Chiconomical

Diwali! It's right round the corner and I bet you're all rushing around to get your houses ready and shopping and finding new bits for yourself! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited but at the same time, completely frazzled with the idea of dressing up for Diwali. I think Diwali Outfit Ideas are something that get harder every year. I've shared some tips every year without fail and this year I simply didn't know what new things I could offer. So here's my take on it. What's one of my favorite things to wear? A maxi. So that's exactly what I'll be using to style myself and share some tips and tricks on refashioning your maxi skirts/dresses and creating a festive outfit.

Unlike most other Jewellry heavy posts you might see on other blogs, these looks are going to be rather fuss free and will focus on drapes and minimalism. Oh PS, in case you have any specific pieces your struggling with, send me a picture with #Chiconomical on any social media and I'll help you out! Anyway, let's get started!

1. Banjaran Batgirl





Okay, disclaimer time. Dad saw me shooting this look and said I looked like batgirl and I couldn't resist putting that as the title of this look. Now you're probably wondering, where the heck is the maxi dress in this look? Well, I had a button front maxi (which I got from Bombay Paisley) and decided it would be a good idea to wear it as a skirt. Then I thought, one isn't enough and paired it with yet another maxi skirt. I added a scarf as a headband and a single statement bracelet. If you're a banjaran at heart, this is definitely the look for you!

2. Modern Desi




Sometimes, the simplest things are the best. I decided since the print on this maxi dress was so beautiful, I had to do justice to it. Since even the extra small was still to big, I clenched it in at the waist with the scarf. This square scarf that's featured in all my posts has been in my life just for a day but it's quickly become an obsession. I think this is going to be seen in numerous posts

3. Desi Drapes

The thing about maxi dresses is that sometimes we're too afraid to mix things up. This look is exactly like the one before and has but one simple twist. I layered the maxi skirt from before and unbuttoned the maxi to switch up the neckline. Yet another fun thing that you can do is to wear your maxi skirt at your natural waist like this look. Created a paperbag waist by using, yep, the same scarf as the first one. A paperbag waist is something you don't always associate with Indian outfits but it's still very modern and if you've got a stretch waist skirt, I highly recommend you try it!

And that's it folks! I hope I've inspired you to try something new this Diwali. If you're still looking for more style inspiration, why not check these posts from some more style inspiration. There's a post for girls who don't like Indian outfits, and another that helps you dress up at the last minute for Diwali! Go check them out today!

Light up the lamps! Diwali is just round the corner and that means lots of food, fashion and lights everywhere. You've probably noticed the mad rush in every shop around town (think an over crowded train during peak hours, but in a store). Personally, I spent some time trying to shop for an outfit and then a day trying to stuff everything I own into my closet without creating a mess (hasn't really worked out that well honestly).

Anyway, my closet woes aside, since we're just a few hours from Diwali, I figured it was time I put up a post for all those girls who don't like traditional outfits, or like me, haven't gotten around to buying a diwali outfit (thanks life for keeping me extra busy). Well, usually, every girl has atleast a couple of Indian outfits hidden somewhere, most of them bought with a mom who guilts you into buying them for a wedding or a related traditional family occasion.

Personally, I have a few hundred punjabi dresses bought for different weddings and a few lehengas for those wedding where I can't cheat with a simple salwar kameez. Another thing I can't digest is that many outfits don't reflect my personal style. So I decided, this diwali I decided to do #TraditonMyWay and thought why not simply shop in my closet and come up with a few ideas that work for the contemporary, modern, hard working girl who doesn't like taking the conventional road. (Or you're just too lazy to go shop, that's absolutely fine too you know).

Either way, I know everyone wants to go out and say, I did #TraditionMyWay. So here are my ideas for mixing things to make your Diwali style your own. Oh, and incase you want to get a similar look, I have links for similar items online at Jabong (since most of my pieces are vintage)!

1. The Kurti/Maxi/Skirt Lover
Long shirt dresses in Indian prints make diwali happier. If you love you're kurtis but want to give them a quick referesh, or if you're a maxi skirt lover (like me) but don't want to go the lehenga way, you can pair them up. I wore a shirt dress in a kitschy print with a silk maxi skirt (part of my old lehenga) to get a quirky new look for Diwali.






Pair the outfit with boots to give it a little extra edge. You can even swap the Indian handbag with a office bag (thinks structured totes or satchel bags) to give it a quick indo-western twist.

2. The Classic Dress Lover
So you love wearing your typical western dresses and pencil skirts and wouldn't think of covering you're gorgeous legs with a salwar or leggings or bottoms for Diwali? Well, just a few accessories and a kitschy cropped Jacket with embroidery/beaded motifs and you're all set for diwali. Add a bindi for extra quirk factor.


3. The Blazer Lover
Yes, you're a powerhouse and strong businesswoman. You wouldn't dream of taking the day off on Diwali and will probably wear your blazer to a meeting even on the holiday. Or, maybe blazers are your thing and trademark style. Well, add a little softness to the strong look by replacing you're pencil skirt with a long, flowy maxi skirt.



4. The Jeans Lover
This is probably every girl I know. Well, while you always have the Indian kurti route, pair a traditional choli or croptop with your jeans. You can even add a leather biker jacket (which I wanted too, but frankly mumbai is too hot for any leather use) to make the look more edgy. A interesting back always makes for a better outfit.





You can even wear a pair of palazzo pants or culottes for a more relaxed look.

My Tips for putting together a Quick Last Minute Diwali Outfit:

• Mix and match a traditional outfit set to get a new look. You don't always have to wear all the pieces of a Indian outfit together. Pair that old dupatta from your lehenga with a simple kurti to give it added sparkle. 
• If you think you're outfit is too boring, look for addon pieces with interesting embroidery/motifs. 
• A simple outfit with an interesting back can still dazzle people. When buying Indian separates, look for pieces with that one element that makes them unique. Then dress to highlight that element.
• If you think you don't want to invest in a new outfit, just pile on the accessories. They're cheaper and the right pairing can give your old tshirt and jeans a whole new look (Think oxidised jewellery, vintage neckpieces and stacks of bangles)
• Want a traditional outfit without buying a whole piece? Wear your classic LBD/LWD with a pair of contrast leggings and a printed dupatta to get a whole new punjabi dress! Yep, its that simple. 
• Don't be afraid to mix western pieces with Indian ones. Just make sure you're wearing something that's comfortable and goes with your personal style. 
• Finally, don't forget, Diwali is a time to share joy and happiness! You're outfit should be an extension of that! Forget the rules, wear something that sparks joy! 

Okay! No, I haven't completely lost it. Its the 'New year' (Saal Mubarak == Happy New Year) according to our traditions. The tradition in my house says I should wear all my new clothes and go seek blessings from my elders...and that's exactly what I did today.

If you follow me on Facebook  or Instagram (and if not they why????) you know that I had a little dilemma about what to wear. Contrary to what everyone suggested, I ended up listening to my mum (the only person in favor of my outfit) and wore this custom made kurta and churidar set that was gifted to me by my uncle and his family.






While I was slightly unhappy with the absence of visible neckline (I'm mildly obsessed with my collarbones) I still like how the outfit looks. As for the other choice, oh, I might just wear it tomorrow (there's one more day of festivity left you know!), provided I can finish a couple of assignments before I have to leave to for a family function.

Talk to me in the comments about how you celebrated Diwali. You can also join the converstaion on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Here's wishing all my lovely readers A Very Happy Diwali! More details on how I celebrated Diwali very soon! Promise!

In the meantime, hope you enjoy the festival of lights with lots of delicious food, interesting company and of course, lights!!


PS: I took this picture in one of my failed attempts to take artistic still life shots with my phone camera. Lemme know if its any good! :)