With Eid festivities under way, it’s an appropriate time to shed light on two evening-wear trends, which when worn together, can strike a beautiful balance in a rather unconventional example of beauty. This look goes beyond conventional definitions of feminine glamour, doesn’t contain any ballgown-style skirts or colourful floral prints. Instead, it’s somewhat masculine-inspired, with the defining feature of the outfit being the power trouser. The second trend that’s worthy of mention here has been termed “the new romance” by fashion editors worldwide, and encompasses an eclectic mixture of textures and cuts, giving fairy-tale femininity a revamped, retro uplift.
Lately, I have been obsessing over the power trouser – you will have definitely seen it around. These days, leggy-looking style icons are a common sight, wearing ultra-flared white trousers, crisp and wonderful, or printed versions, dramatic and awe-inspiring. There’s nothing subtle about the power trouser – whether it’s worn on a formal occasion or for a more casual affair, it attracts attention and provokes thought. Combine this with pieces emblematic of the new romance trend, and you have an unexpectedly beautiful outfit, totally appropriate for this weekend’s Eid festivities.
The hardest part is finding the perfect power trouser. One that immediately caught my eye is the one pictured right – a traditional black-and-white woven kaffiyeh-scarf material used on wide-leg trousers, designed by Cecilie Copenhagen and available exclusively in the Middle East at Boutique 1. I find it easiest to work with monochrome trousers, because it gives you more flexibility with your top or blouse. It’s important to try on trousers when shopping. Don’t let long fitting room queues deter you – fit is of the utmost importance. You shouldn’t have a problem with the length, because that can be fixed with different heel heights, but you want to make sure the trousers hug you in the right places, are wide enough to achieve the dramatic effect and are flattering to your body shape.
Next, seek out a blouse for your ensemble. You may already have one hanging in your wardrobe. Because trousers, especially flared ones, can often come across as masculine, I like to pick out tops that carry an extra feminine touch. Lace is a prime example of a material to look for, and if your trousers are monochrome, you have complete freedom with colour. For that fresh new romance look, think about light nude and pastel shades. For a punchier, bold vibe, opt for jewel tones, or keep it classic in all black and white. Furthermore, seek out off-the-shoulder cuts for a head-to-toe on-trend summer ensemble.
Most women assume that when wearing wide-leg trousers, especially high-waisted versions, that shirts and blouses must be tucked in. While that’s often the preferred option, see how your outfit looks with your shirt untucked. If the top is on the longer side, the look could be really edgy and contemporary, but if it’s an awkward neither here-nor-there hemline, keep it tucked in, or you might end up looking mumsy.
Now you have a basic canvas, start adding accessories. This is the stage that will really dress up or down your look. With a pair of classic trainers or slip-ons, a tote bag and pair of stud earrings, you could have a great outfit for the day, appropriate for the workplace or lunchtime meetings. But with a pair of bejewelled heels, a beautiful cross-body bag or clutch and a statement necklace, your ensemble could definitely be considered evening wear – or Eid-wear, for a revitalising change from traditional kaftans and jalabiyas.
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
