15 Ideas To Glam Up This Festive Season

It's usually around the middle of September that my impatient mental countdown to the festive season begins in full swing. I'd even go so far as to claim that these are my most unproductive days of the year, simply because the excitement is too high to contain. Every day is spent relentlessly obsessing over what I plan to do, who I want to spend time with, and what I will decide to wear. You'd think this year the matter would be different, considering there's a pandemic putting a damper on our festival plans. Nope. I've already spent the last two weeks feeling ecstatic at the thought of celebrations! 

 

I'm not denying that walking into a big crowd is way tricker this year, and going out for a festive dinner might not be as happening an affair either. But there's no way I will stop myself from celebrating all together. I've found my own ways to partake in festivities in 2020. And all these celebration ideas have one strand in common, the need to get decked up. Luckily, it's also my favourite bit!

 

From draping a silk saree to wearing your dupatta as a shrug, there's no dearth of ideas for festival-appropriate outfits. If you questioned me on festive fashion, I'd certainly first urge you to pick what appeals to you from the expansive catalogue of looks. The second thing I'd do is list a host of festive outfit ideas that you can use as a reference. On that note, here's your festive fashion lookbook for this year! 

 

Festive Saree Looks 

 

1. Banarsi Print Cape Blouse With Cotton Saree

Turn several heads your way with this vibrant saree look. Pick a beautiful cotton saree in a bright shade like the neon pink we see here. Go easy with the details on the saree, one with a simple block print border will suffice. Pair your minimal-flair cotton saree with a gorgeous cape blouse in a complementary shade, featuring heavy Banarasi print work. Keep the rest of the accessories minimal, and you've got yourself one of the most effortlessly glamorous festive saree outfits out there. 

Image Courtesy - Keep Me Stylish

 

2. Contrasting Saree Over Silk Pant Suit 

A pant saree is always a clever way to go festive while also staying on top of your trend game. Here we see Roshni Bhatia pairing together a simple black satin pant-suit set, with a bright yellow embroidered saree. Drape the saree in such a way that it covers one side of your outfit, while the other gives a peek at the pants you're wearing. Throw on a solid bustier crop top under the pantsuit, and you're absolutely golden! 

Image Courtesy - Roshni Bhatia On Instagram

 

3. Long-Line Tie-Waist Shrug With Saree

Look, the weather is beginning to get chilly, so really, this outfit is as practical as it is fashionable. First off, we just love the colour blocking tactic in this ethnic outfit. To create your own, pick a saree in two vibrant colours, like the silk violet and bright pink combination in the outfit below. Seal the look with an open-front longline shrug in an equally bright but contrasting colour, like the sunshine yellow we see here! 

Image Courtesy - Bling Sparkle 

 

Also Read: 6 Affordable Online Stores You Can Shop From On A Budget

 

4. Printed Blouse With Another Printed Saree

The thing with mixing prints in your fashion ensemble is that it can either go horribly wrong or wonderfully right. Thankfully, the festive look we're talking about falls in the latter category. The outfit below is a great example of how you can pair a printed blouse with a saree featuring a different print in another colour. Since both the prints have geometric elements, the combination turns out to be surprisingly beautiful, and also eye-catching!

Image Courtesy - Pinterest

 

5. Red Silk Blouse & Beige Saree With Statement Silver Necklace

When in Rome and all that, right? If you're heading over to a Durga Puja pandal, the classic Bengali red and white saree look is always a safe choice to opt for. But since you also need to stand apart from the crowd, give it a contemporary spin by keeping your clothes minimal, and blinging out on the silver jewellery. In this festive look, we see a gold and red silk blouse with a beige saree. What makes the outfit come alive, however, is the beautiful heavy statement silver necklace! 

Image Courtesy - South India Jewels

 

Festive Ethnic Wear 

 

1. Solid Karandi Kurta With Madhubani Dupatta

Keep it stylish but also immensely comfy, by wearing a karandi style asymmetrical Kurti. You can look for one with flared sleeves for an even more relaxed ensemble this Durga Puja. Opt for an all-white Kurti and pants combination, while throwing the look together with a contrasting Madhubani print dupatta. We're also really digging the statement gold earrings, that offset the simplicity of this festive look exceptionally well! 

Image Courtesy - Nida Azwer

 

 

2. Solid Chanderi Anarkali Suit With Banarasi Dupatta

Here's another play on the quintessential Bong colour-combo. We absolutely adore this solid dark-maroon Anarkali suit set in Chanderi silk. To complete the look you need a beige and gold Banarasi dupatta, like the one we see in this festive look. Opt for an up-do and a pair of silver Jhumkis along with some embellished juttis on the feet! 

Image Courtesy - Tjori Treasures

 

3. Leheriya Short Kurta & Palazzo With Contrast Chiffon Dupatta

I think the beauty of this festive look lies entirely in its simplicity. Leheriya ethnic pieces have been all the rage for quite some time, and this short Kurti and palazzo combo is no different. The delight is in the details, for we love the use of organza fabric, and the subtle crushed pleats on the palazzo pants. Pair your suit with a lightly-embellished chiffon dupatta in gold, or any other contrasting shade that complements the rest of your outfit.  

Image Courtesy - Karma Place

 

Also Read: 20 Celebrity Outfits You Can Recreate On A Budget

 

4. All Black Kurta & Cropped Trousers With Red Bandhani Ajrakh Dupatta

Let your dupatta do all the talking by pairing it with a simple solid coloured suit. You can opt for any kind of heavy work, but we love the combination of Bandhani and Ajrakh prints in this dark red number. Donned under the gorgeous dupatta is a simple black kurta and cropped pants combination, featuring delicate silver piping. Put your hair in a sleek up-do, and go for some classic gold jhumkis to finish the look. 

Image Courtesy - The Loom

 

5. Pleated Front-Slit Kalamkari Kurta With Tasseled Palazzos

We're big fans of beautiful traditional prints, have you noticed? I think this festive look is all the evidence you need to understand why we feel that way! A front-slit full-sleeved kurta featuring an intricate Kalamkari print is thrown together with a pair of solid satin palazzo pants with dainty tassel detailing. This one is particularly recommended for fashionistas looking to keep it easy and breezy during Durga Puja! 

Image Courtesy - Jaypore

 

Indo-Western Outfit Ideas 

 

1. Checkered Crop Top & Palazzo Set With Printed Open-Front Shrug

There we go again with the mixing of prints! But as you can see...for good reason. No outfit combination will ever be as effortlessly Indo-Western, as the pairing of a crop top with palazzo pants. In this festive look, we see a set featuring a dainty checkered print. To tie the whole look together, don a long open-front printed shrug, preferably with a gathered waist design. 

Image Courtesy - Alaya The Store House 

 

Also Read: Ladies, Here Are 23 Ways To Give Your Ethnic Outfit A Western Spin

 

2. Chanderi Asymmetrical Peplum Kurta With Mirror Work & Flared Pants

Can we just take a moment to admire this look? It's so ethereally beautiful, yet manages to be extremely simplistic in its appeal. Such is the magic of an all-white look when done right. To create your own fusion festive outfit, you just need to find a peplum hem kurta with mirror work on the front. Details like an asymmetrical hem and dramatic sleeves will only kick the style quotient several notches higher. Pair your Kurti with a matching set of flared bottom pants, and you've completed your showstopper outfit! 

Image Courtesy - Aza Fashions

 

3. Mock-Turtleneck Bagru Printed Crop Top With Matching Dhoti Pants

Another Indo-Western variation to the basic crop top and pants set idea, is opting for chic dhoti pants as your choice of bottom wear. We particularly love the red tassel hanging from the side of this one. Couple these dhoti pants with a matching full-sleeved crop top featuring a mock-turtleneck detail to stay stylish and sophisticated. We'd highly suggest going for a Bagru print on your top half considering how beautifully it worked out in the look below!

Image Courtesy - Ogaan

 

4. Chanderi Foil-Printed A-Line Short Kurti With Pants

Definitely our favourite of the lot, we're entirely obsessed with this teal Indo-Western outfit idea. A simple peplum style A-Line Kurti comes alive with dainty details like ethnic motif in foil print. The perfect match to this short Kurti is a pair of lightly striped pants in the same gold and teal colour code. Dark smoky eyes and matching jhumki earrings will be all the accessories you need to play up this festive outfit! 

Image Courtesy - Purple Panchi On Nykaa Fashion 

 

5. Ikat Gathered Kurta Dress

As a lover of roomy, flowy silhouettes, I can't tell you how much I dig this simple look. Just look for an Ikat print Kurti style dress, with flared sleeves and hem. Here we see the dress being paired with loafers, but for a heavier touch of ethnic, you can wear leather Kolhapuris and glam up the look with some oxidised silver jewellery. 

Image Courtesy - The Loom

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This festive season, only put your best glamorous face forward! Happy Durga Puja 2020. 

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FAQS:

Q: Can I mix and match traditional and modern elements in festive fashion?

A: Yes, mixing traditional and modern elements can create a unique and stylish festive look, showcasing your creativity and individuality.

 

Q: What are the trending colors in festive fashion this season?

A: Popular festive colors this season include rich jewel tones like emerald green, royal blue, and deep burgundy, as well as metallic shades like gold and silver.

 

Q: Are accessories important in festive fashion?

A: Yes, accessories like statement jewelry, embellished clutches, and elegant footwear can elevate your festive outfit, adding a touch of glamour and completing your look.

 

Q: Can men experiment with festive fashion too?

A: Absolutely, men can experiment with festive fashion by trying different styles of ethnic wear, experimenting with colors, and accessorizing with items like pocket squares and brooches.

 

Q: How to balance comfort and style in festive outfits?

 

A: Choose fabrics that are comfortable to wear for long hours, opt for well-fitted garments, and consider breathable materials to balance comfort and style in your festive attire.

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