It is time to celebrate the vibrant spirit of Navratri, a festival that fills the air with energetic beats, colourful ghagras, cholis, and kurtas, and endless dance under the starry skies. If you find yourself in a dilemma about what to choose for your festive wardrobe, worry not; here's a quick guide to make your shopping experience fun and easy. With each passing year, new trends emerge, and this Navratri season is no different. Designers and retail sellers from across the country are unveiling a plethora of options to make your celebrations even more special.

"Fashion is all about experimenting with textiles, designs, and embroidery, and when it comes to women's attire, the choices are endless," says the designer, Sheetal Sachde. Speaking about the trends this year, Sheetal highlights the dominance of Kalamkari prints over plain solid colours. "Figurative Kalamkari, combined with floral designs and Gamthi work, is what's in vogue. These ghagra choli sets are available in a wide price range, from Rs 2500 to Rs 20,000, depending on the material, craftsmanship, and embellishments."

For those who wish to break away from the traditional ghagra, there's a trend towards kurtis in Leheriya and Bandhani prints.

Agreeing with Sheetal, Kiran Patel, a retail seller cum Herbalife health coach, emphasises that India boasts an array of textile prints, and this is the time to experiment with them. Those who come for the sheer joy of dancing often prefer simple Gamthi work ghagra cholis, while those participating in competitions tend to opt for ghagras with a dramatic flare and multiple layers. This year, ghagras with a 10-meter flare and a maximum of four layers have made their mark in the market. These ghagras are not only stylish but also lightweight, making them perfect for hours of energetic dancing.

Navratri is also a time for couples to take the dance floor by storm. There are specially designed couple sets available that complement each other perfectly. When it comes to colours, Kiran points out that pastel hues are currently in vogue. And, of course, the timeless elegance of plain black ghagras is a hot favourite among fashion enthusiasts.

The fashion festivities of Navratri aren't exclusive to women alone. Men have a wide variety of options to choose from, ranging from sleeveless and full-sleeve jackets adorned with intricate work to kurtas with front single-panel Gamthi work. There's something to suit every style preference and budget, concludes Kiran.