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EID OOTD: The Meeting of Two Cultures
Friday, August 09, 2013
Hi hi hi!
Hasn't Ramadhan just flown by this year? I guess we say that every year though, time marches on endlessly and if you look away for just a fleeting moment, you'll find days or weeks have passed without you realising. Perhaps the delerium of working in a non-AC building in 30C temperatures without food or water for 18 hours each day played its part, but at times I felt like I was that car in the music video for Snow Patrol's 'Open Your Eyes' - drifting around at high speed in a bit of a daze!
Still, I was sad to see Ramadhan end. Those of you who aren't Muslim might wonder why on earth we'd be sad to see it end, but to find out the answer to that question all you have to do is spend a day fasting with a Muslim family and you'll see why - the atmosphere is just so special.
Last year pretty much all Muslims celebrated Eid, or the end of Ramadhan, on the same day. This might not seem like a big deal but believe me it rarely happens. This year there was a bit of a split, as Saudi declared they had sighted the new moon, when all the science indicated it was most likely only possible to see it in South America. Other countries, like Oman and Pakistan didn't sight it until the next night so we were split a little. Either way, Eid had arrived! :)
Usually in the UK we find out about the end of Ramadhan a few hours ahead of time, so this usually prompts every Muslim in Britain to go out and do some last minute Eid shopping - at the same time. Groceries for the big meal, sweets for desserts, toilet paper for the aftermath, presents for relatives that announced a last-minute visit, guys getting their trademark 'no back and sides' at the barbers, renting out fast cars, girls getting in some last minute eyebrow threading or facials or even a new outfit...
This year though, I made the (slightly) controversial decision to not buy a new outfit. Ok, be honest. How many of you just spat out your coffee in shock? Seriously though, I own way too many clothes and I'd been thinking this Ramadhan how we all go out shopping for a brand new Eid outfit every single year. I didn't want another disposable Indian outfit that would only ever be left to gather dust afterwards.
So this year I paired last year's Eid Ul-Fitr top from my Sari (known as a Choli) and paired it with my new favorite laced dip hem skirt from Forever21. Beneath the Choli, I wore a lace sleeved top all wrapped up with a gold studded belt. I think the outfit sums me up pretty well actually - bright, fun and a mixture of Eastern and Western influences.
That's quite important for me actually, as I often get asked what ethnicity I am or 'Where are you from?' I guess if you're not from a minority background you may not understand exactly how frustrating that can be sometimes, it's almost as if it's a qualifying question that will determine the nature of any future interactions whether that be with Asian or White people. Me? I'm Indian, but 'home' is Britain and being both Indian and British can be a challenge.
I love both Western and Eastern clothing. I love my skirts, vests and dresses but I also love my Saris, Bindis, Mehndi and even the occasional Kameez but often we stick to just one or the other, why can't we have both? Yesterday, I had my cake and ate it (in more ways than one!)
Turquoise and Blue Silver Embellished Choli - Karol Bagh Market, New Delhi
Blacked Lace Dip Hem Skirt - Forever21
3/4 Sleeved Black Lace Top - Topshop
Gold Medallion Hand Harness - Topshop
I bought the Hand-Harness last year and every time I look at it, I think how it looks like it's a chunk from a Belly Dancer's belt, ha!
As for the outfit, I was a little surprised at just how well these two cultures fused together. I've definitely found a new use for the rest of my Cholis. Whatever this path I'm on is, It's totally new. And I like it.
Until next time..
34 comments
Halima you look absolutely stunning!! I love your Eid outfit and loving your nails too!
ReplyDeleteAh I know what you mean about getting asked where you are from and I always get the 'but you don't really act Nigerian' from my fellow Nigerians haha.
Eid Mubarak :)
Saadiya x
www.thatgirlsaadiya.blogspot.com
Thank God I ain't the only one that finds it annoying. I've now resorted to throwing out any ethnicity when asked that question, it keeps their mouth shut (for the goodness of mankind!).
Deletexo
& Kher Mubarak my love! Hope you had a lovely day. :)
Deletexo
bahaha, I thought it was a dress *shame face* well looks like one, so sticking to it. So GORGEOUS. I want some henna now (oh here's the I wants coming)
ReplyDeleteAnd there's the 4am nails ;-) glitter goop, funky.
Oh that ethnicity Q. I get it all the time but they always follow it up with, 'are you asian?' , ' are you hispanic?' ...Mmm I'm just me.
Love you xoxo
Oh aye, you need henna in your life. Test it out, if you like the look of the patterns, get it tattoo'd ;)
DeleteI love our 4am conversations <3 Chatting absolute tripe. Praise the lord the camera didn't pick up on the gloop *cackles*
Next time tell them you're from the North Pole and that you are an escapee from Santa's sweat shop, ha!
La-La-LAV-YOU.
xo
I love everything about this outfit!! It goes together so well :)
ReplyDeleteSweet blog, would you like to follow each other?
xx
Sophisticated Lace
Thank you.
DeleteI don't do follow for a follow. I will follow your blog if I like it. Taaaa!
I LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous :)
Thank you petal!
Deletexo
This is the most innovative Eid outfit I've ever seen. It could only be you who can pull this off :)
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteThank you, Shifa! I'll now be mixing up my Asian clober with the rest of my wardrobes.
xo
Very cute outfit. Love the henna! ^_^ and love your new layout!! x
ReplyDeleteMaria xx
thefashionsucker.blogspot.dk
Thanks, Maria! The new header was created by the super talented Leeli from http://littleleeli.blogspot.co.uk/
Deletexo
You look amazing! I'm glad you enjoyed Eid, there were alot of parties around here I even saw some guy puking in the street shouting "EID!!!' and asking where a pool hole was.
ReplyDeleteLOOOOOL. This made me LAUGH OUT LOUD. Bet he had a sore head the next morning.
Delete& thank you m'love.
xo
Eid Mubarak :) and i definitely done some last min eid shopping clothes, eyebrows, henna the whole lot haha, love the outfit you look lovely! New follower xx
ReplyDelete~ VISUALCANDY INC ♥
Thank you m'dear! Kher Mubarak. Hope you had a lovely Eid.
DeleteCan't remember the last time I got my eyebrows threaded, ha!
xo
I love mixing my western and eastern clothes! This year I got my sis to sew me two dresses since I rarely wear traditional clothes :D hope you had a lovely Eid x
ReplyDeletelittleleeli.blogspot.co.uk
I've just seen your Eid outfits, they look incredible! WELL JEL.
Deletexo
Eid Mubarak! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the colours of your outfit. Really pretty :)
I get the ethnicity question a lot too! haha!
I always get the 'you don't look Pakistani though?!' Oh well. What can ya do right?
Makeup is beautiful as always :)
hareem x
Wow love the outfit. Love how original and creative you are. Hope you had a lovely Eid :)
ReplyDeleteI recently started my own blog, pls check it out if you can
Maryam
Xxx
awWW you look hot! hope you had a lovely eid ;) xx
ReplyDeleteLove your style Halima! Hope you've had a great Eid xx
ReplyDeleteFab combo! :) really like the hand harness too - I got one as a birthday prezzie but it hasn't seen the light of day yet!!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely eid :) x
Lovely combo! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you mix styles from the east and west and I adore this look, especially the bright colours :)
ReplyDeleteWow I soooo love and admire your style Halima! You look stunning with the makeup you're wearing, and the henna looks lovely on your skin. Your hair is lushhhh too :D xxx
ReplyDeleteGemma | ♥ Miss Makeup Magpie ♥
This is fab - such a fun mix of west and east. I love it - you look gorgeous. I know its late but Eid Mubarak lovely xxx
ReplyDeleteI think you utterly amazing. I love the mix of styles, you totally own it. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on my blog, I'm thinking that soon I will try and do some photos of all my minifigures in one shot, like they are posing for one of those all-school photos!
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog Halima! Ramadhan seems like such a lovely tradition (didn't know a great deal about it until reading your post) sounds like you had an ace celebration and I love your outfit!
ReplyDeleteI've always thought Sari's are beautiful and glamorous; love your styling on this outfit!
Followed you on gfc and bloglovin and look forward to reading your future posts:)
Alex x
allurescent.blogspot.co.uk
I've followed you on Instagram for the longest time, and had no idea you owned a blog!
ReplyDeleteYour make-up here is absolutely amazing, and I love the way your top matches your hair...
bethanyxalice.blogspot.com xxx
I have no idea how I ended up here but I love your blog already!!! I love your outfit, your nails, your makeup and YOUR HAIR!!!!! Definitely your newest follower!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll share this at "That's my Style" Link Party TOMORROW!!! I would love to see you there. :)
Karla @ www.MySerendipitousLife.com
this is seriously amazing! Love how you've combined the two garments, making them both look amazing! That top is a `retty amazing item! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! It's so interesting to find these personal posts nestled between others! You looked great! I love the mix of the clothing!
ReplyDeleteNew follower!
www.betsyboat.com