When I first moved to Toronto with my parents in 1995, I denied myself colour. My clothes were mostly black, brown, or grey. I covered my long, thick hair with a scarf. My shoes were always boring and black. Then one day, I returned to Pakistan, the country of my birth, where I wore a ruby red outfit and loved it. Somehow, somewhere along the way, I had finally learned to like the way I look. More outfits in turquoise, orange, yellow, and pink followed. Last year, I moved back to Toronto, bringing with me this pair of vibrantly coloured khussas. I continue to wear them happily.