An alternative to traditional clothing

GOING WEST GOWNS
One of the biggest hypes in the Bengali fashion scene right now are the boutiques and even big businesses introducing gowns and fine-tuning them to make them more appealing and attractive. With intricate designs of lace, stones and sequins, gowns are perfect for the evening parties during Eid. They vary in length and even fabric - satin, silk, velvet or even georgette. Ecstasy and Doors have an amazing gown collection, and offer you plenty of variation in them - bold, classy, vintage - you name it! 

MAXIDRESS
Although quite similar to gowns, they differ in their cuts and prints. Maxi dresses are found in vibrant colours and flowery prints, and are perfect for those opting for a Zen-free easygoing summery vibe. Add some bangles and maybe a head band, and you have your dreamy boho look.  Possible places for shopping include Amber Lifestyle and Celebrations. 

PANTSUITS
For the workaholic women, pantsuits are the perfect option as it lets them retain their professional aura while still maintaining a sleek and stylish look. You can add some bold jewellery to give it an edge or even go for pearl necklaces for a classy vibe. Mostly popular in black, navy blue and grey, these beauties will surely make heads turn at official parties. 

JUMPSUITS
Just introduced to Bangladesh, jumpsuits offer the right blend between elegance and edgy, thus becoming a hot favourite among youngsters. Jumpsuits are available in monochrome black, red, blue and yellow and for those opting for a bit more dimension, stripes and animal prints are the ways to go. Amber Lifestyle, Urban Truth andEcstasy have quite a range of collection when it comes to jumpsuits. 

TOPS AND PANTS AND SKIRTS 
Whether you want something fancy or are looking for something more casual for that hang out with friends on the second or third day of Eid, the classic Western clothing still manages to be a favourite. From crop tops to longer blouse, stores like Urban Truth and Noir have some chic styles that are worth checking out. 

Even with pants, now there are a wide variety of jeggings and chinos to pick from. These are much more comfy as the fabric is more suited to the subcontinent's weather. You can find them almost anywhere in monochrome colours or prints. Skirts have also made a comeback, and you can find them in Aarong with vibrant batik prints or embroideries. Or you can look to Noir and Ecstacy for velvet and satin skirts, which would look lovely when matched with a crop top or a blouse. 

GOING EAST KURTI
Immensely popular in this subcontinent, kurtis still remain a top choice for many, and this season is no different. From small boutiques to larger stores, almost all shops have a collection to cater to this demand. 
Zarzain remains rather popular for its bright colours, and boutiques in ADC plaza are also famous, boasting both global and a local collection. These kurtis excel in comfort and elegance in the summer heat. Mostly in lawn, you can find some in velvet or silk as well. 

LEHENGA
The lehenga trend is returning as more and more people are allured by its glamour. Some boutiques in Banani and Gulshan, such as Vasavi, have a really good collection of legengas. Even though more on the expensive side, these will surely make you stand out as you can never go wrong with a nice lehenga! Stones and sequins still remain the top choice for designs on the lehenga. Some light jewellery would be perfect to finish up your look. 

CAFTAN
Arabian inspired, caftans are a beauty that's yet to be brought into the mainstream fashion scene.  These are ankle length gowns with a loose coat to wear on top. Designers can add a Bengali twist to this by using the shorter coats inspired by Mughal fashion. Caftans also provide you with a chance to show off your knowledge about trends worldwide! Available in various colours, one can turn to boutiques in Gulshan or order online. 

By Adiba Mahbub Proma