It’s springtime folks! The season of growth, fertility and beauty in its full bloom amid Mother Nature announces the arrival of the month of phalgun on the Indian calendar.
We recently commemorated Vasant Panchami in honour of Devi Saraswati, the goddess of speech and learning, and now in the run-up to Holi — the festival of colours — the celebration is all set to double up with unlimited joy, fun and merriment. This year, Holi will be observed on March 14.
Spring in the air
From Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari down south, from Gujarat in the west to Bengal in the east, the pan-Indian fest of Holi will see the nation bathing in a splash of springy hues with pichkaris (water guns spraying coloured water), coloured water balloons, dry gulal (coloured powder) and savouring bhang (a mildly intoxicating paste made from ground leaves and seeds of the cannabis plant. It is then commonly mixed with milk, ghee and spices, either for drinks or edibles), mithais (sweets) and other goodies.
Usually, the dress code remains stark white so as to make it a spotless canvas for getting embossed with a mosaic of colours that are showered all over. Underpinning this idea, avid fashionistas select the day’s attire to reflect the festive mood, hues and its significance. This adds a lot of character to the wearer’s fashion choices and his/her intent to make an individualistic statement.
“Holi brings vibrant energy to the market, with brands tapping into its festive spirit through dynamic campaigns and special offers,” concedes fashion designer Shilpi Gupta. “While this boosts excitement and inflates sales on one hand, it’s essential to balance commerce with authenticity on the other, thus honouring tradition and promoting mindful consumption over mere commercialisation,” insists Gupta, who’s the founder of her reputed label House of Shilpi.
Holi collection
Products and outfits in Holi print are flooding the market with displays at the shop windows and a brisk business at the open-air hawkers’ stalls where everyone seems to grab his/her last-minute pick. Reacting to this shopping hysteria, Gupta comments that “Holi shopping is more than just a seasonal trend that mirrors how fashion and festivities intertwine. The excitement of a motley exhibit of prints and pops of shades and the last-minute purchases showcases the festival’s vivacity and widespread enthusiasm. However, it raises questions about conscious consumerism and responsible buying.”
Holi wardrobe
Holi-inspired outfits typically feature vivid colours, playful patterns and festive motifs. Common options include tie-dye kurtas, hand-painted sarees, floral-printed tunics and multihued dupattas. Casual cotton coords, ensembles painted with organic tints and breezy white apparel with spatters of tinges are also popular options.
Raveena and Rasha
Siddharth Bindra, managing director of Rangriti fashion store, informs that “from voguish and contemporary fusion wear to Indo-western styles, our store collection in 2025 promises to level up your Holi wardrobe with an eclectic range of mix-and-match, chic ethnic, all-time classics, dresses, festive wear and matching bottom wear.”
Palette splash
Holi fashion is bursting with a riot of colours, no doubt. Neon pinks, electric blues, fiery oranges to sunshine yellows and lush greens are doing the rounds. Tie-dye and ombré outfits in rainbow hues, splash-printed kurtas, multicoloured bandhani sarees and hand-painted dupattas are creating a buzz.
Pops of Holi colours create a kaleidoscopic effect to revel in. “The polychromatic collage comprises a breathable cotton dobby fabric kurta adorned with delicate pintucks and particoloured thread embroidery with a pair of pied printed pants in abstract patterns and a dupatta that enhances the overall look. This apart, a two-piece set in pure white, bedecked with a soft floral print in water tones on the top and paired with a stripe-patterned bottomwear conceives an underrated boho chic and elegant look,” elaborates Bindra.
Gift and utility
Holi-themed accessories and gift items are largely available on the store racks, adding a dash of festive effervescence. Gift options range from organic gulal sets, customised mugs, handwoven stoles to scented candles and festive hampers.
Utility objects like Holi-printed tote bags, cushion covers, coasters and water-resistant phone pouches also align with the festival’s lively spirit, making the line both stylish and functional.
“Dappled tie-dye dupattas and scarves presented with organic gulal sets as well as sweet delicacies are the best ways to embrace this electrifying festive spirit,” chips in Bindra.
Young and old alike
Many outfits are embossed with funny quotes and doodles. One wonders if these are only meant for youngsters or even aged people can sport one. “Fashion has no age limit, especially during a festival as delightful as Holi!” reminds Gupta.
Outfits with humorous one-liners, mischievous punches and interesting cartoons add a lighter vein to celebrations, which can be worn by anyone who enjoys expressing their exhilarating festive spirit, she fathoms.
“Ultimately, Holi is about amusement, colours and the essence of unity or togetherness. See, wearing something cheerful buoys optimism and only adds to the overall festive happiness, no matter what the age is!” she adds.
Holi print and picture
“Some outfits showcase impish, naughty doodles, hand-painted imageries of Holi celebrations or even cultural symbols like pots of gulal and pichkaris. These creative interpretations make Holi fashion diverse, catering to both traditional and contemporary styles,” elucidates Gupta before concluding.
“Holi print can transcend the matrix of conventional designs with floral motifs or reproduce traditional symbols like water guns, geometric patterns or Holi icons with a deluge of colours,” shares Bindra before signing off.
Holi hai!
