Making an impression
Women in Bahrain are embracing this season's colours, fabrics, prints and silhouettes, with some global fashion trends even inspiring traditional outfits and modest wear, observes Maliha Obaid. She spoke to experts on the topic and has listed creative ideas for your wardrobe, coinciding with the festive weekend.
Seasonal hues
Pastels are dominating the runways this season, with light colours like butter yellow, powdery pink and pistachio green being some of the popular hues. Abayas in pastel shades are also increasingly popular among Arab women and can be paired with a white hijab.
'Light yellow has been trendy since last season but it wasn't until recently that people have adopted the colour,' said Bahraini freelance costume designer Fatima AlBastaki, who has almost a decade of experience in styling Arab celebrities.
Fine print and fabric
Floral designs and polka dots are recurring styles on the Spring-Summer 2025 runways, and are versatile too.
'Although I am not a pattern girl, the current trends and my love for blooms are making me lean into floral prints, especially the ones with a pop of colour,' said 22-year-old Bahraini fashion designer and entrepreneur Fatima Alturabi, who has had a penchant for fashion from a young age.
According to a report in Marie Claire, 'scarf prints' including intricate floral patterns and paisley motifs, typically found on scarves and embodying the 'dolce vita' spirit, are also popular this season.
AlBastaki noted that patterns like dantel (embroidered lace) are very common now while others like polka dots are making a comeback.
Skirts for days
Pleated skirts or 'the school skirt' and flouncy designs are among the popular global trends this summer, which can be adapted to suit the local sensitivities with full-length pieces.
'Skirts can be worn on occasions and can also be dressed down into a more casual outfit,' Alturabi, who likes to tailor her clothes herself, explained.
'I think silk skirts are nice but I don't recommend silk tops to avoid a possible transparent shape. Pieces like button-ups are a modest fashion staple and can be styled in many ways – they work well with long skirts,' she explained,.
AlBasktaki added that her favourite piece to style with a long skirt is a blazer.
'No matter what you wear, you can always style it to suit the modest aesthetic,' she highlighted.
Dress to impress
British Vogue says that 'nightie dresses', commonly designed with cotton poplin and silk, is 'this summer's answer to a throw-on dress' and we, at GulfWeekly couldn't agree more; it's reminiscent of the sun dress – a seasonal staple – or lacy Bohemian dresses that are turning heads on the runways.
'Maxi dresses have always been a go-to here in Bahrain. They just work with our weather and the way we dress and you can style them up or down.
'Women in the kingdom are more into simple styles and fabrics that feel light and breathable. I think it's all part of that shift towards effortless fashion pieces that still look elegant,' Alturabi noted.
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