A Styling Guide For Indian Festive Occasions

There is an obvious ease and regality to Indian wear, one that has kept it thriving since generations. It would be a fair claim that India is perhaps one of the very few countries where traditional clothes are still worn on a near daily basis by the general population. In fact, Indian traditional wear is the most recognisable and recreated design by various demographics across the entire world. 

In India itself, every person carries a special love in their hearts for our traditional attire. Whether or not it occupies space in their daily wardrobe, one cannot escape its beauty and importance when it comes to festive occasions and events. 

In this article, we will go through some tips and tricks to style your clothes in multiple ways, for different festive occasions. 

1.How to wear heavy jewellery?

Jewellery is a crucial element of any look, one that can make or break it. 

Traditional gold jewellery is always a classic, especially if you possess some design embedded with gemstones. But one of the better ways to wear jewellery is to bring out the versatility of your outfits. 

The following are some examples- 

• Pair a simple outfit with heavy earrings and bangles. This creates a festive look and allows you to rewear your older clothes, while maintaining a fresh look. 
• Make sure that your outfit aligns with your jewellery. If you are wearing a kanjivaram saree pure silk or lehenga, green or white gemstone studded jewellery would look extremely elegant. 
• Emeralds are a classic and perhaps one of the rare gems that can elevate literally any outfit. If you are looking to invest in some jewellery, these are an excellent option. 
• The design of your jewellery should not clash with your neckline. For example, a V-neck blouse pairs better with a choker or a high pendant. High necklines are better worn without any necklaces, as they are meant to highlight the fabric and design. However, if you must, a long pendant necklace is a very graceful choice. 
• Following from the previous point, if your dress has a wide or a square neck, chokers or asymmetric neck pieces pair well with it. 
• Coming to earrings, it can be argued that they are the most important accessory. If you find yourself struggling to organise your look, we would advise you to centre it around your earpieces. They frame your face and highlight your beauty more than anything. 
• Finally, bangles and bracelets are having a moment these days. People are unafraid to experiment with their ‘arm stacks’ and that opens up a lot of possibilities. 
• Try mixing up different bangle sets, to create a more vibrant. Mixed metals are in trend and create a surprisingly lovely aesthetic. When chosen well, you can also wear bracelets and bangles together, which is as beautiful as it is unusual. 
• Just make sure that your jewellery doesn’t get stuck in your clothes and you can enjoy your beautiful outfit with ease. 

2.How to choose the right hairstyle?

• When it comes to hairstyles, the prevalent choices seem to be a single braid, a ponytail or leaving your hair completely open. 
• While these are classic styles that can seldom go wrong, there is a lot more you can do. 
• A hairstyle frames your face and should be aligned with your accessories to bring out the best in your look. 
• If you wish to wear smaller earrings, it is wiser to hold the hair back so that they don’t hide them. 
• You can opt for a number of half-up hairstyles to keep the hair out of your face while still looking good. You can do a side-swept style, pin back selective portions of your hair, or just make sure that it stays on your back. 
• If your dress has a high neckline or you are wearing a choker, it is better to keep your hair up in a bun, so that the look remains balanced. 
• You can try a messy or a sleek bun depending on the occasion and your preference. For a more casual look, leave a few hairs out of the bun in curled, playful waves. 
• If you are wearing hair accessories, attach them securely to your head and work the hairstyle around it. 

3.What is the right makeup for any occasion?

• Makeup can really elevate and bring together a look, as long as it is done in harmony with the rest of the look. 
• The first thing to remember is the weather of the place where you will be celebrating the festival or event. If it is going to be sweat-inducing, it is better to go lighter on the makeup. No amount of fixing spray can protect against hours in heat. 
• Secondly, remember that makeup itself is not a highlight- it is an aid to bring the rest of your outfit to attention. 
• If you are wearing a deeper coloured outfit, dark lipstick or eyeshadow would clash with it. In such cases, it is wiser to go with more subtle shades. 
• In India, eye-makeup is an essential part of any look. Kajal is a staple in many beauty boxes and people love eyeliners and mascaras. However, one should never forget to do the eyebrows. 
• Eyebrows are a part of eye-makeup. They shouldn’t be looking sparse or undone when the rest of your eye-makeup is so on-point. Just use an eyebrow mascara for a quick look or if you prefer, an eyebrow pencil or powder. 
• Remember that dark lips do not go well with dark eyeshadow. You must pick only one of them at a time. 

4.Which shoes should I wear with traditional Indian clothes?

• People often neglect to pay the appropriate amount of attention to shoes. 
• With Indian traditional wear, there is a misconception that the length of the saree or lehenga covers the shoes, hence they are irrelevant. But that couldn’t be more wrong. 
• While there are only glimpses of your footwear, it definitely makes an impression. 
• Contrary to another popular perception, it is not mandatory to wear heels on all festive occasions. But it is wiser to avoid flip flops as well. 
• Choose comfortable footwear, preferably in a colour that goes with all outfits (tan, nude pink, or beige). 
• Remember that you may probably be on your feet all day. So don’t choose shoes that will tire you out soon. 
• Finally, many people are choosing to wear sneakers during festivities. These are a great contemporary style, that combine comfort and style with effortless ease. Consider this option if it appeals to you. 

Conclusions

The sheer versatility of Indian wear makes it timeless and beautiful, one that transcends all occasions and festivities. There are endless possibilities when it comes to styling traditional wear, especially when you play around with the jewellery, makeup, and footwear. Contemporary fusion wear has added a new level of beauty to an already diverse wardrobe. This means that no matter the day, occasion, or company, Indian wear will continue to strike a picture of confidence and elegance, making every moment as special as it can be.