Fashion chutzpah in festival times

DURING Eid, we reinvent ourselves, energised with high spirits. We share thrilling moments that lift and invigorate our lives. We go to extreme lengths to look particularly chic. A great deal of attention is given to detail and our fashion sense gets a new urgent, glamorous juxtapose.

We want to make the perfect appearance. Whether we are the conservatives at hearts or the fashion hounds, we must pin the significant statement to take out to the town in style. It is the moment to be traffic-stopping haute.

Celebrate like a fabulous princess; gothic, or just plain stylish in a budget respectively modest or fit for royalty. This festival let's swing in a sharp selection of dizzying new looks.

Festive days are here again and fashion gods have decreed commandments of style. We are exposed to melting cultures and fashion comes to us as osmosis. Wear a completely over-the-top number and be free as to not care. We all love fashion but there's more to life.

Rare times are when signature styles coincide with the season's trends. It is a cause for sartorial celebration. Over the generations of historic fashion practice, it is evident that predictions are built on solid styles that traverse through the fashion decades easily and without much fuss.

Timeless monochromatic palette epitomises such a philosophy. Simple sensibility, sophisticated in a nonchalant laid-back way can easily work with uptown chic and down-town cool.

Generations of men and women have known that there are certain style hallmarks that shall always remain in fashion. We must now encourage ethical fashion; fashion that takes the environment and society into consideration, whether it's making clothes with organic materials or using less energy.

We can demand awareness as buyers and make brands’ concern for the environment part of their businesses these days.

Bargain junkie or high street diva
A journey through the streets of Dhaka that is high on style and easy on the wallet or glitzy high-octane glamour that demands a fat pocket are options clearly for the fashionistas. You can either go hip, kitsch and fun or prefer a fashion extravaganza rich in vocabulary, craftsmanship in exquisite deluxe-wear.

Dhaka streets are a Mecca for cashstrapped buyers. The vendors in the bazaars a showcase wide variety of goods that are brilliant bargains. Footpaths, bric-a-brac stores, mobile vendors carry vibrant products, accessories and fashion items.

You can check out these haunts across the city uptown or down town. All kinds of trinkets are available. Pop-coloured bangles, beads, cuffs, bracelets, earrings, and neckpieces, long or short, in just about any material: metal, plastic, fibre glass, ceramic, terracotta, glass; lane after lane of jazzy products, where you could easily lose track of your favourites and get lost in a jungle of smart ideas.

Metallic sandals are found in a colourful array of designs, heeled or flat innovatively put together with beads, mirrors, kundans, zaari work- just fabulous at a reasonable price range. The shapes are classic or funky and well wearable -- thongs, cross-strapped, sling backs -- sandals in every conceivable shape.

The winding by-lanes of tiny shops are overflowing with bags in shiny leatherette: small clutches, medium all-purpose shoulder bags, totes, hobos, in vibrant colours- creatively produced and displayed.

The fun element is very much emphasised. There are stocks and stocks of maxi dresses, unstitched suits for ladies, stacks of tees and denims, men's shirts in bizarre prints and formal stripes.

These markets are a great place to scavenge and hunt. You must remember to brush up on your bargaining abilities, otherwise the savvy shopkeepers can easily take you for a ride. You must also be ready to dig through piles of clothing, especially if you are looking for children's clothing. There are argyle print tees, hoodies, shorts, sweats, draw string boxers, printed pyjamas, jersey dresses and so on.

Look out for Betty Boop, Sponge Bob, Tigger, Bob the Builder ensembles all under Tk 100. I would also highly recommend the export surplus shops that are located all over the city. They are definitive destinations for children and teens. Your best buys here are the basics. You can easily pick up your favourite international label at a fraction of the average price. You must be geared with a lot of patience and be willing to take your time to choose.

These markets are havens particularly for fabrics. You can scour for cotton prints, handloom weaves and machine chikan, benarasi yards, imported, synthetic crepes, chiffons, eclectic prints, and dazzling embroidered pieces of unstitched materials for shalwar suits. The list can go on and on but always be prepared to bargain hard. You must stick to a single plan and you will be calling an end to a rewarding day.

The high street 'Diva' will most definitely be on an exotic shopping journey for Eid. If you are her, you will be making your shopping adventure a celebration of epic proportions. Your trip will be trailblazing to fashion destinations in Dhaka for exemplary labels.

These stores are located in the prime city locations. You can be looking for luxurious fashion concepts that stem from deep understanding and irrevocable passion for the rich traditions of history in either Bangladesh or India. If you are looking for seamless integration of eastern sensuality with western savoir-faire now is the time to invest.

You may want to transform from being an ordinary woman to a Mughal princess or even a sultry, quintessential woman. You should incorporate sensuous drapes, immaculate workmanship in classic styles. Silhouettes are now being styled to cover flaws or flaunt your vitals. It is advisable to go for sharp ensembles with modern constructions in gossamer cottons, shimmering lame or the softest chiffon.

These are available in high-end swish stores in Dhaka. Here the products boost supreme craftsmanship and the takers understand the caress of creation. Monochromes are big this year and so are vintage hues. Rich jewel tones such as topaz, amethyst, antique gold and ivory, in translucent light saris, jazzy floor grazing skirts, trapeze cuts and streamlined panjabis will be the future that will be a take from the past.

You can take your pick from the surfeit of embroidery, cutwork and heavy zardozi on choga style churidar suits, ghararas, lehengas, brocade skinny pant suits and must have diaphanous saris with an abundance of veiled Swarovski. The tags can come sometimes in fixed prices but in general, there is adequate space to bargain even in such haute outlets. My final word to you is let your styles burst into magical fireworks this festive season.

By Maheen Khan

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Namyrah
Wardrobe: Chandona Dewan
Makeup and hair style: Sadia
Moyeen, La belle
Location: Chondon