I’m a shopaholic -- consider this my little confession. By admitting to my guilty compulsions, I like to think I’m doing reluctant shoppers a favour. My vast experience, after all, might come in handy for anyone contemplating Eid spending.
I almost take pride in my sprees: supermarket runs for a simple cake of unsalted butter, trips to Naya Bazar in search of old broken chairs, bargain hunts in Chiragali Tongi, terracotta planters from Joydebpur, or even innocent window shopping after iftar. Each errand, each indulgence, carries its own charm.
From narrow lanes in Sadarghat to Azampur and beyond Dhaka’s borders, I know where to find what, and honestly, shopping feels like my forte. I could even apply to be a personal shopper; if anyone’s looking, just knock, or simply follow along in the My Dhaka column and let my adventures guide yours.
Eid season magnifies this obsession: fairs, stalls, and even online marketplaces become my playground.
The buzz of Eid fairs
First, you must make it a point to visit the numerous fairs and exhibition sales, Eid souks popping up all over the city. They are perfect for quick, spirited shopping.
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I love visiting these fairs because they give you a snapshot of what’s trending this Ramadan -- the colour chart, cuts, and combinations of the season. This time, however, I’ll skip clothing and concentrate only on the small yet important tips that shape fashion, talk about the trending styles, and touch base with unusual iftar menus that are making waves this season. I’ve got you covered, somewhat!
Spotlight on trends
For instance, faux replicas of South Indian temple jewellery are the current favourites among Dhaka ladies. Whether online or in marketplaces like Chandni Chowk and Pink City, minakari enamel ornaments are everywhere, overtaking our obsession with gold‑ and silver‑plated jewellery. With gold prices skyrocketing, these trinkets and charms help the ladies with the very important part of dressing up, that is, accessorising.
Another hot item is anti‑tarnish imported 316L stainless steel uber chic jewellery from China, which has surely replaced our bias for traditional South Asian ornament designs made from City gold, which mimics solid gold while being crafted from copper or brass with a durable gold coating.
Waterproof and affordable, stainless‑steel jewellery is often found in copied designs from high‑end brands, and at the same time, you find fashionable trinkets designed by emerging designers in the jewellery and accessories industry. The minimalist designs of this anti-tarnish stainless steel small jewellery resonate with people who prefer chic and understated accessory options.
This is one fast‑fashion item you’ll find everywhere -- from footpath stalls to posh shops -- starting at as low as Tk 100 and going up to Tk 500. This affordability has allowed the toiling masses to indulge in buying and gifting swanky jewellery. It’s also the right choice as an affordable alternative to 925 sterling silver or city gold jewellery.
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Beyond accessories, what excites me most at these fairs is the bursts of creativity from young entrepreneurs.
Creativity on display
One of the joys of these exhibitions is the buzz of young entrepreneurs who channel their energy into all sorts of side projects, often beginning online to hawk their creativity. Teenagers and young adults are bursting with ideas, turning part‑time passions into small businesses.
Their stalls brim with clothes, jewellery, shoes, home accessories like bed linens, wooden kitchenware, dining sets, perfumed candles, and of course, plenty of imports from China. Though the market is flooded with Chinese products, their creativity only adds to the variety.
I’ve come across people who make their own scented candles, others who design jewellery, and even groups that bake pastries together. Everyone seems to be experimenting, creating, and sharing in their own way.
It’s not just the young crowd, though; middle‑aged women and even retirees are trying their hand at making unique crafts. Hand‑painted trays, vases, and beautiful all-purpose hand-painted boxes in subtle pastel shades of soft pinks and yellows, muted greens, powder blue, and creams evoke a delicate Victorian-inspired aesthetic. And makes them the perfect item for your Eid table set-up.
At one show, I stumbled upon Écrite Jewelleries, a group selling mixed‑metal ornaments priced at just 10 taka per gram. The weigh‑and‑pay model is irresistible -- you end up buying gifts for cousins and friends without even realizing it.
In another fair, I came across Adibashi Bazar, offering the authentic taste of age‑old recipes of Adibashi cuisine that celebrates fresh, organic ingredients packed with unforgettable flavour.
One sip of the chicken mundi, a Marma noodle soup, I was sold, but the classic Bengali crepe, the Binni chal-er patishapta pitha (black sticky rice patishapta) found in the Chittagong region, was also a treat indeed.
The glutinous black rice flour gives the crepe a chewy texture and earthy flavour from being wok‑toasted. The patishata pitha is stuffed with coconut shavings and nolen gur (molasses).
I kept following them, and let me tell you, you’ll find them in the upcoming Gulshan Society Chand Raat Bazaar.
Box of Ornaments is another trusted online store selling ethnic jewellery influenced by the Chakma community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Though these are replicas made with metal instead of silver, they remain true to their fine silver coin‑with‑beads neck and ear ornaments, customised bangles, and waist belts too. They, too, will set up shop in the night bazaar.
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I’ll personally look for their beautiful wooden dolls dressed in traditional attire. If they are placed in decreasing order, they look like our version of Russian Matryoshka.
These fairs aren’t just about trends -- they’re about culture, heritage, and the joy of stumbling upon something truly unique.
The Virtual Marketplace
Beyond physical shopping lies the vast world of online retail. And if you prefer to skip the crowds, online shopping opens an even wider world. Honestly, the things I’ve bought online are unbelievable. From laundry detergent to Charlotte Tilbury lipstick, everything is just a click away.
The digital souks of Dhaka bring the same thrill to your fingertips.
A friend of mine -- an expat who recently returned to Dhaka -- told me that nearly 60 percent of her home décor items were purchased simply by scrolling social media platforms.
You’ll find a wooden charpoy or divan from Dinajpur, shatranjis from Rangpur, or Rajshahi’s nolen gur (liquid molasses, a Bengali’s ambrosia) -- all thoughtful and exclusive gift items. All these are delivered right to your doorstep in Dhaka.
It feels like the whole of Bangladesh is in your hands. You can access unique, region‑specific items with just a click, and they’ll be delivered straight to you.
On the other hand, I faced slight hiccups, but not much to complain about. I came across an inspiring story of the Bangladeshi leather industry through an online advertisement, WildWoven Leather Products. Designed and handcrafted by local artisans using only premium quality full‑grain leather, these products are a testament to craftsmanship.
A little research will tell you that full‑grain leather is the highest‑grade, durable leather crafted from the top layer of hide without sanding, preserving its natural, unique markings and strength.
Minimal yet functional accessories like long wallets, bifold or front‑pocket wallets, waist belts personalised to your fit, laptop sleeves, and sunglass cases in warm tones of English tan, espresso, crimson tide, jade black, twilight blue, forest green, and ombre make truly meaningful Eid gifts because they combine elegance, practicality, and longevity.
It’s astonishing how seamless shopping has become. Online browsing and purchasing deliver the same happy hormonal rush as doing it in person.
Final Word
So, whether you’re wandering through Eid fairs, exploring creative stalls, or scrolling through online shops, the city offers endless ways to indulge. As a confessed shopaholic, I say embrace it -- because shopping in Dhaka, especially during Eid, is nothing short of an adventure.
I’d love to believe this confessional market coverage will help many Dhaka residents with their Eid lists.
