What should men wear to a Diwali party?
Something new, something with colour, and something you can sit on the floor in for a puja if you need to. Diwali is the one day many Indian families still expect everyone to dress up. The right outfit depends on where you are going and when.
| The occasion | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Lakshmi puja at home | A silk or cotton-silk kurta with churidar or straight trousers; mojaris or leather sandals |
| Family lunch or dinner | A kurta with a Nehru jacket, or a band-collar shirt with a jacket |
| Evening card party or house party | A bandhgala, a Jodhpuri, or a velvet jacket over a dark shirt |
| Office Diwali celebration | A Nehru jacket over your usual shirt and trousers, or a simple kurta and jacket |
| A formal Diwali dinner or client event | A dark bandhgala with matching trousers, or a dark suit with a festive pocket square |
Colours for Diwali
- Warm and deep: maroon, rust, mustard, saffron and bottle green.
- Classic: ivory and gold, or royal blue.
- Evening: black, midnight blue and aubergine suit a card party.
Many families avoid black for the puja itself. For an evening party, a black bandhgala is common and very sharp.
The three pieces worth owning
- A Nehru jacket. It turns a plain kurta or a work shirt into a festive outfit in one move. Get one in a colour you will wear again at weddings.
- A bandhgala. The most useful piece of Indian formalwear a man can own. Right for Diwali evenings, weddings and receptions. The Jaipur and the Noir are two ways in.
- A well-cut kurta in silk or cotton-silk, long enough to cover the seat, with shoulders that fit.
Fabric and comfort
Diwali falls in October or November, when Delhi evenings start to cool. Cotton-silk and fine wool are comfortable from afternoon into night. Keep velvet for the late parties. Whatever you choose, check it for sitting down: a puja on the floor is hard in narrow churidars and a tight jacket.
Safety around diyas and crackers
Loose dupattas, long stoles and synthetic fabrics catch fire easily. Around diyas and crackers, keep scarves off, sleeves close to the wrist, and choose natural fibres, which are less likely to melt.
Getting something made in time
Made-to-measure pieces take three to four weeks, and the festive season is the busiest time of year. For a Nehru jacket or bandhgala in time for Diwali, book the measuring appointment at least a month before. Book a home appointment in Gurugram or Delhi.
Questions, answered
A Nehru jacket over a shirt and trousers, or a kurta with a Nehru jacket if your office dresses up. Keep it easy to move and eat in.
Deep, warm colours: maroon, mustard, bottle green, royal blue, ivory and gold. Many people wear new clothes on Diwali, and bright colours are traditional.
Many families avoid black for the puja itself. For an evening party, a black bandhgala is common and looks very sharp.
Not for an evening party or a formal dinner. For a family puja at home, a kurta is usually more fitting.
A bandhgala, a Jodhpuri or a velvet jacket for the evening, or a Nehru jacket over a kurta if the party is relaxed.
