Dubai-based designers and fashionIstas

The festive season demands you play up with your looks, and the glitz and glamour of ethnic fashion adds to the festivities. Trends today include moving away from traditional colours and opting for lighter, fresher hues like pastels, minty green and zesty orange that add brightness to the overall look. Though lehengas remain a firm favourite, the focus has shifted from heavily embellished outfits to minimalist and comfortable ones.

Aanchal Jaggi, owner of the label Aakarshan by Aanchal Jaggi says, "This Diwali people are opting for more drapes and styling on the sleeves. Off-shoulder and cold shoulder outfits are a huge hit this festive season! Long exaggerated sleeves or waist cut out outfits are also a big trend. Our label has incorporated a lot of dangling tassels and pompoms on the sleeves, waistline and dupattas this time and people love it! Indo-western is another major trend. Many people don't want to drape their dupattas the traditional way and so we have options that can be worn either as a jacket or even attached to the outfit itself. We had a sari-draped kurta that was a huge hit as well. Imagine just slipping on a kurti that makes it look like you've actually draped a sari. Also, keep a look out for saris paired with capes."

She highlights that her latest collection is filled with a lot of pastels and softer shades like peaches, sea greens, lavenders, beiges etc.

"It's still pretty hot in Dubai and people prefer more pastels over bright colours this season. My collections have always been about bright colours, as I love playing around with them, but this time it was different. I chose lighter shades with gold embroideries so that the embellishments would stand out," she adds.

The pressure of dressing right and bright for festivals can really take a toll on anyone because who wouldn't want to be the best dressed at a Diwali party?

Dubai-based designer Rizwan Shaikh shares, "Women are quite busy on the day running errands, so they should go for relaxed silhouettes that fit them well and keep them comfortable."

When asked about which pieces are high in demand this season, he highlights, "Diwali for me is all about happiness, joy, parties, good food and lights, so gold and bright red should be a part of your wardrobe as they are festive. You can also opt for rust or aubergine shades. One of the popular styles this season is mixing up western silhouettes with an Indian twist. For example, dhoti pants with off shoulder kurta, pleated long skirt with choli and dupatta, asymmetrical one-shoulder top with straight pants or different cuts of culottes pants and pairing them with some cool accessories such as a statement pair of earrings or an elegant neckpiece, will make you stand out from the crowd."

Indo-western has become quite popular among the younger generation, as it allows them to carry the traditional garment in a modern way and achieve a dazzling festive look.

Manisha Kumar Chhabra, CEO/Founder, WOW Marketing, Dubai and the brains behind the popular Numaish exhibition, says: "There has been a mixed trend for this festive season, an interesting amalgamation of old and the new giving it a quirky effect. Transforming looks from western to fusion or traditional can be achieved with a handloom woven skirt with a crop top and pants with long jackets. Also, cape's lengths have increased from waist to ankle length, the versatile dhoti now comes in different styles and the evergreen sari comes with limitless blouse options."

She highlights that popular styles this season include tassels and shrugs that can be worn with a gown, sari or dress, modern silhouettes with a traditional twist and layering skirts with long tunics/kurtis or capes. Also, tassel earrings are the biggest trend this festive season and look celebratory at the same time.

Chhabra concludes by saying, "As Dubai is still warm this Diwali, neutral and pastel shades with simple silhouettes are the way to go. Don't over accessorise, and opt for a single statement piece and wear minimum make-up and comfortable footwear." -