Extra, on Purpose

Who said everyday fashion has to be boring? Colour, layers, and bold styling are taking

over daily wardrobes.

By- Kavya Lajpal

'Genz redefines modernity by reconnecting to their roots and it's called Desi Maximalism'; modelling and editing- Brinda Girish Gowda and Saanvi Mohan

Growing up in India means growing up around vibrancy, sound, texture, and detail. Our

surroundings have always been rich and expressive, from busy streets to family

celebrations. Yet for a long time, fashion promoted a different idea of beauty, one where

simplicity was seen as good taste. Neutral tones, clean lines, and the belief that “less is

more” became the rule. For many of us, this never fully fit. Our homes, clothes, festivals,

and memories have always been full of brightness, detail, and layers.

'When every hand carries a story, simplicity never stands a chance.' modelling and editing- Brinda Girish Gowda and Saanvi Mohan

Now, maximalism is clearly having a moment again, and it feels exciting. People are

dressing for themselves, not for rules. Bold shades are back, layering is back, and so is

the joy of putting an outfit together. Fashion feels playful instead of controlled.

You see it everywhere. Someone wearing jeans and a crop top, stacked with bangles and

a bold bindi on a casual day out. Someone else mixing prints, layering silver jewellery, or

carrying a heavily embroidered bag just because it feels right. Outfits don’t look

“perfect,” and that’s the point.

They look expressive, and full of personality.

'Every detail demands attention, because fading into the background was never the intention.';model- Saanvi Mohan and editing- Brinda Girish Gowda and Saanvi Mohan

For Saanchi Jain, 21, a communication design student at Pearl Academy, Delhi, says,

“Fashion is personal storytelling, I don’t want my clothes to look safe anymore. I like

mixing prints, like pairing a bright floral kurta with checked trousers, or layering chunky silver jewellery over streetwear pieces. I love letting my outfit feel loud, even if it

clashes, because that’s how I feel on the inside. Every day, I’m inspired by the colours of

Delhi’s markets, vintage shops, and my mom’s old sarees. Wearing maximal looks

doesn’t feel like I’m trying too hard, it feels honest. My style shows who I am without

having to explain it.”

'draping the saree how it was always meant to be, and styling it with her own touch'; model- Brinda Girish Gowda and editing- Brinda Girish Gowda and Saanvi Mohan

Jahanvi Sethi, 19, a Fashion Styling student at NIFT, Delhi, says that dressing maximal

does not feel like trying too hard but feels natural. Having grown up in a household

where every corner was filled with colour, patterns, and textiles, loud outfits are

experienced as an extension of that environment. Layering embroidered jackets over

graphic tees, pairing metallic sandals with printed skirts, or stacking bangles and

necklaces is seen not just as fashion, but as a way of carrying childhood energy into the

present. Inspiration is constantly drawn from Delhi’s street markets, thrift stores, and

family wardrobes. Each outfit is treated as a celebration of heritage, experimentation,

and the joy of wearing what feels right, without concern for rules or trends. As maximalism keeps growing, everyday fashion in India is starting to look

different. Clothes and styles that were once worn only for special occasions are now part of daily life. This makes fashion feel more relaxed and open to trying new things. People are mixing influences freely and dressing in ways that feel true to them. Desi maximalism reflects a shift towards a fashion culture that balances personal expression with cultural comfort.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/625431_6dcf3f97beb045d4a382054fe29bb7ca/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

'Desi Maximalism- a lifestyle ,not a trend ; modelling and editing- Brinda Girish Gowda and Saanvi Mohan