Cover Story
Get Your Fash' On

By Ifra Asad and Nabiha Beg

Wave good-bye to stale trends, unimpressed glances and dowdy attires because a whole new world of fashion is waiting to unfold. We're halfway through summer and there's never been a more perfect time for a new you. The time has come for us to chant the mantra: out with the old, in with the new. That's right, the year's 2008, and the fashions we see are ever changing, ever new and ever exciting.

What's hip in 2008 is what's not of the earlier years. We see drastic changes in all sectors; clothes, shoes, accessories, hair. We love the change. Don't you just love the change?

Trendy clothing

First off, we stick to the cardinal rule of 2008: no short kameezes. You'll see it everywhere, the hemline is getting longer and longer, laces have appeared, colours are getting brighter and the prints are more vibrant than ever. Of course, all this is coupled with the trimmed pants: we're gone from patiala shalwars to straight pants, and now to capris that may end just an inch or two above the ankle.

This season, it's all about flaunting the typical Pakistani heat: pastel colours like pistachio, peach, pale pink, blue, green, baby pink and white are all the rage. Big, floral prints, with loud colours splashed over them, along with smartly fitted pants/capris give the stylish, smart look we all want. Funky embroidery covers the kameez-worked-on necks, daamans and sleeves looks great. A chic lace that covers the border can be very appealing. Be careful though; don't ever over-lace it. A big, loud lace would only be good for perhaps the neck or daaman: never do it on all four of bits; neck, daaman, chaak and sleeves. Capris ending with a cuff add a smart touch; three-quarter sleeves ending the same look great too.

Shoe show

Hit the stores for this season's latest: gladiator shoes. That's really just a fancy word for the strappy sandals available everywhere, but with a stylish edge. Gladiator footwear is usually worked in strong colours like rich orange tans, dark browns, metallics, gold or silver. A funky, loud pair of shoes can spice up a plain outfit; flats with shiny beadwork on the front bit worn with either shalwar or carpis make a bold statement: 'I'm daring to be different, take me as I am.'

Other than that, wedges are the new thing everyone's talking about: wedges with lace-up straps look very elegant if paired with capris. Thick straps that cover up your feet look ravishing and lift any old outfit. Along with that, 'crazy heels' will make you stand out; stilettos with jewelled, caged, bowed heels are different and oh-so funky. Be careful of the heel length though; kitten heels are completely out. Some tall people prefer these small heels, but they are completely last season, and remember our mantra... 'Out with the old, in with the new.'

Apart from that, peep-toe heels, and pointed shoes are back. The Wicked Witch of the West Look is here, for all you fans of the ruby shoes. Boldly coloured shoes like hot pink or bright orange don't just spruce up an outfit, but eliminate the need for excessively flashy jewellery. But what's really, really hot is red. Shoes of that colour will make you the envy of every eye in the room. We say, go for it.

Welcome hobo bags

It's all about the size! Oversized, hobo bags are here in 2008. Remember the old days when small bags were the order of the day, and nothing would fit? Well, those are gone; huge handbags ending at the waist or hip are not just stylish, but convenient too. However, one should always be careful of how the bag complement their body type; remember, the area the bag ends is that most attention will be drawn to. If you're short and curvy, a long, sleek, rectangular or square style will suit you best. For tall and slim people, a slouchy, hobo-style works best for you.

As far as colour is concerned, metallic bags have gained momentum. Coloured metallics, such as burnished copper and gunmetal tones have also all become standard. Blue, red, white, and of course, black are the colours of 2008.

Small bags have been reduced to clutch bags, which are only used as formal eveningwear. Their colours also follow gold, silver or black, with textures of snakeskin or with a matt finish. Studded clutch bags with thick and crunchy beadwork add glamour to any outfit.

Bags should be picked according to your personal style. That's what 2008 is all about anyway: accentuating your individuality.

Bangs with a big bang!

The '60s are back! Bob, heavy bangs, side swept fringe, braids... Ask your mum for more advice on these. Weighty layers with crisp, sharp bangs paired with a bob look great. Length varies from chin length to just above the shoulder, and one should always keep in mind their face structure. A short, shaggy cut is also very happening, with celebrities around Hollywood (and, dare we say, Lollywood) sporting it. This style is very low maintenance as its main aim is to achieve the messy, organized chaos look. Clever layers and cuts help achieve this, and one is left looking more stylish than ever.

Good news for all the goldilocks out there: curls are back. With managed frizz, the look with modest curls is a romantic girly look. Hair that falls down straight from the crown and ends in big, loose ringlets is easy to achieve and easy to maintain.

The rest of you, don't you worry. Sleek, straight, long hair is still all the rage. The side parting adds drama to the face, as do the bold fringes ending just above the eyes. Heavy layering gives body and volume, and with minimal frizz, the right kind of conditioning, shine and texture, your hair will look hot as ever.

Decorate with accessories

The ideal accessory is what completes your outfit, what turns it from bland to fascinating, what makes your look head turning. Fashion ornaments can range from anything to a wide, flashy belt to a bold nail colour or simply even a smile. Accessories should set off your outfit and merge neatly into the rest of your look. It's about florescent high heels thrown together with an old pair of jeans, or large dangly earrings paired with a messy ponytail.

Hair accessories are back and they include adorable, fun patterned headbands or large butterfly clips settled in your hair.  Or spice up plain tops with large, beaded necklaces or make up a bare face with bright lipstick.

Remember not to over-accessorize. Statement jewellery, a cute hat and a low-slung belt may be overkill if worn all at once. Keep in mind that less is more. Forgo flowers in your hair (if you're Barbie enough to even try it) if you're already wearing bracelets practically up till your elbow.

Wear it right, and the compliments will come rolling!

Summer Shades

This summer, as hemlines grow, so do the sunglasses perched on our noses. As the merciless sun beams down onto our cities, it gives us the perfect excuse to whip on our shades and embrace this alluring new trend. Magazines are splashed with pictures of celebrities literally staggering under the weight of this 'face jewel'. To pull of this look, you have to think big and think dark.

The fresh faced and smiling look is now slightly yawn-inducing as a new, mysterious image takes over. Shielding your eyes will not only protect the delicate area from the harsh glare of daylight, it also makes you appear mystifying and glamorous. A point to be noted, however, is that this trend does not mean you have to accompany your sunglasses with a scowling expression.

A frowning face is never attractive and neither is a wide, plastered grin; so try to arrange your features too, looking unscathed and aloof. If you're worried that buying sunglasses will point you to bankruptcy, let us tell you that it isn't necessary to only wear branded accessories. It honestly doesn't matter if they're Dolce and Gabanna or bought from an economical store, so stop worrying and start buying!

Carry yourself with confidence

Fashion isn't always about following a standardized, universal rule. Seasons change, and so do trends of style. Magazines argue about what's decayed and what's smoking but they all agree on one, unvarying fact: Those that wear it with confidence, wear it best.

Stylists and celebrities all over the world insist that poise and self-assurance never go amiss and can make you the most attractive person in the world. What, exactly, is the point of wearing fashionable, trendy clothes on a slouchy frame?

Flaunting a killer smile and holding your head up high will radiate an aura of grace and dignity and will separate you from the rest of the crowd. Confidence is the tall girl in high heels or the heavy girl clad in horizontal stripes. It's about breaking rules and having fun doing it, then making sure you come out looking unruffled and of course, gorgeous.

Inner beauty is a highly undervalued trait that seems to slip people's minds when they consider fashion. To some, looking attractive means styling your hair according to what current trends claim is fashionable, or wearing exactly what you saw some model wear last week, but it's seldom about just simply being you. Cloning celebrities and models isn't attractive, but following your own instincts sometimes and just wearing what you may think looks good is what fashion is all about.