What to wear for Navratri 2026, night by night.
Outfit ideas for all nine nights of Garba, in the colour of each day, for women and men. Plus the practical part: shoes that stay on, a dupatta that stays put, and what survives a dusty ground.
Nine nights, nine looks
The colour of each night of Navratri 2026, with an idea for women and one for men.
- Day 1 Orange Sunday, 11 October
Women: A marigold or saffron chaniya choli with mirror work, or an orange bandhani dupatta over a cream outfit if you want the colour without head to toe.
Men: An orange kediyu over a white dhoti or churidar, or a plain white kurta with an orange bandhani stole or safa.
Goes with: Hot pink, cream, gold and green all sit well next to orange. Oxidised silver jewellery keeps it from looking too formal.
More on day 1: orange - Day 2 White Monday, 12 October
Women: A white chikankari or Kutchi mirror-work chaniya choli. Bring in colour with a bright dupatta, oxidised jewellery or a colourful potli bag.
Men: An all-white kurta and churidar, or a white kediyu with coloured embroidery at the chest and sleeves.
Goes with: Almost anything. Red, royal blue and multicolour Kutch embroidery stand out best against white.
More on day 2: white - Day 3 Red Tuesday, 13 October
Women: A red bandhani or gharchola style chaniya choli with gold work. Red is the easiest night to look festive with very little effort.
Men: A red or maroon kediyu with a white dhoti, or a red bandhani safa with a cream kurta.
Goes with: Gold, white and green. A green or gold border on red is a classic Gujarati combination.
More on day 3: red - Day 4 Royal blue Wednesday, 14 October
Women: A royal blue chaniya choli with silver mirror work, which catches the ground lights better than almost any other colour.
Men: A royal blue kediyu or bandi jacket over a white kurta.
Goes with: Silver, white, orange and hot pink. Royal blue with a bright pink dupatta is a favourite Garba combination.
More on day 4: royal blue - Day 5 Yellow Thursday, 15 October
Women: A yellow or mustard chaniya choli with multicolour embroidery, or a yellow lehenga with a contrasting pink or green dupatta.
Men: A yellow or mustard kurta or kediyu with white bottoms. Mustard is easier to wear than bright yellow if you are unsure.
Goes with: Pink, green, orange and white.
More on day 5: yellow - Day 6 Green Friday, 16 October
Women: A green bandhani or leheriya chaniya choli, or deep bottle green with gold work for a richer look.
Men: A green kediyu with a white dhoti, or a white kurta with a green bandhani stole.
Goes with: Pink, red, yellow and gold.
More on day 6: green - Day 7 Grey Saturday, 17 October
Women: A grey chaniya choli with silver or multicolour mirror work, or grey with a bright pink or orange dupatta so it still feels festive.
Men: A grey kurta or kediyu with white bottoms, or a grey bandi jacket over white.
Goes with: Silver, pink, orange and purple. Grey is the night to let your jewellery do the work.
More on day 7: grey - Day 8 Purple Sunday, 18 October
Women: A purple or wine chaniya choli with gold zari. Purple looks regal under ground lights and suits a big Ashtami night.
Men: A purple kediyu or kurta with white or cream bottoms.
Goes with: Gold, silver, pink and peacock green.
More on day 8: purple - Day 9 Peacock green Monday, 19 October
Women: A peacock green chaniya choli, a peacock motif in the embroidery, or teal with gold for the last night of the festival.
Men: A teal or peacock green kediyu with a cream dhoti or churidar.
Goes with: Gold, magenta, purple and orange.
More on day 9: peacock green
The basics for any Garba night
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A skirt you can spin in
A flared chaniya choli or lehenga that ends just above the ankle, so you never step on the hem mid-round. Cotton or a cotton blend stays cooler than heavy silk on a packed ground.
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For men: kediyu, or a kurta and a stole
A kediyu with a dhoti or churidar is the classic look. A plain kurta with a bandhani stole or safa in the colour of the night is easier and still festive. Pick breathable fabric; grounds get hot.
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Flat, soft shoes you have broken in
Mojari, juttis or flat sandals with a back strap stay on through a fast round. Some people dance barefoot at traditional grounds; if you do, check the surface first.
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Pin everything
Safety pins for the dupatta, a spare hair tie, and earrings you can dance in. Keep the heaviest jewellery for photos.
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Somewhere for your phone
A small potli or sling bag for your phone, pass and a little cash, worn across the body so both hands are free for the claps.
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Check themed nights
Some events set their own dress code, like an all-white night. It is always on the event listing.
See the Navratri 2026 colours with dates, learn how to play Garba, or find a Garba event near you.
Navratri outfits, answered.
What should women wear for Navratri 2026?
A chaniya choli or a flared lehenga is the classic Garba outfit, ideally in the colour of the night: orange on day 1, then white, red, royal blue, yellow, green, grey, purple and peacock green. Choose a skirt that ends above the ankle and flat shoes you can dance in.
What should men wear to Garba?
A kediyu with a dhoti or churidar is traditional. A kurta with a bandhani stole or safa in the colour of the night works just as well. Breathable cotton is best, because Garba grounds get hot.
What should I wear on day 1 of Navratri 2026?
Day 1, Sunday, 11 October, is orange. A marigold or saffron chaniya choli with mirror work, or an orange bandhani dupatta over a cream outfit if you want the colour without head to toe.
What should I wear on day 2 of Navratri 2026?
Day 2, Monday, 12 October, is white. A white chikankari or Kutchi mirror-work chaniya choli. Bring in colour with a bright dupatta, oxidised jewellery or a colourful potli bag.
What should I wear on day 3 of Navratri 2026?
Day 3, Tuesday, 13 October, is red. A red bandhani or gharchola style chaniya choli with gold work. Red is the easiest night to look festive with very little effort.
What shoes are best for Garba?
Flat, soft-soled shoes that stay on when you turn: mojari, juttis or flat sandals with a back strap. Break them in before the first night.
Do I have to wear the colour of the day?
No. It is a tradition people enjoy, not a rule. A dupatta or stole in the right shade is enough to join in.
Dressed for night one?
Find someone going to your ground on the same night. Tell them what you are wearing and you will spot each other at the entrance.
Going with friends? Get them on it too.
No app store needed. Open Play Garba in your browser and add it to your home screen.