Youth Inc.

Prada, pavement and everything in between

When it comes to clothes for the young, retail chains and small street shops hold their own ground

Photographs by RA Chandroo

It is a special date and Aarti Bakshi wants to look especially good. The 19-year-old Mumbai-based college student isn’t exactly flush with cash — “I don’t know where my pocket money goes,” she moans — but that’s not a problem when it comes to clothes shopping; an hour in Bandra should be enough. “Cotton On has this printed halter dress I saw last week and I can pick up a pair of espadrille wedges from Linking Road,” she says confidently. “The total will be under ₹1,000.”