Going for an evening out? You need to get the right dress that matches your personal style...
Going for an evening out? You need to get the right dress that matches your personal style... 
lamorous formal ensembles are definitely a must have when it comes to any woman’s wardrobe. It surely takes a lot of effort to find out what is the latest style, which colour palette to go for, what embellishments to choose and much more. And for that, we go through several magazines, browse the internet and roam around the bazaars just to find the perfect design for our outfit. So, if you want to add an oomph factor to your outfit, just follow these on-trend tips...
The magic of fabric:
Yes, the most tricky bit! The first thing you want to do is pick out a fabric that flatters your body type and has a great fall to it. And when we talk about any formal occasion, the best fabric to choose is either chiffon or pure silk. The natural fall of chiffon looks stunning on women of all shapes and sizes. However, for women on the heavier side, it is advised to avoid silks as it can make your bulges prominent. Georgettes are also a good option but nothing beats chiffon.
Colour fiesta:
After you have decided on the fabric, it is time to choose the colour. This season, pastels and monotones are the way to go. Pastels, also called chalky hues, are a great choice if you wish to add a little splash of colour to an outfit, but in a softer, more subtle manner. Yes, whether you opt for cream, beige, peach, gold or pale green, remember to select a colour that you can easily carry and feel confident in. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing a pastel, then go the classy way and choose black especially if a wedding is around the corner. If you want to mix and match then opt for a combination of light grey and bright plum. Also pale green with off white looks quite regal yet chic.
Embellish me pretty:
The kind of embroideries you choose for your outfit can make all the difference. Here are some types of embellishments that you can go for...
Zari work: Zari or Zardozi is an intricate art of weaving threads made of fine gold or silver. These threads are further woven into fabrics to create beautiful patterns. The designs are so exquisite that the fabric gets an overall rich and beautiful look. Initially, zari was made of real silver and gold, but now polyester or cotton yarn is used at its core, which is then wrapped in metallic yarn. Almost 20 bright colours are available; however, silver or gold zari work looks sleek yet classy.
Resham embroidery: When it comes to formals and semi formals, embellishing any outfit with resham embroidery is very common. Resham embroidery is done with coloured silk thread and the design can be simple or very intricate; it all depends on your choice. A combination of resham and zari work looks really pretty.
Dazzling sequins: We have seen it on the ramps where one clothing item has sequin work on it - be it the collar and cuffs of a shirt or some beautiful pattern on the neckline. This trend has been quite popular for some time now and is here to stay. Sequins are available in different geometrical shapes and sizes. While choosing the design or pattern for your dress, make sure that you don’t go overboard. If you are set to add some sparkle to your clothing, go for sequins and make your outfit a shimmery one.
Cutwork: Cutwork embroidery is an enchanting and eye-pleasing form of needlework where portions of the background fabric, as the name suggests, are cut out and discarded, while the edges are worked over in variety of stitches. Cutwork is an antique embroidery technique, which was born in Italy many ages ago. Due to its outstanding beauty, it became quite popular all over the world. In cutwork, decorative holes are cut out into certain spots of embroidered items, to create an intriguing ‘hide & seek’ effect.
Designer calling:
If you don’t have the time and energy to get a stunning ‘jora’ made, the easiest bet is to go to a designer and select a formal or semi-formal attire. Well, the good news is that recently Kiran Chaudhry, held an exhibition at Labels, Karachi, and showcased her latest festive chiffon collection ‘Anaya’. The collection is all about chiffons in light hues paired with jamawar trousers. At the event, Kiran said, “It is a fun, feminine and contemporary range in pastels for daytime affairs and more formal ensembles that are perfect as an evening or wedding wear. Hence we have blinged things up a bit with a somewhat bolder style statement. Every piece is made with pure finesse and there are subtle elements that are sure to catch your eye.”
You can check out her collection online! The beautiful designs are surely festive and can be worn formally be it weddings or fancy events. So, if there is any formal occasion coming up, you know where to get your pick from. Happy shopping!
CREDITS:
Text:
M. Shirazi
Model:
Amna Babar
Designer:
Kiran Chaudhry
Collection:
Anaya
