Anarkali Dresses For Women: From Festive Wear To Office Wear Everything A Diva Needs

The twirl-worthy anarkali dresses are without a doubt a must-have in your ethnic wear wardrobe for days when you want to feel like the ‘main character’. The anarkali kurta is fitted at the top and flares to create a skirt-like silhouette and is worn with slim pants, making it ideal for most body types. You can also choose the silhouette you want by choosing between trousers that are fitted or flared, dramatic sharara pants, or even voluminous skirts.  If you are not a fan of carrying a dupatta, you can ditch it completely or go for a jacket or shrug-style anarkali suit.

Whether you’re going for a festive party or a get-together with friends, you need to try wearing anarkali dresses for a romantic feel. This guide will help you learn all about the different fabrics, patterns, fits, and cuts you can choose from to find anarkali dresses fit for a fashionable diva. The article also explains which options are appropriate for different occasions. Keep scrolling!

Fabric and Patterns:

Knowing about fabrics and patterns will help you easily choose the right anarkali dress for any occasion. Here are the best classic and trending options: Cotton And Blends: Cotton anarkali dresses will be ideal for daily use and office wear. While you can opt for a plain or printed fabric, an embroidered Chikankari anarkali will elevate the minimal look. Cotton and blended fabrics such as cotton silk will be ideal for the summer. Wear these with oxidised jewellery and a sling bag for a classy look.

Silk: The natural sheen of silk makes it a top choice for festive occasions and the fabric is preferable for all seasons. It is breathable enough in the summer and will keep you warm in the winter. Wear a silk anarkali dress with zari and add gold-toned jewellery and footwear to turn heads at the next holiday party.

Georgette, Chiffon and Crepe: Sheer, lightweight and breathable; georgette, chiffon and crepe are the best for anarkali dresses that you want to wear for outdoor events and daytime functions. You can get anarkali dresses in these fabrics with mirror work or sequin details for intimate gatherings and family dinners. Pair this with dainty earrings, a pendant necklace, and heels.

Chanderi: If you wish to exude elegance at the next festive party, opt for chanderi fabric that is made by weaving silk and gold zari yarn together. The shimmering texture will make the anarkali dress shine under the lights during nighttime events. Wear rhinestone jewellery for added bling and carry an embellished shawl in the winter for a sophisticated outfit.

Brocade: A traditional woven fabric, brocade is a patterned textile with intricate designs that are made during the weaving process. Opt for a brocade anarkali dress, kundan jewellery set, and wedges for the next wedding you attend.

Organza: Wrinkle-proof organza is the ideal choice for dupattas or shrugs with anarkali dresses. The fabric is sheer, so the dress will be visible underneath. It is also lightweight and allows the dupatta to flow with your movements. Opt for hand-painted organza dresses or dupattas to stand out.

Fit and Cuts:

Essentially, anarkali dresses are fit and flare but there are several different cuts that you can get to fit your requirements. Here are the most loved options:

Regular: The bodice of regular-fit anarkali dresses will end under the bust with a flared skirt. This is the most common type and ideal for all occasions. The skirt will be minimal but still allow for a dramatic twirl. Wear these with churidar bottoms as the gathers will peek under the skirt.

Relaxed, Loose and Easy: For an easy-going daily wear outfit, wear relaxed, loose or easy-fit anarkali dresses. The dresses don’t have a stitch running diagonally under the bust but rather a vertical princess cut that flows from top to bottom. Flared or wide-legged pants will allow you to get a cool oversized-on-oversized silhouette.

Flared: Dramatic voluminous skirts are ideal for festive occasions and weddings as they add a royal lehenga-like feel to your look. You can take the volume even higher by wearing a skirt that will peek under the anarkali.
Fitted and Semi-fit: If you love the anarkali silhouette but want to wear it for a low-key event, opt for fitted and semi-fit options as they have a toned-down flare. To balance proportions, wear a tiered sharara or palazzos with the fitted top.

A-Line: A-line cuts are a subtle option for office wear as they give a soft and elegant look. Loose-fit straight pants will compliment A-line anarkali dresses for casual wear.

Things to Know:

Along with cuts, considering the length while matching tops and pants will help get a symmetrical look. To elongate the frame, wear floor-length suits with fitted pants, maxi length with flared pants, and midi length or higher with voluminous skirts. If you feel like you are drowning in the flared anarkali kurti, consider wearing high heels to add dimension or opt for a shorter style.

The neckline and back designs are also important factors to consider while choosing dresses for an occasion. Round, V-neck and boat neck are ideal for formal wear as they have clean lines. For a bold look outfit, sweetheart, keyhole or scoop necklines are a favourite among women. Trending shoulder straps, mandarin collars, and halter necklines have been all over social media as they add a fusion touch to traditional designs.

While you can opt for an anarkali kurta set, mixing and matching separate pieces is also a fun way to get multiple cute outfits. All you need to do is find complementary colours and ensure you are building the outfit around a focal point. Mis-matched prints in the same colour palette also look great together and you can create a set with two prints and one solid piece for a balanced look.

From minimalism to over-the-top looks, finding the right anarkali dress is all about considering all the above-listed factors. We hope this helps you pick the outfit for any occasion.