Navratri is around the corner. Whichever part of the country you’re in and whatever unique way you celebrate it, there’s no denying it’s a great time to dress up and enjoy the festivities. Having said that, if your social life calls for celebrations on all ten nights of Navratri, you’re probably wondering how to keep your sartorial appearances classy and festive, but also sensible; after all, we live in a new world that calls for sustainability and minimalism.
So here are some simple ideas to feel your best this season, without spending on a whole new festive wardrobe. You can re-style your existing pieces, both clothes and jewellery, with just a couple of hacks and you’ll be good to go. These hacks are applicable for any festivities in India, so go ahead and make them work for you anywhere, anytime.
Reinventing Sarees
Navratri is all about dressing in traditional attire. Or not? It’s okay to experiment when you’re determined to re-purpose your existing pieces. Bring out your silk or embroidered sarees or even the heirloom ones that belong to your mother, aunts or grandmothers, and pair them with a western ‘blouse’. This could be a crop top in a basic colour like white, ivory, black, beige or navy, or in a contrasting colour, preferably a jewel tone, to really notch up the glam quotient. Your sarees can also be paired with knotted shirts or slim-fit tops to give them a much-required shift from the usual. For a true-blue rebel look, wear your saree with a denim jacket – regular or cropped. If the weather allows it, try a long jacket or cape instead. You’ll be turning heads for sure!
Hesitant to wear something western with your sarees? Just mix and match blouses, or design a new blouse in a contrast colour. If you own a lehenga-choli set, simply pair the choli with a saree to create a captivating look.
If being experimental is your motto this season, wear a saree like a skirt. This might require a bit of practice and effort, but it looks fabulous when done right and makes a whole new outfit from your existing saree.
Want to simplify? Just get an old saree stitched into a skirt. Our moms swore by this trend, and it’s time to use it again to practice sustainability. South Indian silks work great for this trend. Mysore silk saree or a Pochampilly would be ideal. Add some glam to the look with heavy jewellery and you’re all set to steal the show!
Dress Up Your Skirts
If you’re bored with your ghagra-cholis, give them a facelift. You’ve seen celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt wear festive skirts with crisp shirts and the look is to die for. Apply that look to your traditional ghagra and add a silky shirt with dramatic sleeves or a top with an interesting neckline or back.
Add drama to your regular lehenga-choli attire by draping a saree over it. Again, there’s some work to it, but the striking impact it makes will be unmistakable.
Another great way to max up your lehenga is to wear a long kurta or a short kurti with it, instead of its matching choli and what you have is a brand-new look! Easy-peasy, right?
Add Some Jazz to Salwar Suits
If you’d rather wear salwar suits, don’t let its simplicity be a bummer. Work the look with a snazzy cape or jacket – patchwork, sequins, embroidery and tassels look great on simple suits. Add heavy jewellery and you’re ready.
If nothing works, you can always drape a heavy dupatta over a simple suit and join the celebrations!
Bling Is Always In!
What’s a festive season without some jewellery. If you’re a fashionista, you probably have something to go with your re-styled look.
Layering is in vogue, so wear a choker along with a long neckpiece in complimenting designs to work the look. You can also combine your simple statement chains and gold pendants for an interesting style. Layered neckpiece can also be created by combining many necklaces into one spectacular statement piece.
If you’d like to keep your neck bare, use your long and chunky neckpiece as a belt. It’s an instant lift-me-up if your overall festive outfit is simple.
Deck up your hair with a necklace converted into a headband. The rest of your accessories can be toned down to complete this look. Other DIY ideas to reclaim old jewellery include converting brooches into finger rings or pendants, using beaded neckpieces on clutches, and pasting old ear studs on simple shoes to glamourise them.
Something For The Men
A simple and straightforward re-styling idea is to add a Nehru jacket over an existing kurta or mixing and matching different ethnic separates to create a new look.
Want a more celebratory style? Ask the wonderful women in your life for an old saree that you can convert into a jubilant shirt, kurta, overcoat or even a dhoti (the dhoti idea is a doable one for women too!). If that’s not your thing, you can use a dupatta over your kurta to give it a sunny makeover. You can even use bits and pieces of colourful and embellished fabric to add interesting details to your old clothes and jazz them up.
So, there you go! A whole bunch of easy re-styling ideas that allow you to enjoy the 2022 festivities without breaking the bank or hurting the earth. Have fun!
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