Raksha Bandhan Fashion Tips: Raksha Bandhan style guide: How to look festive without wearing too much
Raksha Bandhan tends to become more of a fashion fest than anyone may have intended. In the middle of the flurry of doing the puja, having lunch with family, and having an obligatory photo shoot, most of us may either find ourselves dressed for the occasion by 11 am or running around to find our clothing right before guests arrive. The good part is that festive dress does not require elaborate lehengas or tons of jewellery. Just a little bit of thought.To begin with, a well-tailored kurta, a simple saree, or even a beautifully made co-ord set in a good fabric can be far more effective than something heavily embellished. Start with a beautiful silk, Chanderi, or well-draped cotton in a lovely shade often does not require very much more. When too many elements are added to an outfit, you can sometimes lose its inherent grace.Colour is probably the easiest way to bring in a sense of celebration without trying too hard. Shades like marigold yellow, deep coral, soft rani pink, or muted mustard immediately feel festive. With a beautiful colour palette, you do not necessarily need sequins or heavy embroidery to make an outfit feel appropriate for the occasion.
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For women, a simple straight-cut kurta with delicate detailing, or a single-colour saree with a contrasting border, can work beautifully. Pair it with juttis or comfortable block heels. Instead of wearing a necklace, earrings, bangles, and rings together, I would choose one or two elements: a pair of jhumkas, a beautiful bangle, or perhaps your mother’s earrings. Jewellery should complement what you are wearing rather than compete with it. One meaningful piece will almost always look more elegant than several unrelated ones.
The same approach works for men
A well-cut kurta pyjama in linen, cotton silk, or another comfortable fabric is enough for a family celebration. If you want to dress it up further, add a Nehru jacket in a complementary or contrasting shade. Accessories should be kept simple. A stole, an interesting pocket square, or even just a good watch. There is sometimes a tendency to use multiple prints because they feel more festive, but I think a cleaner look often feels far more refined.Raksha Bandhan is also a lovely occasion to bring something personal into what you wear. A piece of family jewellery, an inherited dupatta, your mother’s earrings, or even a vintage brooch can add so much more character than something bought at the last minute. Clothes become more special when there is a memory or story attached to them.Dressing appropriately for your companions is the key thing, rather than thinking about how your clothing will be viewed by everybody. Raksha Bandhan is about family and connection. Your clothes should be comfortable and allow you to either sit during the puja, eat a feast, or spend the day without worrying about what to wear.When thinking about clothes for Raksha Bandhan, I would pay attention to balance, fabric quality, cut, colour, and intricate details.Inputs by: Ms Niti Bothra, a celebrity fashion designer and founder of Label Niti Bothra
