Diwali 2026 Outfit Ideas for Women: What to Wear for Dhanteras, Lakshmi Puja and Bhai Dooj
Diwali 2026 falls in early November, with Dhanteras on the Friday, Lakshmi Puja on the Sunday and Bhai Dooj two days later. That is five days of visiting, cooking, pujas, card parties and photographs – and the outfit that survives all of it is handcrafted cotton, not silk. Here is what to wear for each day, with pieces from Tjori’s Festival Collection.
Dhanteras – shopping and the first lamps
A day of errands that ends with a small puja. A Kalamkari straight kurta in beige or rust over plain cotton palazzos, tan Kolhapuris, oxidised jhumkas. Comfortable enough for a market, dressed enough for the lamps. Gold-tone or oxidised: pick one metal and keep it all week.
Choti Diwali – cooking and the house
The day the kitchen runs all afternoon. Sleeveless or half-sleeve, nothing that trails: a khadi halter-neck flared dress, or a slip kurta with dhoti pants. Add a Kota kali overlay when guests arrive in the evening and the same outfit becomes festive.
Lakshmi Puja – the main evening
Red, maroon, gold and off-white are the traditional colours, and it is the one evening to go fully ethnic. Three routes:
- The set: a red Kalamkari or Ajrakh 3-piece kurta set with Kota dupatta, embroidered juttis, a gota potli, kundan choker and maang tikka.
- The saree: a cotton linen or Ari-embroidered georgette saree with a readymade Ajrakh or organza blouse and brocade block heels.
- The dress: a Kalamkari cotton-silk asymmetrical dress or an Ikkat dress with brocade slider mules – for anyone who does not want to manage a dupatta through a puja.
Card party and Diwali dinner
Sitting for hours, so nothing that creases or pulls. A satin blouse and dhoti co-ord, a lurex-stripe cotton-silk jumpsuit, or a brocade angrakha kurta with black straight pants. Gold-tone layered chains rather than a heavy choker; gold wedges if you will stand.
Bhai Dooj – daytime, family
Lighter than Lakshmi Puja: a hand-block printed kurta with a Kota dupatta, or a block-print cotton midi. The gift for a brother: a Nehru jacket or leather Kolhapuris.
Sizes and fit
Everything above is made in XS to XXXL (chest 86–117 cm). If you are between sizes, go up – cotton has no stretch. The plus-size fit guide covers XL, XXL and XXXL in detail, and the size chart has every measurement.
The family
Boys’ Nehru jacket sets and girls’ malmal kurta sets from ₹314, men’s kurta pyjama sets with a silk or brocade Nehru jacket, and matching prints in Mother & Child.
Order timing
Order by the last week of October for standard delivery before Dhanteras; pre-order pieces ship on the dates on their product pages. Returns and exchanges are accepted on unused pieces with tags – see the returns policy.
FAQs
What colour should I wear on Diwali?
Red, maroon, gold, yellow and off-white for Lakshmi Puja; anything for the other days. Black is traditionally avoided on puja evening.
Can I wear a dress for Diwali?
Yes – a Kalamkari, Ikkat or cotton-silk dress with ethnic jewellery and juttis reads as festive and is easier than a saree for a long evening.
What to wear for a Diwali office party?
A Kalamkari or Ajrakh straight kurta over black pants, or a chintz co-ord set, with one piece of statement jewellery.
