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Fashion in Bangladesh: Occasional Fashion |
| Summer collection: |
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Come summertime, you chill, relax, unwind and slow down. And the clothes too should reflect easy styles and comfort. The key to dressing this summer should be free and liberating; flowing but not voluminous like last year but rather slightly understated styles that work as great combinations.
In Bangladesh we welcome summer through a grand celebration on the “Pohela Baishakh” (first day of the Bengali New Year). Whole Bangladesh rocks together in a colourful yet fresh manner in this eve. From the fashion houses to the streets all get covered with red and white dominated saris, salwar kameezes, fatuas and panjabis. These days orange and black is also getting preferences. The very basic elements of rural Bangladesh like Ektara, Dugdugi, Shika, etc. and popular lines of Bengali songs and poems can be found on the clothing.
Then starts the sizzling summer. This summer the colours that will set you apart are buttercup, balloon red, deep sea blue, and azure. Combine earth tones such as sand, walnut, khaki, coral and tan with clean bright colors. Try to avoid going all bright or balance all neutral. The formula to dress dynamic this season would be to the two opposite chromes with equal intensity. Candy colours are also back as an all time favourite. Although it is not recommended that these are worn all at the same time. Use them on your accessories or as accent and keep the over all look neutral.
This season look very feminine shapes. In keeping with the holiday mood fashion is inspired by the play of fun and frolics. Under the dark monsoon skies you are going to look cheery; the idea would be to chase the clouds away. The cuts are going to be retro with vintage feel making a big come back. The tops are fitted forms with ruffled, pleated or puffed sleeves.
Kimono or pagoda sleeves are also going to remain hot with wrapped or pinafore blouses. You can easily transfer these shapely ideas on to your kameez or sari blouses. The emphasis will be on breezy billowy patiala, bloomer shalwars, or harem pants. Pleats, volumes of gather on these pairs cut a very feminine look and flirt with your girlish notion. The look that really floats this summer for you probably cannot be summarized in a single style. Go for spaghetti or a sleeveless camisole kameez or just a short tunic. Use pin tucks, pleats, bias ruffles, as trimmings, and simple embellishment in button, coins, and shells around your neckline or sleeves. Go light with your fabrics. Voile, cotton georgettes, and fine khadi are good for summer, as are soft flowing dupattas or wrinkled scarves. Pick a fabric that breathes well. Comfort should be on top of your list, but don’t be a bore. Spellbound, dazzle and bewitch your entire audience. |
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| Spring or Pohela falgun collection: |
Spring is in the air, flowers everywhere…it’s that time of the year that makes poets out of everyone. The first day of spring ‘Pohela Falgun’ is celebrated with a flowery fiesta which mostly centers on Charukola (department of Fine arts of Dhaka University). Falgun is welcomed an array of colours in the collection of saris, shirts and fatuas that boutiques and shopping malls has to offer. They have concentrated on the colours of bashanti, golden yellow and shades of yellow, orange, red, and stylized them with tie-die, spray, block, hand paint, karchupi, hand and machine embroidery. |
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Ekushey collection:
The 21st of February is a red letter day in the history of Bangladesh. Being declared as the International Mother Language Day by UNESCO, nowadays it has become an international phenomenon. The pride of having Bangla as our mother tongue has merged with the sacrifice and dedication of the martyrs on this day. Every year this day is celebrated with utmost sincerity.
Fashion houses of Bangladesh also dedicate their designs as a salutation to the 21st February. Tangail saris, shalwar kameezes, fatuas, Punjabis and tops for kids all get a touch of this significant day. Mostly cotton and khadi made; white, red and black are preferred colour for clothing and accessories. Where red represents the rising era of the life of Bangladeshis and our mother tongue, the movement itself, white represents the sacrifice and black represents the oppression and sadness of the day. The clothes also have special geometric patterns which abstractly represent our ‘Shaheed Minar’ (Monument for the Martyrs of the language movement), floral motifs, and sprays in the form of lines from Bengali poems, and blocks in the form of words from the Bengali alphabet. Besides, there is always an attempt for bringing out our rebel nature through fashion. |
Independence Day and Victory Day collection:
The 26th March, our Independence Day gives rise to new hopes and promises. All these get a clear reflection in the collection of fashion houses. Preferably red and green is on the clothing. Sometimes they are inspired by our national flag. Besides, lines from patriotic songs, poems, and slogans of our Liberation War are innovatively expressed, which successfully bears the testimony of the day.
16th December, it’s all about FREEDOM!! The Victory Day represents the overwhelming joy of freedom and the unforgettable memories of the hurdles and sacrifices to achieve our long cherished independence. So yellow, orange add to the colours of our national flag to articulate the significance of the day.
Wedding Collection:
Till the mid 90’s, shopping for the wedding was a simple affair. Then came cable TV, and exposed us to the glitter and glamour of the outside world, and flying off to India or Bangkok on a shopping spree for the weddings became in vogue for those who could afford it. The recent mushrooming of special stores, boutiques and shopping malls, many of them of international standard, however has allowed many to save on the plane trips and get all the shopping done right here in Dhaka.
There are plenty of outlets that bring out a complete bridal wear every year. From saris to lehengas, to clothes for holud, the engagement, and the walima, you name it they have got it. The previously ignored arena of men’s fashion is also heating up, be it the traditional panjabi / sherwani ensembles or suits and tuxedos. Today’s designers are experimenting with new looks, new cuts and new colours, so that you don’t see so much of traditional red Benarasi clad brides and pagri-touting grooms. Today’s couples are colour co-ordinated, bold and beautiful. Another interesting development in the shopping scene is the trend for small outlets offering personalized accessories. From couture blouses to customized shoe and hand bag sets to Benarasi bedding accessories to designer wedding daalas, these energetic entrepreneurs have woken up to the endless demand for something new and unique, and are really dishing it out.
Eid collection:
Eid is the time when people all around Bangladesh shop till their wallets are emptied and enjoy the time together with their family and friends. Yes, the two Eids are only time when family, relatives, neighbours are equally emphasized as the peer group. That’s why Eid is the festival for all.
While the craze of Eid ul Fitr centers around fasting, giving out zakat and getting the most fashionable outfit, Eid ul Azha centers more around buying the best cow for qurbani, and deciding on the most delicious recipe of beef and mutton. Although dresses don’t get that much emphasis during this Eid, people do buy new dresses in Eid ul Azha too.
Eid collection changes from year to year according to what’s in vogue. These days’ eyes get stuck to bright and brilliant colours. So yellow, red, orange, blue, black, pink and purple are in the obvious preference. People seem to get a little bit daring with the materials as Eid occurs in the cool weather for several years. Materials like, khadi, khaddar, endy, hand-woven fabric and heavy cotton textiles have gained importance nowadays. Recently Eid collections include long or three-quarter sleeves and high necks in kameezes and churidar in shalwar. Stylish full sleeved outfits with intricate handiwork these dress uphold a blend of bright colours which are sure to pep up the Eid celebration. Fatuas and tops along with long skirts are being introduced innovatively with beads, colours and handiwork. Eye grabbing colourful saris on materials like cotton, silk and georgette are in fad. For menswear, denim and khadi are equally used. Uttorio (shawls) worn with colorful panjabis having neat tie-dye or needle work are on top chart for men. So what are you waiting for? Look gorgeous and rock your Eid!!! |
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