The style guide to Eid

Left your Eid purchases to the last minute? Fear not – we have a great list of advice from designers and stylists.

Have you left your Eid purchases to the last minute? Received three invites for lunches and dinners but have no idea what to wear? Did the salon refuse to give you an appointment? Fear not – we have a great list of advice from designers and stylists.

KAMEEZ

This Eid, shirts will vary in style and length. Long kameezes are still in fashion but according to FnkAsia’s Huma Adnan, formal mid-length shirts are making a comeback If you’d like to wear something more modern, check out the western style tunics, short shirts and long, kaftan style shirts which are increasingly popular, says Tia Noon from the House of Kamiar Rokni. Both designers agree that flared, voluminous shirts with  layers and panels are currently the ‘in’ trend.

SHOES

Adnan recommends wearing stiletto heels with tang pajamas - this is will also give length to your legs, while Noon says that these days’ gladiator flats and strappy sandals are in style. Designer Samia Azmay Shahzada is a fan of heels and says that while flat slippers and peep-toe shoes are in these days, she would recommend wearing heels on Eid and suggests brightly coloured high heels embellished with crystals. Debutant shoe designer Nadia Hussain agrees that shoes decorated with crystals and stones always compliment an outfit but flat, strappy shoes or gladiators in neutral colours also look good.

PANTS

Put away your wide pants for this occasion and pair a flouncy kameez with tight, cigarette pants or a tang pajama.

ACCESSORIES

For the traditionalist, bangles are a must-have. You can pick up glass or silver ones for under Rs300 from Gulf Way shopping centre in Karachi, Pace in Lahore or Jinnah supermarket in Islamabad. For those who want something unique and modern, FnkAsia is making handmade beaded necklaces, and Gulabo has fabric beaded necklaces.

HAIR

It’s hot and humid this Eid, so you will have to work hard to maintain your look and tame frizz. If you’re straightening your hair then applying anti-frizz serum is a must, says Daulat Rahimtoola of Pivot Point. However in such weather “poker-straight blow-dries are not as popular as this ends up looking more frizzy, where as frizz gets camouflaged in wavy styles,” says Bina Khan. So ask your stylist for curls or waves and those of you who do not want to go to a salon, purchase a straightening iron or hair dryer by Remington, GHD or Conair.

Raana Khan’s key advice to follow for those blowdrying their hair at home: “Never blow-dry soaking wet hair and blow dry your hair in a cool place so that you don’t sweat. After you’re done blow-drying your hair you should iron it to add shine and prevent (your hair from) frizzing up.” Bina Khan says, “Your best, most long lasting blow dry is when you touch up yesterday’s work. You have spent eight hours in a room with an air-conditioner and your hair is set fast plus all that moisture from your hair wash is well and truly out. So a touch-up on day two will give you a style that really lasts.”

KAMEEZ (MEN)

Currently long kameezes are fashionable for men and while bright colours such as aqua green and electric blue are selling well at Khaadi, other designers are planning something a little different. Aijaz Aslam says that while he has experimented with a lot of different colours; white, off-white and neutral colours make up a large part of his Eid collection. Deepak Perwani has used military colours and focused on black, white and brown for Eid this year. Designer Abdul Samad recommends that men be very simply dressed this Eid, especially for morning prayers. and stick to lighter colours such as white, peach and light blue during the day. However in the evening, the lighter tones can be swapped for black kameezes or one in a darker shade of blue or grey.

PANTS

Perwani, Samad and Aslam said that men should wear shalwars or straight pants this season. Additionally, many men like changing it up a little and wearing jeans with a kameez, but that won’t work for visiting with extended family as it looks too casual.

ACCESSORIES

Last year it was fashionable for men to throw on a scarf in various colours to compliment their outfit but that is very outdated this season. All three designers advise men to keep their look simple and steer clear of any accessories.

SHOES

Scores of men throng shoe stores before Eid, confused as to what style looks best with shalwar kameez, but on Eid you can wear almost any style and make it work. Samad recommends slippers and sandals, while Perwani suggests wearing sandals or kharis and Aslam prefers pershawari chappals or kolapuris.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2010.