When was the last time you dressed up fully in ethnic wear? For me it was a zoom Diwali party last year – and even that included a few spoilsports who came in wearing t-shirts and shorts! But with the world opening up slowly, I’m extremely excited to celebrate this festive season like before.
I’ll get dressed in the most amazing Indian wear – complete with jewelry, fancy footwear, makeup, and stun the crowds. There’ll be pictures of me twirling, decking my house with flowers, and every little stereotype that’s connected with each of the upcoming festivities. Why? Because I’ve missed doing this!
So, how to dress for such occasions perfectly, you might ask? I’m making my ethnic wear cocktail with equal parts ease and comfort, and equal amounts of glitz, all served with a twist! Check out the fantastic traditional outfits I’m styling a little differently this year.
Dhoti On My Mind
Bringing this genius outfit into womenswear was a masterstroke. The Dhoti is stylish, comfy, breezy, traditional, lightweight, and can be styled with just about anything. Wear it with a relaxed kurta (psst… I’m borrowing this from the men’s section), or a crop top, or a cami, or a strappy kurti, or a pre-draped saree – a dhoti will continue to look stunning with all!
To make it even more unique, add to the mix a silver ankle kada or those stunning handcrafted wedges you’ve had your eyes on.
Sharara, Sharara
The best part about sharara sets is that you don’t need to fixate much on the accessories. This gorgeous pair of Indian trousers can make a statement, unlike any other garment. Try printed ones with mellow kurtas or matching prints, or even try the boldest statement with flared sleeved kurtis and exaggerated shararas. Drape a dupatta, or not – totally up to you!
No need to be subtle. Style these with chunky jhumkis or chaandbaalis, mojris, and cute hair updos.
6 Yards Of Chic
Sarees have always been the love of my life. It’s simple – you wear a saree and you’re instantly transformed into your most beautiful, most graceful, and most exotic self! But draping (and maintaining) a classic saree may be a little hard after being out of touch for so long. So try a pre-draped one or a dhoti saree or a pant saree without the hassle of holding it together for the whole night.
Styling tips for this perfect outfit? Try cinching your waist with an oversized belt, and flair your look with high heels.
Cropped Fusion
Cropped lengths have been in trend for a long time, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Be it crop tops that can be paired with long skirts, shararas or dhotis, or salwars or be worn as blouses with sarees, or cropped pants or salwars that pair perfectly with anarkalis or straight kurtas.
Play with lengths, when wearing anything cropped. If you’re thinking of a cute crop top, pair it with a longline jacket or dupatta. If you’re going with an ankle-length skirt or pants, wear longer kurtas.
Pataka Colors
The time has never been right for hot, stylish, neons and vivid colors. People have stayed home in monochromes for over a year and all they want to look at are stunning contrasts. Get experimenting and mix and match colors that don’t usually go together. Pair stunning yellows, hot pinks, and lime greens with monochromes to pop out of the crowd. We just survived a pandemic- rules have gone out the window.
Of course, the classics still work – pair the brighter hues with mellower shades, darks with lights, and glitzy outfits with solids. But the world is your canvas, so try anything and everything before you finalize.
We Heart Jackets
When in doubt, cover up with an ethnic jacket. There’s nothing easier to slip into that can immediately turn your casuals into traditional wear, your monochromes into bright hues, and your usual choices into something special. A great ethnic jacket will work on jeans, skirts, dresses, kurta sets, sarees, and everything in between.
If you need help styling an ethnic jacket, you’re doing something wrong – the beauty of these cover-ups is that they well with everything. Just choose your colors and you’re good to go!