Come sizzling summer

A guide to summer trends and colours.

KARACHI:

Summer, associated more with free sauna baths due to temperatures above 40 degrees, has its own rules regarding how people should dress.

A peek into the latest summer trends in Pakistan reveals that tradition and culture are here to stay, with a majority of designers sticking to the trend of churidaars.

Famous designer Syed Rizwanullah, popular for his controversial designs, feels summer fashion will not only see variations in shalwars but also some modifications in the churidaars. “There should be some drama in your pants, in your churidaar.”

However, accessory designer Mahin Hussain, begs to differ. “I think we’re definitely going to see an end to the churidaars.” Championing the emergence of western cut trousers also called elephant pants; Hussain feels long kurtas should finally be thrown out of the wardrobe. “Structured, tight-fitted shirts should come back. One needs to do away with long shirts,” she added.

Although endorsing the churidaar, Rizwanullah also forecasts the incorporation of loose and short shirts and fun sleeves in summer wear. “In summer dresses, people look towards comfort. The Arab abaya will be in this season.” He also dismissed the idea that this season will also see a fusion of western and eastern cuts.

Colours of the season

Although designers vary about which colour in particular will dominate the season, most agree that vibrant colours and bright hues will be extensively used. While Kamiar Rokni, designer from The House of Kamiar Rokni, believes black will be the color of the season, Rizwanullah forecasts “hyper colours” like bright red, navy blue or hot pink, as the in-thing.

Hussain, on the other hand, sees shades of orange, parrot green, melon and lemon taking over this summer.

Meanwhile, most designers also maintain that it’s best to keep it simple in the sizzling heat. Minimal accessories — decorative items that supplement and complement clothes — are recommended as fashion should always be in line with comfort, insist designers.

The lust for smart and classy bags never dies. Hussain believes the emerging trend sees “African spirit in bag designs with its wild and free tone, colors and textures.” However, Hussain also rues the lack of demand for accessories in Pakistan “I wish they would buy them but they don’t. Serious lack of attention paid to that sphere of fashion.”

“I really feel that people should start spending time thinking about it, even if it is a pair of earrings or a hand bag. From a plain outfit, it develops so much more. It’s the most fun thing to do.”

However, since this is the season to go back to the traditional roots, braids will be embraced more widely. “Different kinds of braids are in,” said Rizwanullah. “That is a most essential accessory. For guys, there shouldn’t be any spikes this season. Being comfortable is what summers are all about.”

Scarves are in

A scarf has the power to transform one’s overall look and one should accessorise this garment in different funky ways, feels Hussain. “I do think a scarf adds another element to the overall look. Use it as a different fashion accessory.” Meanwhile, Rokni also feels the ever-growing trend of scarves will also continue. “These days, scarves are being used as an alternative to duppattas.”

Beware of monsoon

So it is monsoon season, and keeping in mind the unpredictabilit y of the weather here, it might start raining any moment for it just takes a matter of seconds for a bright sunny day to change to a wild, rainy one. Let’s hear what the fashion experts have to say about the monsoon. “For this season, one need not wear too tight clothes,” advises Rokni. “A minimalistic approach should be taken in this regard, good fabric must be worn,” he said, also adding that chapals should be worn extensively throughout the season. “In order to avoid getting soaked, people should invest in comfy chappals and light sandals.”

Meanwhile, Hussain recommends cool, breezy outfits to make the most of the monsoon season. Focusing on shades varying from chromes to red, Hussain suggests people “go wild” with colorful palettes.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2011.