It’s that time of year again. Homes across the country glow with diyas, the air is scented with fresh blooms and the faint warmth of incense. Party invites are in full swing, and the only question that remains is: what will you wear?
Will you embrace timeless tradition or is your style a blend of something old, something new and something unmistakably you? From Navratri outfit ideas that celebrate vibrant craftsmanship to Diwali jewellery that adds just the right touch of sparkle, this season, festive styling comes down to two things: celebrating our rich cultural heritage and expressing your individuality through the details.
We turned to digital creator and fashion multi-hyphenate Ishita Mangal to decode the season’s most talked-about trends — and how to make them entirely your own.
Meet Ishita Mangal
Fashion designer and content creator, Ishita Mangal has built a loyal following of almost half a million on Instagram and 800k+ on YouTube. She creates fashion and beauty content that’s informative, approachable and sprinkled with humour.
From working in fashion, hosting award shows and launching her own brand to creating relatable online content, Ishita has cultivated a voice that feels like a breath of fresh air in today’s social media landscape, which often thrives on virality.
So, what’s trending this festive season? Ishita tells us…
Diwali outfits: Maximalist or minimalist?
Over the last five years, Diwali outfit ideas have continued to centre around gold and metallic tones. Searches for terms like “gold dress” and “sequin outfit” have grown steadily, with 2–3x spikes every October–November since 2020. Velvet blouses continue to be a festive favourite, while smoky cat eyes remain the go-to choice for makeup.
Emerging trends this festive season include a rising interest in sustainable festive wear and contemporary fusion pieces. Think crop tops paired with sarees, a trend largely driven by Instagram reels. On the jewellery front, minimal diamond pieces, from studs to stackable rings, have emerged as the preferred choice over the past 18 months.
- Traditional Diwali style:
This look draws from the timeless Diwali trend for gold and metallic outfits. I chose a shimmering, silver-sequined gold saree to capture that high-impact festive glamour. The styling is unapologetically dramatic, with layered traditional gold and diamond necklaces that celebrate abundance. For the beauty element, I leaned into the evergreen appeal of a defined gaze, creating a bold smoky eye that makes the portrait striking and magnetic. This styling is inspired by a woman who embraces her heritage with confidence, making a powerful, luminous statement that feels both traditional and luxuriously modern.
- Emerging Diwali trends:
This is my vibrant take on classic Diwali trends. I chose a red outfit and paired it with a bold, brocade-detailed blouse. I wanted to celebrate rich festive dressing with a twist — recycling outfits to create something fresh and meaningful. I finished the look with dramatic eye makeup, combining smoky and cat-eye styles for that perfect pre-Diwali glamour. This look isn’t about minimalism; it’s about maximum impact and opulence, with cascading layers of pearl and gemstone jewellery and a richly textured silhouette that honours the timeless tradition of grand festive dressing.
Navratri styling, the Gen Z way
Whether you go for a fully traditional look or a fresher take with subtle, surprising details, culturally rich ensembles remain the cornerstone of Navratri style.
- Traditional Navrati style:
This look is my celebration of the culturally rich, traditional Garba style that grows more popular every year. I chose an ensemble with vibrant patchwork, mirror work, and contrasting colours to capture the lively spirit of the nine-night festival.
I kept the styling intentionally bold and maximalist to reflect Gujarat’s traditional ornamentation. I added oxidised silver statement jewellery — large jhumkas and layered choker necklaces — to give the outfit a rustic, tribal-bohemian edge that feels true to the region.
For makeup, I went with bold, kohl-rimmed eyes and a small bindi to balance the vibrancy of the textiles. This styling is inspired by a woman ready to fully embrace the rhythm of Garba and Dandiya Raas, blending centuries-old tradition with a confident, statement-making folk aesthetic.
- Emerging Navrati trends:
This look is all about taking a traditional, vibrant Chaniya Choli and giving it a modern festive twist. I wanted to explore the “Mix & Match Fusion” trend, keeping the outfit ethnic at its core but adding unexpected elements.
I swapped the traditional footwear for crisp sneakers, making it easy to dance while giving the look a comfortable, youthful vibe. To bring in a touch of classic heritage, I added a statement kamarbandh at the waist — a piece that has made a big comeback in Navratri styling.
For beauty, I kept things soft and glowing, with defined eyes and a neutral lip colour. This lets the intricate mirror work of the outfit and the bold accessories, especially the sneakers, really stand out. The final look is about celebrating culture while keeping it real, comfortable, and modern.
Is red still reigning for Karva Chauth?
Some things never go out of style — like natural diamonds and red sarees or lehengas for Karva Chauth. Every year, around October, searches for “red saree” and “Karva Chauth outfit” spike 3–4x. Tradition also dominates in jewellery: classic gold mangalsutras remain popular, with a 2–3x annual uplift in searches for “Karva Chauth mehendi” designs.
On the rise this year are diamond mangalsutra variants and Karva Chauth gowns, the latter seeing search volumes climb by almost 110% YoY in 2024.
- Traditional Karva Chauth style:
This look celebrates the cultural significance and enduring love for red lehengas, which always stand out during the festive season. I chose a stunning red lehenga with intricate gold embroidery to give it a luxurious, celebratory feel.
The styling is fully traditional and opulent. I layered heavy, antique-style gold jewellery, pairing a striking Kundan and pearl choker with a longer matching necklace and a traditional maang tikka. This approach highlights both heritage and abundance.
For hair and makeup, I kept things classic. The hair is styled in a neat bun, accented with fresh red flowers and delicate pearl strands. The makeup is soft and glowing, with subtly defined eyes and a nude-pink lip that lets the richness of the red outfit and the detailed gold work take centre stage. This is a look for anyone who wants to honour tradition with unforgettable, majestic style.
- Emerging Karva Chauth trends:
This look is about finding the balance between tradition and modern style. I wanted to capture the growing love for fusion wear and floor-length gowns that still feel rooted in culture, especially for Karva Chauth. The deep crimson gown keeps the traditional red that’s so symbolic for the occasion, while offering comfort and understated elegance for the long evening of rituals.
The jewellery is a mix of old and new. I styled it with a contemporary mangalsutra featuring a bold diamond centrepiece that keeps it meaningful yet fresh, paired with classic gold-toned earrings that tie everything together beautifully.
For the beauty look, I kept it simple and modern — a fine line of sindoor along the hairline for a subtle touch of tradition, and intricate Karva Chauth mehendi that brings it all back to the rituals at the heart of the celebration.
The importance of personal style
The festive season is, of course, about honouring and celebrating age-old traditions, rituals and cultural cornerstones. What better way to do it than by dressing in your finest silks and most cherished jewels — in a style that feels authentically you?
Usher in another year of wealth, prosperity and good fortune by curating festive looks that gracefully blend the warmth of tradition with bold, modern touches.
