Totally practical things you can do with Bollywood's impractical sleeves
Functional fashion for the win
To the untrained eye, the sleeves being carted around by Bollywood’s biggest female stars might seem a touch impractical. But that’s only because we often overlook the hidden multitasking abilities of our flailing fabric appendages.
I too, on occasion, have had moments where my sleeves proved to be more than, well… sleeves.
I’ve used my oversized school pullover to sneak my dabba Nokia phone into class. My colleague pulls hers over her fingertips to shield her from hypothermia when faced with the frigid winds of our office air-conditioner.
That’s all that Deepika Padukone and gang are trying to do here, give the humble strips of cloth covering your arms the appreciation they deserve.
From ensuring you never wake up on a flight with a stiff neck to helping you effortlessly mask the fuzz on your arms – sleeves are my new super heroes (sorry, Iron Man).
Sara Ali Khan
Sara Ali Khan, sticking to her image of being the good girl with impeccable lihaaz and tehzeeb, has cracked the politically correct way of dodging people who don’t understand the concept of personal space – accidentally knocking them over with your exaggerated shoulders.
It also works really well if you’ve just feasted on kanda bhajiya and have forgotten to pop a mint.
Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma’s sleeves are here to save us from the embarrassing moment of having to apologise to the uncle sitting next to you on a flight because you’ve drooled all over his shirt.
Bye bye neck pillows, hello Anushka’s stylist.
Expert tip: Maybe it’ll let you sneak your pet through airport security too.
Deepika Padukone
Monkey cap substitute, selective temperature control apparatus, beauty blender, last minute jungle-themed party outfit – there is nothing that Deepika Padukone’s fluffy friends can’t do.
Shruti Hassan
Shruti Hassan understands the struggle every woman faces with balancing work, a personal life and parlour didi‘s busy schedule.
This translucent balloon-sleeved number is ideal for masking your arm fuzz without making you look like an extra in a Shakespearean play.
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt’s look caters to Bollywood buffs who are all about dramatic pallus trailing down majestic staircases (cue K3G background score).
At the same time, it’s well equipped to mop up any unforeseen spills, tackle OCD-inducing dust bunnies, and even to sneak in that one freeloader friend everyone has.