Nine Nights, Nine Colours, Plenty of Outfit Changes

Sheetal told us: I grew up in Mumbai, India and ended up celebrating all festivals with great enthusiasm. As a child, Navratri for me was all about dressing up, wearing my favourite lehenga cholis  and doing the garba with my friends and family.

As I grew older I understood the gravity of the festival .

We dance around the garbo, the earthen pot, to honour the divine feminine energy, celebrate life and fertility in a spiritual circle of life.Its an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for me, as I do the garba on mataji’s songs .. I must also mention that I love celebrating the festival just as much in the UK, my new home, as I did back home . Its a yearly reminder to be grateful for the life we get to live and always honour good over evil .. Jai Ambe 😊

Vallisa shared: Navratri, for me, is a celebration that brings together so many things that I love and value. It is celebrated through two of my favourite things music and dance which fill the festival with so much energy, joy and life.

Beyond the celebrations, Navratri also gives me an opportunity to practice discipline, gratitude and reflection. It is a time to appreciate what I have, reconnect with myself and reflect on the things that truly matter.

But what I love most about Navratri is the sense of community it creates. People come together to celebrate, dance and share in the joy, regardless of their religion or faith. For me, that feeling of togetherness is what makes Navratri so special.

Clothing for the Garba Floor

Snehal at Avish Creations brings together traditional detail and contemporary shapes for the shoot. From a familiar lehenga silhouette to a more structured top, there’s room to try a new look while keeping comfort in mind. We asked her how she would approach dressing for Navratri in 2026.c

She shares: For Navratri 2026, I’m loving the idea of corset-style cholis paired with soft, flowing lehengas. It’s such a fun way to play with proportions, you get that structured, contemporary feel on top, balanced with the movement and drama of a beautiful lehenga.

I think we’re going to see a lot of traditional mirror work and embroidery styled in ways that feel a little more unexpected and modern. But whatever the look, comfort is key. Your outfit has to keep up with you, especially when you’re dancing all night!

I always recommend lighter fabrics and making sure your dupatta is styled securely, so you’re not constantly stopping to fix it. You should be able to dance, twirl, take a hundred photos and enjoy every minute without thinking twice about your outfit.

For me, the perfect Navratri look is one that feels festive, fun and completely effortless; something that makes you feel amazing the second you put it on

Jewellery That Moves With You

Monika from Jewellery by Mykaa, with stunning handcrafted, jewellery that moves with you and timeless pieces in 92.5 silver, adds the finishing touches. We asked Monika how to bring a fresh twist to traditional garba jewellery.

Monika explains Oxidised silver jewellery is a lovely match for Navratri outfits, especially with mirror work and bright colours. To give it a fresh feel, I’d choose one main feature, perhaps a choker or a pair of statement earrings, and keep the other pieces lighter. If your choli is already heavily embellished, you don’t need everything competing for attention. Check the weight of your earrings and the clasps before you head out: jewellery should feel secure and comfortable enough for you to forget about it once you start dancing.

Makeup Inspired by the Colours

Makeup artist Reshma Patel takes inspiration from each day’s colour, bringing the looks together with shades that complement the clothes and jewellery. Her approach balances the fun of festive makeup with the practicalities of a full evening on the dance floor.

Reshma’s process is: I like to pick up each day’s Navratri colour through one detail, perhaps a sweep of blue liner, a warm orange eye or a pink lip, rather than matching every part of the makeup to the outfit. For a night of dancing, light layers are much more comfortable than a heavy base. I’d use waterproof eye makeup, set the areas that tend to get shiny and finish with setting spray. Keep blotting papers and your lipstick in your bag for a quick refresh, so you can enjoy the evening without constantly checking your makeup.

Hair That Lasts Beyond the First Round

Pavan, known as Hair by Pav, completes the looks. With plenty of movement and warm dance floors to consider, the aim is a style that feels festive and stays secure, without needing constant attention.

Pavan tells us: For a long night of Garba, I’d go for a braided bun, a neatly secured ponytail or a plait with a paranda. These styles keep hair away from your face and neck, which helps when you get warm from dancing. A little texture before styling gives the pins something to grip, and a light finishing spray can help control flyaways without making the hair feel stiff. Secure accessories carefully and test the style with a few turns before you leave. You want to think about the music, not whether your bun is coming loose.

Your 2026 colour calendar

Each colour carries its own meaning, so there’s a little more behind your outfit choice than what happens to be ironed.

Here’s something you might not know: the colour order changes each year, with the opening shade linked to the weekday Navratri begins. The dressing custom is particularly popular in Gujarat and Maharashtra, so last year’s outfit planner may need a reshuffle. (drikpanchang.com⁠)

Whether you embrace the colour from head to toe or add it through earrings, a dupatta or a sweep of eyeshadow, there’s room to make it your own. And yes, even grey gets a night out.

The Team Behind The Shoot:

Featuring: @sheetal_pandya_official and @vallisachauhan

Clothing: @avishcreations.uk from avishcreations.co.uk

Jewellery: @mykaa_uk from mykaa.co.uk

Outfits By: @avishcreations.uk

Creative Direction and Styling: @anishavasanicreates

Make Up By: @reshmapatelmua

Hair By: @hairbypav

Photography By: @deepashuklephotography

Videography By: @bhargav.sicklebill

Paranda and Trainers by Sunita: @finishing_touches_by_sunita