Kurtas and co-ords: a festive styling guide

Festive season means pujas, family visits and weddings, often on back-to-back days. Kurtas and co-ords are two of the easiest ways to look put together without much effort. This festive styling guide shows how to choose them and how to get several looks out of very few pieces.

Why these two work

Both are complete outfits that need little planning. A kurta can be dressed up or down in minutes. A co-ord set, with a matching top and bottom, looks coordinated the moment you put it on. Asort's women's store lists Suits and Kurtis, and Co-ords and dresses, while the men's side lists Kurtas.

Choosing fabric

Cotton and cotton blends breathe well, so they suit daytime and warm weather. Soft rayon-type blends drape nicely and stay comfortable through a long evening. Silky or festive fabrics look best at night functions. Heavily embellished pieces look rich but can feel hot, so think about how long you will wear them and whether the venue has air conditioning.

Styling kurtas

For a daytime family visit, a printed or pastel kurta with simple bottoms and flats is enough, and small earrings finish it. For a day that runs from office to dinner, wear a solid straight kurta to work, then change the dupatta, put on bigger earrings and swap your shoes for a new look in five minutes. For a puja, bright colours and traditional prints work well. If the kurta is detailed, keep the jewellery simple, and the other way round.

For men, a solid kurta with well-fitted pyjama or trousers is easy. A contrast jacket adds a festive touch, and mojaris or clean casual footwear complete it. Our post on ten ways to wear kurtis has more ideas.

Styling co-ords three ways

1. Casual: wear the set as it comes, with sneakers or flats.
2. Dressy: add heels or embellished sandals, a small clutch and bold earrings.
3. Layered: put a long shrug or light jacket over the set, or pair the top with different bottoms.

A co-ord set can also be split. Wear the top with jeans and the bottom with a plain shirt, and one purchase becomes three outfits.

Colours and accessories

Jewel tones like maroon, emerald and deep blue suit evenings. Pastels are easy for daytime. Mustard and rust give a warm festive feel, and a single-colour set looks modern with almost no accessories. Asort's store lists Jewellery, Accessories and bags, and Watches. A pair of jhumkas, a simple watch or a compact bag can change the whole look. Choose one standout piece and let the rest stay quiet.

Think about the whole day, not one photograph. A festive day can mean sitting on the floor for a puja, standing for a long time at a wedding and travelling in between. Pick a kurta with room to move and a co-ord whose waistband stays comfortable after a meal. Footwear matters more than most people expect, so wear new shoes at home for an evening before the event.

Comfort and practical tips

Sit, bend and walk around in the outfit before the event. Keep a few safety pins in your bag. Iron or steam the day before, not an hour before. Carry a light wrap for air-conditioned halls. If you will be eating and meeting many people, avoid anything that needs constant adjusting. For boys, a simple solid kurta with comfortable bottoms is easier to wear all evening than anything stiff, so let children try the outfit at home first.

Shopping sensibly

Compare size charts, fabric details and product information before you add to cart, and measure a kurta that already fits you well to check against the chart. The Price Store sections can help you stay within budget. Prices and offers can change, so check asort.com on the day you buy. For other seasonal ideas, read the festival fashion guide and the Asort company overview.