A year is a long time to commit oneself to a trend but fashion doesn’t move as fast as the rest of the world here. This is Pakistan and styles take time to lodge themselves as ‘in’ and when they do, they like to stay for a while. We have yet to move beyond our obsession with loose and empire waist silhouettes, ankle skimming lengths, panels and overwhelming (usually unnecessary) embroideries. Our fashion sense mostly stems from a need for comfort, modesty and conformation.

That said, 2013 will most certainly be a game changer for fashion in Pakistan, as many trends have been around for much too long and have most definitely outstayed their welcome. This will be the year for change (a reflection of the political relevance of the year), experimentation and individuality.

White flight

To have several options in white will be a wardrobe essential this summer. Given the political climate and this being election year for Pakistan, it is also a given that the traditional white shalwar will make a huge impact on the style scene as patriotism and national love will be at an all-time high. The shalwar has been inching its way back into style for quite some time now and this summer it will shine as the essential item of clothing that every woman must have. Especially in white. For those who can’t palate so much tradition, there is the straight trouser as well the palazzo (wide leg, also known as the ijaar). And for those who can’t get enough tradition is the churidaar, also in a crisp white. It has to be said that when it comes to churidaars, ladies must learn to discern between the tights and the leggings that are both not acceptable replacements to the crisp, cotton version that adds to elegance and not to laziness.

The domino effect

Simply put, black and white will have a huge contribution to trends this year. Whether you prefer spots or stripes, graphics or florals you will have to indulge in the most classic colour palette known to fashion: black and white. International runways have welcomed spring by putting colour blocking (especially in vivid bright colours) on the backbench and everyone from Valentino to Ralph Lauren, Philip Lim to Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors to Giles is advocating a liberal shake of salt and pepper. Designers like Fahad Hussayn pre-empted the trend by showing a solid black and white collection last year; even black and white prints are an essential part of every lawn collection.

It’s up to you to pair your crisp cotton shalwars with a black and white kurta for summer, go for knitted contrasts in winter or stick to the innumerable amount of chiffon and georgette prints available in retail markets. Whatever you choose, black and white supremacy should be taken seriously this year!

Caped crusade

When speaking of cooler months, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that 2012 was the year of the jacket. And while jackets will still remain valuable for ladies braving the winter chills, having a cape in your cupboard will be integral to your style sense. It’s a very Sherlock Holmes meets Shakespeare meets Merlin kind of feel that you’re looking for and you’ll get it in the silk, embroidered capes that Sonya Battla designs or the patchwork printed capes by Sania Maskatiya. Maheen Khan does a fabulous range in wool for winter and Wardha Saleem has put life into folk art by designing capes embellished with spinning tops, toy horses and other rustic toys. Hers is a fun, almost kitsch take on the cape.

The trick is to go short and figure flattering if you have the curves to flaunt, in which case the cape will be a relative of the bolero or the shrug. For those looking for more covering, longer and buttoned capes are a better choice. In any case, they should never be longer than the tunic or shirt you are wearing underneath.

No more sensible shoes

If you’re gearing up for sensible shoes, this year isn’t going to get you much further on the fashion run. That’s simply because trendy shoes this year spell kitsch, exotica and impracticality.

This year has inherited an obsession with metallics from the last, especially when it comes to shoes; you must already have a pair in metallic gold, bronze, gun metal silver, pewter or copper. And now you can take your footwear fetish a step further and look for shoes that come with armour. The studded shoe will be this year’s most celebrated! And it certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Shoes on international runways certainly have proven to have more spirit than soul. They have boasted elements of fringe and fur, paper-thin kitten heels with pointed toes (Louis Vuitton), disoriented heels (Alexander McQueen), laser-cut leather and much more. Not everyone can afford six-digit shoes but the good thing is once the high-end collections are released, they filter down onto the high street and make fashion much more affordable for people who want to indulge in it! — AHI