When shopping for Eid
Make a list: Write down what you need and when or how much of it you need. It doesn't just act as a reminder but also allows you to keep going back to make alterations if you change your mind. This could be the first step to planning how you allocate your time and budget and you'll be surprised to see how much organising your thoughts actually pays off.
Time: Don't just keep adding things to your list. While you can keep updating it as per your convenience, I suggest you get to the act of shopping right away. With people being busy with work and iftar during the weekdays, market places, during the weekends, are always just crazy and you know it.
Try to get most of your shopping done during the first few weeks because it gets more and more hectic with time. Keep the last week of Ramadan free for last minute purchases and on chaand raat go out solely for the experience. This ensures that you won't get utterly ripped off and actually enjoy yourself with your family.
Places: For us girls, Eid is not Eid without making one stop to New Market and Chandni Chawk. So dedicate an entire day to exploring the stores and options you have there. Here you can check out almost everything you will see all over the city for Eid and then later you can also shop for zakat as well as for other gifts. Personally, I like to get an idea of exactly what is happening before making a purchase but, having said that, I don't go to 10 different stores and look at the same thing in order to get a bargain.
Also, there are so many boutiques scattered all over to look at, so don't forget to check those out. And a lot of people actually operate from home so when your Facebook friends share pictures of their collections, take a look and go for whatever you think seems exclusive in one way or the other.
Colours and Patterns: You need something that is appropriate for both day as well as night time. Therefore, stay away from anything that seems a bit too glamorous to you. Pastel colours are in and they add a soothing, softness to whoever is wearing them. But if you are like me and most of your clothes are already from the pastel section of the spectrum then I suggest you try something different, after all, variety is the spice of life, right?
Moving on to patterns; I can only say go for something that you are comfortable in and avoid anything you think is too mainstream. If you haven't tried a particular pattern before and you need to be convinced A LOT by the salesman or your mom, then go with your instincts and look for something else. I assure you, that is the right way to go.
Accessories: The online stores offer a wide array to choose from and if you spend some time looking at the pages of these online stores I doubt you will be disappointed. Matching colours to your dress won't be a problem and there is also the added advantage of cash on delivery. However, it is only natural to be a little skeptical of the quality. I suggest that if you have no prior experience with a particular store than you order one thing to be able to be a better judge of their products and service.
Men, fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, don't have as many options as women and most men thank their lucky stars for that. Usually they don't have the time or the patience to go through as much as we do. So let's get straight to it.
Attire: Panjabis! You can't have too many of them. For traditional, silk panjabis do drop by Aarong but remember that since they produce more than one piece of all their clothes, chances of running into someone wearing the same thing is not unlikely. So just look around before deciding what you want. Subtle reminder: no man is capable of looking bad in a nice, white panjabi. While at Aarong you can also check out their collection of chappals and kolapuris.
For children we need to invest quite some time actually. But if I had to say one thing I would say that just put comfort first. Children don't really care about what they are wearing on the day of Eid. They care about the tons of new clothes and, most of all, they care about Eidi. Since they are going to be running around just as much, if not more, on Eid as they do on any other day, help them out by keeping them comfortable throughout the day.
Aside from the above advice, one other recommendation is don't get too ambitious and try to get too much done in one day because you will be fasting. Also, get a shopping buddy. It's more fun that way. Other than that, let's get busy shopping already. Break a leg, everyone! But not literally, though.
By Maaesha Nuzhat Nazmul
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Meghla
Wardrobe: Deshal
Make-up: Farzana Shakil
Styling: Azra Mahmood
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