Embracing your earthy-self

A starry evening rich with exuberant possibilities of friendship, joy and laughter; the whiff of roses and lilies, and nutmeg and almonds make it all the more enchanting.

It is magical, isn't it, even just the mere thought of it?

While Eid evokes all kinds of amazing things in our minds, it also brings with it a lot of work. Following a month of fasting, feasting, shopping, and cooking, all our tired bodies and minds want to do is to catch a break.

Commercialisation surrounding Eid gets out of control with every passing year, but the spirit of it is truly to spread joy among all classes to the best of one's ability. And while trends are dime a dozen; every designer trying to grab attention with their "unique" garb, the true fashionista knows trends are for novices.

Truly stylish women know that comfort and conscience go hand in hand, and given the current situation of global warming and ecological imbalance, sustainable fashion is the future.

Commercially produced fabrics leave behind a massive carbon footprint, and trendy clothes end up getting discarded after a few wears. It all ends up polluting the ocean, thus causing irreparable damage to our planet. On the other hand, organic fabrics that have been ethically sourced last much longer, they are not damaging to the environment, are skin-friendly, and transcend seasonal trends.

Much has been said about toxic dyes polluting local waterbodies and harming surrounding communities. Choosing handloom fabrics dyed with organic, vegetable-based dyes are non-toxic, support rural communities, revive and sustain age-old heritage techniques forgotten in the wave of industrialisation.

Celebrities both at home and abroad are embracing organic, handloom saris, kurtas and salwar kameezs over synthetic materials. Once handloom fabrics were considered dated and boring, but times have changed. Young celebrities with a cult-like following are regularly seen exiting airports and running errands in simple cotton salwar kameezs and kurtas, giving their high-fashion, designer outfits a miss.

These simple wears are perfect for Eid this sweltering summer when you have guests over in the afternoon. Easy, breezy and breathable — handloom fabrics are your best friend this festive season.

When choosing an outfit, options are endless.

Aranya, the famed fashion house renowned for their role in reviving the lost art of using organic vegetable dyes on handloom and locally crafted fabrics could be your first haunt.

A warm, welcoming space that puts one at ease right away, here you will find soft, lightweight kurtas, saris, salwar kameezs in muted, earthy shades of indigo, mustard, fawn, terra cotta and henna among others.

Aarong is another boutique that boasts a fabulous collection of kurtas, saris, panjabi, scarves and much more — many naturally sourced.

Other places like Kumudini, Prabartana and Tangail Saree Kutir also have good collections.

Choose a white kurta with indigo blue motifs, or pick a mulmul sari in mustard yellow with white floral border for Eid breakfast, or lunch.

A moss green salwar kameez with yellow and red tie n' dye dupatta will look fresh and feel breezy. An onion pink cotton sari with subtle embroidery, and maroon screen print is perfect when you visit your parents, or in-laws.

Pair it with Kolhapuris or nagras, put some kajol in your eyes, let your hair loose, and voila!

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Antora, Orko

Styling: Sonia Yeasmin Isha

Wardrobe: Aranya

Make-up: Farzana Shakil's Makeover Salon