When it comes to festive occasions in Pakistan, ethnic wear takes the lead. At most festive events, you will find people dressed to the nines in their choicest ethnic wear. From traditional silhouettes sporting their intricately worked upon a-line hemmed anarkalis, with elegant looking churidars, or bright and colourful and vibrant lehenga cholis all the way to classy, drapey sarees. For those who keep their ensembles chic and trendy, they are seen in best selling tunics paired with flowing palazzos or kurta or kurti sets with organza dupattas or in kaftans and jumpsuits.

When you go to a traditional festive occasion and amid the fragrances of top notes, heart notes and base notes, you will find women in ethnic dresses, decked in traditional and modern jewellery all the way from family heirlooms to fashion jewellery. When it comes to Pakistani ethnic wear sarees, shalwar kameez and line-kurta pishwas always takes the lead. But there is more to that!

Festive season is here and people are already seeking inspiration about which clothes to wear to elevate their style. Our local designers and artisans have worked meticulously to provide us with the best designs this year. The wide range and variety of styles, cuts, patterns, embellishments and fabrics provides a little something for everyone’s style and aesthetic. From traditional all the way to modern, there is an ethnic dress style for you.

We have curated a thoughtful list of best designs for ethnic wear for festive occasions for you to seek inspiration from and to shop for formal wear. Some of the most popular and best selling colours of this year’s festive ethnic wear are maroon, lilac, teal, dark green, off white, magenta as well as all pastel shades.

• Coordination: Umer Mushtaq
• Hair & Makeup: Nabila Salon
• Designer & Jewellery: Nimra Kashif
• Jewellery: Kohar Jewellery
• Photography & Styling: 3H Hasan Habib Hashimi
• Featuring: Raahima Ali