As the rhythmic beats of the dhol fill the air and families gather around the warm bonfire with rewari and popcorn, Lohri ushers in a season of unabashed celebration. This year, the festival's sartorial choices are embracing a blend of tradition and contemporary ease, with richly textured, winter-ready silhouettes taking centre stage.
Effortless Silhouettes Define Festive Dressing
Gone are the days of overly ornate and cumbersome outfits. Lohri dressing in 2024 is gravitating towards styles that combine regal heritage with modern sensibility. According to Vrinda Sachdev and Gurinder Singh, co-founders of the label Qbik, farshi salwar suits are a major trend. They are loved for their elongated, fluid silhouette and royal structure. When paired with an embroidered kurta and a statement dupatta, the look is festive yet balanced.
The popularity of sharara and gharara sets continues unabated, especially when styled with shorter kurta tops that allow for practical layering during North India's chilly winters. For men, dhoti-style pants are gaining significant traction. They offer a fresh, modern twist when combined with embroidered kurtas or even layered under trendy bomber jackets.
Winter Fabrics and Deep Hues for Bonfire Glow
The choice of fabric is paramount for both comfort and style during Lohri evenings. Designers unanimously recommend winter-friendly materials that provide warmth without sacrificing elegance. Velvet, raw silk, pashmina silk, silk jacquards, satin blends, and textured weaves are the top picks for this season, as noted by Vrinda Sachdev.
Echoing this sentiment, designer Rajdeep Ranawat emphasises that Lohri calls for rich fabrics like silks, silk dupions, Chanderi, and velvets. He suggests prints and details such as:
- Bandhej motifs
- Subtle ikat influences
- Banarasi-inspired brocades
- Miniature-style florals
Embellishments like zardozi, resham work, mirror accents, and delicate rhinestones add the necessary festive sparkle. The colour palette draws inspiration from deep jewel tones that complement the bonfire's glow: crimson reds, burnt oranges, emerald greens, royal blues, wine, and antique golds.
Styling Tips from Influencers and Experts
Fashion influencers are sharing their personal Lohri style formulas. Lifestyle influencer Deeksha Mishra recommends a velvet kurta in a deep winter hue paired with a blush organza dupatta, creating a beautiful contrast between rich texture and sheer lightness.
Mehak Jain plans to opt for a farshi salwar combined with a velvet kaftan or pashmina cape. She believes oversized jhumkis and a maang tikka add instant festive charm, complemented by a sleek bun or a traditional braid (gutt) adorned with gota.
For Mahima Chawla Chandhok, the go-to involves rich winter fabrics like velvet and raw silk. A phulkari dupatta or pashmina shawl is essential, along with traditional jhumkas or chandbalis and stacked bangles. Her beauty finish includes kohl, a bright lip, and sleek low bun or soft waves.
Celebrity stylist Rochelle D’sa champions fusion dressing for Lohri. She suggests ideas like colour-block shararas, tassel-work cholis with tissue lehengas, or capes over brocade pants. Even a tailored velvet blazer styled with a lehenga can feel fresh and festive. Her non-negotiable accessory? A customised parandi, which she calls an instant Lohri showstopper, to be worn with embellished juttis, a potli bag, and jhumkas with ear chains.
This Lohri, the fashion narrative is clear: it's all about embracing tradition through comfortable, contemporary, and deeply textured outfits that are perfectly suited for a night of celebration and warmth.
