Falgun lookbook: Springing back to colours and fusion
Across the country, fashion labels and fashionistas are gearing up to celebrate spring’s arrival with a dazzling display of lively colours
As winter's grey embrace fades, we eagerly welcome the vibrance of spring, wrapping ourselves in the radiant hues of Basanta.
This season, shades of yellow, orange, and green take centre stage, painting the world with warmth and renewal. Across the country, fashion labels and fashionistas are gearing up to celebrate spring's arrival with a dazzling display of these lively colours.
"Shocking Pink and Sunset Orange are in trend this Falgun. Long kamiz (exceeding knee length) are also getting more and more popular," said Humaira Khan, a veteran designer and the founder of her titular brand Humaira Khan.
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Humaira believes that minimalistic designs and 'A cut' kurtis will continue to rule this year's festival as well.
"Anarkalis and Angargha are also likely to dominate the fashion scene," she added.
Play around with the blouse
"The golden rule of blouse styling is simple. Pair a monochrome blouse with a multicoloured saree and vice versa. Likewise, if your saree is heavily embellished, opt for a simple blouse, and if the saree is minimal, go for a statement blouse," shared fashion enthusiast Raisa Huda.
Raisa is also an advocate for experimenting with unconventional blouse choices.
"Fusion blouses are my absolute favourite. I often style my cami tops or crop tops as blouses. The market is now flooded with these tops, produced by Zara and H&M. Even a crop shirt or a tube top can be repurposed effortlessly," said the 17-year-old Gen Z fashionista.
However, a more nostalgic perspective came from Dr Shamima Haider, a general practitioner at a private hospital, who believes festivals like Falgun are an opportunity to embrace tradition.
"If you are aiming for a traditional look, consider Ghoti sleeves (puffed sleeves) or flared sleeves—just like the ones Rabindranath Tagore's heroines wore," she suggested.
Recycle the generational wardrobe
Maisha Mazhar, a student at Independent University of Bangladesh, believes that Pahela Falgun is the best festival to recycle your mother's or your grandmother's wardrobe.
"The colour palette of Falgun is so diverse that you don't have to put much thought into choosing a shari. Any vibrant shari in any pattern, be it tie-dye, polka dots or block print goes along like magic," she said.
Last year, Maisha recycled a lemon yellow kota shari from her grandmother's wardrobe.
"The rule is to go extra with the accessories. I paired up the shari with a handful of colourful bangles, all bought from the roadside vendors in front of Eden College. Since the shari was in a muted, sober hue, the striking bangles gave fun to my overall look," she added.
What the local boutiques have to offer
If you're on the lookout for cotton-based monochrome sarees with intricate handwork, local brand Bangal has just the collection for you. Their Falgun Drop features breezy cotton sarees adorned with contrast-coloured thread embroidery, perfect for the season.
The Ghuri Series offers elegant Kota fabric sarees with minimal embroidery and playful tassels, while their vibrant tie-dye saree collection is a must-have for those who love bold hues.
For exquisite block-printed cotton sarees, brands like Taysha and Khut are excellent choices. Pair these artisanal weaves with fresh flower jewellery to elevate your look with a touch of natural elegance.
If you are in search of salwar kamiz or kurtis, explore collections from Abohoman by Rufaida, Saimoon Amin Couture, Sashar Official, Swerve or Shesher Kobita Signature Boutique—each offering a unique blend of tradition and contemporary design.
Le Reve, one of the country's leading fashion and lifestyle brands, marks the season's beginning with the launch of its first summer capsule: the Falgun-Valentine Collection 2025.
"On the fashion calendar, spring is considered part of summer," said Monnujan Nargis, Chief Executive Director of Le Reve.
This year's collection from Le Reve is named Converge, symbolising harmony. Inspired by the fusion of technology and nature, the collection emphasises that technology, while transformative, remains deeply rooted in the natural world.
Monnujan Nargis added, "For this collection, we've chosen Glaze Cherry as the sentiment colour. The primary palette features a stunning range, including Mustard Yellow, Purple, Teal, Lava Red, Golden Brown, Black, Moss Green, Orange, Lavender, Mocha-Mousse, and various shades of blue."
