Pahela Baishakh: Of bright colours, heritage motifs and contemporary flair
Pahela Baishakh fashion blends heritage handlooms with contemporary styles to mark the Bangla New Year in style
Among all the cultural festivities celebrated in Bangladesh, Pahela Baishakh holds a unique and cherished place in the hearts of Bangalis. It is a day of vibrant colours, traditional melodies, and renewed hope, celebrated under the scorching April sun, where colours come alive and fashion finds new meaning.
While the classic red and white sari remains an enduring staple for Bangali women on this day, Pahela Baishakh fashion has undergone a significant evolution over the decades.
A journey through time
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Following Bangladesh's independence in 1971, there was a national resurgence in Bangali culture and fashion played a central role in this revival. During this time, handloom sharis, especially tangail, jamdani, and muslin styles, gained popularity for Pahela Baishakh. This was the time when designs began to incorporate more traditional motifs like alpana (folk art patterns), fish, owl, and floral elements, all reflective of rural life and folklore.
The '90s saw the rise of homegrown fashion houses such as Aarong, Anjan's, Deshal, and Kay Kraft, which revolutionised Pahela Baishakh fashion by merging traditional aesthetics with contemporary cuts. They introduced kurtis, fusion wear, and printed panjabis for younger generations. The red-white palette remained popular, but designers began experimenting with black, mustard, blue, and earthy tones.
In the 2000s, Pahela Baishakh became a more urban festival, especially in Dhaka. With televised cultural programs, social media, and campaigns by fashion brands, the festival became one of the biggest retail seasons of the year.
Clothing trends became more colourful, artistic, and gender-inclusive, and the use of eco-friendly materials grew. Designers began incorporating hand-painted or block-printed motifs, calligraphy, and even Baul music lyrics into clothing.
What's trending this year?
With Pahela Baishakh arriving just weeks after Eid-ul-Fitr this year, fashion trends from Eid have seamlessly blended into Baishakhi styles. One standout piece making waves is the Farshi Salwar.
Once a royal staple in Mughal courts, the Farshi Salwar derived from the Persian word "farsh", meaning floor is a voluminous, floor-length trouser that offers a dramatic, graceful silhouette. Traditionally worn in parts of Pakistan and northern India, it made a bold comeback this Eid through online fashion circles, and its popularity continues into Baishakh.
"I was hoping to find a Farshi Salwar set for Eid but couldn't find the right one. So, I decided to custom-make one for Baishakh instead. While red and white are the traditional colours for this festival, I believe any bright hue can capture the spirit of the day. I chose lime green for my outfit, and added a lace border with gold and red accents," shared Azmia Hossain, a student at Scholastica.
For those seeking ready-to-wear Farshi sets, premium labels like Sahar Rahman Couture, Zubaida Faiza Clothing, and Humaira Khan are great places to explore.
Another trend that has made its mark, both during Eid and now for Boishakh, is the co-ord set. These matching top and bottom in loose fitting offer style and comfort, making them ideal for festive days filled with activities. Amirá is one such brand offering a wide range of co-ords in vibrant prints and breathable fabrics, perfect for a stylish Pahela Baishakh celebration.
An ode to natural fabric and hand-loomed shari
Even though the market is heavily saturated with imported and synthetic fabrics, the Baishakh fashion is mostly dominated by natural and handloomed fabrics.
Fabrics like cotton, linen, khadi, taant take the centre stage here.
"A white cotton shari with red border is the ultimate Baishakh wear and nothing can beat that. Red is such a rich colour that it doesn't even need any further embellishment," said Sadia Roshni Suchana, model and host.
For this Baishakh, Sadia chose a red shari and paired it with an orange blouse.
Local brands such as Lunika, Bangal, Na Hanyate, Khacha, Khut, Kirty, and Shorodindu are offering a wide variety of cotton-based sarees in eye-catching colours, artistic prints, and subtle adornments.
Baishakhi sharis are especially known for their comfort, vivid colour palettes, and minimalist design, in part due to the day-long celebrations under the intense April sun. Traditional techniques like block printing, natural dyeing, and tie-dye are widely popular.
While hand embroidery has always been a Baishakhi staple, newer elements like tassel detailing, lace work, and hand-painted motifs have started to enrich the festive look.
