The drama serial Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum has taken the Pakistani entertainment scene with a storm.
The Phir Story’s virtual poll showed over 75% followers currently watching the series. What can we say, we're hooked too!
The star of the show for us is Sharjeena, played flawlessly by the vivacious Hania Amir. Hats off to whoever cast her in that role! They couldn’t have made a better choice. If you’ve got beef with that statement then hang tight because we’ve got reason to back our claim.
While we scoured the web for some insight into her wardrobe for inspiration, we realized people were throwing the KBKT team major shade for how they dressed her. Many felt the character’s clothes made her appear underwhelming and frumpy. Some were very disappointed with the fact that Sharjeena looked too much like ‘a middle class girl’. We couldn’t help but be amused as it dawned on us that people somehow completely missed the point of what the character was all about.
Sharjeena’s character is unique in mainstream media because it somehow manages to be relatable to women not just in Pakistan, but the Pakistani diaspora as well.
The character embodies a woman who obviously holds on to tradition and its value in her own life and that of her loved ones. Yet somehow she is on the cusp of breaking past the baggage of traditions that weigh her down and are in conflict with her inherent values as a person.
The character is set up to be a woman who knows her mind and isn’t fearful of showing it. She wants to be respected and accepted for who she is. There is no pretentiousness, nor any attempt to seek approval. When something needs doing, it is simply done. She’s smart, yet humble. She’s self aware but also exceptionally empathetic. She’s accepting of her circumstances, but capable of turning them around to her likeness.
Some may take issue with the entire premise of the series being based on her one big decision to do something for her family because “log kiya kahain ge”, arguing that it takes away from the heart of the character’s setup of being level-headed. While true, we feel what they’ve tried to portray is a woman who isn’t some hero who will turn the world on its head, but is taking her small wins, and trying to balance herself against her choices. Her choices aren’t always easy. It is perhaps this very aspect of hers that makes her so relatable to many.
So why is Hania a great choice? Well apparently, Hania is everything worshipped among Pakistanis. A fair-skinned doe eyed beauty with a youthful face and dimple to top it all off. Apparently, she’s perfect. Her character however, takes the obvious and spins it on its head. Sharjeena contradicts all notions of a perfect bahu, biwi, and woman and comes forward as simply a decent human. Any decent human would make some effort towards their relations, until forced to do so otherwise. She isn’t afraid to say it as it is.
So what’s all this got to do with what she’s wearing?
Well, for starters, Sharjeena is meant to be a representation of the middle class. She also happens to be married to a broke man and isn’t exactly making a killing herself just yet. Affordable, versatile, easy to maintain clothing makes a lot of sense for her.
We will go as far as to say that the choice of Zara Shahjahan for casuals and Faiza Saqlain for formals does great justice to both the brands and Hania’s character. Sharjeena is the optimal muse for them both.
A printed and embroidered kameez paired with a versatile white dupatta and shalwar is always a favorite for errands and day-to-day business. Kurtas with pockets take brownie points! Simple three piece outfits are something we all reach for when it comes to casual family gatherings and friendly dinners.
Nothing beats an anarkali or gharara for formal events where you have to dance to through the night. What are you talking about people, the girl got it right!
We like that she doesn’t go to bed with makeup on (most days we don’t either, we just forget some days). We also like that she doesn’t always have perfect hair (neither do we). She’s a normal human, and we like to think we are as well. The blue contacts were the only things we could’ve done without. Who’s idea was that? No, the blue eyes did not hypnotize.
Overall Sharjeena's look is what we need to see more of. Her wardrobe shows us how versatile and sustainable slow fashion can be.
We bet you can find a few pieces in your closet to easily recreate her look, if you haven't been doing it already. If you were Sharjeena, what would you wear? TPS has some outfits we think Sharjeena would definitely reach for! (and they're easy on the pocket too!)
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