Navratri is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. The occasion is a combination of personal reflection and group festivities, the latter often highlighted by bright colors, folk music, and beautiful Garba cholis.
The role of Garba choli in Navratri
Garba is a traditional dance form originating from Gujarat. It is performed during Navratri and is known for its symbolism. During Garba, dancers move around in circles, a shape that represents the cycle of life and death.
Of course, the cultural dance would not be complete without the right outfits. Female Garba dancers often wear a chaniya choli, a traditional three-piece attire composed of the choli or blouse, chaniya or skirt, and dupatta or scarf.
Garba cholis are colorful and vibrant. As a result, they are the ideal attire for dancing, allowing more freedom of movement than pants or tight dresses. On top of that, chaniya cholis are elegant and flowy, moving along with the dancer’s arms and legs as they twirl.
Besides the three-piece garment, Garba dancers also accentuate their looks by wearing traditional Indian accessories. For instance, they may pair a colorful chaniya choli with golden bangles, beaded necklaces, and intricately designed earrings.
The perfect Garba choli for Navratri
Chaniya choli can be made with a variety of fabrics, including silk, cotton, and georgette. However, if you’re looking for something to wear at the Navratri festival, these materials are your best bet:
- Organza
Organza fabric is crisp and smooth. Moreover, it has an excellent drape. This makes it a wonderful choice for chaniya cholis, especially during the festival season.
- Chiffon
Chiffon is another great option for Navratri cholis. They work perfectly with modern designs, creating an elegant and unique look for the wearer.
- Satin
If you’re looking for something more sophisticated, satin would be a good option. This fabric is preferred for chaniya cholis with heavy embroidery due to its ability to hold designs.
- Silk
You can never go wrong with wearing silk to a party. The King of Fabrics is soft and smooth, adding a luxurious vibe to your overall look.
Can’t wait to celebrate Navratri? Wear your best outfit to the festival and purchase a Garba choli from world-famous designers now!
About the Author:
Shreya Patel ventured into professional fashion design and established the hugely successful design house RAAS in her 50s. She dived into the fashion industry in 2016 when she started a one-of-a-kind online boutique experience by curating artisan-quality outfits from India and selling them in the US. But eventually, Shreya realized this was not fulfilling her mission of growing together, supporting the artisans, and empowering women. Hence, she decided to pursue further education at Parsons School of Design. Amidst the pandemic, she started her own design house to support the artisans who had lost their jobs. That marked the beginning of the socially sustainable label RAAS, The Global Naari. Her daughter decided to join her mission because of the tremendous fame and love her designs received in the United States and internationally, even during the pandemic. The duo recently introduced Tanisi, a Western casual label focusing on making sustainable, high-quality designer fashion accessible and affordable.
