’s no denying that our favourite silver screen trendsetters are responsible for much of our styling inspiration.
So celluloid buff or not, we round up 10 of the most iconic Bollywood outfits worthy of being recreated even today. From the 1960s to the 2010s, we show you how to channel some Bollywood glam from the signature looks of your fave movie stars in your everyday life!
1. Power Dressing: Zeenat Aman in Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Who better than ’70s diva Zeenat Aman to teach us a thing or two about head-to-toe white? The actress was a picture of poised perfection in her white jumpsuit as she crooned and strummed her guitar in “Chura Liya Hai“. Take a cue from her and opt for a white pantsuit or jumpsuit to epitomize power dressing. Just like her, add a touch of black for a look that’s not just minimalistic but also incredibly stylish.
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POPxo picks: Cottinfab Solid Women’s Jumpsuit on Flipkart (Rs 895), Style Fiesta Circle Craze Earrings (Rs 860) and Shop Clues Studio 9 Chic Platforms Black (Rs 499)
2. Easy Chic: Deepika Padukone in Cocktail
Cocktail turned Deepika Padukone into a bona fide fashion icon and her “Tum Hi Ho Bandhu” look, which saw her wearing a sequinned Aztec-print mini and grey crop top, had a lot to do with it. You can easily recreate this look, which will work for several occasions – your next Koh Samui trip or even quick drinks at an “it” nightspot.
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POPxo picks: Miss Chase Grey Crop Top on Jabong (Rs 679), Printed Aztec Skirt by The Closet Label (Rs 1,250), Done By None Fringe Detailed Sandals (Rs 1,399) and FabAlley Bright Crystal Bracelets Stack (Rs 450)
3. Retro Revival: Mumtaz in Brahmachari
Mumtaz’s coiled fiery orange sari which she wore in “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar” was a cult hit not just then but is bound to fit right in even today, especially in this era of reinvented sari silhouettes. Give it contemporary relevance by adding jhumkas, an experimental blouse and pulling your hair back in a fishtail braid.
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POPxo picks: Soup by Sougat Paul Colour Blocked Sari with Metallic Chain Fringes on Exclusively In (Rs 19,686) and Fabindia Silver Anusuya Emerald Jhumka (Rs 10,990)
4. Dhoti Magic: Madhuri Dixit in Sailaab
Bold colours? Check. Experimental sari drape? Check. Madhuri Dixit’s kasta sari look in “Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar” in Sailaab can easily be transformed into a winning look even today. Turn to colour-blocked sari to emulate her look, ideal for the weddings galore that just around the corner. Alternatively, go in for dhoti pants with a cropped blouse if you are dressing down, or a dhoti suit when dressing up.
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POPxo picks: Sonali Gupta Yellow Dabka Embroidered Flared Kurta with Dhoti Pants on Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop (Rs 16,250), Mahi Diva Brass Alloy Nose Stud (Rs 199) and Amrapali Silver Gold Plated Two Layer Round Bead Necklace (Rs 7,080)
5. Simple and Elegant: Sridevi in Mr India
There is no going wrong with a simple, solid-coloured sari, and Sridevi’s sheer blue one from Mr India’s “I Love You” is testimony to the fact. Pick a colour of your choice and sport it to a mehndi function with a patterned blouse. Add statement jewellery to top off the look.
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POPxo picks: Anamica Royal Blue Chiffon Fashion Saree on Myntra (Rs 1,419) and Bindhani Gold Plated Bangles on Jabong (Rs 899)
6. Anarkali Lovin’: Meena Kumari in Pakeezah
When we think of Bollywood’s ultimate icon of grace, beauty and sophistication, Meena Kumari tops the list. And while we may be hoarding anarkali after anarkali in our closets today, she was a perpetuator of this trend as early as the ’70s. Just like her anarkali styling in Pakeezah, go easy on the embellishments and let a head-turning colour do the talking. Bling up with bold baubles.
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POPxo picks: India Rush Georgette Zari Work Red & Gold Long Anarkali Suit (Rs 4,943), Golden and White Embellished Matha Patti on Indian Roots (Rs 2,250) and Statement Haath Phool with Ruby Quartz on Exclusively In (Rs 5,900)
7. You Sexy Thing: Urmila Matondkar in Rangeela
Rangeela turned Urmila Matondkar into Bollywood’s certified siren, and rightly so. From chambray shirts and bold monokinis to matching separates and crop tops, every look exuded oomph and oodles of sex appeal and could all easily be a master class in the top trends of today. We remain particularly floored by her white bralet and matching skater skirt look from “Tanha Tanha”. So easy to dress up or down even today!
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POPxo picks: KOOVS Textured Floral Pencil Skirt (Rs. 1,895) KOOVS Textured Floral Crop Tee (Rs 1,695) and Nineteen Starry Silver Shine Ballerinas on In On It (Rs 599)
8. Sporty Luxe: Karisma Kapoor in Dil Toh Pagal Hai
Crop tops, racer backs, form-fitting minis, backpacks, leather pants and cool kicks aren’t recent staples. Karisma Kapoor rocked them all back when she played a dancer in Dil Toh Pagal Hai. So you’d wise to turn to her for inspiration the next time you decide to try your hand at the au courant sporty luxe trend! A mini dress like her lilac one from “Bholi Si Surat” is a great pick.
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POPxo picks: ASOS Mini Sundress with Scoop Back (Rs 692), River Island Portie White Sandals on Jabong (Rs 4,790) and Free People Kingslee Backpack (Rs 16,044)
9. Red Hot: Kareena Kapoor in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
Kareena Kapoor’s rich spoilt brat act in K3G saw her in the early 2000s choicest fashion. And she did redefine red haute in her matching scarlet separates in chartbuster “You Are My Soniya”. Luckily for fans of the look, both crop tops and palazzos or leather pants are equally in vogue today as well!
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POPxo picks: Meira Maroon Pleated Palazzo Pants on LimeRoad (Rs. 599), FabAlley Bold Burgundy Lace Crop Top on Voonik (Rs 950) and Wet Blue Women Black Sandals on Myntra (Rs 2,099)
10. High-Octane Glam: Rani Mukherji in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Rani Mukerji’s glamorous makeover was all one could talk about when Kuch Kuch Hota Hai hit the theatre. The silver bodycon mini, which she wore in “Koi Mil Gaya” will see you through many a soiree this party season too. We bet you won’t disagree!
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POPxo picks: FabAlley Silver Embellished Bodycon Dress on Jabong (Rs 1,750), Steve Madden Tassha Heels on Flipkart (Rs 6,499) and Prerto Pearl Dungeon Pendant (Rs 6,300)
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