Fabrics to Pick for a Diwali Kurta and Ethnic Wear Style

Diwali styles for men have changed over the years.

While men continue to dress in traditional wear, the concept of festive attire has become more relaxed and personalised as compared to earlier times.

A heavily embellished outfit or an extremely heavy kurta is not required to make a man appear festive.

All you need is the right colour, the right silhouette and the right fabric.

In fact, some of the most interesting festive attires are the ones which make a man look good without appearing that he took long time getting ready.

So if you plan to buy a new kurta, Nehru jacket or ethnic wear outfit this Diwali season, select the fabric first.

Here are some of the interesting fabric ideas that will work best in modern Diwali styling.

1. Textured Cotton Fabric

If you think that cotton fabric does not suit festive dressing then you are wrong.

The trick is to switch from simple plain cotton to more detailed fabrics.

Consider dobby patterns, woven stripes, tonal prints, small motifs or subtle embroideries.

The details will make the fabric festive without making it uncomfortable.

Textured cotton is great for day-time pujas, office parties, family lunch parties and casual gatherings.

Colors like off-white, sage green, soft yellow, powder blue, peach and muted pink are excellent for festive cotton kurtas.

Team the kurta with straight or churidars, leather footwear and maybe a waistcoat to give it a dressed up look.

2. Silk Blends for Festive Shimmer

Nothing beats the look of silk in warm Diwali lights.

The natural shimmer will make your simple kurta look richer.

However, you do not have to opt for pure silk.

Silk-blend fabrics can work the same magic while being easier to wear and care for.

For evening gatherings go for darker shades like burgundy, bottle green, navy, rust, chocolate, charcoal or black.

Ivory, gold-beige and cream work really well for more traditional look.

The point is to avoid embellishing a rich-looking fabric unnecessarily.

For instance, if your silk-blend kurta has a beautiful shimmer, do not overdo the embroidery or accessories.

3. Jacquard for Festive Patterns without Embroidery

Jacquard patterns are one of the best ways to make ethnic wear festive.

Since the pattern is woven into the fabric, you do not require any further embellishments.

This makes jacquard an ideal choice for those who do not like overly detailed kurtas.

A self-patterned jacquard kurta will look dressed up enough for a Diwali dinner yet versatile.

Geometrical patterns will create a more contemporary effect.

Floral patterns will remind of the heritage style.

Tonal jacquards are easier to wear as the pattern will appear subtlety under the falling lights.

If you are not a fan of flashy ethnic wear then this is the best way to go.

4. Linen Blends Fabric for Relaxed Festive Wear

Every Diwali party does not require a formal silk kurta.

There are situations where you are expected to host guests or attend a day-time event or travel to multiple houses.

This is where linen blends can be used brilliantly.

The linen fabric will give ethnic wear a more relaxed and natural texture.

A perfectly cut linen-blend kurta will look festive and modern while being quite comfortable.

Earthy colors will work perfectly with this fabric.

Think of olive, beige, stone, muted brown, dusty blue, terracotta and off-white.

Team it with clean trousers and minimal footwear to make it festive.

5. Brocade but in a More Contemporary Style

Brocade fabric has been associated with Indian festive outfits forever.

Nowadays it is just about the styling of the fabric.

Instead of wearing a heavily patterned brocade kurta from head to toe, consider using brocade more selectively.

For instance, wear a brocade Nehru jacket over a plain kurta.

It is one of the easiest ways to make a fashion statement.

Alternatively, wear a kurta with a more understated woven pattern.

It will make your outfit easier to style and wear again.

Ivory with gold, black with antique gold, deep maroon, navy and muted green look fabulous in brocade.

Such colors will look especially festive in evening events.

6. Monochromatic Style

One of the cleanest trends in modern menswear is monochromatic styling.

Wear an ivory kurta with slightly darker beige trousers and off-white jacket.

Or wear a deep olive kurta with tonal trousers.

The outfit will look put together even though there is minimum styling.

When you dress monochromatically, more attention is paid to the fabric choice.

The same applies to weaves.

Self-patterned jacquards, raw silk texture or subtle weaves will look especially nice when colors are similar.

7. Rich Colors for Nighttime Events

Diwali allows you to play with rich colors.

Burgundy, navy, deep green, plum, rust and chocolate are particularly good for evening parties.

They are great for taking photos and also pair well with festive accessories.

You do not have to suddenly start wearing bright orange or electric blue just because it is Diwali.

Go one step deeper than your usual color palette.

A burgundy kurta will look festive while remaining quite sophisticated.

A forest-green Nehru jacket will add color without overpowering the outfit.

Festive styling is great when you look like yourself.

8. Ivory and Cream Colors are Unbeatable

While the color palette keeps changing every season, ivory remains one of the most versatile choices in Indian men's wardrobes.

It goes well with almost everything.

An ivory kurta can be teamed with colorful jackets, stoles, brown footwear or a contrasting bottom.

The only factor which determines whether the fabric will look festive or not is the fabric.

Ivory cotton is more relaxed.

Ivory silk will make the outfit look more festive.

Ivory jacquard will make it more stylish.

The color is the same, but the fabric changes the personality of the garment entirely.

That is why fabric selection is so important.

9. Keep Embellishment Intentional

One of the most interesting trends in modern menswear is the move towards cleaner detailing.

Instead of a heavily embroidered kurta, go for a little detail near the collar, placket, cuffs or pockets.

Even in woven fabrics, if the pattern of the fabric is strong enough, the silhouette can be left clean.

This way the outfit will look premium without appearing overdone.

Most importantly, you will be able to reuse it.

10. Pick an Outfit That Will Survive All Evening

This point may seem obvious, but many people tend to ignore it.

Diwali often includes sitting for puja, meeting relatives, eating, walking around, clicking pictures and attending multiple events.

If your outfit starts feeling uncomfortable after 30 minutes, then your fabric choice was wrong.

Make sure the fabric is comfortable.

Does it allow enough movements?

Is it too scratchy at the neck or around the arms?

Think about the weather.

And do not choose a very heavy fabric because it looks expensive.

The best festive clothes are the ones you do not notice on yourself.

Create a Festive Wardrobe and Not One Festival Outfit

A good kurta must stay relevant even after one use.

Select colors and fabrics that can serve you at different occasions such as weddings, family dinners, Rakhi, festive gatherings and other festivities.

A textured ivory kurta can be styled in five different ways.

Navy jacquard Nehru jacket can be paired with different kurta sets.

A deep green silk-blend kurta can turn into a wedding-season favorite.

That is what thoughtful fabric selection can give you.

At Vaibhav’s Creations, we believe that festive dressing should make you look special, but not complicate your life.

Choose fabrics that suit you best whether it is textured cotton, understated jacquard, rich silk blends or relaxed linen.