If there’s one thing new-gen pet parents know how to do, it’s spoil their fur babies. From elaborate spa routines to jam-packed social calendars and birthday parties, no expense or effort is spared to ensure their pets are living the good life. Naturally, the festive season is no exception. After all, if the entire household is getting dressed up for an occasion, why should the four-legged members be left out? They’re part of every Diwali house party—and might actually be the MVPs of your event. Never mind that the dog will probably spend the evening trying to steal mithai off people’s plates while the cat hides somewhere out of sight until everyone leaves.
From brocade kurtas and Nehru jackets to saris and lehenga sets, pet occasion wear has become surprisingly elaborate. Boof by Bella, for instance, has a range of mini saris, while Heads Up for Tails has easy-to-slip-on kurtas, including the bright pink bandhani one in our curation below. The Pet Closet Co offers an ikat angarkha, Dog O Bow has a dress with paillettes, Pet Set Go has an option in brocade, Paws India has a lehenga choli—the options are enough and to spare.
Obviously, comfort and safety should always come first when dressing your fur baby. Not every pet enjoys wearing clothing, and there’s no reason to force an outfit on one that doesn’t. But if yours is happy to oblige, look for lightweight, breathable fabrics, fits that don’t restrict movement, and soft, secure fastenings. Make sure the garment has a cutout for easy bathroom breaks and avoid low-hanging tassels, beads, or other embellishments they might chew or swallow. And it goes without saying: keep an eye on your pet’s behaviour and remove the outfit at the first sign of discomfort.
And if a full look seems excessive, a smaller embroidered accessory or festive harness is always an option. The Pet Closet Co and Pawgy Pets have traditional harnesses on offer, alongside ghungroo bandanas from Siva.
Below, our edit of festive wear for fashionable pets who don’t mind playing a little dress-up for the occasion:
