LAHORE: Every year, Eid is an opportunity for both men and women to make good use of rich traditional fashion, be it hairstyles, outfits or accessories.

Shopping centres glittered with multicolour lights, while makeshift bangle and henna stalls kept attracting hordes of customers during preparations for the religious occasion following a month of fasting.

Fashion enthusiasts, both men and women, were found looking for unique haircuts, clothes, henna designs and bangles. Almost all these ingredients have become customary when it comes to Eid.

Every girl strives to get her hair done in the most stylish way. Every year, hairdressers try to introduce new styles for both men and women. The popular hairstyles for women this year on Eid were found to be curls, fringes, straight and layers, as per various beauty salons.

Men were not far behind either. Boys in large numbers were seen at salons and barber shops getting trendy haircuts and fancy beards. Haircuts for men consisted of a mix of styles from the past. Short hair seemed more in demand for many youths. A good number of men also preferred facials and other grooming procedures.

Kurtas are always the most-loved garment on Eid for men of all ages, paired with either trousers or shalwars. For an unconventional style statement, short kurtas are also worn with jeans. Adorned with traditional embroideries on the front, collar and cuffs, kurtas are available in an assortment of colours and styles. Women also prefer embroidered clothes than plain ones.

In most areas of Lahore, henna stalls were set up in markets, with women thronging to them to get their hands adorned with designs made from the green-coloured paste that eventually leaves a brown shade on your hands. Eid for women is considered incomplete without applying henna. Henna designs have their own recognition, and several countries have their unique own designs.

Bangles are one of the major attractions on Eid. In both simple and intricate designs, some plain, some glittered, some embellished, bangles undoubtedly attract the most number of customers. Several makeshift stalls were set up in various markets across the city as Eid approached. Bangles in different eye-catching hues and colours, and in some cases metal ones coated with gold or silver beads, were also on offer at stalls.

Several renowned fashion designers also introduced special Eid collections for the momentous occasion. These collections featured dresses in modern as well as traditional silhouettes, embellished or embroidered with classic motifs and in hues fit for the summer.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2014