When it comes to the question of which is the most stylish city of India, Mumbai and Delhi immediately props up on your mind. However which of them leads the other in the style department is hard to say – the flamboyant and ostentatious Delhi or the laid-back, effortless and chic Mumbai?
As much as I love Bombay (oh I am still in love with the name Bombay, it captures the essence of this city), I have to admit shopping is so much better in Delhi. Mumbai’s Phoenix Mills featuring Palladium and Sky Zone vs Delhi’s Emporio, Promenade and Ambience Mall, need I even say more?
The first time I stepped in Emporio I was totally in love with Delhi’s shopping scene. It has everything at one place, and for a shopper like me, who likes organised places, it was a blessing. Ferragamo, Dior, Cartier, de grisogono, Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani to Mango, Forever 21, Zara to Tarun Tahiliani, Gaurav Gupta, Rohit Bal; from high street to couture from international labels to Indian brands – you have everything here. It is the shopping mecca of India, pretty much like shopping in Dubai or Singapore (now that’s an exaggeration but hey the malls are just as good, collection is trying to catch up). Even the street shopping of Delhi is rocking – from fashionable, ethnic to cool Delhi markets can make shopping lots of fun. Whether it is the infamous Sarojni Nagar, exotic Janpath or Lajpath Nagar, if you like street shopping you’ll fall in love with Delhi.
When it comes to Mumbai, Phoenix Mills is like the Vasant Kunj malls of Delhi, but sure Emporio can give Palladium a run for its money.
Now as far as shopping is concerned, my vote goes to Delhi despite the fact that I am a Bombay girl (living in Bombay).
Who walks style better – Delhi or Mumbai?
Walking around the malls and streets of Delhi, you’d find every next girl has a LV bag hugging her arms snugly, even if she is just coming out from a cab. While in Mumbai you’d be surprised that this girl in simple tee and shorts strolling in the mall finally drives off in a Beemer. Bombay has the show business without much show-off, if you know what I mean?
When the Bombay girl wants to go out, her goal is to be cool. The coolest. The Delhi girl, on the other hand, wehn she goes out she wants to be seen and everything about her will call for attention.
The motto in Delhi is ‘I got it, and I’ll flaunt it’ while for Bombay its spontaneous, I will flaunt but not too much on the face. I know if I am in Bombay, there’s always a bigger shot than me, who am I kidding?
Delhi gets dressed even for a casual lunch while Mumbai is more cascal chic.
At a Delhi wedding you might be stupified ‘who’s the bride’? Mumbai will be dressed for the occassion with elegance and maybe a hint of glamour.
Delhi is about labels and brands and what’s the point if it doesn’t show while Bombay is about dressing the way you want to and not have to. No pressure, no rules. It has a more relaxed Western influence. I can walk in a tee, denims and fliflops for a coffee at Marriott, which will be a faux pas in Delhi.
So the big question is who’s got more style – Delhi or Bombay?
Style is subjective – a glamorous saree in an Indian soiree would be apt for the occassion while it will be an exotic choice in New York.
Delhi is trying too hard, going all bling just to get the attention, forgetting personal style more often than not, while Bombay is eclectic, chic, effortless. Making the effort but for all the right reasons. Its sophistication and chic.
