Desi fashion forecast in 2025

KARACHI:

Here we are at the dawn of a new year, and fashion has once again thrown its hat into the ring, demanding our attention. If recent sightings are anything to go by, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold yet wearable choices. Forget fussy, overly complicated outfits—it's all about blending tradition with a pinch of modern pizzazz. Let's break down the four trends already making waves.

Something loose

Skinny jeans? Tailored trousers? Honestly, who needs them when you can float through life in a pair of extra loose shalwars? These are not your average trousers—they're roomy, dramatic, and unapologetically glamorous. Think palazzo pants, but with cultural roots and a lot more flair.

This year's versions come in a kaleidoscope of colours—mustard yellow, zesty lime green, and rich royal blue are proving particularly irresistible. Styling them is a balancing act: pair them with short, fitted kurtas or sleeveless tops for a look that's equal parts polished and relaxed. Designers like Hussain Rehar and models like Sadaf Kanwal are doing the hard work for us, reinventing this traditional silhouette in ways that feel fresh and Instagram-ready.

What's behind the shalwar's big moment? Well, after years of squeezing ourselves into rigid, body-skimming outfits, we're collectively opting for comfort that doesn't skimp on style. Add to that the pandemic-fuelled pivot to ease and individuality, and you've got the perfect storm for the shalwar's triumphant return. One swish, and you're sold. If you're not yet convinced, Ayeza Khan's recent Instagram post has three solid coloured iterations of the billowy shalwar.

Something old

Accessories can make or break an outfit, and the paranda - a vibrant, braided hairpiece steeped in an old familiar Punjab - is having a major fashion renaissance. Once relegated to wedding wardrobes, it's now a full-fledged statement piece. And you have Mahira Khan to thank for it, at least partly.

In a span of days, Mahira gave us two looks sporting the paranda with slicked back hair this wedding season, soon joined by Maya Ali, who styled it with similar oomph. Parandas are injecting life (and a healthy dose of nostalgia) into festive fashion and there is no debating that. Traditional versions in black and multicoloured threads still hold their charm, but new, contemporary iterations are what's stealing the show. Think metallic accents, delicate beadwork, and embellishments that wouldn't look out of place on a couture gown.

The beauty of the paranda lies in its versatility. Whether paired with sleek braids or loose, voluminous waves, it's a playful yet meaningful nod to generations before us. And let's face it—what's better than an accessory that looks stunning and connects you to your roots? It's the kind of trend that makes you feel something, and isn't that what fashion is all about?

Something glitzy

2025 is turning up the volume on shine. Metallic fabrics - be it the luxurious shimmer of lampi or the ethereal gleam of tissue - are taking over wardrobes and weddings alike. This isn't sparkle for the sake of sparkle; it's high-glamour, unapologetically bold, and dripping with opulence.

Just look at Hania Aamir's recent formal curations. For Yashma Gill's sister's wedding, she showed up in a lavender Banarasi tissue saree by Manish Malhotra that was nothing short of dazzling. The champagne-gold zardozi embroidery, intricate resham work, and tassel-detailed blouse made it a head-turner. Not stopping there, she wowed again in Itrh's Aasmani Lampi Lehenga, an Indian brand that undoubtedly deserves more praise, paired with a mirrorwork organza dupatta.

And here's the beauty of it: metallics don't need a wedding invite. Sure, they steal the show at formal events, but they're slipping into everyday wardrobes, too. A metallic blouse here, a shimmery pair of heels there—it's all about weaving in a little shine wherever you can. Designers are also playing matchmaker, pairing metallics with unexpected textures like silk, organza, and even denim. So, whether you're going all-out in a tissue saree or sneaking in a metallic belt, 2025 is your year to shine.

Something dramatic

There might be one royal cosmetic that has no plans of retiring anytime soon and that is eyeliner. 2025's eyeliner game isn't interested in your careful little flicks or your "barely-there" aesthetic.

It's graphic, geometric, unapologetically intense, and layered with precision. It's built, not drawn—starting with a deep, inky black base that hugs the lash line and stretching outward in dramatic wings sharp enough to cut glass. The lower lash line is equally as bold but just a smidge more refined. The secret lies in the details: the edges are razor-sharp but softened ever so slightly at the outermost points, giving the look a multidimensional quality. Matte and velvety in finish, it absorbs the light like a couture gown but catches just enough shimmer in all the right places to keep things interesting.

Designers like Hussain Rehar and Sabyasachi have captured the zeitgeist perfectly, showcasing models with sharply elongated wings that extend far beyond the outer corners of the eye. Pair it with a deep red lip or marry it with pastels or nude, this is one beauty statement that flexes with your mood.