Still stressing over your garba glam? Relax – we’ve got you covered. When it comes to Navratri, there’s no such thing as being extra! While classic chaniya cholis and mirror work never go out of style, Delhi creators are giving festive fashion a fresh, fusion spin this season. Think bandhani paired with denim or jewellery and parandis woven into modern hairdos. It’s all about blending traditional roots with contemporary flair for a boho-chic vibe.
From jewellery to parandis, Lajpat Nagar is becoming the one-stop shop this festive season
‘Navratri styling this year has become more about personal expression’Snehal Mishra, a fashion influencer who has been posting festive inspo for a month, notes, “Navratri styling this year has become more about personal expression than following traditional rules. We’re seeing women experiment with contemporary silhouettes, statement blouses, playful draping, boho jewellery, and unexpected colour combinations while still embracing the beauty of Indian textiles and craftsmanship.”Mousmi Digpati, a DIY creator shares, “My number one styling tip is to choose comfort, but make it extraordinary! I love how Gen Z is experimenting with fashion. I feel fashion has no limits, so don’t be afraid to try something different. Wear what you genuinely love, because when you feel comfortable, you automatically feel more confident. And imagine looking back at your Garba pictures years later and seeing yourself in an outfit that was so unique and so you!”
Delhi-based creators share their styling tips for the ultimate Garba look
When the whole OOTD is a statementMaximalists live for Garba, and with the desi Y2K trend in full swing, it’s more reason to go all out. “For me, a garba look feels incomplete without that maximalist touch. Why settle for one statement piece when you can make the whole outfit a statement?” says Mousmi. Snehal adds, “What I love most is the way people are mixing traditional pieces with modern elements – pairing mirror-work skirts with crop tops, styling oxidised jewellery with contemporary outfits, and creating looks that feel individual rather than predictable. It’s less about dressing by the rules and more about making tradition your own.”
Snehal Mishra, a fashion influencer, suggests adding traditional parandis or colourful hair jewellery for an extra desi, bohemian touch (Pics: snehalmishraa)
Dressing for the dance, not just the photos Content creator Bharti Singh talks about how styling has changed this year and says, “The biggest shift I’m seeing is that people are dressing for the dance, not just the photo. A few years ago it was all about the heaviest lehenga you could find. This year the chaniya cholis are lighter, in fabrics like georgette, cotton, but the drama hasn’t gone anywhere. It has just moved into the details.”For beauty creator Ravika Agarwal, statement pieces are evergreen. “I’m definitely more of a statement-piece girl! I love picking one element that stands out, whether it’s a gorgeous pair of oxidised earrings, a statement necklace, or a bold makeup look, and building the rest of my outfit around it. For me, it’s all about creating a look that’s eye-catching without feeling overwhelming.”
Delhi’s markets are lined with vibrant chaniya cholis, corset tops with mirror work and festive fits for your Navratri looks
Revamp old garmentsMousmi made an outfit from scratch for her garba look. “I found an old bandhani sari of my mum’s and a pair of ripped jeans I no longer wore, and decided to combine them to create a Western-style garba outfit. I added colourful laces, frills, and little details to make it fun and aesthetic. I made the choli using leftover denim and added mirrors, stones, dori, and ghungroos, which took me almost 5–6 hours to attach one by one. I had no fixed mood board, just a vision that I followed. I wanted to create something unique, comfortable, and affordable that girls could recreate themselves.”
Mousmi Digpati, a DIY creator, made an outfit from scratch for her garba look (Pics: mousmidigpati_official_)
