Sims 4 Fashion Street Kit: A Comprehensive Overview + Cultural Context

In efforts to expand the Sims 4 repertoire of fresh fashion, Sims 4 developers have announced a new Create-a-Sim kit, one inspired by the trendy threads of Mumbai, India: Fashion Street Kit.

The incoming kit, slated to release October 5th, is filled with the bold prints, silk tops, and gold accessories that often characterize the well-dressed youth of India.

Priced at 4.99 USD, the Fashion Street Kit offers 26 new clothing items for the stylist Simmer. A quick glance at the fashionable selection reveals carefully crafted items that reflect both new and old worlds, a marriage between what is modern and what is traditional, a dichotomy that is incredibly common on the streets of Mumbai.

Old World meets New World

Young professionals in India often celebrate their ancient heritage by wearing traditional pieces with more updated ones. Someone might pair a simple white dress or suit with a dupatta, a finely embroidered shawl, for a pop of color. While traditional dupattas were often worn over the shoulders and head, more modern wearers might wear it just over the arms, around the torso like a cape, or slung over one shoulder.

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The result is modest and regal, but flowing— almost bohemian— and chic.

The pack also includes several versions of a kurta, or a long, tunic-like shirt often worn with pleated, loose fitting pants that cuff at the bottom called shalwar. These garments are often worn in the name of comfort, but modern youth often update these styles with more wearable fabrics and more chic prints. Pairing these traditional silhouettes with clean, modern sandals complete this modest look.

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All that Glitters

Fashion Street offers Simmers a new gold nose piercing to accompany its Indian-inspired fashions. Why nose piercings? Traditionally, Indian women pierced their noses to indicate their marital status. A single stud, or “nath,” in the left nostril often meant a young woman was married. But Indian people also enjoy chunky gold jewelry as a fashion accessory, a symbol of wealth, and to honor religious traditions.

Henna Tattoos

Indian people often paint their hands, arms, legs, or feet at important celebrations like weddings, birthdays, and baby showers with a special, ink-like mixture called Henna. The intricate designs henna artists paint onto their clients are complex, beautiful, and instantly recognizable.

This tradition is also practiced in other south Asian countries and in parts of the Middle East. After crushing the Henna plant, a plant known for its cooling properties, into a stain paste, henna masters paint eye-popping patterns onto their clients with the paste. The henna emits a cooling sensation as it dries, a phenomenon enormously helpful for hot Indian summers. The result is a tattoo-like stain on the skin to be treasured.

The Fashion Street pack is for the stylist Simmer looking to add a bit of old-world elegance into their bohemian chic wardrobe. Filled with gold fittings and updated traditional-wear, this pack is sure to please.

What are you most excited about in this upcoming pack?