Two city stylists tell you how to pack light, and style effectively for winter vacation

Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone on vacation. Pic Courtesy/Instagram

Bollywood's ‘it' couple's winter holiday picture on Instagram has got us thinking about our own travel wear to cooler destinations. Deepika Padukone never misses with her denims, add a long grey-belted topcoat and sneakers and you've got a classic look. But apart from the usual brown or black winter coat, how can we move away from sombre styling to embrace colour and individuality; much like marrying classic winter wear with Ranveer Singh's playful and vibrant styling. Two city stylists tell you how to pack light, and style effectively yet stay fresh.

Pack the basics

Stylist Nahid Nawaaz highlights suitcase essentials like denims, bombers, baggy jeans and similar pieces. She shares, "Denim on denim is a classic combination with other basic essentials that can be played around with and are readily available for everyone." Stylist and personal shopper Shikha Dhandhia (inset) suggests stockings, another item that can be versatile when it comes to styling. She recommends wearing warmers or stockings under baggy jeans or saris to make a desi look winter-ready or pairing them with a wool dress.

Silk velvet jacket. Pic Courtesy/kshitijjalori.com

Colour on your fleece

With a wave of homegrown streetwear labels and international counterparts arriving ashore, streetwear fashion has found an enthusiastic market in India. And they are here to offer fun jacketed looks. Taking a cue from Singh's signature streetwear looks, especially his Gully Boy fits, Nawaaz points out that colourful and metallic puffer jackets and bombers complement basic pieces. You can also try embroidered coats, layering with crochet jackets, quilted or patchwork coats and fun styling with all those vintage Christmas sweaters.

Sonia Lyson in a colourful striped wool knit sweater

Goodbye neutral

Ditch the nudes, blacks and grayscale jackets for colour. Dhandhia opts for thick winter brocades, velvet and silk jackets for glammed-up styling. Take Singh's brocade coats for reference. Embracing a desi winter look instead of the template brown-coat-and-boots styling, she suggests packing in Indian textile shawls, pashminas and wools to complete any outfit. Remember to keep your scarves and jackets oversized like Padukone's baggy grey coat.

The influencer in a nylon print hooded short jacket. Pics Courtesy/Getty Images

Suitcase hacks

1 Pack one or two jackets so you don't use up too much space. This can include a casual day-time bomber or puffer jacket, and a brocade coat to go with
evening wear.

2 Work within similar colour schemes or colour-block within bold palettes instead of neutral tones.

3 Ensure you carry baggy denim pants, t-shirts to layer under your puffer, light basics to pair with colourful Indian shawls, and chunky sneakers to mix and match with Indian wear and dresses.

Ikat Kani fine wool stole. Pic Courtesy/theyarnstory.com

Nahid Nawaaz

Aimee Song wears a mustard yellow belted puffer coat; Rahi Chadda in a multicolour long trench coat with printed patterns; A model in an orange and beige print pattern jacket