A Midsummer Night's Dream

Hippolyta - the Queen of the Amazons, dressed in pink
Perhaps, there is not a single lady in the world that does not love the colour pink. Some kind of a natural affinity exists between pink and us women. Psychologists may argue that this affinity is nothing but colour conditioning that exists since childhood – pink for women and blue for men. However, there's an undeniable charm to the colour.

If you feel mushy and tender on some days, don a pink dress, preferably a baby pink kameez with lots of white frills as embellishments. Keep the make-up light, with black eye-liner, pink blush-on and lipstick. Choose a shade of pink that suits you best, as lipstick. Put on your best pearl earrings and necklace, single strings look ravishing.  Let down your hair, tuck in a flower or two and slip into the naturally blushed look. 

Refrain from using too many products on the hair. Locks are not meant to be abused. Pair off the look with a pink clutch and heels in light pink – and opt for stilettos if you are comfortable in those. You can also wear flats or pumps. Now, go out and meet your friends, I guarantee is that you will be showered with compliments.

Hermia – the lady in white, desired by everyone
White is the colour of purity in many cultures and there are not many who do not like the hue. If you think white is boring and meant for the old, then you are definitely depriving yourself of a beautiful shade.

Maybe it is time you tried putting on something white and pair it off with the colour of your preference. A chantilly lace sari in beige or light yellow cotton taants would look ravishing when paired with a white blouse. You can wear your favourite solitaire, diamond neckpiece with the look. If diamonds are not your best friend and solitaires are too minimalist for you, then perhaps you can don dry leaves or flower studded danglers. 

Carry a clutch in your favourite colour contrasting the white and match your shoes in that same colour. Walk out and win the world, over!

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Titania and the little fairies spice up the world of magic in pastel shades
Lilac, aqua, mint; pastel colours such as these give you an instant refreshed feel the very moment you look at them. If you decide to put on one of these colours, make sure you get some stonework on them to add the dash of glamour. 

White stone embroidery, even light zari work, looks well on these colours. In case of saris, floral prints are as dreamy as it can get. With base colours in soft tones like lilac, the flower imprints can be screen-printed in a slightly darker tone. The look will look complete with saris in high-end chiffon material or silk. 

This, '50s belle look is definitely meant to turn heads, especially if you tie up your hair and wear a garland of 'beli' around it. 

Dreamy heroines of the past like Nargis, Suchitra Sen and Madhubala almost trademarked the wearing flowers into their well-coiffed buns and braids. Maybe you can live that moment, by putting beautiful flowers into your hair, especially when attending a formal party.

Thesius, Demetrius, Oberon, Lysander; all the men in our lives 
Men look best in tuxedos and three piece suits. Nehru collared jackets and panjabis also look marvellous. Ladies can be forgiven for ogling at men dressed in formal wear, pin perfect for admiration. With hair, styled backwards, and confidence, any man can sweep off his lady love off her feet.  

From our memories, we can remember Prince Charming almost always being clad in formal wear with high collared jackets rather than casual T-shirts with awkward prints. The prince charming look is completed by tying it off with shiny leather shoes, classy watches and the best in perfume. The 'trio' is a deadly combination that creates the out-of-my-dreams look for men in every case. 

Men can also use popular 'ladies' man' characters like James Bond as a strong reference for dressing well; or just don a dhoti and casual fatuas and turn heads with flowers wrapped around your wrist. Sometimes it's great to get in touch with your female self and let the yin and yang do the thing.

When both of you are feeling romantic and want to impress each other in some way, try out  these romantic looks inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream and watch the heavens instantly melt away.

By Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Raj, Sandha, Hritika
Wardrobe: Jatra
Wardrobe Styling: Tabssuma Noor Dhara of Jatra
Make-up: Farzana Shakil Shakil's Makeover Salon
Styling: Isha Yeasmin

Relishing the Romantics 

The range of romantic stories that we studied as teens, especially Shakespeare's plays, add fuel to the fire.

Then comes adulthood, when we watch romcoms like Jerry Mcguire and Notting Hill, converting all of us into life-sized fans of romance, passion and courtship.

It is good to be influenced by all that is dreamy and nice because when the world is cruel to you at least you can pamper yourself with good thoughts and be hopeful.

One of the easier ways of doing 'all that' is to wear things that let you feel part of the fantasy.

So here are a few suggestions on how to re-create that magical experience with the help of a Shakespearean play – A Mid Summer Night's Dream!

Songs of the Surreal

…If I thought for just one moment that this
Would be my last breath,
I'd tell you, I'll love you forever, even
Beyond death.
…If  I thought for just one moment that your
Face would be the last I see.
I'd take a million pictures and save them
Just for me.
- Dana Schwartz
Story on page 9 and centre