Traditional style is the key fashion this festival season

The festive season is here and people all over are going crazy in the stores, thinking of what to wear. It all started with Eid and then Gowri Ganesha and now we are looking forward to Onam.

Now Onam calls for pretty flowers on the doorstep and an elaborate meal with 12 dishes (the sadhya). But that’s not to say that clothes are left out. And staying true to tradition is what most designers suggest for the day.

Traditionally, people in Kerala dress up in white or off-white for an occasion like Onam. “I don’t know much about Onam or the Malayalam culture, but I have noticed that people are usually dress in their traditional attires — women in saris and the men in their lungis. I think they look very nice, they portray a sense of celebration,” says designer Paresh Lamba.

And the saris in themselves do make a statement. The traditional Kerala saris with golden borders are perfectly matched with blouses of almost any colour, though green and red seem to be the most popular. And golden borders or embellishments on the blouses just make it all more festive.

Even the mundus that men wear for the occasion have a golden border. Paired with white or off-white kurtas, it all looks very grand.

Even the children are attired in traditional clothes — pavadas or a skirt and blouse ensemble for little girls and kurtas for little boys.
The chandanam or the sandalwood tika on the forehead, traditional jewellery and lots of flowers complete the look.

However, there’s always space for a little bit of improvisation. “Onam is the time when all the Keralites bring out their best and new clothes and adorn themselves with the traditional jewellery and floral arrangements for hair. We can make it different this year by keeping it true to tradition and yet adding a lot of colours to the off whites,” says fashion designer Namarata G.

A perfect hairdo is one thing that cannot be missed out. Mostly, women leave their hair open with maybe a few strands pinned back with jasmine flowers for that perfect traditional touch. Even small children have jasmine strands clipped to their hair.

Hair stylist Sangeetha suggests that you put a spin on this particular tradition. “Leaving your hair open in the heat can be uncomfortable. Bring in a little of the 60’s style and put it up in a bun, with lots of flowers,” she says.

“You can add hair accessories that are festive and improvise with flowers, jewellery and things related to Onam. All that is needed is for you to do is bring in the comfort factor into fashion,” she adds.
Now, a festival is all about celebrating life. So dress up, look your best and have a happy Onam!