Sara Ali Khan kept it brief, and she made it big! The star shared a couple of photos from her Navratri celebrations with a short caption: “Happy Navratri everyone.” The pictures did all the talking, with her dressed in a deep purple and cobalt blue Bandhani lehenga by Manish Malhotra. Her comments section was flooded with praise and reactions from fans and industry members alike!
What Is Bandhani?
Bandhani is a traditional art form associated with Gujarat and Rajasthan. The artisans pinch small sections of cloth, tie them tightly with thread, and dye the fabric. Once the threads are removed, the tied sections appear as dots in different patterns. People in Gujarat have been wearing Bandhani during Navratri for ages, making it an ideal choice for the festival.
The Lehenga Skirt
The skirt features a full-circle silhouette with heavy gathers that flare out as she moves, creating a wide expanse perfect for Garba, an energetic, hours-long dance involving spinning and swaying. The Bandhani dots shift between purple and blue as the fabric moves through the folds of the skirt. Since the pattern itself takes up much of the visual space, the designer added only a few embellishments to the piece.
The Blouse
Most of the detailing is concentrated on the blouse. It features a halter neckline, with gold zari and mirror work covering the front. The back is open, with tie-back strings that end in decorative tassels. From behind, the outfit looks just as finished as it does from the front. The fitted cut also keeps the blouse from getting lost against the voluminous skirt.
The Dupatta
Sara wore a royal blue dupatta draped over her shoulder. Its thick metallic border echoes the gold detailing on the blouse. The blue also connects the purple skirt to the cobalt tones, making all three pieces look like parts of one cohesive outfit.
Hair, Jewelry, and Makeup
She wore her hair in a sleek bun with a middle part, keeping her bare back and dangling earrings visible. She accessorized with bangles on both wrists and a small red bindi on her forehead, adding to the traditional appeal of the look. Her earrings were chandbalis, featuring the large, bell-shaped design that makes this style distinctive.
Why the Look Works
Each piece serves a purpose. The skirt brings color and volume, while the blouse adds detail. The simple hairstyle ensures that nothing competes for attention. She also chose a traditional fabric in a classic color combination, which suits Navratri well. Deep purple and blue stand out in both daylight and evening light, making the outfit photograph well at different times of the day.
You don’t need a Manish Malhotra budget to borrow the idea. Here is a simple way to recreate it:
- Pick two complementary shades, such as purple and blue.
- Buy Bandhani fabric, ideally hand-tied, from Gujarat or Rajasthan.
- Spend more on the blouse and keep the skirt simple.
- Choose a dupatta in the brighter of your two colors.
- Add gold accents through jewelry or borders.
- Tie your hair back to show off your earrings and the back of your blouse.
- Wear shoes you can dance in all night.
Stick to one statement piece of jewelry if you want to keep the look balanced, and you won’t need to worry about adding too much heavy work elsewhere. A small potli bag is perfect for carrying your phone and keys as you dance the night away. Cotton-silk is a good fabric choice if you plan to stay out late, especially compared with heavier fabrics such as brocade. Also, tie your blouse strings securely at home before heading out. You don’t want them coming undone in the middle of your Garba session.
The Takeaway
Sara Ali Khan’s Navratri look works because it keeps things simple. She paired a traditional fabric with two colors and focused the detailing on specific parts of the outfit. When planning your own look, start with the fabric, choose complementary colors, and keep the embellishments to a minimum.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and media reports. Any opinions, observations, or interpretations presented are intended solely for editorial, informational, and entertainment purposes.
