Karisma Kapoor was the reigning star of the 90s with some heavyweight hits and stellar performances under her diamond encrusted belt. Depending on your personal aesthetics the 90s were either utterly cringe-worthy or right up your alley and Karisma’s sartorial choices definitely featured a few duds. Back then she was Karishma and in finding herself through marriage, kids and divorce she dropped the H in her name and thankfully also gave up on the garishness of the era.

Now in her 40s, Karisma is living her best life on her own terms and has thrown out the rulebook on age-appropriate dressing. Attempting to peg her chameleon like style under a single moniker is futile because she works everything from statement classics to maximalist prints with enviable ease. Walking the diverse ends of the sartorial spectrum with the poise and maturity of a woman who is confident in stepping out of her comfort zone. Karisma flexes her sartorial muscle with minimalist black gowns, flowing cocktail dresses, printed sarees and sculpted blazers.

Her juxtaposed wardrobe includes risqué red carpet moments as well as soft romanticism that lend her an air of effortlessly cool, which is in short supply even in women half her age. It’s not uncommon to find her in investment pieces one day and switching it up with undiscovered indie gems the next. Sister Kareena might be more newsworthy because of her stardom but Karisma has that under-the-radar yet still very relevant vibe that’s intoxicatingly rare. We tried to decode this stylish enigma’s secrets in her various looks and barely scratched the surface. But we sure are glad for the OOTD or OOTN inspirations.

Navy On Navy Basics

Move over black on black, this card-carrying member of the minimalist club shows us how to work tone-on-tone navy ensembles. Karisma’s penchant of the moodier colours on the palette is rather obvious when swiping through her Insta posts. She favours the subdued elegance of Integument shirtdresses and printed separates for a quick dash to the airport. The coordinates are the epitome of being stylish in the check-in queue but can work just as easily for lazy lunches, casual workdays or a spot of weekend shopping. Yet another winner in the same league is a Vedika M ensemble featuring a fitted shift dress and printed maxi jacket that Karisma paired with totally on-point white sneakers.

Karisma Kapoor In Integument & Vedika M

Chic Dresses

Summer dresses are a wardrobe staple for most women but Karisma favours them for less formal events as well. Championing the cause of busy working moms who have diaries full of all manner of events, Karisma is proud of her prowess to dress from day to night. A checked Naushad Ali flared dress with serious Betty Draper vibes is a definite frontrunner for moms who are rushing from office presentations to PTA meetings. A draped silk Antar Agni creation paired with slick Kolhapuri chappals is Indo-fusion at its most versatile working for religious ceremonies as well as Diwali parties. Karisma’s choice of the floral printed high neck Oliva Rub dress for a corporate event could have easily gone into the nun-like category but the addition of a pair of slinky blue heels completely transformed this look.

Karisma Kapoor In Naushad Ali, Antar Agni & Olivia Rub

Red Carpet Gowns

Karisma is afterall a Bollywood celebrity and that title comes with its fair share of red carpet events that are mandatory. The secret to her red carpet style is ruthless editing especially when it comes to accessories. She’s a firm believer in keeping accessories to a minimum especially on occasions when she’s wearing sharp structural looks. It will always be earrings or a neckpiece but never both. Karisma has yet to encounter a black gown she didn’t like and her preferences range from a velvet bodice to a metallic pleated skirt and everything in between. Karisma isn’t afraid to dial up the drama in Samant Chauhan’s maximalist take on the archetypical black ballgown. Neither is she one to shy away from flaunting her curves in a fitted semi-sheer Tony Ward creation.

Karisma Kapoor In Samant Chauhan & Tony Ward

Glitter Goddess Dresses

With so much talk of minimalism it might be difficult to imagine Karisma going full glam in glitter but that’s exactly what the multifaceted diva does when required. Unsurprisingly she’s adept at working glitzy silhouettes just as well as statement gowns. Think head-to-toe sequins like the streamlined versions by Julien Macdonald followed by a draped raspberry number by Prabal Gurung and even a draped black shine and matte midi dress.

Karima Kapoor In Julien Macdonald & Prabal Gurung

Experimental Sarees

Karisma’s ethic style is a neat 180 degrees from her regular style mandate. Loud and proud prints dance a merry riot as she serves up unconventional drama with fusion silhouettes. As part of her style repertoire the traditional saree has received a modern iteration like the updated belted Sabyasachi saree in sunshine hues. A classic Raw Mango silk saree paired with a stately silk jacket. An embroidered white net saree layered with a sleeveless waistcoat and belt. And a rather kitschy typography-printed Satya Paul saree with the word ‘mirchi’ emblazoned on the red and white colour blocks in Hindi.

Karisma Kapoor In Satya Paul, Raw Mango & Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Sources: Vogue.in, Seenit.in