FASHION TRENDS that should come back this summer

May: air conditioners running themselves ragged, refrigerators stocking up on cold water and fruit juices and the electricity, as always, playing a hideous game of 'tag and run'. Summer, in all its scorching 40 degrees glory, is here.
As I go through my wardrobe to change into something a little less stifling, I think of days past and the trends they had; clothes and accessories that were so much more comfortable to wear in temperatures that boil our brains and kill our moods. Bear with me as I go on about each of them and maybe we could bring back a few of our old wardrobe favourites together..
 

Culottes: They are the ancestors of today's' much beloved palazzo pants. From the same family as palazzos, harems and Turkish pants, culottes are the height of how loose your pants can get (pun NOT intended). They are essentially long skirts with dividers in between. With these on, not only will you be the most fashion-forward one in the room, but also the one with the most air passing between your legs. What else do we really need in life?
Balloon skirts: For those of you who like to be comfortable while making bold fashion statements [provided you have nicer legs]. Dhaka might be teeming with relatives who would be scandalised at the sight of us in a skirt, but many of us are rebellious enough to wear them anyway. Why not, then, put on skirts that are equal parts comfortable and fun to look at? Little tip from my fashion designer mother though: the longer the legs, the more amazing they look in balloon skirts.
Gypsy Skirts: They were all the rage in the '70s but we probably remember them better from the early 2000s, when nearly every fashion-savvy girl would be donning these with pigeon-necklined tops. The overall effect was one of immense comfort (depending on the fabric of course) while also doing wonders to your cute quotient.
 

Bell bottom and balloon sleeves: Having covered the bottoms, let's move on to their upper counterparts. Given the heat, what comes to mind are funky, flowy sleeves. Bellbottom sleeves are very retro and very good at hiding those flabby arms we're too lazy to get rid of. Balloon sleeves, meanwhile, are funkier, bolder and admittedly more suitable for a well toned upper body.
Oversized shirts: Whether it is the alluring, just-got-off-my-bed look you want to pull off, or the I'm-too-tomboyish-to-dress-up one, or simply because you're like me and want to look thinner, oversized shirts from the '80s and '90s are the ideal go-to option this season.
Short kameez with shalwars: It is everyday that I thank the fashion lords of the country (my mother included) for bringing back long, flowy kameezes and loose, straight pants. But on the rare occasions that I put on an old short kameez with a loose shalwar, the feeling is absolute bliss. They're comfortable and can be made to look just as pretty as a modern day Sana Safinaz.
Long-forgotten prints: Colourful and vibrant, chunris was an absolute ga-e holud favourite. The fabric would be so soft and slippery that they made dancing on stage comfortable. Imagine chunris being made into simple shirts, tops or kurtis. Worn with simple pants, these would look incredibly funky.
The same can be done with hand paints and tie-dyes. Pastel shades or vibrant colours, they would be the perfect shot of colour for this summer.
Accessories: I covered the bottoms, the tops and even their Asian counterparts. When it comes to accessories, the key factor in my opinion is splashes of colour, something which catches the eye. Miraculously achieving a balance between being funky as well as beating the heat, cloth headbands of the '60s are a personal favourite.

Your Turn, Boys.

The prep school/ I'm A golfer look: You know the one. Smart pants, collar shirt, neat hair. Perhaps a light sweater around the shoulder too, but let's save that for winter, shall we? If you're already thinking of a violin and maple leaves blowing, I believe I've found my soul mate. If you'd rather not be associated with Bollywood however, consider the comfort. It looks clean, it looks posh. What's not to like?
Bolder colours: It does take a real man to pull off pink. The same goes for other bold colours and prints. I'm not saying crazy patterns and bell bottom pants, because those are still creepy. But if you're comfortable with your masculinity, you can wear pink shirts and red pants.
Finally, the ultimate wardrobe basic.
In our haste to win the fashion rat race of looking more colourful and unique, many of us seem to underestimate the grandfather of all fashion trends -- the white tee and blue denim. It's simple and safe; you just can't go wrong with it.
I could honestly go on and on, but I doubt I'd have much of an audience left. Here's hoping, therefore, that the summer brings with it a little less heat and lot more colours and beauty. Both in our wardrobes and our lives. Cheers!