Always Sunny in Frilly-delphia

Here’s a spot of shopping sun, brought across the Sea link to transform what used to be the dark, depressing Colaba loft that formerly housed Ogaan. It has been whitewashed now, brightly-lit and populated with colourful merchandise and a fun, beachy vibe – a good transition between our weekend Alibag trip and Monday morning drudgery.

Please Design Here

A popular fashion/accessories/home store in Khar, Attic has expanded stock for its second act, adding in well known designers (Masaba, Sabbah Sharma) and also introducing new brands (No Nasties, Quirk Box). Walk through the huge space, made bigger by a cleverly placed mirror-in-a-closet on the far wall, and you’ll see some of the same old (enough kitschy pop art already!) but also cool new designs.

Chiffon (not quite) T- shirts by in-house brand Half Full for instance, are a clever and ironic take on the horizontal-striped polo tees of our youth, constructed from bright strips of pink and teal (Rs 6.950); a Masaba pre-draped sari with dhoti skirt and Asian script (Rs 15,000) is lots of fun. We loved a black-stringed necklace with a long, long pendant made up entirely of emerald drops (Rs 4,500), dun-coloured baby dresses from Bachcha party (Rs 2,200), and a powder blue Camiz shirt with rich brown detailing. If unlike this Scouter you’re nice and tall, remember also to check out Amrich wide-legged pants (Rs 5,000), super stylish and perfect for the smelting Mumbai summer. They do maxi dresses (highly recommended by the four lovely ladies that run the show here) and shirts as well.

Of interest to home shoppers will be wrought iron chandeliers in primary colours like red and blue (start at approximately Rs 4,500) draped with pretty fairy lights - a welcome break from the Good Earth-spawned lantern craze - and a pale yellow chair with ants marching across its seat.

Fresh!

New brands launched here include Quirk Box and No Nasties, both of which are closely associated with the Attic owners. The former offers pop art - here it is again! - stamped mugs, diaries and clothes, including a pair of adorable shorts (Rs 1,500) and the latter is a collection of organic, chemical- free T-shirts.

Happy Ending

Price-wise, Attic is less expensive than neighboring fashion stores like Bombay Electric and Bungalow Eight, and fills a much needed gap in the South Mumbai shopping scene. We suggest you visit, if not for the Half Full sequined tank or cute book on punctuation then just for a bright, happy feeling.

Getting there: Attic, 5/5 Grants Building, first floor, opposite Cafe Basilico, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba, call 65650444.