If you are planning to be a showstopper at garba and dandiya nights, take cue from designers and stylists and rock the festive look. Designer Aditi Somani tells us, “Apart from the traditional touch to authentic garba outfits, there is a lot of modern twists. A lot of mix and match and eclectic styles are ruling dandiya nights this season.”
According to her, people are slowly moving away from traditional colours and opting for lighter, fresher hues like pastels.
However, lehengas still remain a favourite, but the focus has shifted from heavily-embellished garments to lighter ones which are comfortable and have minimalist embroidery. “Women can experiment with a lehenga saree or go for unconventional silhouettes, like dhoti pants or angrakhas. They can also wear an embellished skirt with a plain shirt,” says Somani who suggests that silk, raw silk, chiffon, georgette and tulle fabrics are in this season.
Talking about men’s fashion, she says right from bandhgalas to Nehru jackets and kurtas — everything has become more contemporary than ever before. “Silhouettes are slightly shorter in length. Detailing and design are the mainstay of menswear this year,” says Somani and suggests a few tips:
For Her
• You can wear a floral printed lehenga with a crop top or pair it with an ethnic choli and go for print over print.
• Ladies can choose pompom accessories, latkans, pompom cholis and pompom dupatta.
• Women can go for minimalist monchrome chaniya-cholis with bright bandhani dupattas, leheriya skirts and net dupatta. Bandhani jackets and turbans over colour blocked dhoti pants also look great.
For Him
• The hunks can sport a traditional kediya (traditional Gujarati outfit) or invest in a good ethnic jacket to be worn over a kurta-pyjama to make it look classy and formal.
• To keep the traditional flavour intact, you can wear a dhoti, Pathani salwar, or Jodhpuri pants with a coat. If you are going out with your lady love, you can coordinate your look with hers by choosing the same colour outfit or embroidery element.
• For men, colours this season are monotones like black, white, grey and charcoal. Soothing cream/ off white are also in vogue.
• Waist belts are a must have for the boys out there. Clinch your waist when you wear a lot of these flared layers, so that you can still look slim and smart.
Steal the show
“Navratri gives us a reason to go all out and fall in love with colours. So don’t bar yourself from being colourful and vibrant,” suggests Bhavya Chawla, chief stylist, Voonik.com and Mr. Voonik.com. Chawla advises that women must ditch their Western outfits during Navratri to show their charisma in ethnic wear. “Patterns like bandhani and leheriya in vibrant hues are always a yes. An ethnic top with Patiala pants or kurti with an ethnic flared skirt is also a sure shot way to steal the show! Don’t forget to finish these looks with a pair of mojris or kolhapuris,” she emphasises.
Chawla says that men can choose a Pathani suit to add an element of grandeur. “A classic kurta paired up with a colourful stole lifts your spirit and festive mood. An ethnic jacket would also be perfect for these occasions,” she suggests.
Accessories are an important part of your dressing. “Heritage jewellery is making a comeback. But if you are not a precious metal fan, go for fusion jewellery. Statement pieces never fail to make heads turn,” Chawla adds.
Comfortable and classy
Natascha Tate, in-house stylist, Limeroad, suggests that for the beautiful divas, chanderi is the ‘go to’ fabric this festive season. “Wear a pastel chanderi saree with a vintage floral blouse or a jewel tone chanderi anarkali enhanced by a matching phulkari dupatta. With floral lehengas ruling the radar, you know what to wear on garba nights. Traditional Rajasthani jewellery will complement the attire perfectly. A solid candy-hued palazzo suit pepped up with a bright printed dupatta can give you the perfect look for Navratri,” advises Tate.
A khadi kurta teamed up with a pair of flared pyjamas is perfect for the guys. Says Tate, “The attire will keep you feeling breezy at dandiya nights. You can also go for a little bit of melange with Nehru-collared kurta paired with classic denims.”
Coming to the add-ons for the ladies, Tate insists that you must think ethnic with a hint of urban. “Bohemian jhumkies, tasselled chandbalis and dainty drops are great to have in your bling box. And men can sport pocket squares with waistcoats. Keep it minimal, keep it classy,” she says.
