At India Art Fair, the art rarely stays inside the pavilions. It drifts out onto the lawns, into the queues, and shows up most clearly in what people choose to wear. This year, the mood feels more playful and layered than usual, with Delhi’s art crowd dressing like they’re meant to be part of the exhibition rather than just passing through it.
Crystal bindis are moving beyond foreheads, punctuating the corners of the eye like face stickers. Oversized rings are stacked without restraint. Hats—pillbox, berets, and more—are being spotted in different pockets. Asymmetrical hems are worn over denim, long dresses float over trousers, and saris are paired with blazers and coats to make peace with the Delhi winter. There’s nostalgia too: vintage matchbox prints, Vimal Pan Masala, and Fatafat references on bags feel fun, familiar, and oddly comforting.
What stands out most is how little of it feels new-for-the-sake-of-it. Borrowed jackets, thrifted finds, heirloom jewellery, and handmade details are everywhere. This season, getting dressed for the fair feels less about trends and more about showing up with curiosity.
Below, we speak to a few attendees about what they’re wearing and how it all came together.
