Men’s Festive Wear – A Guide to Kurta Shopping for Special Occasions
Festivals and special occasions call for traditional attire that lets a man connect with his roots while looking stylish. In Indian culture, nothing fits the bill better than a beautifully tailored kurta. This long collarless shirt, made famous in India, has become a globally recognized ethnic wear.
Festive kurta for men are available nowadays in a range of fabrics, colors, prints, lengths and styles to suit the tastes of modern men. They can be worn for festivals like Diwali, Holi and Eid, as well as weddings, parties and cultural events. A well-fitting kurta elevates regular casuals into ethnic fashion that makes a statement.
This article will guide you through different types of kurtas and help you choose the perfect one for upcoming festive seasons or special occasions. We cover the latest kurta fashion and styles fit for traditional, fusion and modern avatars. Read on to explore your options at KZari!
Types of Kurtas for Festive and Wedding Wear
Here are the most popular styles of festive wear kurta for men that make great Indian ethnic wear:
- Silk Kurtas: Nothing conveys luxury better than silk. Made using premium mulberry or dupion silk fabrics, these kurtas have a smooth, luxurious sheen. Intricate zari, thread and beadwork elevate a silk kurta into a regal garment. Go for contrasting embroidery, accents and lace or beads on the collar, cuffs and side slits. Silk kurtas work beautifully for day weddings and large-scale celebrations.
- Cotton Kurtas: For a relaxed indoor or outdoor festive look, cotton kurtas check all the boxes. The breathable fabric comes in varieties like muslin, mercerized cotton, cambric, handloom cotton etc. Opt for floral Chikankari embroidery or Ajrak printing. Team it up with churidars or dhotis.
- Velvet Kurtas: Nothing conveys festive vibrancy better than jewel-toned Velvet Kurtas. The fabric lends rich texture and sheen in colors like regal maroon, bottle green, midnight blue and purple. Contrast it with minimal embellishment and classic collars for an understated royal look. It is perfect eveningwear for sangeet functions and weddings. Go for smart KZari indo-western combinations like dhoti pants or embroidered denim.
- Brocade Kurtas: Brocade fabric woven with golden Zari threads is a hallmark of royal Indian garments. Made from silk or even viscose, brocade gives kurtas a luxurious, lustrous look. Intricate woven patterns depicting flora, fauna, paisleys or traditional Indian motifs lend brocade fabric unmatched elegance. Keep the rest of your look minimal with slim pants or churidars. Brocade kurtas are perfect for grand evening functions.
- Linen Kurtas: Linen, made from flax fibers, has a natural crisp texture that offers smart casual comfort. These wrinkle-resistant kurtas come in solids as well as prints based on ayurvedic herbs, woodblock mudras or Kalamkari artwork. Team them with linen pants or contrast with churidars for a relaxed ethnic vibe.
- Raw Silk Kurtas: Made from the innermost layers of the silkworm cocoon, raw silk fabric has a slight coarseness and dull sheen with natural imperfections that lend charm. The fabric drapes beautifully and holds traditional zari and resham embroidery intricately for weddings. Raw silk kurtas convey effortless grace for day functions.
Types of Embellishment and Surface Ornamentation Techniques
The beauty of a festive kurta men lies majorly in the ornate embellishments done on the fabric. Here are some popular options:
- Zardozi Embroidery: Golden zari threads are used to create heavily ornamented designs fit for royalty. It elevates silk, velvet or brocade kurtas.
- Aari Embroidery: Delicate and detailed hand embroidery done using an Aari needle with strands of silk or metallic threads.
- Gota Work: Intricate patterns created using ribbon-fitted gota laces in vibrant colors edged with zari or threads.
- Phulkari Embroidery: Vibrant shaded and geometric floral patterns done using the dying and stitching technique originating from Punjab.
- Mirror Work: Tiny pieces of mirrors are incorporated into the embroidery to reflect light and add glamour.
- Bead Work: Colorful stones, beads and pearls used to create patterns inspired by nature, birds or flowers.
- Sequins – Sparkling sequins in colorful designs for a dash of glitz and glamour.
Latest Kurta Fabric Choices
Festive kurta pajama at KZari are now made in modern fabrics that offer breathability, flow and easy maintenance along with splendor.
- Viscose Rayon: This offers sheen-like silk along with moisture absorption for summers. Look out for soft viscose kurtas with digital prints based on floral or paisley themes.
- Poly Silk: This is a silk-synthetic fiber blend that gives affordability without compromising the rich look. It has easy care properties while draping beautifully over the body.
- Cotton Silk: Cotton Silk blends unite the breathability of cotton with the sheen of silk. These fabrics require less ironing, wash easily and are pocket-friendly, too.
- Viscose Rayon: This offers sheen-like silk along with moisture absorption for summers. Look out for soft viscose kurtas with digital prints based on floral or paisley themes.
- Poly Silk: Poly Silk is a silk-synthetic fiber blend that is affordable without compromising the rich look. It has easy care properties while draping beautifully over the body.
- Cotton Silk: Cotton Silk blends unite the breathability of cotton with the sheen of silk. These fabrics require less ironing, wash easily and are pocket-friendly, too.
- Micro Modal: This uses ultra-soft regenerated cellulose fibers for next-to-skin comfort, just like cotton. They absorb moisture and drape beautifully.
Popular KZari Kurta Styles and Options
Now that you know about the latest festive men kurta fabrics, embellishments and silhouettes, let’s explore some stylish kurta options to help you finalize your festive ensemble.
- Printed Indo-Western Kurtas: Prints never go out of fashion. Striped, digitally printed, batik, or block-printed kurtas fuse Indian sensibilities with a casual vibe. Pair them with denim or cotton pants this festive season. Choose contemporary abstract prints, mosaic patterns, Persian designs, kalamkari artwork or traditional block prints. Cotton, viscose and linen are the best fabric options.
- Plaited and Textured Weave Kurtas: Textures lend depth and dimension to the simplest kurtas. Go for woven checks, herringbones and twills for a classy look. The Angarakha kurta, popularized by Bollywood superstars, offers a contemporary twist with its cross-over wrap front. For traditional tastes, crisply plaited Sureshwari weaves make timeless festive wear. Contrast them with solid churidars and Nehru jackets.
- Embroidered Kurta Sets: Opt for festive kurta sets men that come with contrasting or color-coordinated bottoms like churidars, dhotis or pajamas. Beautiful hand embroidery elevates simple, solid, colored kurtas. Go for vibrant phulkari, Lucknowi chikankari or Kashmiri-style crewel embroidery in floral and paisley motifs. Contrast the stitch work with plain bottoms. Embellished Nehru jackets take the set a notch higher.
- Fusion Waistcoat Kurtas: Indo western waistcoats or short ‘bundis’ layered over embroidery kurtas make smart fusion wear for modern celebrations. Contrasting brocade, bandhani, or Ajrakh print options fastened with antique silver buttons add royal polish. They balance traditional and modern elements beautifully. Velvet and corduroy bundis or sleeveless waistcoats work with silhouettes like Angrakhas and asymmetric kurtas.
- Embroidered Kurta Jackets: Take inspiration from the regal Bandhgala and opt for embroidered collar and sleeve jackets to layer over simple kurtas. Contrast plain Jane fabrics like cotton or chambray with intricately crafted brocade or velvet jackets. Choose embroidery depicting royal crest motifs, florals and paisleys for ornamentation.
- Paneled Kurtas: Contemporary paneled kurtas use geometrical shapes, fabric blocking, or asymmetric panels to break the monotony. Contrasting fabrics, colors and embellishments are cleverly pieced together for the panels to lend depth. Brocade yoke panels or Chikankari embroidery strips make stunning additions.
Trendiest Kurta Styles, Cuts and Lengths
Nowadays, Kurtas balance ethnic charm with modern silhouettes for the urban Indian man. The latest trends are:
- Asymmetric Kurtas: A shorter angled hemline modernizes festive kurta sets for men with a sophisticated twist.
- Straight Cut Kurtas: Straight Cut Kurtas work well for most body types and don’t bunch at the waist. Go for solid colors with contrasting embroidery or prints.
- Angrakha Style Kurtas: A wraparound overlap panel instead of buttons lends regal vibes just right for weddings.
- High-Low Kurtas: The hem is higher in the front and elongated at the back for a fusion look.
- Layered Kurtas: Contrasting fabrics, colors or embellishments are used for the inner and outer kurta layers
- Calf Length Kurtas: This kurta type extends well below the knees for a royal ethnic style statement
- Indo-Western Kurtas: Can be fused with denim, waistcoats, shirts and jackets for experimental ensembles.
Fabric Care and Maintenance Tips
Investing in premium fabrics like silk, cotton silk and brocade for occasion wear requires some care to increase longevity between wears. Follow these simple steps:
- Always read the fabric care label before washing
- Turn the garment inside out before dry cleaning or washing
- Allow it to air dry in the shade to prevent damage from heat or sunlight
- Fold and store the kurta properly after ironing to avoid wrinkles or tears
- Use a steam iron on silk or brocade festive mens kurta to avoid damage to embroidery
- Get embellished kurtas professionally dry cleaned instead of risking damage at home
- Never bleach or wring the fabric or embroidery may get affected
A beautifully selected kurta never fails to make a fashion statement steeped in culture and tradition for festive seasons or special celebrations. KZari’s catalog of vibrant zari embellished attire includes ready-to-wear kurtas, jackets and Indo-Western apparel for modern tastes. Complete the look with mojaris or ethnic footwear. Make heads turn at the next wedding you attend!