Puja at home
Lakshmi puja is usually held at home in the evening, with the family gathered around the altar for prayers and the aarti. Choose something modest and easy to sit in on the floor, such as a salwar suit or a kurti with a shalwar or palazzos, so you can sit cross-legged without tugging at a tight hem.
Silk is the traditional favorite, and a yellow, red or maroon silk kurti looks right beside the diyas and marigolds. Keep the neckline simple, choose a dupatta you can lift over your head if your family does, and keep long, trailing ends well away from the lamps.
A Diwali party
Diwali parties are the dressiest part of the festival, often with music, card games, a big dinner and fireworks. This is the night for sequins and shine: a viscose kurti with sequin work over palazzos, a chiffon party wear suit, or a katan silk palazzo suit with an embroidered organza dupatta.
Gharara pants are a fun change from palazzos. A short silk kurti over off-white silk gharara pants with golden sequins looks festive and moves well when the music starts. November evenings are cold in much of the US, so bring a shawl or a long coat for the fireworks outside.
Office celebrations and family dinners
Many US offices now mark Diwali with a lunch, sweets or a dress-up day. Aim for festive but work-friendly: a silk or embroidered cotton kurti over straight pants or solid palazzos, in a rich color, with one statement piece of jewelry instead of a full set. Save heavy sequins and long dupattas for the evening.
A family dinner, or a Bhai Dooj visit a couple of days later, calls for something in between. A kurta set or 2-piece suit in silk or georgette looks put-together without the formality of party wear, and it stays comfortable through a long meal. Some easy pairings:
- A red silk 2-piece suit with gold jhumkas and a stack of bangles.
- A pink georgette palazzo set with a white and gold organza dupatta.
- A long silk kurta over slim pants, with a contrasting dupatta on one shoulder.
- A green georgette 2-piece suit with its shalwar and flat embroidered khussas.
Colors and fabrics for Diwali
There is no single Diwali color, but warm, rich shades feel most festive: red, maroon, orange, yellow, gold, deep green and pink, along with jewel tones like teal and royal blue. Many families wear bright colors for the puja and save black and darker shades for the party. Fabrics with a soft shine look lovely in lamp light; here is how the usual choices compare.
| Fabric | Look and feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Silk and katan silk | Soft sheen, holds its shape | Puja, family dinner, party |
| Georgette | Light and flowing, with a slight grain | Family dinner, party |
| Chiffon | Sheer and floaty, usually lined | Diwali party |
| Organza | Crisp and sheer, shows off embroidery | Dupattas for any event |
| Viscose with sequin work | Soft drape with sparkle | Party, evening dinner |
| Embroidered cotton | Matte and breathable | Office, daytime visits |
How to add a dupatta
A dupatta is the easiest way to make a plain kurti or 2-piece suit look festive. For a party, an embroidered organza dupatta with stone or foil work adds sparkle; for the puja, a lighter one is easier to lift over your head and keep clear of the diyas.
Pin it on one shoulder if you will be eating, playing cards or dancing, or spread it across both shoulders for family photos. Pick up one color from your outfit, or go for contrast: white and gold over a red or pink suit always looks right at Diwali. The dupatta guide shows more drapes step by step.
What a non-desi guest can wear to Diwali
Invited to a Diwali party by a friend or coworker, and not Indian yourself? You are very welcome in Indian clothes, and most hosts take it as a lovely compliment. A kurti with palazzos, a simple salwar suit or a kurta set in a bright color is an easy, respectful choice, and someone will usually be glad to help with the dupatta.
A Western outfit is fine too: a dress or smart trousers in a festive color, with your shoulders covered if there is a puja. Skip anything very short at a family home, take your shoes off if your hosts do, and bring a box of mithai or dry fruit. Around diyas and sparklers, keep loose sleeves and dupatta ends away from the flames.
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Updated October 2026
