Summer in full swing and Eid looming just around the corner it is time to get some shopping done and renovate your wardrobe. With classes almost every day it often gets difficult to wear our staple kameezes and it is easier to throw together a kurti, a pair of leggings and be off on your way. Star Lifestyle has thrown together a pre-Eid shopping plan of sorts to keep you looking fashionable throughout the summer.

Westecs has been around the block for many years and is a trusted name in the fashion world. Chic and formal, they boast a collection of formal shirts that can be easily worn to presentations if paired with a formal pair of pants also available at Westecs. Formal shirts come in neutral soft colours such as beige, white and soft mud browns with prices starting around Tk.1,000. Also available are casual tops with gilded embellishments on the neckline which minimise the need for any accessories yet make you look trendy. The tops come in various colours such as dark green, bright red and maroon with prices starting around Tk.1,200 going up to 2000 and higher. You can also buy pants, both formal and casual along with handbags and scarves.

Ecstasy: With a myriad options when it comes to tops Ecstasy can be overwhelming if you have a tight budget and can't decide on one from the other. Because once you go through the entire rack of tops, trust me you will not be able to choose which ones you want. Light and breezy the tops come in all the colours and prints of summer. Tree leaves silhouette the light blue colour of a top whilst another pops up with the small prints of pink florets on an aquamarine background -- all of summer and its beautiful colours are packed into the tops in Ecstasy. Prices start around Tk.1100.

Yellow: They have a collection uniquely dedicated to summer. With the heat wave promising to go on, their range of clothing is light and airy with soft breezy colours keeping you looking cool in the intense heat. The tops and pants are very trendy and blend indo-western designs with fair easiness. Along with a varied range of tops, Yellow also has a kurti collection as well as casual pants to wear to any occasion. The tops start at around Tk.895, whilst the fatuas and kurtis are priced around Tk.1000 and higher.

Taaga: Part of Aarong, Taaga specialises in casual wear that blends traditional designs with chic modern trends. You will find local fabrics in western cuts with embroidery and appliqué adorning the fatuas and kurtis. Available in numerous colours the range in Taaga leaves you spoiled for choice. Paired with a pair of palazzos, capris or jeans the tops make an easy go-to option making you look fresh and trendy all at once.

Cats Eye: Previously specialising only in formal shirts and trousers for men, Cats Eye has ventured very successfully into catering for a growing female customer base. Their tops are mostly formal shirts in dark monotone colours such as black, navy-blue, maroon and muted browns dominating the spectrum. They also have more casual fatuas and tops in light georgette and silks which come in bold colours such as red, green and yellow with some embellished statement necklines. The price range at Cats Eye ranges from Tk.700-750.

Anyone growing up in or visiting Dhaka has heard of New Market and inevitably ended up visiting both New Market and Dhaka College or Doza Market which is a stone's throw away. The thriving textile industry of Dhaka is evident here, H&M, Levi's, Zara, GAP; you name it and Dhaka College probably has it! The range of options will leave you baffled -- tops in all cuts, sizes and colours are available. Floral prints on soft georgette, cotton laced and hand embroidered, plain formal shirts, to almost dressy embellished and sequined tops are yours for the asking. All that is required is a keen eye and the patience to haggle to get yourself a bargain. Along with that Doza Market also has jeans in various colours, palazzos and even jumpsuits. The prices start as low as Tk.200.

Jatra: unconventional yet fashionable, Jatra has established themselves as a staple in most girls' wardrobe. The tops and even the kameezes are like no other. With deshi prints and cuts, the fatuas and kurtis at Jatra have a very unique appeal. Cottons, endi, silk and khadi are the fabrics of choice and they are more often than not tie-dyed, embroidered or appliqued. The fabric is a pleasure to don allowing you to breathe in the sweltering heat. The prices of the tops start at around Tk.1000.

Accessorise with a pair of shades and a light scarf to keep off the sun's rays and you are good to go this summer, so shop till you drop.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Ekram and Ripon's wardrobe: Ecstasy

Mithila's wardrobe: Cats Eye

Mithila's make-up: Farzana Shakil

Ankhi and Safa's wardrobe: Taaga

Ankhi and Safa's make-up: Tilat Khair and hairstyling: Su Jorgensen

Styling: Azra Mahmood

Location: Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka

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YOUTHFUL HUES

To kick off our Ramadan issues in full swing, this week Star Lifestyle narrows in on an all important fashion demographic: teenagers. Flip through pages 8-12 for our take on summer solutions for the young and the vivacious. From cool tees to bold skirts, from chic accessories to killer heels, we bring to you the what, where and how much of Dhaka's trendiest.

Colour me macho

Long gone are the days when exactly one half of the world – men – could complain that they do not have the luxury of choice when it comes to wardrobes. The age of monotonous monochromes and dull greys is well and truly behind us, and we couldn't be happier. An explosion of cuts, colours and designs has claimed its space in global men's fashion and the youth of Dhaka have not lagged behind. This season, feel free to experiment with pop colours in jeans and chinos, ranging from startling blues to mustard yellows and everything in between. Team your brighter bottoms with casual checks and playful loafers to add more dimension to your ensemble.

By Abida Rahman Chowdhury

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Raj

Wardrobe: Cats Eye