Dressing Up for Navratri

Navratri is on and this festival of nine-night worship of Goddess Durga has the country grooving to the beats of drums and conch. The pandemic may have played spoilsport but fervour and devotion mark the celebrations as people go pandal-hopping or sway to the beats of the dandiya, albeit in smaller numbers. Nelson Jaffery, head of design at Liva, shares a few trend tips on how to dress right for this festive occasion.

Navratri special kurtas: Embrace your Indian ensembles, or the indutvas with elan. Avoid heavy embellished looks and opt for bright hued kurtas with vibrant prints. The flow of the ghagra is what defines the traditional garba dance, which is a major part of the festivities. Fabrics like viscose will give the desired flow to the dress and will also be breathable and comfortable to wear. You can opt for ivory kurtas or silk chanderi kurtas if you are a fan of digital prints and pair it with palazzo pants. You could also go for two-toned, short flared kurtas, contemporary izhars and badla-bordered dupattas. Pair that with a scarf for a virtual garba party or small gathering with friends and family.

Waistcoats & more: Waistcoats have evolved from the western to traditional attire and much favoured by both men and women. Choose bright and easy festive sets with electric prints and patterns. Go for sequinned, printed waistcoats in fabrics like viscose that give a comfortable feel. Or to keep the style minimalistic, you may choose a coat with sequins or mirrors and pair that with a subtle kurta, or a plain coloured one with legging dhoti or a pair of denims.

Garba jewellery with straight and simple kurtis: One of the most popular traditional attires for women in India is the elegant kurti. A straight-cut kurta is the best option for a stylish and classy look and can be worn both in parties and casual get-togethers. Pick the kurtis in breathable fabrics like viscose and modal, and with embellishments, prints and designs. The best way to style a kurti is by teaming it with traditional juttis (shoes) and  chunky accessories.

Buckle belts with palazzo pants: Palazzo pants have been our best friends for quite a while now and can be worn both in parties and formal gatherings. It is a trendy legwear that can be paired with any other outfit and also styled elegantly for any occasion. Add that extra zest to the palazzo by pairing it with a slim fit top or crop top cinched with a shiny belt.

Rock your evenings away!