Exclusive! I've Literally Bought Dresses From Sarojini Nagar For Rs 30: Srishti Garg

Popular influencer Srishti Garg opens up about her fashion game exclusively with whosthat360. She shares her favorite fashion icon with whom she would like to switch her wardrobe. She also talks about sustainability in fashion.

Here are a few edited excerpts of this conversation;

Daring fashion risk you've taken? Was it worth it?

I think the most daring fashion risk I've ever taken was last year when I went for the Myntra Grazia awards and I wore this black jacket and I had like a black tie, white shirt, black skirt with two ponytails and like a red lip. So, I always leave my hair open because of my round and chubby face. But I really wanted to do like a, you know, that Wednesday-like look. So I think I did two ponytails and I wanted to do extensions, but then it didn't work out.

The hairstylist didn't come on time, so I was like, you know what,  I'm just gonna take this risk. And I don't know if it looked that great, but a lot of people appreciated me for my outfit. So I think it's always nice taking a risk with my outfits. And since then I've always experimented with something new. And lately, my vibe is very bohemian right now, where a lot of waist chains around my skirts and I wear tropical tops.

How does fashion empower you?

I think for the longest time I would just roam around in baggy T-shirts because I was not comfortable being curvy. And I would just feel too overexposed when I would wear tight clothes that would hug my body and fit my body. But lately I started experimenting with fashion and I realized that my body is actually good and I can actually pull off so many dresses and so many bodycon clothes, it makes me feel more confident.  Recently I went to this IKEA event, which was very nice, cozy, and like a Bombay event, So you know, no one was overdressed, but then there was me! I was there in a white skirt, a white corset, and I was wearing this Dupatta, like a cape and I think I killed it. I was wearing waist chains and necklaces and earrings and I think I was looking like an angel. But even though I was overdressed for the event and I was not dressed according to the theme at all, I think I felt really confident and comfortable. And I went out of my comfort zone and spoke to a lot of people.
 
Biggest fashion mistake and what did you learn?

I think not wearing tummy tuckers, because every time I go to these events and most, most of the time I just don't wear a tummy tucker with my dresses or with like a nice outfit. And in the photos, I realized my tummy's popping out and in the videos, my tummy's popping out and I'm just like, ah, so embarrassed. So we don't even know it, but like the biggest celebrities wear it, the ones who are the fittest also. And you know people who are in their best shape also wear shapewear. So I think it's always nice to wear shapewear.

It just makes your outfit look better on your body.
 
Who's wardrobe would you switch with for a day?

Definitely Zendaya's wardrobe and also Barbie's wardrobe, like Margot Robbie's wardrobe from the movie Barbie. I think that is so my aesthetic right now and maybe, maybe Lady Gaga's wardrobe.

I think she's always experimenting with her clothes, which is what I love about her. And her clothes are so out there and so fashionable. I love that. Maybe Sabrina Carpenter also, 'cause she's very cute. Okay. I have a lot of people. But yeah, these four for sure.

One fashion item worth splurging on?

I love cute dresses. I don't think that I can ever buy enough dresses. I'm not a bag or shoes person, but I can buy any dress. I've literally bought dresses from Sarojini Nagar for 30 rupees. Like you don't get anything for 30 rupees today.

But I found this really beautiful Saturn black dress. It's so gorgeous. I still have it.  I don't think that I can ever dislike it. I just don't think  I can ever be afraid of buying more dresses.
 
How does culture influence your fashion sense?

For me, more than culture, I feel like it's how I'm feeling today. It's, mostly my energy. Like lately in this last year, I've channeled a lot of my feminine energy and I've started feeling very girly, which has reflected in my content as well.  I've started feeling very feminine and I've connected to my feminine self. And I like wearing short dresses now. I like looking cutesy. I like getting my nails done, for example. I've never gotten my nails done in my life, but now I like having a cute French manicure.

So I think for me it's more about where I am in life and how my energy resonates with me.

Most important fashion lesson from family.

I think all my fashion lessons come from my mom and one of the best ones is that  Saree will never go out of trend. My mom's wardrobe is just full of sarees and everyone who keeps asking me about my sarees, every single piece is from my mom's wardrobe. Like even right now, when I came back from home, I had taken three Sarees out of her closet.  She has Saree from every state. And I think we are blessed that way because being an army brat, I have traveled to multiple states. I've lived in multiple states. We keep going on vacations. I think I've seen all over India right now. So we have a Saree from every state and I love that about my mom. So I think a Saree for sure, a Saree is a timeless, iconic piece.

A favourite era for fashion inspiration.

I actually did a study on this in college. I was studying fashion communication and we did this full project on eras and my whole project was apparently on the eighties, eighties Bollywood heroine, you know, that bangs and wing eyeliner that extra fur. So I  loved that earlier. Right now I'm more inclined towards Y2K because it's back in trend. I think it's sexier, it's hotter, it's more brat and like brat is the word for this here.

So right now, maybe all my inspiration is just coming from the whole Y2K season.

How do you prioritize sustainability in fashion?

I'm repeating every single outfit lately, trying to make the best of every single outfit. That's how I'm working towards being more sustainable in fashion. Back in school, I remember getting bullied by some mean girls who would say things like, "Oh, you're repeating your outfit today," or other rude comments. But now, I'm actually pulling out clothes from my school days and wearing them again. For example, I have this really nice dress from when I was in 12th grade, and today I styled it as a top. So, I'm maximizing my outfits, and if I'm not using them anymore, I pass them down to my younger cousin.

I'm also trying to buy more pre-loved clothes and thrift more often. I feel like my wardrobe now has its own personality, and each piece has its own unique vibe.

Dream dinner guest fashion icon? Dead or alive?

It would definitely be Rekha. There's just so much to learn from her. I'm sure I'd be in awe the moment I saw her. I also want to say Shahrukh Khan, but let's be realistic. I think I would just keep looking at her, her Saree, admiring her style and, most importantly, her grace. It's not just her outfits but the way she carries herself—with elegance, confidence, and poise. Her whole aura is something I'd love to absorb. I could just sit and bask in her presence. Honestly, we should all experience a dinner like that one day.