Diwali isn't one event. Across the festival there are pujas, card parties, office celebrations, visits to relatives and a lot of time near oil lamps and firecrackers. One outfit can't cover all of that well. Here are ideas for each kind of Diwali occasion, with the practical points that are easy to forget.
Lakshmi puja at home
The main puja is usually on the evening of Diwali itself, with the family seated on the floor around the altar, and diyas lit everywhere.
- Choose: a silk or cotton-silk saree, an Anarkali, or a kurta set in red, maroon, gold, yellow or green, which are traditional festive colours.
- Think about: sitting cross-legged for half an hour. Heavy lehengas and fitted skirts are uncomfortable on the floor.
- For men: a silk or cotton kurta with churidar or dhoti pants, and a Nehru jacket if it is cold.
Card parties and evening get-togethers
Teen patti and card parties are a big part of Diwali week in many homes. These are social and relaxed, but people dress up.
- Choose: a sequinned or embroidered kurta set, a sharara, an indo-western co-ord or a light designer saree.
- Colours: anything goes. Jewel tones, pastels with silver work, and black with gold all look festive.
- Tip: you will be sitting for long periods, often on sofas or floor cushions. A flared Anarkali or sharara is more comfortable than a fitted saree.
Office Diwali celebrations
Many offices have an ethnic day, a decoration contest or a lunch. The outfit needs to be festive but still work for a desk and a commute.
- Choose: a straight or A-line kurta in a festive colour with straight pants, or a lightweight cotton-silk saree if you are comfortable in one at work.
- Keep it practical: skip heavy dupattas and trailing hems. Small jhumkas and a festive potli bag are enough to make it feel special.
- For men: a short kurta with jeans or chinos is a popular office choice.
Visiting relatives
Bhai Dooj and the days around Diwali often mean visiting several homes in a day, with lots of sweets, travel in cars and autos, and sitting down and standing up again.
- Choose: comfortable ethnic wear that still looks festive: a cotton Anarkali, a printed kurta set, or a co-ord with a light jacket.
- Footwear: slip-on juttis or kolhapuris. You will take your shoes off at every door.
Kids' Diwali outfits
- Cotton kurta-pyjama sets for boys and cotton or cotton-silk lehengas and frocks for girls are the most comfortable choices.
- Avoid synthetic net and sequins near diyas. Natural fabrics are much safer.
- See our kids' ethnic wear buying guide for sizing and comfort tips.
Safety: fabric and fire
This is the point most people forget. Diwali means open flames at home and firecrackers outside.
- Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, net and many georgettes melt and stick to the skin when they catch fire. They are the riskiest choice near diyas and crackers.
- Cotton, linen and silk burn too, but they don't melt. Choose these if you will be lighting diyas or bursting crackers.
- Pin dupattas and pallus close to the body, or remove them when you are near open flames.
- Avoid long, trailing sleeves when lighting diyas.
Re-wearing one outfit across the week
You don't need a new outfit for every day of Diwali. One good kurta set can look different each time:
- Change the dupatta: plain on one day, bandhani or embroidered on another.
- Change the bottom: churidar, palazzo or a contrast sharara.
- Change the jewellery: oxidised silver for a casual look, gold-toned for the puja.
- Add a jacket: an embroidered or velvet jacket instantly makes a simple kurta feel formal.
The best Diwali outfit is the one you can sit, move and celebrate in without worrying about it. Plan around the occasion first and the colour second, and you will look good in every photo.