Navratri 2023: Flaunt your Garba moves in style with these outfit ideas

Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt have never made us want to shake a leg on Garba beats more than anyone else. You have to agree. It is not just their impeccable dance moves, but even their ensemble that makes us want to replicate them. Besides, for all the dance and fashion enthusiasts, a Garba night during Navratri is unmissable.

Sporting heavy ghagra cholis and dhoti kurtas, men and women step out for Garba nights on almost all nine days of the festival. Deciding what to wear each day can be a task and often leads to us running out of ideas. To ace the Garba fashion for Navratri 2023, we dialled Pooja Karanam, a celebrity fashion stylist and wardrobe consultant who shares a variety of outfit ideas and styling tips.

The Navratri celebrations span over nine days. During the festival, people worship goddess Durga. Besides offering prayers to the incarnations of goddess Durga and observing fasts, Navratri celebrations are also about lots of joyous dancing, including Garba and Dandiya Raas. While Garba involves clapping hands and performing rhythmic movements in a circle, Dandiya Raas involves dancing with dandiya sticks.

Throughout the festival, various cultural and religious organisations host Garba events. These events see participation from a large number of people dressed up in heavy traditional outfits.

"Chaniya choli and kurta-pyjama are a staple wear during Navratri as well as for Garba," says Karanam. A typical chaniya choli includes a flared skirt, a fitted blouse, and a matching dupatta. To amplify the look, women often accessorise the outfit with heavy jewellery, such as choker necklaces, bangles and earrings.

For men, the traditional outfit is the kurta-pyjama with a colourful dupatta draped over the shoulder. A turban and accessories like kada (bangle) and mojari (traditional shoes) complete the look. These outfits are known for their intricate embroidery, mirror work and vibrant colours, reflecting the joyous spirit of the festival.

Here is how you can style the evergreen Garba outfits
For Women:
1. Chaniya choli: A classic chaniya choli with intricate embroidery and mirror work can never run out of style. Pick vibrant shades for a Garba night to add more energy to your look. Pair it with a statement silver necklace and jhumka earrings, the length of which can depend on your personal preference.

2. Pair your favourite ghagra with a crop top: Add a modern twist to your traditional wear by pairing a ghagra (flared skirt) with a crop top. Accessorise it with a waist belt and oxidised jewellery.

3. Fusion saree: Opt for a fusion saree with a pre-draped or dhoti-style silhouette. Pair it with a contrasting blouse and a belt to define your waist. This fusion look is comfortable and stylish for a night of dancing.

For Men:
1. Kurta pyjama with Bandhani dupatta: Opt for a vibrant kurta pyjama with a contrasting bandhani dupatta. Add a brooch and traditional footwear for a complete look.

2. Pathani suit: You can choose to go for a timeless Pathani suit with embroidered details. This makes for a great festive wear option and also makes you look in style. You can also pair your outfit with a colourful turban and mojari shoes.

Evolution in traditional styles
Traditionally, Garba outfits involved ghagra choli and kurtas having Rajasthani and bandhani prints with mirror work. The choli for both men and women had a flair starting from the abdomen. Silver and oxidised statement accessories ensured a complete look. Now, we witness evolution in the style or a modern extension of the traditional styles.

"Over the years, Garba outfits have seen a shift towards more intricate designs, vibrant colours, and fusion elements," shares Karnam. "Women now experiment with different fabrics and silhouettes, blouse styles, opting for halter necks, off-shoulder designs or even backless cholis. Men too have started incorporating modern accessories like pocket squares and stylish footwear and have embraced shorter kurtas, asymmetrical cuts, and innovative use of colours and fabrics."

If you wish to break from the monotonous Garba wear and experiment with fusion styles while still holding the essence of festive wear in place, Karanam shares some fresh looks you can try:

For Women:
1. Lehenga saree: Opt for a lehenga-style saree with a pre-draped pallu for a fusion look. To add to the look, accessorise with a statement belt and contemporary jewellery.

2. Palazzo with choli: Pair a flowy palazzo and choli set with a traditional bandhani dupatta. Complete the look with oversized earrings and a sleek bun hairstyle. Don't shy away from embedding a few roses or any flowers of your choice, into your bun.

For Men:
1. Indo-western sherwani: Combine a traditional sherwani with modern cuts and pair it with dhoti pants. Add a bandhani pocket square and pair the outfit with embroidered juttis/mojari.

2. Kurta with Nehru jacket: Wear a kurta with a contrasting Nehru jacket and slim-fit trousers. Accessorise the outfit with a beaded necklace and Kolhapuri chappals.

No-effort look for men and women:
If you wish to go with something that requires minimal effort, your jeans are always an option. Women can opt for a loose flowy long kurti or even a short ethnic kurti and wear jeans as bottoms.

Men can do the same. They can wear either a short or long kurti along with jeans. The look can be completed by layering it up with a denim jacket, Bandhani dupatta or Leheriya dupatta. For a minimal look, short jhumkas or dainty jewellery is enough to make you look Garba-ready

Recreate celebrity looks
Replicating celebrity looks is also a trend with fashion influencers and enthusiasts always trying their hands at it. Dressing up for a Garba night is the perfect occasion to recreate some of the most iconic celebrity looks and stand out from the crowd. Karanam handpicks some of her favourite celebrity Garba looks that you can totally try out.

For Women:
1. Deepika Padukone in ‘Ghoomar' (Padmaavat): Recreate the look with heavily embroidered ghagra choli and Rajasthani-style accessories. You can also opt for heavy oxidised ornaments.

2. Alia Bhatt in Jhoome Re Gori (Gangubai Kathiawadi): For sporting a look seen in the song Jhoome Re Gori, opt for a long-sleeved chaniya-choli dupatta dress. Wear the dupatta in a Gujarati pallu style and complete the look with an oxidised choker and jhumkas. You can also wear a few bangles to amp up the look.

For Men:
1. Ranveer Singh in ‘Nagada Sang Dhol' (Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela): Recreate the look with a blue blazer, white vest or Pathani suit and a statement turban.

2. Salman Khan in ‘Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje' (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam): Replicate the look with a royal red mirror-worked selfless jacket, black pyjamas and silver accessories.

These outfit ideas and inspirations reflect the rich cultural heritage and evolving fashion trends associated with Garba and Navratri celebrations.

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