Most men we know would rather do just about anything than shop for festive wear. The prospect of heading to a store and navigating racks of heavily embroidered outfits for a kurta they’ll wear exactly once is hardly appealing. Usually, they’ll put it off until the last possible minute, insist they already have something to wear, and settle on a one that looks almost identical to the one they bought last year.
For those whose approach to dressing up is more low-key, the trick is to find pieces that feel special without making too much of a statement. Think a well-cut silhouette, subtle textural details, or tonal embroidery. Thankfully, plenty of homegrown designers are finding ways to make even the simplest kurta feel interesting.
At Margn, signature wrinkled textures and a subtle dyed finish lend character to an otherwise pared-back silhouette, while Antar-Agni’s asymmetrical hemline and irregular, organic pleats offer a more experimental take on traditional dressing. Similarly, Dhruv Vaish’s ombré kurta set comes with an asymmetric overlay, while Countrymade’s Chanderi silk version has hand-embroidered details inspired by the terrain of a mountain valley. And for the true minimalist, there’s always options like Eka’s uncomplicated stripes or Saphed’s monochrome silk set. Unlike the more extravagant options that spend most of their lives hibernating in garment bags, these are kurtas that can easily be worn long after the festivities have ended.
So, if you’re someone who considers donning a kurta sufficient effort for the festive season, we’ve rounded up 12 pieces that don’t rely on bling to make an impression:
