How to avoid looking like a walking wardrobe disaster
Winter is one of the most fashionable seasons in the world; internationally, it clashes with the holiday season and even in Pakistan, winters mark the beginning of weddings and for some, annual balls and New Year parties. Winter is usually when families living in the foreign fly into town and reunions dot the social calendar through and through. At a time like this it is important to look your best, which means dressing your best, whether it’s for weddings, dinners, sunny lunches out on the lawn, fine dining with friends or even stepping out for coffee.
Here’s how to avoid some common fashion faux pas when you’re trying to dress to impress…
Baggy Clothing: Loose and easy silhouettes are meant for summer when you’re beating the heat. Baggy clothing is a big fashion ‘NO NO’ for winter. Snug clothes will provide you with much needed warmth while upping your style quotient whereas baggy clothing will just allow cold winter winds to breeze and braze through your body, leaving you with the chills.
Avoid the unfortunate mismatch of east and westWe know how much local lasses love pulling out their boots, woolen caps and knitwear when the mercury drops but some styles stick out like a sore thumb when taken out of context. Try not to wear boots if you’re in your shalwar kameez; that’s what desi immigrants wore in England back in the ‘70s. Pull on your boots if you’re donning your jeans or pants only. The same applies to woolen caps, berets and headgear, which has become a style statement for fashion’s lost lambs in the past few years. Winter headgear looks best with western attire. I mean, how many of you are wearing sun hats in summer? None. And unless you’re living beyond Chitta Mor in Murree, you really don’t need furry earmuffs. Likewise, your beautiful shawls belong with your merina wool joras, not on your overcoats.
Let ankle-grazing wedding wear bite the dustFormal styles have mercifully, finally changed quite drastically. The ankle-grazing flared shirt went out with 2013 and by now it is sartorially sacrilegious to be seen in penguin-wear. Take your hemlines up, from mid-calf to knee length. If you’re on a budget then have a slash fest with your old clothes. Cut cut cut!!! The angarkha and anarkali are probably the only garments that’ll allow you to go long in formal eastern wear.That said, the maxi skirt is very much in vogue these days and if you have the figure, then this is where you get to flaunt it. Designers embraced embellished full skirts as staples for wedding wear at fashion week and you can easily take the cue. Pair with a choli if you dare to bare or an ethnic blouse if you prefer not to.
