Call it BASHION or Bollywood inspired fashion, the two have a very close relationship since forever! Right from the black and white era upto now, fashion and bollywood have been style partners and inspiration for millions of girls across our filmi frenzy afflicted nation.
Right from Madhubala to Madhuri, Helen to Deepika, our leading ladies have led the way for popular fashion for young girls and ladies who want a piece of stardom in everything, from their attire to their hair and make up. So be it the winged eyes, the anarkalis the fishnet gowns or the Mumtaz saree..bollywood has been a fashion inspiration and continues to be so even today..Just the faces and trends change as time goes by..
Lets take a look at what set the fashion trails on fire through the decades and how each era has become an eternal infulence on our sartorial choces even today.
THE ELEGANT 50's ( CORSETS AND ANRKALIS)
THEN: British Raj hangover led the way for classy fashion. Neat buns and hairstyles, corset fitted blouses and gowns, elegant sarees, anarkalis as seen on Madhubala in Mughal-E-Azam, elaborate sleeves were all a part of that decade that paved the way for popular fashion.
NOW: The Anarkalis today are very much inspired by this era.
Shop the Red Slit Anarkali here
THE SWINGING 60s (FITTED SAREES AND SUITS)
They are called swinging for a reason! The sixties were a preview of a brighter, hipper era. So shorter, fitted clothing was making way into the mainstream. Sexy moves and a bit of skin show was creeping in the industry gradually. Remember Mumtaz's saree in Aaj kal?Bollywood was shedding inhibitions and getting more sensual.
The sarees are now pre-stitched in this MUMTAZ STYLE made so popular decades ago and even suits are fitted and short too!
THE ROCKING 70s
THEN: This was truly the bright and beautiful era with colors and prints coming into action all over our heroines. Sharmila Tagore, Dimple Kapadia, Helen etc were setting pulses racing with their bold and stunning style. From their sarees, to her wide eyed look to the two piece! Bollywood was evolving, trying to find its roots and so was bollywood fashion.
Bollywood divas jived on the screen in bell bottoms, platform heels, big sunglasses, jump suits and maxi dresses. Hair trends on the big screen included Zeenat Aman’s long straight hair and bangs, and iconic wigs worn by Hema Malini and Neetu Singh. And eye makeup was thick, bold and exaggerated black eyeliner, creating dramatic cat eyes on screen. 
NOW: Winged eyes and Chiffon sarees are a hot rage today!
Shop the Khaki Chiffon Saree here
THE DRAMATIC 80s
THEN: 80s were a time when superstar divas rose to fame. Sridevi, Rekha ruled the roost with their bright sarees, red lips and doe eyes. It was a bit loud if we put it in today's terminology but the trends were aped blindly and were extremely popular at that time. Fitted salwar kameez, lyrical chiffon sarees, and experimental dresses or costumes rather, It was a mixed bag truly!
NOW: Floral prints are the hottest summer rage since last few seasons!
THE DEFINING 90s
THEN: Bollywood became huge truly in this era. Heroines like Mdhuri, Juhi, Rekha, Sridevi and many more were extremely fashionable divas who made some looks ICONIC. The Green and white lehnga-choli in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun was aped and most wanted amongst all girls. And Juhi's fresh look with skater dresses, cropped tops and all inspired the college look in girls everywhere.
NOW: Lehnga cholis and skater dresses are still a hot trend amongst the fashion conscious girls.
The 2000
This age was bout redefining fashion. Kajol, Karishma, Raveena, Aishwarya, Priyanka were style icons who popularized designer wear and the look became more about the designer tag. Manish Malhotra, Aki Narula, Neeta Lulla and Sabyasachi became household names thanks to popular bollywood fashion.
Shop the Pallazo Style Dress here
The trend is continues now but the leading ladies are experimenting more with international brands as well as street style. Today is an amalgamation truly of fashion over the decades with some style inspiration lifted from each of these eras. Anarkalis, Palazzos, Sarees and Lehnga cholis,High slit gowns, floral prints, every attire is taking fashion inspiration from the decades gone by. So Deepika, Sonam, Kangana and all young starlets are re creating looks with the mix and match of today, and the times gone by.
Truly, The more things change, the more they remain the same. Afterall, What goes around, comes around!
