How to wear kurtas during winter. A styling guide

New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 21, 2023 19:25 IST

When the winter chill sets in, styling your ethnic outfits may seem challenging. And if you are wearing your kurtis with waist-length cardigans, please STOP right now. That's not the chicest way to flaunt your ethnic wear this season.

However, it doesn't mean you should bid farewell to your beloved traditional outfits like kurtis entirely during these colder months. Instead, it's time to make some stylish adjustments. We bring you some practical tips and hacks that’ll change your winter ethnic fashion game for good.

Ditch that cardigan

To style your kurtas this season, ditch the regular button-down cardigans. Invest in smart pieces like long coats instead. “Double-breasted and lightweight trench are good choices,” said Tanumita Ghosh, a fashion stylist and Myntra Fashion Superstar Season 1 winner.

You can also consider cape coats. “They are work-friendly and can also be accessorised well,” she added. Hope you are taking notes!

Secret layering

Embrace secret layering, a hack Tanumita simply swears by. It involves wearing warmer inner layers, especially when the outfit allows no visibility of what's worn underneath. You can, in fact, invest in warmers with scoop necklines or sleeveless detailing so that you can wear them under your kurtis easily.

This sneaky yet effective trick keeps you warm without compromising the outfit's aesthetic.

Try Phirans

Phiran, a traditional, loose-fitting, long-sleeved robe worn by both men and women in Kashmir, can be an impressive addition to your winter wardrobe. They are available in warm woollen fabrics, hence keeping you warm. You can also add a solid turtleneck beneath. That’ll look super chic and elegant at the same time.

Leather jacket to the rescue

Another smart way to style your kurta during winter is layering it with leather or a faux-leather jacket. Opt for a cropped jacket to make it look more chic.

As long as it is going well with your kurta, any cropped jacket can be worn with your kurta. For instance, a solid white kurta teamed with a cropped black teddy jacket and black heels is sure to look good.

Opt for shawls and velvet dupattas

Ditch the regular dupattas and opt for elegant shawls and velvet drapes instead, preferably in dark tones. That’s what fashion expert Tanumita suggests.

Turn shawls into kurtas

Another hack to having winter-friendly kurtas is to transform your warm shawls into kurtas. They look fabulous.

Here's a video by fashion enthusiast Prerna Chhabra you can watch for styling hacks to style your kurta this season:

Happy winter!