Zahra Sandberg is an American lifestyle blogger with a proud Pakistani heritage. Her style reflects both her cultural heritage and the western style influences that living in the US has imparted on her wardrobe.
We sat down with Zahra of Love Zahra to find out about Ramadan 2017, Eid outfit ideas and what she’ll be up to with family and friends to celebrate Eid.
1. Where will you be celebrating Eid this year? And who with?
For Eid prayer service in the morning, we go to the Masjid with our family which includes my husband, our son and daughter, and my brother's family. After prayers we head over to one of our homes for lunch and family time. We’ve carried on the tradition our parents had with us, to give the each child a cash gift. I remember my dad would make a special trip to the bank to get brand new crisp bills to give us.The rest of my family still lives in California so we have a much smaller get together than I’m used to, but there is a lot of FaceTime going on that day to make up for it. Later in the evening we get together with friends and stay up late hanging out and of course, eating quite a bit of food.
2. Which key pieces will you be investing in for your Eid wardrobe?
I always factor in the price per wear when I shop, so the pieces I invest in the most are definitely my handbags and shoes. I’ve had some of my favorite bags and shoes for many years and I still love them just as much as I did when I bought them. Like my Valentino slingback sandals - I saved up for a long time to get them as they were one of my first big shoe investments a few years ago, but I’ve worn them more times than I can count and I still love them just as much as I ever did.
I also like to invest in great pieces that I know will always be in style, like silk button-down blouses, tailored blazers, and jewelry.
3. How do you usually style your Eid outfits?
Some years on Eid I will wear traditional Pakistani clothes and on others I wear Western, but the same styling rules apply either way. If I’m wearing something really simple and elegant, I’ll add a statement piece like a bold pair of heels or a great pair of oversized earrings. If the dress has a lot going on, if it’s brightly colored or heavily embellished, I’ll keep everything else pretty neutral to compliment it. I’ve almost completely worn out my Stuart Weitzman ‘Nudist’ sandals because they go with pretty much everything. Balance is really the key.
If I’m wearing traditional Pakistani clothes, I like to wear an amazing heel, like the Valentino slingbacks below and clutch bag to complement it. In my culture Eid is the time to go full on glam - so to celebrate, we like to break out in bright colors, bold jewelry, and as much bling and sparkle as we can.
4. What are you most looking forward during Ramadan and Eid this year?
There is so much I love about Ramadan. I like to joke that it's the one month of the year you make up for a year's worth of sinning. One of my favorite parts is waking up for the pre-dawn meal, and catching up on social media with all of my friends and family who are also up. It’s like this secret club and it really brings a sense of community when we are normally too wrapped up in our own lives to make the effort. In our family, we also make a Ramadan calendar for my son Adam, sort of like an Advent calendar counting down to Eid - and each day a fun activity is revealed like a trip to the park, or a swim in the pool. It makes Ramadan fun for kids even if they aren’t fasting. Ramadan is about so much more than abstaining from food, for example while fasting you also don’t engage in bad habits like backbiting or even speaking loudly in anger - it is really a soul-cleansing month.
5. For our audience who will be celebrating Eid, do you have any style tips or must-buy items they should consider so they can achieve a similar look?
Floral prints and maxi dresses are currently trending, so there are plenty to choose from on Farfetch for a similar style to my look. Also exciting to note that recently many designers have included styles for modest dressers, so there are quite a few great options available with long sleeves! I would look for dresses with details like ruffles, cut outs, or bows to really keep the look fresh. My styling tip would be - don't be afraid to pair a feminine maxi dress with something tough like a biker jacket or even studded ankle boots, the contrast will definitely elevate the whole look.
6. What would be your most coveted item from Farfetch to wear for Eid celebrations?
The No. 21 iconic bow clutch with the bird patch. It is like wearing a piece of art on your arm. And I also love these flat sandals from Valentino - the Rockstud detail has surpassed being trendy and is now an iconic Valentino style. This year Eid is going to be during the summer so the light color is great and the flat heel is perfect for hosting Eid parties at home.
Thank you to Love Zahra for taking part in the Style Guide interview. To shop modest dresses, floral maxi dressed and chic styles for Eid celebrations then take a look at our special Ramadan and Eid edit by clicking below.