STP Fixations: Jab We Met's Geet Dressed To Express, Not Impress

I still remember seeing Geet Dhillon for the first time. She came rushing onto the screen in that white kurti and jeans with a colourful scarf, talking a mile a minute, and completely owning every moment. I didn’t know what it was then, but something about her just clicked, like I was watching what confidence looks like in its purest form. 

She wasn’t just another Bollywood heroine; she was chaos and charm wrapped into one. Watching Jab We Met for the first time, I didn’t realise it then, but Geet would end up changing the way I understood freedom, through something as simple as the clothes we wear.

Patiala Salwars as a Statement of Freedom

The first thing that caught my eye about Geet was her Patiala salwar. It wasn’t glamorous or designer, but it had a personality of all its own. Rooted in tradition, but completely her own, it felt playful and alive. Watching her pair it with fitted tees and juttis, I remember thinking, she made comfort look cool.

And then there’s that unforgettable Ratlam station scene. Geet’s stranded, her juttis dusty, her salwar wrinkled, but she doesn’t look defeated for a second. She looks like she’s ready to take on the world. That moment taught me something no fashion magazine ever could: real style isn’t about looking perfect, it’s about spirit.

Since then, her style has stuck with me, a reminder of the quiet power of choosing comfort and confidence over what’s expected.

How Colour Became Courage

If Geet had a superpower, it was colour. Electric pinks, sunshine yellows, bold blues, her wardrobe was pure happiness in motion. I’ve always loved bright colours, and watching Geet made me fall in love with their fun and energy all over again. Watching Geet reminded me of the kind of energy and joy that makes you feel truly alive.

That “Nagada Nagada” sequence, with her in that stunning magenta pink, is still etched in my mind. She’s not just dancing, she’s glowing with confidence, owning every move. Watching her made me realise that colour can be bold, playful, and a way of saying, “I’m here, and I’m happy to be seen.”

Now, whenever I wear something bright, I can’t help but think of her; it feels like a small celebration of joy.

Comfort Meets Confidence

What I love most about Geet’s style is how practical it is. She didn’t dress to impress anyone; she dressed to move, to be comfortable, and to live her own life. Juttis with salwars, layered outfits for travel, a backpack that held everything she needed, she was ready for any adventure that came her way.

Now, when I travel, hair tied up, sneakers on, bag slung over my shoulder, I can’t help but feel a little like her. That mix of ease, confidence, and being completely unbothered is something I’ve carried with me ever since, and it always makes me smile.

How Her Clothes Told Her Story

What really struck me about Geet’s wardrobe was how much it reflected her emotions. In the first half of the film, she’s full of colour and chaos, bursting with energy. But after heartbreak, her clothes go quiet. Muted tones, simple silhouettes, softer fabrics, it’s like she’s withdrawn into herself. And when she starts to find her spark again, the colours come back, vibrant as ever.

Watching her transformation made me realise that fashion isn’t only about what we wear, it’s about how we feel. Sometimes, the clothes you choose say what your heart can’t.

Why Geet Still Feels So Real

Nearly twenty years later, Geet’s salwars and sneakers still feel iconic. I see girls on college campuses, twirling in Patialas or throwing on oversized kurtas with sneakers, and I can’t help but smile. They might not even realise it, but they’re carrying a little piece of her, a silent reminder that being yourself is always in style.

And then there’s that line, “Main apni favourite hoon.” I find myself saying it too, often with a laugh, but deep down it feels like a mantra. It has become a feminist punchline, a meme, a quote, and for me, it’s a reminder that self-love can be bold, even in the little choices we make.

Geet showed me that clothes aren’t only fabric, they can be freedom, expression, joy, even rebellion. She made me see that confidence is the best thing you can wear, and that being comfortable doesn’t mean being ordinary.

Now, whenever I put on something bright and comfortable, a kurta, oversized T-shirt, sneakers, or any outfit that makes me happy, I can’t help but smile. In that moment, I feel a little like Geet, full of energy and colour.

Views expressed by the author are their own.

STP Fixations is a series dedicated to anything and everything that captures our attention - a scene, anecdote, dialogue, character or a trivial, random bizarreness. A fixation over a memory that sometimes makes sense (or sometimes doesn’t) but is stuck in our hearts and minds long after the moment is over.