JOIN USAs the festive season kicks in, it is time to bring out your saris, lehenga-cholis, salwar kameezs and kurtis. Whether it is a puja at home, a Dussehra party, a dandiya raas, or a visit to a Durga pandal, a traditional attire is a must. And it is important to assemble your festival wardrobe wisely.
An ethnic outfit should always be the kind that makes you feel comfortable. Festivals mean standing for long hours, meeting a lot of people and taking part in rituals. So ensure that your outfit allows you a lot of movement and doesn’t force you to rush to the cloakroom often.
But if you are tired of the same old clothes and are keen on jazzing up your festival look, desi fusion should be your mantra. From lehengas to colourful long skirts, trendy tops to retro high-waist trousers, perfectly fitted denims to leather jackets, bomber jackets and sensuous body-con dresses, you can create fabulous fusions with right accessories and perfect mix-match. All this might seem daunting, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for festive fashion:
Simply saris
Nothing can match the elegance and sophistication of a sari. And this is the best season to try on different drapes. Sari has undergone an ultimate update this year, and you can always experiment with the desi edit. The advantage of wearing a sari is that it instantly gives you a traditional feel.
Well, haven’t we seen how saris have taken the runways by storm? You can pair your favourite six-yard wonder with a top or with a leather jacket. Blazers, denim jackets, shirts or beautifully designed blouses can give even any simple weave a whole new dimension.
If you are going in for a fusion look, and are planning to team your sari up with a sensuous leather jacket or a cold-shoulder top, don’t forget to complete your look with some cool pieces of jewellery. A maang tika, a body chain or a intricately crafted head adornment will add that extra oomph to the outfit. If you’re planning to finish your look with a pair of boots, try sporting a big bindi as well.
Bold metallics
The bling is definitely in! We all love to add that extra touch of glitter or shine to our clothes during festivals. This year, the trending 80s glam theme has introduced a million options in metallics. And the metallics rage is not restricted to clothes alone. Haven’t you seen a lot of metallic lipsticks and eye palettes doing the rounds?
Go for a bold metallic look this season with metallic jumpsuits and voluminous trousers. You can also get yourself a metallic lehenga-choli or salwar kameezs. As it’s all about wearing a statement outfit, why not try a metallic twin set or a blazer? Finish the look of with a metallic hand harness. You can always wear a metallic slogan tee and a pair of wide-leg denims for a day look and transition it to a night outfit by switching the jeans with an ethnic skirt or a dhoti pant.
Speaking of dhoti pants, this piece of clothing can instantly upgrade your look to make it desi. Whether you wear these with a classic white shirt or a long shrug, dhoti pants are a quick-fix traditional do. Try wearing dhoti pants with a metallic tube top and layer it with an ethnic dupatta. Don’t forget to wear a striking pair of earrings or big hoops.
Romantic ruffles
The lively and vivacious Latin ruffles and frills continue to be a popular trend. Ruffles and frills can be incorporated in any piece of clothing — tops, blouses, blazers and bottom wear. They can also be spotted on accessories such as bags and footwear. Ruffles give a fresh look to a dress or a shirt.
Give your plain dresses a miss and switch to a ruffled-flare dress. A ruffled dress with lace will be a win-win this festive season. Ruffles and frills spell romance. You add a few fresh flowers to your outfit to make it more festive. Instead of going for a pair of heels or sandals, wear a pair of sneakers or boots to complete your look. Ruffled
blouses and shirts will make you look more feminine. You can pair a ruffled blouse with a midi skirt for the morning, and a bodycon A-line skirt for your fun Dussehra party. A flowy frill dress with a pair of ruffled flats and a hat will definitely turn a few heads!
Classic kurtas
A kurta always comes as a saviour during festivals. Whether it is a small puja at home or occasions like Dussehra or Diwali, a kurta always comes to your rescue. From Chanderi silks to velvets, stripes to floral, sequinned to laced, anarkali to straight-cut, this go-to outfit comes in an array of styles.
If you are not too keen on wearing a traditional outfit, but want to have that ethnic flair, then wear your kurta with jeans and sneakers. Finish your look with jhumkas to look festive enough.
Ditch your simple straight-cut kurta for a boat-shaped or a deconstructed one. You can also opt for a Pathani kurta with a pair of linen or denim culottes. Shirt-style kurtas look great with a pair of wide-leg trousers. Now is also the perfect time to try a faux-leather or snake-skin belt with your kurta.
Whether it’s Dussehra or any other festival, you must always think of ways in which your outfit can transition from daywear to evening wear. Make sure you choose stylish-but-comfortable footwear to go with it. This Dussehra, look stunning while gorging on a plate of festive delicacies and posing for selfies.