Okay, so what you need to know about red carpets and international fashion weeks is that you will often see trends on there that eventually translate to local style. Fashion runs a very complex machine and we are all mere cogs carrying each function forward. In other words, there is a lot more to that lawn print you will be wearing come August, as your fav local designers release their ‘monsoon edit’ or some such, and a lot of it will be dictated by some tiny booti someone saw on a red carpet somewhere.

Going through the Screen Actors Guild Awards red carpet images is like looking into the future. We can see the exact trends that will pop up at weddings, both on guests and brides, and some stuff you can be sure to see coming through (if it hasn’t already) in pret. Some of the styles are just such good ideas and we really hope to see more of that in the coming months. And even if you don’t really care what trickles down and what doesn’t, red carpet pics are just always fun, aren’t they?

Ayo Edibiri in Luar

One more for the monochrome gang, and those who believe patterns work in formal settings as well as casual too.

Bel Powley in Chanel Haute Couture

We’re already seeing a bunch of monochrome themes locally, and actually, whatever the occasion, it’s never a bad idea to pare down the palette in a sea of bright colors and extreme embellishment.

Billie Eilish in Vivienne Westwood

Dress down to dress up seems ingenious or sometimes overdone, but it has its place. In a sea of flowing gowns and mermaid tails, make your own tailored presence felt.

Carey Mulligan in Armani Prive

Okay, can we please, please have bridals that just play on color and fabric this year? No embellishment, just the power of a magnificent material in a beautiful drape; 2024 brides, please consider.

Davine Joy in Valdrin Sahiti

Once again, formals don’t need tons of beads or embroidery or sequins to look appropriate. Picking a flattering silhouette and coupling it with a color and fabric that works for you is enough flex.

Elizabeth Debicki in Armani Prive

However, if you must embellish, consider the icy statement of this gown.

Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

Isn’t this gown totally giving Sana Safinaz bridal couture? And just by that comparison, you now know that you could get away with something similar at a desi wedding too.

Erika Alexander in Greta Constantine

A lot of local labels have been doing the bright, contrasting pattern thing for a couple of years now, and doing it really well. Both Beech Tree and Lama come to mind here. If you’ve had your doubts about how the prints actually wear outside of a studio shoot, you can see that they do so quite well. Plus, it’s spring, you have to live, laugh, love, and wear huge florals when you can!

Halle Bailey in Dolce & Gabbana

You must be wondering in what world we think this neckline would fly in Pakistan or Pakistani communities, but we’re focusing on two things here: the plum shade, and that mermaid skirt, both of which we believe were top of the charts for brides circa 2003-2004. While not fans of the way the mermaid skirt was adapted to lehngas etc. 20 years ago, we could take a cue from our good friends at D&G here and work the silhouette out in tulle instead.

Jeremy Allen White in Saint Laurent

All-white for men may seem a bit on the ‘80s Mithun side for brown people, or 2011 Brad Pitt in his greasy mafioso/playboy era, but it’s a departure from the usual dark tones men wear, and the all-white look rather works when done this way.

Margot Robbie in Schiaparelli

Still in her Barbie era, this image is here only for ‘80s babies who might be reminded of their My First Barbies by this ensemble.

Michael Cera in Todd Snyder

No style list is complete without a picture of the inventor of the Cerave line of skincare. J/k. Michael Cera, because he’s made a whole career out of being awks is our hero.

Storm Reid in Balmain

Okay, here come the trad shaadi vibes. Go nuts, ladies, if Balmain is doing beaded florals, surely you can too.

Sterling K. Brown in Dior’s Men

A well-cut suit is never amiss at formal events, and even taken separately, each piece makes a case for tailored separates for men.