Diwali Office Party Outfits 2026: What to Wear to Work on Diwali (Women and Men)
Most offices hold their Diwali party on the Friday before the festival – this year that is Friday, 6 November 2026, which is also Dhanteras – and the brief is always the same: ethnic, but you still have meetings until five, a commute, and possibly a puja at home afterwards. The outfit has to survive a chair, a laptop bag and a rangoli competition. Everything below is cotton or cotton silk, machine-washable, and priced so it does not feel like a once-a-year purchase.
Women: the kurta set is the safe, correct answer
A two-piece cotton kurta set reads festive without trying, and the straight kurta is the one that sits well at a desk. The Ivory Grace silk cotton kurta (₹1,999) with its mandarin collar is the office-to-party piece in this list – add the ivory satin dhoti pant (₹1,199) for the evening and it is a full festive look. For colour, the golden beige tissue silk straight kurta (₹2,799) over white pants is what people photograph at the office puja. Browse all kurta sets and co-ord sets.
Women: the Kalamkari kurta, if your office is already ethnic-leaning
Hand-block Kalamkari is the print that says Diwali without sequins. The black and beige Kalamkari kurta (₹1,299) with black trousers is the quietest option; the Three Print Kalamkari anarkali (₹1,299) is the one for the party itself. See Kalamkari kurtas and the kurti edit.
Women: the shirt dress – for offices where ethnic day means “Indian but modern”
If your workplace reads a full anarkali as too much, a shirt dress in a festive colour with Kolhapuri heels and one piece of oxidised jewellery is the fusion answer. The sage green striped shirt maxi dress (₹1,499) and the olive green button-down maxi (₹1,199) both have pockets and a defined waist. All shirt dresses.
Women: plus size (XL to XXXL)
Every kurta and dress above runs to XXXL, and the straight kurta with a dhoti pant is the most comfortable seated-all-day festive option we make. Shop by size at XXL and XXXL, or use Find My Size before you order.
Men: a Nehru jacket over a plain kurta, no exceptions
The Nehru jacket is the men’s office-Diwali uniform because it goes over a kurta for the party and over a white shirt for the 11 a.m. meeting. The olive green khadi Nehru jacket (₹899) and the stone grey khadi Nehru jacket (₹919) are the two that work with everything; under them, a plain kurta from men’s kurta pyjamas or the gerua rust Pathani kurta (₹1,779) if you want colour. Finish with men’s Kolhapuris. All Nehru jackets.
What to carry and wear with it
A potli fits a phone, a card and lipstick and sits on a desk without looking like a handbag. Juttis or Kolhapuri flats for a day on your feet; Kolhapuri heels if you are changing for the evening. One statement earring from Saagah, not a necklace – lanyards and necklaces fight.
FAQ
What do I wear for ethnic day at work on Diwali? A cotton kurta set or a Kalamkari kurta with trousers for women; a Nehru jacket over a plain kurta for men. Avoid heavy dupattas and floor-length hems – you will be at a desk most of the day.
Can I wear a dress for a Diwali office party? Yes – a shirt dress or a Kalamkari dress with Kolhapuris and oxidised jewellery is now the most common look at Bangalore and Gurgaon office parties.
Is 6 November 2026 a holiday? Dhanteras (6 November) is a working day for most companies; Diwali (8 November) falls on a Sunday this year, so many offices give Monday 9 November off.
Delivery and returns? Free shipping over ₹1,499, cash on delivery available. Pieces are made to order; exchange or return for store credit within 48 hours of delivery on unused pieces with tags (returns policy). Order by 30 October to have it in time for the party.
More from the series: Diwali 2026 outfit ideas for women · Diwali card party outfits · Diwali gifts under ₹1,500. Shop: work wear · festive wear · men’s festive looks.
