It’s festive, it’s feisty

Manpriya Singh 

How much is too much? When every festival is Instagrammed and every festive look an opportunity to shine, nothing really is too much - neither the sequins, nor the blood red. But then nothing really is too less either - neither pale pastels, nor plain grey. Festive-wear comes with its own unique set of challenges and problem of plenty to choose from. We let some of the renowned designers give us cues. 

For those who have had enough of the peaches and pink, thankfully the fashion heads are in sync with the sentiment. Designer Jayanti Reddy’s latest collection boasts of a rich colour palette that’s both different and yet Indian, for instance the colour purple. One of the most celebrated colour, purple is both festive and sophisticated, precisely why she has used it generously in her collections. 

Grey shade

Then there’s a hue that subtly popped its head only the past season. Grey, though a subdued colour, stands for the ever-ready spirit to fight the foes. In designer duo Sukriti and Aakriti’s collection the monochromatic grey comes in glittery avatar, to let the subtle heads get through in the sea of screaming festive brights. Designer Ridhi Mehra talks of the season’s must-have kurtas that are versatile enough to be in feel-good summery fabrics and yet be stylish; and thus can practically alternate between festive to breathable. “Look for prints, minimal embellishments, cord-work embroidery, and ones that have been set in pearls and emerald stones. One can accessorise their look with sequined potlis too. Complete the look with elegantly embellished juttis and you’re all set to kick-start the upcoming festivities,” she adds. 

Oh organza!

Designer duo Priyanka Jain & Kavita Jain’s latest collection Alfaaz by Devnaagri focuses on the fabrics like mashru, glistening silks on the outside and cotton lining on the inside, sheer organzas. “It has to be the right balance of bright colours and sometime summery fabric because a lot many times Indian festivals arrive when the heat and humidity has yet not died,” opines Bahaar, from the Delhi-based label B.  She adds, “Thankfully, a lot of people have come to differentiate between the Indian wedding-wear and Indian festive-wear because wedding-wear is about traditional heavy work, as they come mostly during winter. Whereas the festive wear is about breathable silhouettes with just a little sheen in the form of either light embroidery or bright colours.” Or maybe both. Sometimes. 

Subtle and understated is the key for the right look

Designer Jayanti Reddy voices the sentiments out loud when she says, “I think everyone is looking for comfort. Subtle and understated is the key.” Vibrant colours for festive occasion is a well-loved cliché and the one we can never tire of.  She advocates the same, while also giving an okay signal to black. “Black is totally acceptable for Diwali parties, so don’t shy away from wearing your favourite colour.” And then the golden rule. “Wear what suits you and don’t always try to keep up with the fast pace of the fashion industry.” 

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