Fashion Tips To Look Stylish: A Guide To Make Your Ethnic Wear Sizzle

Ethnic wear makes a bold style statement. When styled well, ethnic outfits can make you look like a diva and grab eyeballs wherever you go. However, styling ethnic wear the right way requires some thought and effort. With the right mix of apparel and accessories, you can make your ethnic outfit look stunning. Here are some useful fashion tips and ideas to help you look stylish and fabulous in ethnic wear:

Choose The Right Fabric

Fabric plays a key role in determining how good your ethnic outfit will look. Go for fabrics like cotton, silk, chanderi, georgette, crape, or brocade for ethnic dresses and skirts. Avoid very flimsy or stiff fabrics. Lightweight fabrics like chiffon and georgette drape beautifully and are ideal for ethnic wear. Silk is luxurious and gives a rich look. Cotton and linen are great for daily wear. Pick bright, festive colors or pastels for a cheerful look. Darker shades like maroon, emerald, and royal blue also look regal in ethnic wear.

Get The Right Fit

Ethnic wear flatters your figure best when it fits right. Getting the right size for tops, skirts, salwar suits, and kurtis is essential. Tops and kurtis should skim over your torso

lightly and not be too loose or body-hugging. Churidar, leggings, and salwars should fit well on your hips and legs. Ill-fitting ethnic wear can make you look sloppy. Avoid very tight or loose fits. You can always get them altered to suit your body shape.

Accessorize Wisely

Accessories add drama and charm to ethnic outfits. Statement necklaces, chandelier or jhumka earrings, kolhapuri slippers, embroidered mojaris and embellished clutches can transform your look. Stick to silver, gold, or oxidized jewelry to complement traditional outfits. Avoid chunky accessories if you are petite. Taller women can carry off heavier jewelry well. Hair accessories like gajra, matha patti, and maang tikka also accentuate ethnic wear.

Style Your Dupattas

Dupattas are a must for ethnic dresses like salwar suits and kurtis. Instead of just letting your dupatta hang, style it attractively. Drape the dupatta around your neck, over one shoulder or both shoulders. Let it flow gracefully on one side. Pin or tie it loosely at the waist. Play with dupatta styles for different looks.

Layer Wisely

Layering not just adds style but also provides comfort and coverage. Team short ethnic kurtis or cholis with jackets, shrugs, or capes. Layer long anarkali suits or maxi dresses with lightweight stoles or scarves. Shawls and wraps keep you cozy in air-conditioned venues. Layering also helps balance your proportions. Petite girls can add height with long overlays. Plus-size women can wear dark-colored layers to slim down their silhouette.

Pick The Right Bottom Wear

Your choice of bottom wear determines how stylish your ethnic outfit looks. Pair short kurtis or ethnic tops with leggings, churidars, dhoti pants, or slim-fit salwars. Straight-cut salwars and churidars in breathable fabrics keep you comfy in hot weather. Palazzos and harem pants add a fashionable touch. Lehengas or long flowy skirts make the best bottoms for ethnic maxi dresses and Anarkali. Stick to solid colors or subtle prints for bottom wear.

Rock Traditional Footwear

Footwear makes or breaks the look of ethnic fashion. Kolhapuris, juttis, mojaris, embellished heels, and embroidered flats add loads of oomph. Stick to ethnic footwear in muted metallics, pastels, or bright pops of color. Strappy sandals or wedges look stylish yet dressy. Open-toed heels or pencil heels offer comfort and go with both traditional and Indo-Western looks. Avoid sports shoes and sneakers with ethnic wear.

Be Mindful of Lengths

Length is a key styling factor for ethnic wear. Petite girls should opt for short or knee-length kurtis and ethnic dresses. Plus size women can pick appropriately long tunics,

kurtas and anarkalis. Taller girls can carry off maxi-length dresses well. Make sure hemlines are not too short when wearing ethnic skirts or kurtis. Slits on one side can make ethnic gowns or dresses more comfortable for walking.

Sport Statement Sleeves

Statement sleeves are a hot ethnic wear trend nowadays. Opt for off-shoulder, cold-shoulder, or cape sleeves to glam up simple kurtis and tops. Ethnic gowns and anarkalis with billowy sleeves, bell sleeves, and lantern sleeves also catch attention. Keep the rest of the outfit minimal to let dramatic sleeves make their impact. Sleeveless ethnic wear looks stylish for comfortable women showing some skin.

Use Prints/Embroidery Thoughtfully

Ethnic wear is synonymous with vibrant prints, intricate embroidery, beadwork, zari, cutwork, and mirror-work. While these embellishments look appealing, don’t overdo them. Stick to 1 or 2 statement prints or embroidery in your outfit. Too many busy prints, embroidered motifs, or embellishments can make your ethnic wear look gaudy. Place prints/embroidery smartly on necklines, sleeves, yokes, or hems for maximum impact.

Skip The Overkill with Colors/Patterns

Indian ethnic wear allows you to experiment with bright, vibrant colors, prints, and patterns. However, sticking to 2 or 3 colors in one outfit is advisable. Too many clashing colors and patterns look distracting. Combine brights with neutrals for easier wearability. Favor color blocking over mixing several colors. Don’t pair big floral prints with polka dots, checks and stripes. Stick to solids for bottoms when wearing printed/embroidered kurtas and tops.

Pick Flattering Necklines

Necklines have the power to make or break your look. Avoid high necks or very deep necks if you have a short neck or heavy bust. Boat necks and V necks are universally flattering. Off-shoulders and sweetheart necklines look romantic. Collared ethnic kurtis and tops are perfect for office wear. Pick square, round or sweetheart necklines for plus-size body types. Scoop necks and cowl necks suit narrow shoulders.

Outline Your Waist

Define your waistline when wearing ethnic wear. This could be with a belt, sash, tied dupatta or kamarbandh. This gives shape to loose silhouettes like anarkalis, long dresses, and maxi skirts. Even skinny girls can cinch their waists with ethnic wear belts or scarves. Make sure it doesn’t appear constricting though. Tie sashes at the side rather than the front to elongate your torso.

Follow Trends Selectively

From bell sleeves to ruffle sarees, ethnic wear trends keep evolving. While it’s fun to experiment with trends, not all may suit you. Judge carefully before investing in trendy ethnic wear pieces. Avoid current fads that are too over the top or do not flatter your body type. Adapt trends to create styles personalized for your body shape. Combine trendy ethnic wear separates with classic pieces in your wardrobe. Don’t forget to check out our Republic Day sale.

Take Cues From Celebs/Influencers

Celebrities and fashion influencers offer loads of style inspirations for rocking ethnic wear. Notice necklines, sleeves, lengths, and styling ideas that work for your body type and personal style. Follow fashionistas like Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Shilpa Shetty, and Malaika Arora for the hottest ethnic wear styling tips, hacks, and trends.
Now that you know the top techniques for styling ethnic wear fashionably, go ahead and give your traditional collection a stylish spin. With the right attitude, you can look and feel like a million bucks in a salwar kameez or stunning saree. So embrace your inner diva and let your ethnic outfits do the talking!