The annual harvest festival of Lohri is here, and we couldn’t be more excited. After all, this day is marked by lots of food, dance, and music, and… yes, you guessed it right—fashion. It is the perfect occasion to glam up and look your ethnic best in traditional outfits. While Patiala salwars and phulkari kurtas are eternal, it’s time to move away from the ‘safe’ choices and experiment a little this Lohri.
Of course, it isn’t a good idea to host a grand bash, especially amid the doom and gloom spread by the Covid-19 virus. But who said you can’t step up your sartorial choices for a home-style celebration? We think that’s a great plan. And as always, the leading ladies of B-town are here to help you up your style game!
So without further ado, here are some styling tips that you MUST follow to look your ethnic best this Lohri:
1. Velvet all the way
Creative director of Varanasi-based Shanti Banaras, Khushi Shah, says that there’s nothing more striking than a classic red velvet suit set with a velvet dupatta, or alternatively a velvet saree. “Not only does it look luxurious, but it is also extremely flattering for the body while keeping you warm. For newly-wed brides, it adds to the grandeur,” she adds.
Take cues from Bollywood celeb Shilpa Shetty Kundra who has worn velvet on several occasions. We absolutely love this Torani red velvet saree with a matching blouse, and Amrapali jewellery to go with.
You could also take inspiration from the graceful Vidya Balan, who adorned this burgundy red velvet suit from the designer label, Varsha and Ayush Kejriwal. She completed the festive look with a pair of silver jhumkas, a ruby ring, and silver heels.
If you don’t want to limit yourself to reds, there are plenty of colours and styles to experiment with. Actress Alia Bhatt recently wore a velvet lehenga by none other than designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. The border of the drape had gota-patti work, while the rest of the lehenga was covered with sequins. She paired her outfit with statement jhumkas and minimal makeup.
You could also add a pop of colour to your festive look by dressing up like actress Deepika Padukone. On an earlier occasion, she styled a velvet kurti in mustard with a churidar. To complete the look, she wore bold kadhas and earrings.
2. A stunning handwoven silk saree
“It also adds sheen to any ensemble. During the winter season, a handwoven silk saree can be paired with a hand-embroidered shawl or even a brocade jacket for women who want to look chic yet stay warm. At Shanti Banaras, we have traditional-coloured sarees with contemporary Moroccan and Parisian motifs to strike the perfect balance between old and new. Saree is always a go-to for me personally and looks gorgeous on everyone,” says Shah.
You could use some inspiration right here! This lovely purple saree worn by Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor with a contrasting blouse is simple yet stunning. What’s more, the gold choker, jhumkas, and gajra uplift this look to a whole new level!
If you love whites, just like us, go for a white saree a la fashionista Sonam Kapoor and pair it with a boho jacket. Not only does it look elegant but also exudes a contemporary vibe!
You could also fashion a long brocade jacket like celebrity Karisma Kapoor, who pairs it with a red chanderi saree by Raw Mango.
3. A chic lehenga set
Ain’t nobody like the desi girl! Of course, we know how to turn heads in chic lehenga sets and ace designer Archana Jaju agrees. “To create the most striking look for Lohri, one can opt for a chic lehenga set by pairing it up with a crop top to give it a contemporary touch or go for an intricate full-sleeved blouse for a traditional spin,” she says.
Take cues from Alia Bhatt, who turns up in the most stylish lehengas during her public appearances! We love ‘em all, but if there’s one we can’t get over—it is this purple Sabyasachi bandhani lehenga with a deep V-neck cut-out blouse. She completed the look with Sabyasachi Jewellery earrings, naturally blow-dried hair, and minimal makeup.
Or how about going for a pastel-coloured lehenga like Pataudi princess, Sara Ali Khan? On one occasion, she wore this pretty pink lehenga by Manish Malhotra. The blouse had a plunging sweetheart neckline, and the outfit was embellished with chikankari embroidery all over. She completed this look with a sleek ponytail.
4. A kurta set in subtle shades
“It would be an effortlessly elegant option for the occasion, as one can even experiment with the look and team it up with a belt to complete the ensemble,” shares Jaju.
Pick this pretty red suit set by Ekaya Banaras worn by Alia Bhatt or soak yourself in mustard hues just like Kangana Ranaut.
And if you have a soft spot for white, you can take some style tips from actress Anushka Sharma. For Diwali 2020, Sharma wore an elegant Anarkali suit by Anita Dongre that featured delicate embroidery. She paired the outfit with matching juttis and heavy chaandbali earrings.
5. A classic sharara set
“One can also choose to go for a classic sharara set with stunning embellishments and pair it with statement jewellery pieces, which would also be a great combination of comfort and grace,” shares Jaju.
If you want to make a splash with your festive look, take inspiration from Janhvi Kapoor's elegant sharara set. The ensemble, embellished with floral motifs, is rich in detail. The kurta features long bell sleeves with a rust and gold gota-patti border.
Lohri is a time for vibrant colours, and nothing screams festivity like this Anita Dongre yellow sharara set worn by Katrina Kaif. The set that featured intricate yoke-style embroidery was paired with a pair of silver juttis and chunky chandbalis.