Lebaran, also called Idul Fitri, is just around the corner. Have you already picked out your outfit to celebrate the feast day?

Following tradition, Muslims usually don new clothing for Lebaran to mark a fresh beginning after fasting 30 days during Ramadan. It is also important to look your best when visiting friends and families as a sign of silaturahmi(brotherhood) on the special day.

But some say this isn’t a strict rule.

“You don’t actually have to buy an all-new [outfit] for Lebaran. You can look in your wardrobe and wear what [you have],” said Dina Midiani, a fashion designer and trend expert of the Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC), a nonprofit that groups together the industry’s leading entrepreneurs and designers.

“You can then create a new look with creative mix-and-match, something that suits your character,” she added.

Dina said that fashion consisted of six major esthetics: alluring, artistic and expressive, classic and elegant, exotic and dramatic, sweet and feminine, and sporty.

“Everyone is usually made up of a combination of two or three fashion characteristics,” Dina said. “It’s important to recognize what yours is before deciding to follow a trend.”

‘White can never go wrong’

“People usually wear white on Lebaran to signify being pure again. Therefore, white can never go wrong on this occasion,” said Dina.

Besides white, simple outfits in soft or pastel colors are among the favorites to wear during the two-day holiday.

Japanese brand Uniqlo recently released its Modest Wear Spring/Summer 2022 collection that features clothing in soft hues.

“These colors represent modesty,” Uniqlo marketing representative Fryska Utami Meilyani told a prelaunch online press conference on March 17. “Besides, they're also easy to mix and match according to your personal style.”

Among the brand’s new seasonal collection are simple everyday items, such as dolman sleeve blouses, gowns made from rayon and Uniqlo’s Smart Ankle Pants, with a tapered silhouette.

“With the right mix-and-match, simple [items] can be stylish, too,” said Fryska.

Writer and influencer Nadhifa Allya Tsana, who was also present at the Uniqlo event, said she preferred wearing soft pastels for Idul Fitri.

“They’re cool to the eyes and emit youthful vibes,” said the author of Geez & Ann (2017).

Enliven with prints and bold colors

Although white and soft-toned outfits seem to be the favorites, clothing in bolder shades can also be worn for Idul Fitri.

“There’s actually no rule that we should wear white or pastels for Idul Fitri, but somehow those are what’s readily available for the season,” said Maggie Hutauruk-Eddy, founder and creative director of 2Madison Avenue.

“The way I see it, Indonesian skin looks amazing in vibrant colors,” she added.

For the Ramadan-Idul Fitri season, the homegrown ready-to-wear brand released a new collection themed “It’s Time!” on March 29 at the InterContinental Jakarta. It consists of outfits adorned with Balinese and Makassarese handwoven textiles, as well as prints designed by Yogyakarta visual artist and musician Soni Irawan.

Prints are definitely in style these days.

“Many Indonesians feel they’re suddenly lit up when they wear prints. Therefore, they’re much preferred during Idul Fitri and [other] festive seasons.” Linda Anggrea, creative director of Buttonscarves, told reporters during the virtual launch of its newest collection on March 30.

The Indonesian accessories and clothing brand’s Dubai Series, part of its special 6^th Anniversary Collection, feature square and pleated print scarves made of premium voile. Inspired by the luxury hub in the United Arab Emirates, they feature the city’s iconic landmarks as well as flowers.

“Women used to pair plain dresses with printed scarves and vice versa,” Linda said. “But now, they’re more willing to explore new possibilities. They no longer hesitate to combine contrasting colors and prints in their looks.”

Made in Indonesia

“Sustainable fashion is all the rage these days,” said the IFC’s trend expert, Dina. “But it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go through all the trouble of recycling and upcycling your clothes. When you buy outfits made of Indonesian textiles by local designers, you’ve massively reduced your carbon footprint.”

Dina added that more customers were becoming aware of this and proud to wear outfits by Indonesian designers.

Among the labels that incorporate traditional textiles into their designs is Ai Syarif 1965, which launched its Idul Fitri men’s and women’s smart-casual outfits at the opening of its flagship boutique on March 31 in Senayan Park, South Jakarta.

Made of batik and tenun (handwoven textiles), the sophisticated collection features clean-cut, streamlined silhouettes.

“Modest wear doesn’t only consist of caftans and baju kurung [tunics], but also modern casual items that are stylish and unrevealing,” founder and creative director Ai Syarif said during the boutique opening.

Senior fashion designer Itang Yunasz also released a new collection featuring East Nusa Tenggara tribal motifs during the Muslim Fashion Festival (Muffest), which was held on April 21 to 23 at the Ritz-Carlton Jakarta at Pacific Place shopping mall.

“Dresses imbued with traditional patterns look more festive. You’ll definitely stand out wearing them on Lebaran,” Itang said on April 13 at the Muffest 2022 virtual press conference.

In style in sarongs

According to Dina, sarongs are also expected to be a trend during Idul Fitri this year.

“Sarongs already have a strong Islamic aura. [They] also emit a chic, ethnic urban feel,” she said,

With their loose, tubular shape, sarongs are versatile. Indonesian men traditionally wore sarong as an outer lower garment that could also double as a shawl, makeshift wrap or a blanket when the weather turned cool.

These days, Muslim men still wear sarong during prayer. More recently, many have also started to follow President Jokowi’s style of combining a sarong with a shirt and jacket as formal wear.

A growing number of women have also started wearing sarong as a skirt, a shawl or a headscarf.

“In fact, sarong goes with any modern fashion item, [including] T-shirts, jackets, sneakers, as well as boots,” Dina said. “It’s comfortable to wear for a long period of time and feels cool to the body.”

Choose what works for you

Actress and entrepreneur Ayudia Chaerani advises dressing according to our body type.

“Don’t just go scrolling on the internet and follow any style [that appears] on social media,” she said during the Uniqlo press conference. “Everyone has their own unique body type. You should embrace it and learn what works for you.”

Tsana shares her view. “Don’t just follow an influencer’s style and lose your own identity,” she said.

It is best to plan outfits ahead of time for special occasions like Lebaran. Try several looks and find what makes you feel most comfortable and confident. If you’re still unsure, you can ask your friends and family for feedback.

“My advice for Lebaran is to enjoy yourself,” Dina underlined. “Wear what feels good for you. Wear it with style. And don’t forget to infuse a bit of local content into your look.”

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