Style File: Tracing Kareena Kapoor Khan's style over the years

Almost a decade ago, Kareena Kapoor Khan embraced the size zero figure in Tashan (2008) eliciting bouquets and brickbats in equal measure. Bollywood observers were left open-mouthed at her enviable hot bod as she strutted on a beach in a lime green swimsuit. She never gave a damn about reactions back then and she is far from caring even now.

Be it her choice of roles or her off-kilter sartorial picks on the red carpet, the Begum of Pataudi has always carpe-diemed the heck out of her life and career. Last month, she channelled her inner femme fatale as she attended an event in a red Bibhu Mohapatra dress, which had a dramatic slit on the bust.

If the phrase ‘yummy mummy’ suited anyone to the T, it’s got to be Bebo. She’s always written new style rules, never followed any trends — in fashion or life in general. Even when she was pregnant with Taimur, she penned a new lexicon on maternity chic — appearing in a risqué Deme outfit. By far, her dressing has always been comfort-meets-chic, so adapting to an anti-fit or bespoke closet wasn’t a challenge for the style-savvy actress. She wore everything with an unstudied ease. Superimpose that with her pregnant mega-watt glow and she was the real winner!

Now, she’s all set to appear on the silver screen in Veere Di Wedding, which is due for release in June. The post-baby Kareena, who’s back in killer shape thanks to her devotion to working out, sizzles on the current Vogue India cover in a sheer Goddess style Gucci gown.

Designer Monisha Jaising, who has dressed her several times, sees her as a veritable style chameleon. “Given the fact that she’s a great actress, she has an incredible body language that transmogrifies every ensemble she dons. It’s like she’s emoting through clothing and her body language is always in tune with what she’s wearing. When she was super skinny, she wore this cross body green gown from my evening resort line with panache and on the Koffee With Karan show, when she was pregnant, she wore my black gown with a low decolletage and flowy sleeves, which remains one of my favourite looks,” says Monisha.  

QUIET ARISTOCRATIC ELEGANCE

Right through her evolution over the years, one sees    Kareena taking her outfits to a new level. Designer Payal Singhal, who dressed Kareena in her patiala salwars in the post Jab We Met phase, recalls, “She continued to take up assignments through her pregnancy and walked for designer Anita Dongre. All in all, she’s innately confident which comes through her style.”

Payal observes that of late, she’s veered towards a more sophisticated, aristocratic approach to dressing. “She’s worn a lot of Gucci lately but mostly picked classic pieces from the label. She radiates an air of quiet elegance. Needless to say, she has sharp strong facial features that work incredibly well for the fashion zone,” says  Payal.

INDIA’S ANSWER TO QUEEN RANIA

Even when Kareena’s body was on the voluptuous side, like her item song Fevicol in Dabangg, she’s totally owned it. A few weeks ago, the Begum was spotted with hubby Saif and baby Taimur at the airport. She was a vision in a camel Balmain jacket, a pair of tortoise shell sunnies and boots. Her airport looks are often completed with reflector sunglasses, which bring to mind vintage photographs of the late Jackie O. Designer Arpita Mehta hails her as the queen of Bollywood. “She is a trendsetter ­­— be it her health or fashion choices. Her style is synonymous with royal elements, for instance, something reminiscent of Queen Rania of Jordan. She is modern-day royalty.”

Stylist Aastha Sharma seconds that. “She is Kareena Kapoor Khan before anything else. Even if she is in a T-shirt and denims, she’ll make it work with just her expressions. She’ll put on her sunglasses and a red pout and kill it. She has always embraced her curves while being fashionable. She doesn’t have to wear cool clothes to look on trend,” says Aastha.

LOOKS BETTER THAN EVER

From a gown to an anti-fit dress to a pair of athleisure trackpants — she can rock every outfit. Designer Nishka Lulla hails her as someone with an effortlessly incredible carriage. “Post pregnancy, she’s worked out and in no time, she’s gone back to her perfect body and she looks better than ever. She’s always appeared like a queen,” says Nishka.  

STAYING TRUE TO HERSELF

Stylist Allia Al Rufai, who once styled a magazine cover with Bebo, observes that over the years she’s stayed true to her personality. “She’s never OTT and it comes through in the clothes. She’s sure of herself and not trying to be fashionable or effortless. Of course, she does wear her bling, especially when she dons Manish Malhotra ensembles and that’s when her inner Bollywood diva comes out,” says Allia.   Designer Salita Nanda seconds that. “She’s always remained classic in her approach to fashion. Now that her film is about to release, she’s ready to experiment again. She’s never shied away from sporting bling. I’d interpret her style journey as classic with a hint of sexy. She never shows too much skin but there’s a hint of skin. For example, on the latest Vogue cover, she gives a sneak peek of her leg,” says Salita.  

UNAPOLOGETIC GLAMOUR

Designer Monica Shah of label JADE observes that Kareena takes on the role of a glamorous actress effortlessly. “On the red carpet, her style is fantastic and she radiates glamour. Even at airports, she’ll always flaunt bold lips,” says Monica.