The Holi Outfits Influencers and Stylists Swear By This Season
- Varnika Thukral
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
The fashion scene in the country is evolving rapidly, and personal tastes are taking centre stage. With bold colour making a reappearance as a trend this year, we’re headfirst into the festivities of Holi. While some are still in tune with wearing the white kurta, many others are choosing otherwise.
The white kurta has long been a standard choice for Holi parties. Having the custom carried every season with splashes of colours all over the end-of-day photo dumps. A white kurta becomes a simple choice; it's cosy, normative and perfect for the transitional weather. Then why a change in approach? Deciding on what to wear for Holi gets tricky, especially when the festival literally asks you to get your hands dirty. This year, the spirit of the festival has decided to override the standard. Enter florals, rich colours, experimental textures and maximalist accessories. Think Raw Mango Kurtas, or something dazzling from the wardrobe of Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika, paired up with Kirik sunglasses from Bhavya Ramesh Jewellery. That’s how we would associate a break in the mould when it comes to styling this season.
At The Style List, we did what anyone in our position of a styling crisis would have done. We spoke to fashion influencers and celebrity stylists to understand what their Holi outfits for 2026 will look like.
What’s Beyond The White Kurta?
“I’m skipping the predictable white kurta this Holi. I’d rather lean into vibrant tonal sets — rich silks in sunset orange, emerald, or bougainvillaea pink that actually celebrate colour instead of playing safe,” says Himanshu Shukla, a luxury, fashion and lifestyle creator. He adds, “I’m also loving breezy pastel co-ords with textured details — linen cut-work, fine embroidery, and structured tailoring that feel effortless but still elevated.”
With the internet celebrating a fresh rush of colour, this season’s Holi photo dumps may look like pages from a scrapbook. They bring back nostalgia while still keeping the festive spirit alive. Fashion influencers hint towards playfulness with accessories and unorthodox ensembles, without losing the sheer essence of the festivities. After having discussed it with our neighbourhood fashionista, Prerna Shetty, she clears the air by stating, "I’m a sucker for ethnic wear on Holi, and I still believe a kurti is classic. Still, festivals are not the time to hold back.”
She further suggests, “Try an undone white shirt over a tank. If you wish to add a pop of colour, let the tank be the main focus. However, you can opt for a multicoloured patchwork tank if you like to be bold with your fashion choices, or choose a strong, solid shade like pink or blue (personally, I’m reaching for pink)." Prerna also recommends pairing it with denim shorts and a white bandana (which will inevitably become abstract art by noon). It is cute, and it also helps keep your hair in place. "If you prefer ethnic, choose an off-white sari. It is definitely a bold choice, but that is the point. Pick one with colourful printed borders, or keep the sari simple and let the blouse stand out. A Rani pink or blood orange blouse works beautifully,” she adds.
Electric Hues, Trinkets and Textures
Textures are definitely the power move of this season. Following the trail of electric and eye-catching hues, we are also turning to rich fabrics and structured outfits. Himanshu says, “For something playful yet luxe, I love a hand-embroidered silk dhoti set — it’s airy, bold, and photographs beautifully while still feeling festive. I also love a structured pastel linen co-ord with delicate thread work. It’s refined, understated, and still looks chic even after a few gulal moments.” Celebrity stylist Eshaa Amin Pradhan agrees, “The white kurta feels predictable now. This Holi, I’m choosing saturated co-ord sets in electric pink, acid green, and cobalt. They photograph better, hide colour stains, and feel far more directional.”
Holi is, of course, a messy festival. On the practical side of dressing, influencer Sukhmani Gambhir has a simple approach. When asked about her Holi styling tip, she told The Style List, “Pull out your stained white t-shirt or a little worn-out white shirt. Add a pop of colour to it with cute trinkets and good vibes.“
Our resident beauty influencer, Kripa Patel Joshi, re-emphasises structured silhouettes, “Think electric blue, hot pink, or any strong, vibrant shade that already feels festive on its own. I love a structured co-ord set or even a relaxed shirt and shorts combo in one solid colour. I would personally stay away from prints for Holi and just let the colour stand out.”
And if you’re wondering where you can get your hands on such swish outfits, we got you. Prerna Shetty recommends Meghstudio, Fursat for its colour blocking, Mabish, Renaisa, Tia Paakhi, and Nativehood for elevated festive looks.
Are Accessories Doing The Heavy Lifting?
Styling never concludes with clothes, does it? This Holi, expect to see maximalist jewellery and quirky accessories. Think brooches and blingy-y potli bags at prominent parties and get-togethers.
Talking about accessories, Himanshu hinted towards layering and stacking of ornaments. Witnessed earlier this year with numerous mixed metal stacks taking to our feeds, the influencer supports his inclination by saying, “I love layering thoughtfully — especially brooches and statement rings — because they add personality and structure to the outfit. The right accessories can completely transform a simple ensemble into something that feels polished, intentional, and editorial.”
While Kripa suggests the theme of expressive styling, saying, "Chunky earrings or stacked bangles make such a difference. I also like accessorising my hair, maybe a sleek braid, cute clips, or even something simple that makes the look feel styled but still practical." Proving the rumours true, this spring the desi maximalism is unlikely to take a break.
We also turned to stylist Eshaa Amin for more tips. She brings back the idea of layering delicate gold jewellery, even if it catches some colour, because it adds a refined touch. Flipping the styling manual open, she continues, “A slick bun or tight braid keeps things chic and controlled. Play with the contrast of neon with metallics or pastels with bold red lips. Waterproof mascara and tinted lip balm are non-negotiable. A bandana or printed scarf tied around the head makes the look intentional.”
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