Fashionista’s cut

Flowy fabrics, Parakh says, work well with cut-out gowns and give it a dramatic effect, like Malaika Arora’s

If you're on Netflix, it's hard to ignore Malcolm & Marie on the homepage. Sam Levinson's black and white film is visually stunning but what also stays with you if you love fashion or Zendaya, the lead actress who essays the role of Marie, is the dress she wears through a major part of the movie.

Zendaya wears a custom-made silk lamé gown by Aliette in Malcolm & Marie. Pic/Facebook

Styled by Law Roach and designed by Jason Rembert of Aliette, Marie dons a metallic silk lame cut-out gown. It's a daring choice if you're not living in a Levinson film, but if you want a go at it anyway, we invited city-based stylists Kayal Parakh and Shivani Patil to show you how.

Shivani Patil

Don't cut off comfort
The first thing to assess when opting for a cut-out dress is the number of cut outs on it - and how comfortable you're going to be with them. In the one Zendaya is wearing, for instance, there is a significant portion left bare from the bust towards the midriff, coupled with a halter neck and a thigh-high slit. "But there are many different variations to a cut-out.

Kayal Parakh

Now, you can also spot the style in Indian wear, particularly cut-outs on the side and the waistline in anarkalis. If you are heavier on the sides or aren't comfortable showing that area off, play around with the neckline and go halter. Else, the easiest thing to do is choose a dress with a small, triangular cut-out under the bust," Parakh suggests, while Patil adds that such a design works well for women with an hourglass, pear-shaped figure.

It's best to leave your neck bare and keep your make-up minimal, like Parakh's styling for these models for the label Zwaan

Always check the inside and outside
Unless you don't wish to conceal lingerie, you will need to pick your innerwear based on the placement of the cut out. For instance, if the back design can accommodate a bra, then opt for a strapless one. If it can't and you don't want your bra interfering with it, then you can try a stick-on bra, nipple stickers or breast lifting tape, that Parakh points out, Kim Kardashian made famous.

If your dress has a cutout in an area where it might be difficult to conceal your innerwear, like Kareena Kapoor Khan's; opt for a stick-on bra, nipple stickers or breast lift tape

The stylist also states that flowy fabrics like satin, georgette or crepe, work best with cut-out designs. "Stiff fabrics, even a thick silk, won't give you a dramatic feel," says Parakh. "Do not wear a cut out dress in knit fabrics. Make sure the fit is right. If the cut is at the front of your dress, it is essential that it fits aptly to the bust to avoid an ‘oops' moment," adds Patil. Keep accessories to a minimum, too; leave the neck bare, and pick earrings, bracelets and rings instead. For shoes, stilettos are the best option but if you prefer flats, gladiators and lace-up heels are your best friend.