Summer is officially in town, and that could mean one thing: it’s finally time for swimming lessons and soda pops (totally not a Saja boys reference)… well, that’s how it was until we grew up.

But now a lot of it is about styling the perfect Indian summer fashion look without feeling like a piece of bread in a busted toaster… ahh, that’s tiring.

Let’s be real, trying to pull off an outfit while juggling comfort and chic looks is a real struggle. Between the crazy heat, sky-high humidity, and an attempt not to scandalize the padosan aunties, Indian summers can be a mess.

Especially when every summer comes with a cherry on top—a new trend popping off. From “Hot Girl Summer” to “Brat Summer”, every trend that’s got us, brown girls, pulling our skates to keep up with— or just saying, “Nah! Let me just rot on my bed.”

Sure, personal styling might scare off our purses and wallets, but worry no more! Because Summer is about to turn into a full-on Brown Girl Summer.

Indian summer fashion is all about the C’s—comfort, colors, and chaos. Serving chic looks while sipping chai, now, that steals the spotlight. And, we have carefully curated the ultimate Brown Girls Fashion Guide, exclusively for you.

Here’s your guide to make this Indian summer your stage to shine.

5 Indian Summer Fashion Ideas

1. Unpacking “The Bollywood Moment” With Ethnic Fits

While Indian outfits are often dismissed as too uncomfortable or too heavy for the summer, Indian Summer Fashion outfits, if smartly styled, could just become your go-to friend. 

Styling short Kurtas with wide-leg jeans will make you feel right at home. 

Not a fan of short Kurtas? Channel your inner Piku with an A-line long Kurti, and complete the look with a pair of cotton/linen trousers. 

Want to beat the heat like a true Indian boss girl? Let’s see… cotton sarees always serve the look. The minimalist look and the soft touch, when topped with minimal and bold jewelry, and a sleek hair bun, fuel the timeless elegance, just right.

2. Master Layering Like a Pro

Summer was always about 2-piece outfits and cute dresses, and layering… can be one real headache. Because layering outfits in summer is a hit or miss, one wrong move, and you’ll be sweating like you’re in a sauna. 

But here’s the catch: layering might just become the show-stealer if done right. Here’s how you can master layering like a triple scoop cone.

Start light and chill. A light sheer top, cotton tee, or a light tank top is just the right way to start your look. 

Layer it with an oversized cotton shirt or an open-knit shirt to bring on the summer vibe. 

✨ Pro tip – Most of the time, the best ones are hidden in men’s collections. ✨

And, finally, you can complete the look with light-wash denim pants or shorts.

Feel the urge to go cottagecore today?—We got you! Layer your light-coloured outfits with cropped loose knit cardigans or a sheer mesh shrug. (Sheer shrugs are a must-have in your summer wardrobe.)

Before we move on, remember: proportion is everything when it comes to layering. 

Tailor the balance by adding longer layering for a cropped base or by pairing up fitted tops with loose bottoms like button-down skirts and vice versa.

3. Summer is Too Precious to Not Have Prints

Just how our flat whites got switched for strawberry matcha, fashion trends switched the plain and striped for prints. And, let’s be real, Summer just feels like the season for prints, and in Indian Summer Fashion, prints are the main character.

Why be plain when we can be dramatic, right? 

So, here’s how you can add drama to your outfits.

Go for traditional printed kurtis rather than plain ones, and balance them with plain bottoms. I mean, there’s no way styling a Kalamkari kurti with oxidized jewelry could ever go wrong. (Bonus points if you throw in a pair of printed flat sandals)

Leopard prints are back, and this time with main character energy. As prints like polka dots, animal prints, and floral prints are making a comeback, take the chance and join the print parade by swapping your plain dresses for printed dresses. Getting the colours right could take a while, and then you’re set to go. Also, don’t forget to add in some printed scrunchies.

4. Here’s the Tricky Part: Colours and Fabric

Look, I know. Figuring out the color and fabric is like solving the x & y variables in the equation. 

Once that’s figured out, consider most of the work done. But one small miss and you might end up looking like a watermelon ice pop. But, hey, we got you! Here’s a cheat sheet on how to get your colors and fabric right.

Real talk—the trendy shades we see on the internet often look good on the racks, but don’t serve you looks. The magic is made where the right color meets the undertone. If the color doesn’t pop on your skin, it’s no more main character—it’s a mistake.

Wear colors that complement your undertones—complementary colors get you compliments—like mustard yellow, turquoise, and emerald green for warm undertones and blue, purple, and pink for cool undertones.

While Indian summer does invite darker shades, they are usually avoided because of heat absorption. And it’s not limited to your outfit, gold jewels tend to look better on warm undertones, and silver jewels on cool undertones.

Got the colors right? Fabrics are just one step away; go for breathable, light fabrics. Natural fabrics often tend to absorb sweat and keep us cooler than synthetic ones (Because nobody wants to be sweating on plastic, do we?) 

Fabrics like cotton, linen, and khadi are great choices. 

In a nutshell, the lighter the color and fabric, the cooler your summer is.

5. Co-ords Are Lifesavers

Getting out of bed in the summer can be hard. Getting out of bed in the scorching Indian summer and having to choose what to wear could be a nightmare, especially when we are drained to low-battery by the sun. Well… like instant ramen and instant coffee, we have our instant, all-ready-to-go outfit, the 🎀co-ords🎀

Tired of the daily styling struggle? This one’s got you covered. It’s got something for everyone. Whether your style is plain, printed, ethnic, or a touch of Western, it does it all.  All you need is to get the size right—and hey, you can custom select sizes for your tops and bottoms. It really is a fashion lifesaver.

And the best part? These co-ords just effortlessly get the vibe, whatever it is. From office meetings and brunches to beach parties, co-ords are a one-stop styling solution for every occasion. Co-ords are the new timeless and effortless fashion. Try them, and you’ll fall in love in no time.

The Power of Accessories

As kids, we used to build sand castles—mine didn’t look anything like a castle, or at least, that’s what they called it—but remember we used to top it off with a tiny toothpick & paper flag to claim it? 

Yes, that’s exactly what accessories do, we accessorize and claim our fit.

But, there are too many fish in the sea, and one might get confused about where to put the hooks on. Well, we’ve got you covered. Throwing in the right accessories would elevate your fit from a 10 to a 100. 

Here’s how you do it.

Statement Jewellery

Simple outfit? Complement it with jewels. Don’t be afraid to go bold with statement jewelry or to add in those layers of necklaces and chunky cuffs. 

Along with that, you can also get in theme with the season by throwing in those sea charms, pearl jewelry, and shells.

Hats & Scarves

With the salty breeze rolling in, it’s the perfect time to toss on wide-brim sun hats. Lightweight scarves add to the mood—wrap them as headbands, twist them into tank tops, or tie them for a laid-back coastal look.

Bags

Baguette bags are back on the radar, this time stealing shows for seasons.  Elevate your outfit by topping it with a baguette bag for a sleeker fit. Or, if you want to go all summer, coded, woven bags totally serve the purpose.

Enhance your look further by throwing in some oversized or Y2K-coded glasses and conclude it by adding comfortable sandals or flip-flops.

Because, repeat after me…

Comfort 👏is 👏 the 👏 key 👏

Save Your Style & Fit With DIY

Since summer is here, we have twice the stuff to carry. Multiple sunscreens, a pair of sunglasses—two, just in case I lose the other—hats, scarves, a beach-romance book (because, duh, that’s mandatory), at least 2 cups of iced-americanos to keep my cool and whatnot. 

Ain’t no way those tiny bags are going to carry these (unless it’s Hermione’s beaded handbag, of course).

Here’s the catch: you can make your own bag (I mean, coming from brown families, we can absolutely pull off a jugaad). 

All you need is a shirt or T-shirt ( if you don’t have one, steal one from your bf) and a little crafty craze. Now, this saves the environment, your wallet, and brings back the nostalgia from the summer holidays. 

Your bag didn’t turn out well? At least you had a DIY date. (Call in your besties for more fun and a girls’ date)

Tada! We’ve summed up the brown Girl’s Guide Indian summer fashion & styling. Indian summer fashion is all about prioritizing comfort while still serving looks. 

Though styling could be a lion’s share of trouble, with the right guidance, all can be mastered. 

So, put on those hats and flip-flops and get ready to shine brighter than the sun itself (but please don’t forget your sunscreen. It’s a rule not to be broken). 

If you’re loving the idea of comfort and chaos but still want a low-effort routine, check out the capsule wardrobe guide you need for a simplified Indian summer fashion closet.

Catch you later in the next one!