A stylist’s note on this summer’s most ubiquitous trends – anklets, tie & dye and sunglass chains.
The summer months bring with them a curious mix of trends. Worldwide, and in the west especially, it’s winter that inspires great fashion. It’s when the layers, the diverse fabrics and the wildest experimentation emerges. But in Pakistan, what June, July and August can possibly add to our daily wardrobes is usually a culmination of our boldest and most experimental selves. The months that one isn’t weighed down by heavy coats and layers is when people push their OOTD to its limits, in the best way possible. As the self-proclaimed social media trend watchdog that I am, a couple of things are emerging strongest for me this summer. And these items of clothing and accessories are those that have nostalgia as the key ingredient.
There’s a theory in fashion and pop culture that fashion operates on a ‘nostalgia pendulum’ in that what’s old is new again every 20 to 30 years. That is why people have been wearing scrunches, floral sundresses, slip dresses and why there’s always the lingering fear some people have that low rise jeans will come back into fashion.
The summer of 2019 has had some defining trends that all follow the nostalgia pendulum theory.
Anklets
While shell jewelry was generally trending throughout the year, where we unexpectedly saw a lot of it was on people’s ankles. It is quite obvious that we’re drawn to these symbols of our youth and naivety but coupled with the wave of 90’s fashion, anklets have become almost ubiquitous especially on the ‘gram. There are cheaper versions that can be bought but also high end designer versions with freshwater pearls and solid gold etcetera. With price tags up to $3500 each, these may sound a little indulgent but then what is fashion about if not indulged in.
Tie-dye everything
T-shirts, hoodies, caftans, handbags, button-downs and socks are all getting the tie-dye treatment. It’s definitely a trickle-down effect from the runways, one that manifested in the local runway as well with Kamiar Rokni and Sara Shahid doing entire collections around it. The 2019 version of the tie & dye trend is much crispier and edgier than its past self with the dye job usually being separate, that acts more as a print than a fusion of colours. What used to be the stuff of elementary school arts and crafts can now be used in your adult years to create a cool, fashionable moment, especially if one doesn’t want to invest too much money in the trend. High street retailers have also done their version of the trend so one has a rich and varied selection of wearing the tie-dye look.
Sunglass chains
There are some trends that seem a bit tricky but then the more you think about them, the more appealing they seem, think fanny packs. This particular one can feel a little grandma but with the right styling it can easily go from your dadi’s old chain to a fashion forward accessory. Most of the ones in the market right now follow the current trends for pearl, shell and tortoiseshell jewelry. Not only do they serve a functional purpose in that your sunglasses are close by if not resting on the crown of your head or tucked inside your collar, it’s just another cute accessory to squeeze into the frame.
