From traditional suits to shining jewellery to stylish footwear, ace your Lohri look with these tips by designers who have made many a celebrity shine

Gurnaaz Kaur

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It’s not just the first festival of the year, Lohri is so much more. It’s a sign that harsh winter days are coming to an end soon and spring is about to make its way. It’s a traditional welcome of longer days, a celebration of harvest season with bonfire, dhol beats, bhangra, gidda and Punjabi cuisine!

As we embrace the last phase of cold weather, let’s do it in style much like our favourite Bollywood stars. For this vibrant festival, celebrity designer Khushi Shah of Shanti Banaras, believes you need to add your own special touch to the outfit. “It’s a time to connect your past, present and future…a celebration of our culture and traditions. More than just about looking good, our focus is about feeling a part of something bigger, something that’s been passed down through generations. While designing for celebrities or anyone for that matter, we blend our hand-woven heritage with the lively spirit of the festival.”

So, whether it is an Anarkali suit, a lehenga, salwar kameez or saree, Khushi’s tip for the special day is to, “Choose handloom pieces woven with time-honoured techniques. Silks that shimmer like molten gold, cottons whispering tales of comfort and brocades singing festive grandeur — let your fabric echo the enduring spirit of Lohri.”

Jewel in the crown

Lohri is all about warmth, togetherness and the joy of being connected to our roots. And we can’t miss a touch of the jewel to the region’s favourite festival, which symbolises prosperity and community spirit. “When styling with fine jewellery for Lohri, consider pieces that complement your traditional attire. Gold, diamond or kundan-polki jewellery is a popular choice, adding a touch of elegance and richness to the ensemble. Heavy earrings, jhumkas or chandbalis with bangles, and a statement polki necklace can elevate the look. Balancing the jewellery with the outfit is key, ensuring that the overall appearance is harmonious and in sync with the festive vibe of Lohri. Incorporating traditional symbols like maang tikas can also add cultural significance to your ensemble, making your Lohri celebration even more special,” says Gautam Soni, managing director of The House of MBj.

Foot comfort

Any opportunity to dress is an opportunity to experiment, believes designer Aprajita Toor and she gives some cool ideas for your footwear options. “The flames of Lohri welcome light and vibrancy to the year, and the significance runs much deeper than just trends and fashion. However, one can hardly forget the hot pink ensemble Preity Zinta donned in the film Veer Zaara, a visual representation of the magnitude of celebration.

It would be interesting to see new takes on such classic styles. Dancing and celebrating to your contentment requires comfortable footwear and outfits like the traditional Patiala suits, which can be mixed with dhoti or harem pants, paired up with sneakers or gladiators.”