Which style trend dominated at Karachi Eat 2018?
While most people stuck to binge-eating at the Karachi Eat food festival, I couldn't help but do some style-spotting on the side.
Because let's face it, it's not every day that we see as many fashionistas converge in public places as we did at the Benazir Bhutto Park last weekend.
Frayed denim with sneakers or fur slides and basic shalwar kameez with kolhapuris were the two reigning looks — which has me thinking, that Karachiites are finally getting their basic looks right!
Here are some interesting street-style trends I saw emerge at Karachi Eat:
Stripes stood out
Be it your shirt, pants or an accessory, stripes make everything look chic without putting in too much effort.
I like how Rabia kept it simple with a striped cropped t-shirt and faded denim:
Warkha, however, adds a pop of colour to her basic ensemble with metallic sneakers and bright yellow crossbody bag:
That takes us to our next trend...
Add that pop of colour
A neon bag, shirt or shoes will guarantee your appearance on a best-dressed list for a casual day out like Karachi Eat.
Here’s Amal Zaman from Herald making a statement with her neon pink pompom earrings!
I thought I was the only one obsessed with sunshine yellow but I guess I was wrong. Tarfa here opts for a yellow top and stands tall and proud amidst the crowd:
Warkha proves that yellow is a colour that will brighten up even the most basic outfits:
Fuss-free over fancy
Ripped or frayed denim, paired with a nude tee, sneakers and a bag pack, is another no-fuss way to rock street style.
Like, Madiha Sultan of Lals who is rocking her oversized sunnies and glittering Zara sneakers:
We appreciate the slogan on entrepreneur Zoha's tee.
Kayla here styles her basic outfit with funky braids and reflective sunnies.
Fuzzy Faruque’s eyes might be closed but her sense of style certainly isn’t. Look at them denim jogger pants.
Amal Zaman shows us how to do basic, kurta-shalwar style.
Borrow your BFF’s waistcoat
I’m talking male BFF here.
Pair waistcoats with a basic white (or nude) kurta and a devil-may-care attitude and you’ll nail the desi androgynous look like Rania Durrani here.
In case you’re wondering, Rania’s waistcoat is from Fab India and the kurta and accessories are from Chapter 2 by Khaadi.
Hajra, with her multiple glasses, sported a similar look in her own creation:
The Rahul-Anjali look is back in vogue
No, I’m not trying to trick you into looking like a fool from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Much to my surprise, the denim overalls and tying-your-jacket-to-your-waist is what 2018 seems to be all about!
I spotted a lot of women, such as Waniya from Chicago here, sporting jackets on their midriffs.
Urooj, a journalist, sported a similar look, but with a bit more embellishment going on.
Let’s hope this trend was more about making a fashion statement and less about the rumoured harassment at KEF.
Moving on, another Rahul-Anjali look is the overalls. Seen here is Javeria twinning with her daughter Schanze.
Is it time to get a perm?
If you’ve ever wanted to get a perm, now appears to be the time! You’ll look red carpet ready even if you’re wearing a basic shalwar kameez! Don’t trust me?
Exhibit A: Alia (right) looks so cool in a simple ajrak print! Abeera's look is also easy-breezy with harem pants and a basic slim-fit short kameez.
And exhibit B: Our very own fitness expert, Fuzzy Faruque.
And I’m sure you remember Rania Durrani and Tarfa’s cool perm from above?
Layer it up
Long jackets look super cool. I didn’t spot as many interesting jackets as I had hoped but I did witness a few basic solid colored ones.
I’m not a huge fan of the knotted lowers but the denim sleeveless jacket can surely make it to my wardrobe.
Rumaila, a student, sported a high-low dark blue one over an all-black outfit.
Sahar, another journalist, looked as if she’d stepped right out of a glossy. We’re digging those sunnies and boots.
Trust your airy cotton tops
While most of us were drowning under suede jackets and sweating in our boots, some took note of the weather report. They looked fresh as a daisy in their printed, flow-y cotton tops.
Doesn’t Ayesha Khan, who btw is an ex-journalist from Lebanon, look like the poster girl for KEF? I especially loved her cropped jeans.
Here’s another clever soul, Misbah, in Primark slides.
Fur slides, ripped denim, and sneakers are definitely not going anywhere anytime soon.