A sliver of the moon gleams in the still night sky, steadily waxing toward a fully luminescent orb of hope. From the sky’s moonlit eyes, twinkling with praise, a searing breeze subliminally blows through the windows of Anabel Taylor Hall, as the run-down Gothic structure palpitates with God’s mercy.
We find ourselves just weeks out from Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking the final day of Ramadan — the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an inspiriting occasion filled with community festivities, gratitude and spiritual rejuvenation following a peaceful month of daily fasting. I always look forward to the luminescent holiday, awaiting to reap the blissfully incandescent rewards from observing a month of discipline.
Muslims often celebrate the holiday with special prayers, charity, gifts and other joyous community activities. While the spiritual facet takes center stage, a key tradition for many Muslims is to wear pristine, clean clothes to presentably enter a new holy month with their newfound sense of discipline and serenity.
As we slowly approach the end of this blessed month, you may have been spending odd hours in the night awaiting Suhoor, scrolling through Pinterest to plan your Eid outfit. To help reduce your chronically high screen time, here is my list of must-see fashion trends for this year’s Eid festivities.
- Pastel Butterfly Dresses and Kaftans
Conveniently, Eid 2026 falls close to the vernal equinox, a day exuding pure rejuvenation. We anticipate, Ithaca-willing, the glimmering sun to reflect off our dresses and the searing breeze to elegantly blow the flowy fabrics against our skin.
To honor the convergence of these refreshing seasons, pastel dresses are the way to go. More specifically, pastel butterfly dresses or kaftans. In fact, the most in-style colors for 2026 are pastel shades, like sky blue, pistachio green, lilac and soft pinks.
These gorgeous, feminine tones offer us a divergence from the bold, metallic dresses popularized during past years, truly aligning with the spiritual serenity of the holiday. Given the simplicity of pastels, quintessential butterfly silhouettes can offer a visual break and add dimension to just about any look.
Pro tip: Choose quality fabrics, like satin, linen or chiffon, that drape gracefully to add texture to your monochromatic pastel dress.
- Satin Ombre Abayas
As we’re closing off the dreary winter chapter and are no longer plagued by seasonal depression, we find ourselves entering the blossoming spring with a newfound sense of peace. Our fashion choices for Eid should undoubtedly reflect that.
I think majestic ombre abayas are simply the way forward. They’re light, airy and oh so comfortable, while still radiating quiet luxury. By pairing elegance with versatility and comfort, these fluid abayas will surely recolor your achromatic feed. With their graceful draping and subtle asymmetry, your dress will flow and evince the energy of your calmed soul.
- Natural Glam
The beauty of make-up is not in concealing your features but rather enhancing them. As Ramadan allows us to find our true selves, let your make-up reflect the glowing light of love in your heart with a minimalist but glowy technique.
Wear a light coverage foundation to allow the world to see the enchanting noor on your face. To allow your skin to gleam under the sunlight, make sure to use highlighter with hues that complement your dress.
While some may still feel dubious of using blush, I am completely here for relentlessly lathering your face in your favorite rosy blush. By using a draped blush technique, you can effortlessly accentuate your bone structure. And don’t forget to wear glittery eye shadow to subtly add some spice to this striking look.
Ultimately, your natural glam should showcase your unrivaled originality — so find your style and wear it authentically and unapologetically.
- Bold Yet Chic Jewelry
Now, despite the simple dresses and glam, I think your jewelry must steal the show. So, feel free to let your boldness shine through your accessories. The more ornate, the better.
For starters, hand chains are the way of the future. I mean, in this economy, why wouldn’t you want a ring and bracelet for the price of one jewelry piece? Bonus points if you use this as an opportunity to honor your traditional roots with flashy earrings and chunky, carefully patterned bangles.
Whether you celebrate Eid or not, keep these gorgeous styles in mind as we feel the first touch of spring gently fluttering about the Cornell campus. As you peruse through Pinterest and plan future Instagram captions, take advantage of the booming sales of this beneficent season to explore a new side of fashion — the side of modesty that has been for so-long a taboo.
Ava Tafreshi is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a staff writer for the Arts & Culture department and can be reached at atafreshi@cornellsun.com.
