Welcome the changing season with a change in your wardrobe.

It's that time of the year again when you pack all those pashminas, store away the blankets and start preparing for the Great North Indian Summer.

The coolers are cleaned and re-installed, the air conditioner is serviced and the fridge is stoked with ice cubes, cold water and refreshing juices.

It's also the time to take a look at your wardrobe and sort it out for the summer. And like every season, time to refresh and replenish. Here's what's hot this season.

Kurti Capers

Summer is the season to wear fabrics that are light and let you breathe. And what could be better than beautiful, flowing kurtis? "Every year we think the kurti would go out of fashion, but its demand seems to be everlasting," says Akhil Jain of Madame. The kurti is far from being extinct. It fact, it's been scoring big on global fashion for quite some time, with everyone from Western designers to even sportwear giants displaying it on their racks. Why the popularity? It's because the kurti scores highest on the comfort factor.

"I have about seven in my collection from leheriya to heavy embroidered ones for evening parties," says nursery teacher Nitya Ravi. She isn't the only woman embracing it. Check out the party pages. Everyone from Bollywood heroines like Sonali Bendre to Kareena Kapoor has worn it, making it a big fashion influence. "Kurtis come in all shapes, from slim fitted styles for younger and slimmer girls to the standard loose styles for larger women," says Shruti Hari of Chunmun Stores. What could be better than hiding that unwanted bulge or simply getting into something comfortable? The best way to show off your kurti? Team it with denims or smart trousers and you are ready to go!

Poncho Passion

If you thought the poncho passed out with the winter, think again! Look around any mega store for women's wear and you'll see a summer version of this year's winter favourite. "This year the big thing along with kurtis will be ponchos in georgettes, crepes and chiffons. What works best for these is that they cover all sizes and therefore are very popular," says Shruti. This summer, you can choose from plain cotton ponchos for casual wear with elegant and light embroidery or heavily embroidered ponchos with coloured stones for evening cocktails and other occasions. If semi formal is more to your taste, there are ponchos available in that style too, with 'mukaish' work on them. Fashion student Alka Barua thinks the poncho is a fun outfit but may just be a passing fad. Her suggestion: "Enjoy it while it lasts!"

Swing It In Sari

All that brings us to the one outfit that remains unique to all of us - the sari. Remember how gorgeous Aishwarya Rai looked in all those chiffons and silks in 'Shabd'? According to Ashok Chadha of Bombay Selections, the sari is the big thing this year. "The big change is that earlier customers were looking at saris in traditional styles. Not any longer. The sari has been getting a dressier image now." The six yard wonder is getting innovative and age old patterns of drapes are blouses are changing dramatically.

Throw the standard blouse out of the window and team your sari with corset, bikini tops, backless cholis and halters. "The drapes have also become trendier," says Ashok Chadha, whose store assistants educate customers on different drapes. If you can carry it off, you no longer need to wear your sari the traditional way. Drape it like a skirt, team it up with pants or play with the pallu, the sari is in and it's fun!

Bold And Beautiful

Sexy saris and bikini tops. Is the average Delhi woman getting bolder? "I may not wear a sexy outfit to work or to a family gathering but I have no inhibitions wearing one for a night out," says BPO executive Tushali Singh. She feels Delhi men have "finally matured" and don't always look at a sexy dress as a "come-on signal."

"At our store, halter tops have been doing great business for more than a year," says Akhil Jain. Emboldened by the halter's success, they've introduced a line of strapless tops and backless dresses. "The latest are cross back spaghetti tops," he says. He feels younger women are definitely getting bolder. "This year is also going to see a lot of deep necks and low cut tees." It's not the uppers the Delhi girl's experimenting with. "Denims with patchwork are going to be big this season," says Shruti. Prefer plain 501s? Jazz them up with a big, embellished belt or sling a sexy pouch across your curves. Capris with colourful turn-up bottoms are also quite a rage. Tight fitted churidars are the big rage, especially for women with slimmer figures. Whatever you select, don't be caught dead in an asymmetrical dress or skirt. These, as most store owners tell us, have been overdone.

Colour & Coordinates

Before you rush out to stock up these summer favourites for your wardrobe, pay attention to essentials like colour and accessories. As Shruti says, the hot colours this season are bright - think magenta, turquoise and even orange! Turquoise is going to be the best colour of the season, predicts Akhil Jain.

"For the last year or two, customers have preferred brighter pastels in summers,"says Ashok Chadha. When it comes to fabrics, cotton is the all time favourite, along with georgettes, crepes and chiffons.The one constant trend this season is of outfits embellished with bright stones.

>From bright emerald coloured stones to hot pink ones, they are all over t-shirts, kurtis and saris. With multi coloured stones becoming popular in jewellery as well, uber trendy babes are looking at outfits that match their baubles. Accessorising, like always, is hot this season too. So get out your chunky jewellery, berets and belts, team up with your trendiest threads, and have a great summer!

Him & The Kids

You've stocked up your own wardrobe but as the lady of the house you often end up shopping for the hubby and naturally, for the kids. According to Sanjay Sahni of Ritu Wears, this summer linen is in as well as 'mock linens,' which give the look of linen and are made of a mix of polyester and cotton. Mock jute fabrics created with a mix of man made and natural fibres are also comfortable for summers. Drawstring pyjamas are trendy and part of the new loungewear concept. Get him some for an evening out with the guys or at the movies.

If your man likes to go clubbing, bright neon prints in cotton are going to be very popular. What is really hot in club wear this season are full sleeve floral print shirts that look dressy and trendy. Have to attend a formal event and don't know what you buy your man? Two-piece suits in lighter colours like camel, fawn, green and white are cool. And get him to experiment with colours beyond white and blue. Fashion experts say that we are going to see a lot more brighter colours on men. Pink is popular, as are oranges and reds. If you are a doting mom, you probably want a lot of value addition in your children's clothes. "Parents want everything from bold colours to combination work to patchwork to embroidery," says Sharad Suri of Chunmun Stores. Get your sporty little boy a T-shirt with an overshirt for that cool dude look. Dresses, in printed cottons, are the best bet for your little girl. Shorts are out for both boys and girls this season. Make them wear a 'Jamaican' or three quarter pants instead. It doesn't just stop at that. "Parents want to even buy evening gowns for their children!" says Sharad Suri. So what are you waiting for? Go shopping!

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