Festive Fashion For Kids: Make A Style Statement This Diwali With Timeless Ethnic Wear

The air is thick with excitement. The Diwali countdown has begun, and the love and enthusiasm we have for this festival of lights is contagious. Amid the celebrations, we want to look and feel our best, so it's about time we pick up some sparkly outfits for our little ones to match the cracking mood.

We round up the fashion trends to watch out for this festive season, celebrating Diwali in style from the comfort of your home has never been easier!

Go Ethnic

When in doubt, go ethnic, as nothing can beat the grandeur and vibrant colors of our traditional outfits.

• The options for your little divas are pretty much limitless. Ghagras and lehengas are some go-to Diwali styles for girls, but sharara pants that look like a flowy flared skirt are still hip and happening. Usually paired with a short top or kurti, shararas are extremely comfortable and can help your munchkin ace that festive look.
• The time-tested pattu pavadai (silk skirt) and blouse are probably the most adorable traditional Diwali outfits for little girls.
• Then there's the ever-fashionable salwar suit. Mix and match the kurtas and dupattas to create a variety of new looks with the same pair of salwars (pants) or leggings.

For your little prince:

• Pick a classy dhoti like the panchakacham, which can be worn with kurtas or silk shirts.
• A sherwani set or a kurta-pyjama set with a waistcoat or a jacket is another great option if your little boy wants to look sharp.

Tip: Choose outfits in bright colors like bright yellow, shocking pink, red, and green. If your child wants to flaunt pastels, get clothes in pale pink, baby blue or mint with some golden accents for that festive bling!

Indo-Western Fusion

• Dungarees and jumpsuits are the talk of the town. Originally seen as Western outfits, these are now available in vivid colors and Indian prints.
• Festive frocks and gowns with an ethnic twist are also making the headlines when it comes to kids' fashion.

Tip: Your little one can rock these outfits with a shrug studded with chumkis (sequins). As mirror work has made a comeback, you can get those colorful jackets with mirror work for some sparkle.

A word of caution: Avoid outfits with small buttons, mirrors, sequins, and other items that can easily come loose for children under the age of 3 years as they can put these into their mouths.

Twinning

Did you have a fascination for coordinating outfits with your sibling when you were a child? I certainly had a craze for it, so my mother never missed a chance to dress me and my little brother in coordinated outfits on special occasions. Flash-forward and #twinning are all the rage.

This trend is not exclusive to siblings or twins, says Sowmya Ganapathy, a kidswear designer based in Chennai. You can twin with anyone in your family—spouse, children, parents, or even grandparents!

Tip: Wondering how to nail this trendy twinning look? Think of outfits in matching prints, stick to one color, or wear clothes made from the same fabric.

Sustainable Wear

We are all children of Mother Earth, and celebrating Diwali by putting our planet first helps build a generation of eco-conscious kids. Along with celebrating a firework-free Diwali, we can go a step further and opt for sustainable clothing. Check online for brands that use plant-based, degradable fabrics, with cute plastic-free buttons made of seashells or wood.

Tip: Repurpose your old Banarasi or Kanjeevaram sarees into elegant kurtas or lehengas for your kids. You can even use fabric scraps to make fun accessories like headbands, scrunchies, frills and trims.

Online Shopping

Granted, online shopping has its drawbacks. You can't try on the clothes before placing an order but you skip the crowded malls and showrooms.

Tip: For children aged 0 -12 years, you can make online purchases from Indian brands specializing in ultra-stylish and rampworthy ethnic outfits.

Parent Speak

Dollipops by Sowmiya (@dollipopsbysow) is one of my favorite local kidswear brands. I always get specially made outfits from them for Diwali. Every piece of clothing here is customized to suit my taste, and it's handmade with love.

 Ashrita, mother of an 8-year-old and a toddler

Support Local Business!

Here are some brands to consider:

• Indie Project Store, a homegrown brand, makes apparel for kids (0 - 5 years) and offers contemporary designs made with traditional Indian fabrics. Indieprojectstore.com also curates clothes from local brands and sells them on its platform. The brand is known for supporting local women by creating income-generating opportunities for them.
• There are many small business owners and local tailors like Shanthi's Dance Paradise, Chennai, that make customized traditional clothes for kids.
• The Nesavu (thenesavu.com), a Coimbatore-based kidswear brand, has head-turning collections of Banarasi silk frocks with the most unique floral designs in pastel colors that exude elegance. These outfits are perfect for Diwali and can be worn on any special occasion later.
• Kidswear brand Neemboo (neemboo.in) believes in making contemporary, zesty and fun clothes that celebrate Indian designs like block prints, ikat, temple borders, and jamdani. All their clothes are made of soft cotton.
• Whether you like to keep it simple or sassy, Diwali is the best occasion to get your family to dress up and snap some pictures for memories. So, get your desi avatar on, and doll up your little ones to shimmer and shine in their best outfits.

Varsha Venkatesh Is A Yoga Practitioner And Fitness And Lifestyle Coach. She Is The Founder Of Yogavriksha In Chennai.