The festival of light is here, bringing with it not just joy and togetherness, but also the perfect opportunity to begin our love affair with ethnic fashion.
From intimate pujas and office celebrations to cozy family luncheons and glamorous festive soirées, the season is packed with occasions, each demanding a look that balances tradition with personal style. But let’s be honest, finding the perfect outfit for every single event can often be a challenging task.
Fortunately, we have our very own Bollywood divas lighting the way for us. After all, no one serves ethnic fashion quite like our B-Town beauties. So, as the festive season unfolds, why not seek inspiration from these screen goddesses and sparkle just as brightly?
We have curated a list of the most striking celebrity ethnic looks of the season, each one full of grace and just the right dose of drama, to help you show up in style and feel like the patakha that you truly are.
So, before you hit the stores or start filling your cart, look at these ethnic favorites from Bollywood’s style icons and let their style inspire your Diwali wardrobe.
Alia Bhatt
Outfit: Seema Gujral Design
Styled By: Garima Garg and Ami Patel
There is plenty to borrow from this diva’s style quotient as she has mastered the art of effortless elegance. Her dusty pink pearl sharara set, designed by Seema Gujral, is a lesson in understated luxury. The set features intricate thread, pearl, and crystal embroidery and is ideal for those who want to embrace festive fashion with subtlety. Alia’s outfit is perfect for those who are cautious about the festive bling and want to keep the desi attire simple yet elegant.
Sharvari Wagh
Outfit: Sabyasachi
Styled By: Anaita Shroff Adajania
Talk about slaying in a saree, and Bollywood’s rising star, Sharvari Wagh, shows us another way to do it. For Sabyasachi’s 25th anniversary celebration, she wore a signature Sabyasachi saree and styled it with a striking upcycled jacket that fused black denim with archival gold embroidery. The mix of textures—denim and tulle—created a bold fusion that felt fresh yet rooted in tradition. It’s the ultimate example of how to reinvent festive wear with confidence, and if you love innovation, Sharvari Wagh’s look is the perfect blueprint.
Aditi Rao Hydari
Outfit: Bhumika Sharma Official
Styled By: Sanam Ratansi
Let’s be honest, shararas have never gone out of fashion since the Mughal era and are best for any festive occasions. This festive season, seek style inspo from the graceful Aditi Rao Hydari, who is known for blending old-world charm with modern silhouettes. Aditi was recently spotted wearing a gorgeous teal ensemble by couturier Bhumika Sharma, featuring a structured, embroidered jacket that she paired with flowy sharara pants. This look is perfect for fashion enthusiasts who love experimenting with classic silhouettes in contemporary ways.
Madhuri Dixit Nene
Outfit: Seema Gujral Design
Styled By: Mohit Rai with Tarang Agarwal
The eternal style icon, Madhuri Dixit Nene, continues to show us how to turn tradition into a statement. Nothing captures elegance like the traditional six-yard, and Madhuri shows us how to further amp up the beauty of a classic saree. For a recent shoot, the actress wore a sunshine-yellow stitched saree by Seema Gujral to which she gave an unexpected twist by adding a structured embroidered jacket. The look is a masterclass in how to elevate a classic while keeping it sophisticated. So, if you want to wear a saree this Diwali, you know where to look to add that sassy twist.
Kriti Sanon
Outfit: Rajesh Pratap Singh
Styled By: Sukriti Grover
Another fashionista known for serving some stunning fashion moments is Kriti Sanon, and her recent ethnic look is no exception. She wore a bold rani pink Anarkali suit and crimson red lehenga bottom by Rajesh Pratap Singh, creating a dramatic layered silhouette which is sure to make heads turn wherever you go. It is chic, confident, and unapologetically Indian. If you want to make a memorable entrance, this is the look to copy.
Rakul Preet Singh
Styled By: Anshika Verma
Those who don’t like a completely traditional look can go for a fusion attire like Rakul Preet Singh. The actress paired a blazer-style top with flowy sharara pants from the shelves of designer Ritika Mirchandani, seamlessly marrying Indian craftsmanship with western tailoring. This Indo-Western outfit is sleek, directional, and surprisingly easy to replicate. An excellent choice for modern minimalists, who still crave festive flair but want to keep it limited.
Vidya Balan
Outfit: Ritu Kumar
Styled By: Who Wore What When
No one wears the six-yards better than the beautiful Vidya Balan. She embraces the saree with utmost elegance, and her recent fuchsia and orange prina printed saree from the house of Ritu Kumar is a testament to timeless style. Paired with a stitched blouse and statement earrings, this look is effortless yet impactful and a reminder that you can never go wrong with the classic elegance of a saree.
Sonakshi Sinha
Outfit: Gopi Vaid
For those celebrating Diwali at home, Sonakshi Sinha offers the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. Her ivory kurta–palazzo set by Gopi Vaid, adorned with delicate marodi work, gota, and thread embroidery, is subtle yet refined. Ideal for intimate gatherings, it captures the essence of festivities with simplicity and style.
Tamannaah Bhatia
Outfit: Gopi Vaid
Tamannaah Bhatia knows how to command attention, and her deep purple brocade lehenga by Gopi Vaid is a showstopper. Rich, regal, and exquisitely detailed, this look blends traditional grandeur with contemporary elegance. Ideal for evening festivities, it’s proof that bright and regal tones will always be a festive favorite.
Sara Ali Khan
Outfit: Gopi Vaid
This Pataudi princess has a penchant for serving wonderful ethnic looks. Be it a simple all-white salwar suit or a regal lehenga set, Sara never fails to impress with her traditional outfits. And her bright yellow lehenga by Gopi Vaid is pure festive royalty. The brocade skirt, embellished with marodi, sequins, gota, and intricate gold-silver detailing, was paired with a delicately crafted plunging blouse and an embroidered organza dupatta. The result? A modern-day Maharani moment—perfect for grand Diwali celebrations.
Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor is the epitome of style and grace and never fails to impress with her unique sartorial choices. If you love experimenting with your outfits, this undisputed queen of avant-garde fashion is definitely your go-to girl. Always the one to reimagine the classics, the fashionista recently gave us one more jaw-droppingly gorgeous ethnic look. Sonam wore a jamawar print sari by Ritu Kumar but swapped the blouse for a printed silk shirt and layered it with an angarkha-inspired jacket. To top it off, she draped the pallu at the waist, adding structure and edge. Undoubtedly, the look is a masterpiece and perfect for anyone who wants to be bold and different.
Bhumi Pednekar
Another saree number that should inspire you this festive season is the one flaunted by Bhumi Pednekar. Sometimes, all it takes is one powerful detail. Bhumi Pednekar proves this with her white saree accented by gold work, paired with a heavily embroidered halter-neck blouse. The clean drape juxtaposed with the statement blouse adds instant glamour. If you wish to go for a classic silhouette with a hint of drama, embrace this graceful style hack like Bhumi Pednekar.
Diana Penty
There is nothing you won’t love about Diana Penty’s desi look. The bright pink Anarkali-style full-sleeved dress, paired with a churidar and a beautiful dupatta, features flowing kalis down the waistline and is pure inspiration. It is vibrant, feminine, festive, and perfect for those wanting to make a truly desi impact with modern grace this Diwali.
So go ahead, ladies, dress in whatever makes you feel confident this festive season. Just remember to let your inner diva shine as brightly as the diyas that light up Diwali. Happy Diwali!
