Can we be honest with each other? Now, this isn’t a criticism (well it is a bit), and I really shouldn’t be saying this since I’m a little guilty of the tendency I’m about to describe (by a little, I mean a lot) but we Arabs have a knack to be a slightly extra. OK it’s more than just slightly.
Wedding you say? Glam squad, ready, evening dress steamed. Girls night out? Glam squad, ready, evening dress steamed. Movie at a friend’s house? Glam squad, ready, evening dress steamed. Hit the beach? Glam squad, ready, evening dress bikini steamed.
There’s nothing wrong with some contouring, hair teasing, hair spraying – did someone say sequins? Yes, turn me into a disco ball. Animal prints? Drape me . . . Velvet? Cover me!
Minimalism hasn’t really been part of our genetic fashion make up but being lavish and blinged up has a long and lustrous history in Arab fashion and style. And although it’s the aim to be a bit much, being a bit much can be a bit too much sometimes or all the time. Often or not we will find ourselves teetering on the edge of vulgarity only to dive into a pool of sequins head first and emerge out feeling fabulous. And then, we see photos of ourselves a few years later and ask, ‘what was I thinking?’
Despite the temptation, I need to tell you that it’s not always a good idea to look like a Real Housewife (insert your favourite franchise here). I don’t think the solution is to absolve our tendency for the bright and sparkly, but to be aware that there are more ways to develop our personal style.It’s been hard but sometimes we need to know when to put the hair spray down and the sequinned trousers back in the closet before we go grocery shopping.
Over the last few decades Arab women have really embraced the idea of being casual but not looking as though they’ve just rolled out of bed. And that doesn’t mean wearing stylish yoga and gym wear out and about. Please don’t do that.
It’s a fine art, it’s a balance to really pull off that casual chic look from head to toe, effortlessly, in a way that can translate from day to night and in some cases back to day again. We need some style inspiration.
Queen Rania, whose style we can’t ever fault is one of those Arab icons who has definitely nailed the idea of casual chic. So, if you need some inspiration here are our six favourite casual chic looks straight form her highness’s Instagram