Clothes
Bangalore has a pretty happening fashion scene, and is, at any given time, generally over-run by models and the designers. The only pre-requisites for shopping at designer boutiques are:A model's body (negotiable at times)A well-stocked wallet (non-negotiable)
One place you can start off with is ffolio. This boutique stocks more “wearable” clothes than some of the other boutiques. ffolio always has both ethnic as well as western wear. The westerns definitely require a fairly well-moulded body for the best effect, but the ethnic wear is less demanding. In fact, if you don’t mind spending a little more than you would at other places, then ffolio’s Indian wear is definitely worth buying. More often than not, there’s an exhibition of an up and coming designer’s lines, and these are always worth a second glance. Even when there isn’t an exhibition as such, there are always plenty of designer labels to keep the fashion-conscious shopper happy.
Munish Hinduja’s Scandale, a boutique, and Manoviraj Khosla’s Kingfisher line of apparel are also for lovers of designer-wear.
Now we move on to places that are more affordable and less bohemian.
Shoppers’ Stop is the place to go if you want to do comprehensive shopping without traveling too much. Leading brands like Lee, Laungani, PepperTree, Pepe are available. So are cosmetic products by Revlon, Lakme, Biotique, Pierre Cardin, Chambor and Elizabeth Arden. Go ahead and pick up some designer perfumes by Calvin Klein, Escada and Nina Ricci, if you can afford it! There’s a good collection of jewelry, shoes and other accessories.
If you are pushed for time, but have to buy a lot of things, this is the place for you. Even otherwise, it’s worth checking out Cotton World is another good place for anyone who likes trendy, affordable clothes which won’t fall apart in the washing machine. It’s an especially popular place among young people (teens to twenties). They stock cool shirts in a range of designs, and there will definitely be something for everyone. They have long and short skirts, shorts, dresses and crinkly pajamas. What I really like is their t-shirts, which have really funky designs, and often have funny things written on them, like “He who laughs last thinks slowest.”
FabIndia is a fabulous place for buying Indian clothes. They also stock skirts, shirts, shorts and western dresses which have Indian prints. Incidentally, you can buy curtain material and Durries (traditional Indian woven carpets) from here. They also sell incredibly yummy cakes and stuff. (Definitely try the chocolate cake.) And they sell some other cool things, which make great gifts. Don’t miss FabIndia, especially if you’re not Indian! You’ll virtually buy out the whole place
