Navratri, a nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess Durga, is not only a time of spiritual significance but also a celebration of vibrant culture and tradition. One of the most enchanting aspects of Navratri is that each day brings forth a kaleidoscope of colours, weaving a visual tapestry of tradition and style. From the classic “chaniya cholis” and “kediyus” to the regal drapes of sarees and indo-western fusion wear, Navratri fashion is a testament to the artistry and creativity of the Indian handloom artisans and industry.
Adorned with ornate jewellery and accessories, men and women alike step out in resplendent ensembles. The festival of Navratri is not only dedicated to devotion but also a grand stage for India’s diverse and captivating fashion heritage. Social media is filled with people showcasing their beautiful outfits this festive season, especially while following the colours of Navratri. Fashion content creators are belting out some gorgeous festive looks every day. And one such creator is Sayanti Mahapatra. We’ll dive deeper into her journey and thoughts on Navratri fashion in this article.
Also Read: Rini Dixit Shares Expert Tips to Amplify Your Navratri Spirit
The Colours of Navratri
Shardiya Navratri 2023 is celebrated from October 15, 20223 through October 24, 2023. During these nine days of Navratri, it is a tradition to wear different colours associated with each day of the festival. These colours have symbolic significance and are believed to represent the various “manifestations “avatars” and attributes of the Goddess. Here are the commonly followed colour schemes for each day along with the Goddess they represent:
Day 1: Orange (Shailaputri)
Day 2: White (Brahmacharini)
Day 3: Red (Chandraghanta)
Day 4: Royal Blue (Kushmanda)
Day 5: Yellow (Skandamata)
Day 6: Green (Katyayani)
Day 7: Grey (Kalaratri)
Day 8: Purple (Mahagauri)
Day 9: Peacock Green (Siddhidatri)
About Sayanti
Sayanti Mahapatra is a successful plus-size content creator and fashion communication graduate. Sayanti’s career began during her second year of college, where she used blogging as an entry point to showcase her talent and connect with like-minded individuals in the fashion industry. Through attending fashion shows, securing internships, and getting recognition from brands, she realized the importance of networking, which later helped her achieve success. She started her content journey by repurposing clothes, thrifting, and styling them in multiple ways. The fashion and lifestyle vlogger is most well-known for her affordable plus-size styling recommendations and authenticity.
The Social Nation Team spoke to Sayanti to get some Navratri styling inspiration from her. Let’s take you through excerpts from the conversation:
How do you incorporate traditional elements into your Navratri outfits while still staying on-trend?
“The fail-safe way to stay on trend is to invest in classics. For Navratri, ‘chaniya choli’ is a staple. So, I invest in a black ‘chaniya choli’ and play with traditional elements such as jewellery, dupatta, accessories and hair. The same goes for kurta sets. A classic black kurta set can be easily paired up with a mirrorwork dupatta, colourful embroidered ‘potli’ & silver oxidised jewellery to create a Navratri-appropriate ensemble.“
Can you share your go-to colour combinations or styles that you feel are perfect for Navratri celebrations?
“A. Purple with Green, and Red with Navy Blue colour combination lehenga choli or suit set
B. Black anarkali kurta set with multicolour embroidery and sequins
C. Patchwork lehengas
D. Mirrorwork detailing on a ‘lehriya‘ fabric
E. Solid skirt and top or co-ord sets with ‘gamthi‘ embroidery & shells“
How do you balance comfort and style when selecting outfits for the energetic and vibrant Navratri dances?
“The first step to making sure that the outfits are comfortable is to know your personal style. What do I like and dislike, what type of silhouettes and colours make me feel most confident and lastly how much I am willing to experiment with my style? Based on that I eliminate anything that doesn’t make me feel my best and try to experiment with the styles and silhouettes I am most comfortable with.
For example, I love ‘lehenga choli’ but I am not the best at carrying the dupatta and dancing my heart out. So, I have to look for alternatives to dupatta here. Can switch it with an ethnic jacket or shrug. Or I can do a cotton skirt and top set with details such as embroidery, mirrorwork or shells since these are very famous for Navratri. Lastly, I would make sure that the fitting is proper so that I can enjoy without any worry.”
Are there specific fabrics or textures that you feel work well for Navratri clothing?
“Yes. These are my preferred fabrics for the versatility they bring to the looks-
- ‘Gamthi’ cotton fabric
- ‘Bandhani’ Print Fabric
- ‘Leheriya’ Print Fabric
- Handmade appliqué fabric
- Embroidered fabric with mirrorwork details”
Do you have any tips for mixing and matching different pieces to create versatile Navratri looks?
“The best part about Navratri outfits is that they are very versatile and provide a wide window for styling. I love to mix and match my old lehengas / co-ord sets with mirrorwork dupattas and some junk jewellery to create a new look altogether. Another idea could be to take any heavy work blouse and pair it with a solid skirt. Lastly, the simplest way is by elevating a simple kurta set with statement oxidised jewellery and ‘gamthi’ work dupatta.“
How do you stay true to your personal style while embracing the festive spirit of Navratri?
“With festivities, a bunch of fresh new outfit options are bound to be confusing. The only way to embrace the festive spirit yet stay true to your personal style is by only investing in the pieces that I know I will actually wear and can repurpose for different occasions later on.”
Sayanti’s detailed fashion tips for Navratri definitely serve as an essential style guide this festive season that is bound to help you create your own looks!
