Navratri is basically nine nights of music, dancing, good food and, of course, nine excuses to dress up. And let’s be honest, wearing the same lehenga style every night can get a little boring. 

So why not switch it up? One day you can go full traditional, the next you can try something more modern, and on another night, you can bring out that outfit you’ve been saving for the “right occasion”. 

From a twirl-friendly designer lehenga to a stylish corset look, here are nine lehenga styles you can try this Navratri, along with easy ways to style them. 

Which Lehenga Style Matches Your Navratri Mood? 

Day	Style	Best for	Bag
Day 1	Long Kurti Lehenga	Family celebrations	Potli
Day 2	A-Line Lehenga	Easy-going Festive look	Mihi shoulder bag
Day 3	Circular Lehenga	Garba nights	Embroidered potli
Day 4	Saree Style Lehenga	Dressy evenings	Clutch
Day 5	Cape Style Lehenga	Modern parties	Box clutch
Day 6	Jacket Style Lehenga	Evening celebrations	Sling bag
Day 8	Corset Style Lehenga	Contemporary events	Metallic clutch
Day 9	Peplum Lehenga	Indo-fusion celebrations	Mini handbag

 

Day 1: Why not start with a long kurti lehenga? 

If you want your first-night outfit to feel festive but not too “I’m going to a wedding”, a long kurti lehenga is a great place to start. 

The long kurti gives you a little more coverage, while the flared skirt keeps the outfit looking festive. You can go for mirror work, gota patti or delicate embroidery depending on how dressed up you want to be. 

How can you style it? 

• Add a pair of big jhumkas 

• Keep the bangles colourful but not excessive 

• Try juttis if you know you’ll be walking or dancing 

• Carry a small embroidered potli 

• Keep your makeup fresh with a soft festive glow 

It’s comfortable, easy, and still looks Navratri-ready. 

Day 2: Is an A-line lehenga the easiest option? 

Honestly, yes. If you’re someone who doesn’t like too much flare but still wants that classic lehenga shape, an A-line silhouette is a safe bet. 

It falls neatly from the waist, so you get a flattering shape without feeling like you’re carrying layers of fabric around all evening. 

What should you wear with it? 

• Statement earrings instead of a heavy necklace 

• A simple maang tikka if you want extra festive drama 

• Block heels or embellished flats 

• A mini shoulder bag 

• A lightweight dupatta for a softer look 

The best part? You can easily wear the same outfit to a wedding or festive dinner later. 

Day 3: Ready to twirl in a circular lehenga? 

This is the one for your garba night. A circular lehenga has plenty of flare, which means it moves beautifully when you dance. 

And yes, you will probably end up taking at least one twirling video. So you might as well make the outfit work for it. 

What goes well with it? 

• Oxidised earrings or chandbalis 

• Stacked bangles 

• Comfortable juttis or flats 

• A colourful embroidered potli 

• A dupatta pinned securely so it doesn’t become a dance partner of its own 

Go for mirror work, bright colours and traditional embroidery if you want that proper festive vibe. 

Day 4: Want the look of a saree without wearing one? 

That’s where a saree-style lehenga comes in. You get the graceful drape of a saree with the easy structure of a lehenga. 

It’s a brilliant option for those evenings when you’re attending a more formal Navratri celebration. 

How do you accessorise it?

• Wear chandbalis or long drop earrings 

• Add a slim waist belt if it suits the drape 

• Choose block heels or stilettos 

• Carry a structured clutch 

• Keep the rest of your jewellery relatively simple 

Let the drape do most of the talking. 

Day 5: Can a cape style lehenga make your outfit look instantly modern? 

Definitely, if a traditional dupatta isn’t really your thing, a cape gives you a completely different silhouette. 

It’s stylish, comfortable and works especially well for evening celebrations. 

Keep the styling simple. 

• Let statement earrings be your main accessory 

• Skip a heavy necklace if your cape is embellished 

• Add block heels or sleek sandals 

• Carry a box clutch 

• Keep your hairstyle simple so the cape gets its moment 

This is a great option if you like Indian outfits but don’t want your look to feel too traditional. 

Day 6: Why is the jacket-style lehenga having a moment? 

A jacket can completely change a lehenga. Even if the skirt and blouse are fairly simple, throw on an embroidered jacket, and suddenly the whole outfit looks more put together. 

What can you pair with it? 

• Long earrings or hoops 

• A delicate bracelet or watch 

• Block heels or embellished flats 

• A small sling bag 

• A sleek hairstyle if the jacket has heavy detailing 

And here’s a little bonus: take the jacket off later and you’ve basically got another outfit. 

Day 7: Can you really go wrong with a chaniya choli? 

Not really. If Navratri means garba, dandiya and traditional Gujarati dressing to you, a chaniya choli is the obvious choice. 

Think colourful skirts, mirror work, embroidery, tassels and plenty of movement. 

How can you make it look even better? 

• Add oxidised jewellery 

• Stack colourful bangles 

• Wear comfortable juttis or flats 

• Carry a traditional potli 

• Keep your dupatta securely pinned 

You don’t need to pile on accessories. The outfit already brings plenty of personality. 

Day 8: Is a corset lehenga too modern for Navratri? 

Not at all. In fact, it’s perfect if you like mixing traditional fashion with current trends. 

A structured corset blouse lends the classic flared skirt a sharper, more contemporary feel. 

What should you add? 

• Statement earrings 

• Minimal necklace or no necklace 

• Metallic clutch 

• Block heels 

• A sleek hairstyle 

If you’re browsing Indian designer dresses for inspiration, you’ll notice how often traditional silhouettes are given a modern update. 

Day 9: What if you want something completely different? 

For the final night, try a peplum lehenga. It’s a fun alternative when you’ve already covered the traditional silhouettes. 

The peplum top adds a little structure around the waist while the flared skirt keeps the outfit festive. 

How can you style it? 

• Try chandelier earrings 

• Add a slim bracelet 

• Wear wedges or block heels 

• Carry a mini handbag 

• Keep the dupatta lightweight 

It also works really well if you like an Indo-Western lehenga choli look rather than going completely traditional. 

How Do You Choose the Right Accessories and Bag? 

Here’s the easiest rule: if your outfit is doing a lot, let your accessories relax a little. 

A heavily embroidered lehenga doesn’t need a necklace, huge earrings, bangles, a dramatic clutch and a statement belt all fighting for attention. 

Instead, balance everything out. 

Try these combinations 

• Heavy embroidery + simple earrings + clutch 

• Simple lehenga + statement jewellery + potli 

• Traditional chaniya choli + oxidised jewellery + juttis 

• Contemporary lehenga + minimal jewellery + metallic clutch 

• Printed lehenga + colourful bangles + mini shoulder bag 

Your bag should also be practical. A tiny potli looks cute, but make sure it can actually hold your phone, keys and whatever else you don’t want to keep handing to your friend all night. 

Conclusion 

Nine nights, nine outfits and plenty of ways to have fun with your festive wardrobe. You can keep things traditional with a chaniya choli, go twirl-crazy in a circular lehenga, or try something more contemporary with a corset-style or cape-style. 

And don’t worry too much about following every trend. Pick the silhouette you feel good in, add your favourite jewellery, grab a bag that actually fits your essentials and enjoy Navratri. 

After all, the best outfit is the one you don’t spend the whole evening adjusting. 

FAQs 

1. Which lehenga is best for garba?

A circular lehenga or chaniya choli works especially well for garba because both offer plenty of movement and suit the traditional festive atmosphere. 

2. What bag should I carry with a lehenga?

Potlis are great for traditional looks, while clutches, mini shoulder bags and compact sling bags work nicely with modern styles. 

3. Can I wear a lehenga without a dupatta?

Yes. Cape and jacket styles can replace the traditional dupatta, while some contemporary corset styles look great without one. 

4. What jewellery looks best with a Navratri outfit?

Jhumkas, chandbalis, oxidised jewellery and colourful bangles are easy choices for traditional looks. For modern silhouettes, statement earrings usually work beautifully. 

5. Which lehenga can I wear after Navratri?

A-line, jacket, peplum, and saree-style lehengas are easy to reuse for weddings, festive dinners, and other celebrations. Just change the accessories, and you’re good to go.