With avant-garde designs and unconventional silhouettes, ethnic fashion for men is unmistakably having its moment right now. There’s a fresher and even wider range of occasion wear available for men to splurge on every festive season and this time is no different. The huge market of versatile Diwali dresses for men this year too is ever-so-impressive and equally trailblazing. And as we embark on the festive fervour, we’re here to ensure you light up your Diwali wardrobe with the choicest picks ever.

The Indian menswear landscape has witnessed some paradigm changes over the past few years. It has been a playground for designers to experiment with silhouettes, fabrics, materials, styles and hues and men have been equally embracive of it all. As much as their wardrobes are stacked with timeless pieces, choosing contemporary and modish designs has been equally at the forefront of their styling game. The availability of a myriad of styles has made every occasion an opportunity for men to step out looking dapper, with Diwali season obviously being the pinnacle to bring their A-game.

Diwali is the time to have a ball at the many, many card parties and celebratory dinners that deserve to be revelled in at your stylish best. And if you’re someone who has lots of them to attend, we know you’d want to pull off a different look at each one of them.

Dread the shopping spree that’s a prerequisite though? Fret not, because we’ve done that for you. From curating a quick checklist to aid you in picking the right fits for yourself to finally choosing them from our thoughtfully curated lookbook, we’ve taken care of it all.

Here are a few things to consider while shopping for the best Diwali dresses for men.

Apart from being the most popular choice of ethnic wear for men, kurtas also make for the most fuss-free, comfortable and versatile picks. Available in a myriad of fabrics, hues and craft forms, kurtas for men have gone way too experimental in terms of style. From printed, lucknowi and ikkat beauties to the embroidered and embellished ones, from straight silhouettes to ones fashioned in asymmetrical hems, cowls and drapes, from pretty pastel hues to bright popping ones, the sea of options is far too deep.

What also makes them a great choice for any occasion is how they can be styled in numerous ways. While you can wear a kurta with denims, trousers, pyjamas, dhotis and salwars as it is, you can also take your look notch above and pair it with a Nehru jacket, a bandhgala jacket or even a blazer. And let’s not forget how footwear options like kolhapuris, strappy sandals, mojaris, loafer slip-on shoes, formal shoes and even sneakers can be styled effortlessly with a kurta look.

If there’s one piece of clothing that your Indian wear wardrobe is incomplete without for how it stitches up an ethnic look like no other, it is a Nehru jacket. Famously named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who wore it commonly thereby making it a style statement, it’s a shorter version of a classic bandhgala with a mandarin collar and no sleeves. In fact, designs these days also feature added accents like pleated and cowled drapes, belts and even asymmetrical hems similar to kurtas.

While these jackets are preferably paired with long and short kurtas, you can also style them with your shirt and trouser combination for a casual-formal look for an office Diwali party or an indo-western set that includes Jodhpuri pants, dhotis or salwars. Nehru jackets are a perfect pick for when you don’t want to don the formal vibe of a blazer yet want to look dressy and sharp.

From solid and colourblocked modish pieces to printed and embroidered traditional ones, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. And equally innumerable are ways in which you can style them. Whether you make a complementing or contrasting colour combination with the rest of the pieces of your look or go all monotone with the colours, mix and match different pieces to create your own style this Diwali to make a statement.

And just like long kurtas, the styling versatility of short kurtas too is unbound. If you already have lots of long-length kurtas stacked in your wardrobe, it’s time to get your hands on the uber stylish shorter versions that boast of a super casual yet fashionable Indian wear mood. Usually mid-thigh or hip-length, short kurtas for men too are available in infinite designs and styles and can be paired with plenty of bottom wear options like trousers, pyjamas, dhotis, salwars and Jodhpuri pants.

A short kurta’s look is a stunning mix of the usual kurta and shirt which is exactly what lends it a distinctive edge. From fitted silhouettes to the loose and comfy ones, from short-sleeved stunners to full-sleeved pieces, these kurtas make for one of the best Diwali dresses for men. Especially when out and about enjoying the festive vibes at Diwali melas or the card parties. You can further add a traditional touch to your look by wearing kolhapuris or add a modish twist by teaming up a pair of loafers.

Is mixing and putting different pieces together not your piece of cake as it’s too nerve racking? Would you rather shop for complete sets than taking the mix and match route? If so, then you’re in for a treat as we’ve also scouted out some stunning ethnic wear sets that are totally meant for you. A wholesome mix of purely traditional and contemporary indo-western attires, our edit of some of the best Diwali dresses for men is all you need to check out.

Whether you’re looking for a two-piece kurta and pyjama (or salwar) set or a three-piece kurta, pyjama and jacket set, there’s something for everyone in this short shop book. While this would surely make shopping for your festive wardrobe a lot easy, these trendy sets also promise a dashing look. From affordable pieces to high-end designer ones, we’ve covered it all.

Indian wear bottoms aren’t just about pyjamas and churidars anymore. While they are the most staple of all, there’s also a wide variety of dhotis, salwars, Jodhpuri pants and straight palazzo-style pyjamas for you to choose from. Whether you’re planning a traditional or a modern-day look, there’s something for everyone and every kind of look. All you’ve got to do is pick what screams more like your style and flaunt it.

If putting different pieces together and creating your own look is your thing, we promise these bottoms that we’ve shortlisted for you in some of the most basic and versatile hues are more than enough. These lowers can be easily paired and styled with all kinds of kurtas, shirt-kurtas and traditional jackets.

(Main Image Courtesy: Sunny Kaushal/Instagram ; Featured Image Courtesy: Anita Dongre)

Answer: Some of the latest and most raging ethnic wear trends for men include asymmetrical hemmed kurtas, jackets and achkans, cowled kurtas, added drapes for an edge defining silhouette, dhoti pants and even anarkalis. The colour palette for menswear as well is too wide and includes pretty pastels and bright, vivid hues alike.

Answer: Yes, they make for some of the most timeless pieces in a wardrobe ever and can never go out of trend.

Answer: Indo-western fashion trends for men include— asymmetric silhouettes, pairing kurtas, achkans and jackets with trousers instead of pyjamas and churidars, teaming up your attire with formal dress shoes or sneakers and accessorising your look with minimal western jewels like rings, neck pieces and bracelets.

Answer: Yes, black makes for a stunning colour choice for all kinds of Diwali dresses for men.

An old-school at heart with a taste for contemporary finery, Divya believes in making the best of both worlds. She's a happy-go-lucky person who spends her time reading, Zentangling, or binge-watching. Hogging food & dozing off often comes naturally to her. Also, chai!

Yes, I agree to the Privacy Policy

Follow our daily snapshots at @lifestyleasiaindia

Yes, I agree to the Privacy Policy

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates.

Thank you for your subscription.