Top 9: TVs most stylish on-screen divas

A lot has often been said about how stylish a film or a television star is in real life. Here Aditi Bose lists the most fashionable women characters from Hindi television serials.

For me style is not really always wearing branded clothes, the most expensive jewellery or even a lot of makeup. Rather it means wearing that which makes one stand out from the crowd. Something that is different. It could be a small gold bindi worn with all clothes, a colourful bag, a certain material of cloth etc. 

A lot has often been said about how stylish a film or a television star is in real life. So, this Women's Day I decided to be a little different and list out my favourite stylish on screen divas from the various Hindi television soaps. And like I said, they all made it to the list because each have something that is distinctly their very own.

1. Dr. Nidhi in Kuch Toh Log Kahenge aired on Sony TV

Alright, I admit that maybe she does not look much like a doctor in those outfits. But those outfits sure take her to the top 10 spot. With her cute smile and straight silky tresses, she sure looks lovely in all the salwar suits and saris that she wears.

The uniqueness of the suits lie in them being brightly coloured with an eye catching contrasting embroidery (even her red wedding lehenga had a gold and shocking pink contrasting layer to it that made it different and memorable) . And they are fitted to perfection.

As for her chiffon saris, each has an eye catching contrasting blouse that makes even a regular sari an appealing one.

Overall, her clothes are something that any 'common girl/lady' can also wear. They are not loud and garish but are simple, elegant and very traditionally Indian. And with her colourful bangles, earrings and feminine shoes, Dr. Nidhi carries it off with elan.

2. Natasha in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain aired on Sony TV

Natasha's clothes are not traditional, simple or sober (unless she is in her night pyjamas). And that's what's most attractive about her style.

Her attire is as vivacious, smart and trendy as her character. Her character truly lives up to the image of being a fashion designer. The simplest of her clothes have some drama to it always.

Be it her cute fringe cut hair with her nights suits, a striking gold dupatta with a salwar, a marble print chiffon sari with a barely there blouse or the latest all black off-shoulder top with the mini bubble skirt worn with a modern neckpiece for Valentine's Day.

Even her silk brown and black night robe with negligible makeup is a 'show stopper'.

3. Iccha in Uttaran aired on Colours

I will be honest. I haven't been hooked onto this serial since its inception. But recently when I saw it I literally fell for Iccha's kantha stitched saris. And with the mandarin collared blouses, she does wear it with simplicity and grace.

Even when she decides to sport a ghunghat. That's what gets her to this list. There are innumerable lady characters across serials that saris - but either they are more often than not too jazzy for their age or a little too see through. Iccha's saris are definitely distinctive and have character.

4. Bulbul in Kya Hua Tera Vaada aired on Sony TV

Thank God the 'grown up Bulbul's' entry into the serial in her gold shimmering dress and dark wine red lipstick was only to catch the viewers off guard.

She's the girl next door who is too busy with her work and caring for her family. It shows in her dressing too - an ankle length skirt, a kurta top and a stole - all different colours. It's simple and comfortable. That's what makes her dressing sense stylish. And her character of a TV reporter becomes believable.

The colour code of her ethnic fusion attire is pastel shades and that suits her complexion and brings out her kohl makeup expressive eyes perfectly. And her tote with the multicoloured beaded handle adds positivity to the drama.

She is an attractive lady and she does not know that. Her clothes tell the same story – clothes that are uncomplicated, trouble-free and yet look striking.

5. Avantika in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai aired on Star Plus

What a character wears is very important to the role she essays. Avantika, as a mother who has had her own issues in the past and is now devoted to her work and her son, shows in her clothes as well.

She drapes a sari effortlessly be it a simple cotton blue printed sari with a white Chinese collar blouse or the more regal purple and gold in velvets.  The colours have their contrasts and yet the designs are not garish and even the jewellery she wears has an air of dignity about it.

The fact that despite she having a diamond bracelet on one hand, which shows her opulence, she has a watch on the other hand which brings in professionalism to her attire.

She deserves to be on this list because there are few who drape the six yards with so much femininity, elegance and poise.

6. Zoya in Qubool Hai aired on Zee TV

Zoya wears smart and comfortable clothes like her full sleeves brown shirt tucked into her jeans with a pair of white pumps or a red kurti with a short Kashmiri worked jacket and a thin below the waist belt. She is one who is modern in her outlook.

However, even though she does not shy away from speaking up for what she feels is right she respects her Muslim culture - a nuance that every modern age woman should hold. This fusion of the traditional with the new is seen in her clothes as well.

For example, the time when all the elders in the family were sitting with their heads covered, she despite wearing jeans with orange shirt, had her head covered with a orange floral print scarf. I personally loved the matching orange balls that were dangling from her ears.

7. Jivika in Ek Hazaron Mein Meri Behena Hai aired on Star Plus

For me, a stylish lady not only has to dress well but also have something that makes her different; makes her stand out from the rest.

Jivika, with her studded dupatta pins sure makes a statement. Also, she being the elder sister, the colours that she wears as compared to her younger sister Manvi is more calm subtle and composed.

Her jewellery is also perfect - it adds a sparkle to the pale clothes and is eye catching.

Be it the mature yellow salwar suit with the only vibrancy being in the wide multicoloured border of the white duppatta worn with in a mangal sutra near the neck like a choker rather than the usual hanging ones, the rust coloured salwar suit paired with dangling oval shaped diamond earrings and a bracelet or the pista green embroidered full sleeves salwar suit with a pair of short gold jhumkas.

8. Sweetie in Parvarish aired on Sony TV

Some fashionistas might cringe on seeing her name on the 'fashionable ladies' list, but somehow she, as a strict mother with two grown up kids, does make a strong statement with her clothes.

Honestly, I did not quite like her clothes during her makeover period to look 'cool' - it was too loud. Or maybe the role then just required that.

'Sweety-ji' has her husband fondly calls her remains fashionable in her well fitted bright coloured salwar suits and the intact dupatta. The colour contrasts of her attire like a deep green dupatta with a wine red salwar suit or a vibrant red chiffon dupatta with a purple suit with red embroidery at the neck are bold and go with her fiery temperament. And her complexion does manage of carry off bright colours like reds, oranges and yellows well.

The matching minuscule beads at the end of her danglers and the outer coat of her eye shadow does add to the glamour quotient. She looks so perfectly dressed at the end of the day that she does not look much like a lady who manages the house singlehandedly. But then who would not want to look like that always.

9. Madhubala in Madhubala: Ek Ishq Ek Junoon aired on Colours

Being related to the Bollywood film industry Madhubala's clothes does have a starry touch to it. And yet, just like a girl from a middle class family, it is not too much. That's what makes her character stylish.

Madhubala's style statement is her hair – either it is neatly plaited with locks near her ears or tied in a ponytail with all the long curls taken to one side. Both draw attention to the different earrings that she sports – diamond studs, double jhumkas or simple pearl teardrops. These are well coordinated with her salwar kameez. Brighter shades like yellow and peach have simpler earrings while the paler shades have the more sparkling ones.

She keeps her makeup simple with another trademark of hers being a bindi that's not bigger than the size of a full stop. Madhubala is stylish because her clothes are non-fussy, wearable and yet chic.

So these were my top 9. I decided to leave the 10th option empty. All you readers out there, why don't you tell us what your tenth choice would be?