Indians and Hindus worldwide are getting ready for one of their biggest festivals, Diwali. This means endless parties, several rituals, plenty of good food and, of course, gorgeous outfits. While Diwali, the Festival of Light, falls on Thursday, October 31, in the lead-up to the big day, there are many other celebrations and rituals such as Chhoti Diwali (mini Diwali) and Dhanteras (the day to buy auspicious metals).
For each of these occasions, many Indians love to wear traditional garments. And if you’re invited by your Indian friend or colleague to attend a Diwali party, it is also advisable to wear Indian outfits as a show of respect for the occasion. So to help guide us on how to slay this Diwali, we have turned to Indian designers to the stars, Arpita Mehta, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, who share tips and hacks on how to look your best this Diwali.
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Traditional Diwali outfits
Mehta is one of Bollywood’s favourite fashion designers who has dressed the likes of Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone as well as business powerhouse Isha Ambani.
Mehta says, “When it comes to a Diwali look, I feel every state or city in India celebrates the festival differently due to the country’s vast diversity. So, the ideal Diwali look would strike a balance between being extravagant and simple. For this season, I’d suggest going with bandhani [a tie-and-dye printed fabric], but in a more unexpected way, rather than the traditional Gujarati style. For instance, you could try a bandhani ruffle sari we recently made, or pair a bandhani dupatta with a sharara.”
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Diwali outfits with a modern spin
Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, the designer duo behind their eponymous Indian haute couture label, reveal a hack that would allow you to remain agile without worrying about your sari coming loose. “Wear pre-draped sari,” they say. Instead of a single long piece of fabric, which makes up the traditional sari, these are skirts and blouses with draped long scarves that look like a sari. These can allow for greater flexibility and freedom of movement for those who are not used to wearing a sari.
“Meanwhile, men can wear a classic bandhgala [close-necked jacket] with a fitted Mandarin collar shirt. This combination is an iconic look that would allow men to look good but also not impede movement,” says Khanna.
Gandhi adds, “Even if you want to wear Western attire, opt for a hint of Indian-ness, through sequins, beads, embroidery and ethnic prints.”
Hairstyle and accessories for Diwali
“For the hairstyle, I recommend a relaxed, flowy updo—something hand-done and not too slick, which can feel overly formal. Add some stunning big polki [uncut diamond pieces] for a traditional touch, and finish the look with a bindi. The bindi, I believe, elevates any Indian look to the next level,” says Mehta.
Apart from this, also feel free to wear metals like gold. In Indian culture, gold is thought to be auspicious—and wearing gold on a holy day like Diwali can signal the start of a prosperous year ahead. Why not welcome all the luck you can get?
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