All posts by : AyFa Collections

Unfastening the top button of your jeans is the prime indication of a night spent gorging on festive treats, but a traditional equivalent in your usual Diwali outfits shopping guide that will help you get away with unravelling your clothes does not exist. But there are a few tricks of the trade that will allow you to swap out your lehengas with comfier and fun options after day six of endless parties, bubblies and fried food. Move beyond the restrictive contours of cinched clothing and look towards more relaxed and anti-fit silhouettes that are a perfect blend of style, comfort and design, just take a look at Kareena Kapoor Khan’s relaxed but OTT outfit by Anamika Khanna.

Contrary to popular belief, anti and relaxed fit does not mean shapeless, rather its motive is to be fuss-free while making a statement. Created in contemporary or hybrid silhouettes, these easy-to-style outfits are becoming the preferred alternative, taking over the festive and wedding season. For instance, concept sarees or pre-stitched drapes by 431-88 by Shweta Kapur, were modified from the traditional saree to create an outfit that mimics the flattering pleats of the sari on all body types, and includes a stretchable waistband that sits comfortably on the body, while removing the hassle of draping it. Choose from fluid kaftans as part of your coterie of Diwali outfits, like the yellow from Studio medium to sexy and flattering co-ord set from Anita Dongre, these outfits have now reached the top of the Indian fashion pyramid. Vogue India brings you the best and the sexiest relaxed inspirations to choose from in this Diwali shopping guide, without feeling conscious of your body.

Co-ord Sets

Jumpsuit

Pre-stitched Saree

Kurta sets

For a Diwali dinner, Sonam Kapoor turned once again to Raw Mango: a label that has long mirrored her love for textile heritage and inventive Indian dressing. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, the actor wore a cobalt-blue silk shirt paired with a bright yellow silk sari and an indigo ikat shawl, bringing together three distinct craft traditions in one striking look. It was an ode to Indian handlooms through a lens of modern, effortless luxury.

The luminous blue shirt—fluid yet tailored—lent a contemporary sharpness against the gleaming sari, which shimmered under soft light; elegant detailing came in the form of a zari border and peacock motifs. An indigo and beige ikat shawl, draped loosely across her shoulders like a cape, introduced texture and depth.

Instagram.com/sonamkapoor

Founded by designer Sanjay Garg, Raw Mango is known for reinterpreting Indian textiles through clean silhouettes and intelligent colour play. Kapoor’s ensemble perfectly embodied this ethos, a conversation between traditional weaving techniques and modern styling.

Kapoor’s jewellery amplified the festive opulence: an elaborate necklace layered with pearls, rubies, and emeralds, paired with vintage jadau earrings that framed her face. The polki detailing harmonised with the look’s vivid hues, evoking the grandeur of royal Indian soirées. She carried a vegan black clutch with subtle embellishments, adding a note of understated evening polish.

Her makeup was radiant and balanced: skin with a dewy finish, softly defined eyes, fluttering lashes and a rose lip. Her hair, styled in loose, glossy waves, brought fluidity to the structured outfit.

Instagram.com/sonamkapoor

Let the eyes shimmer like Diwali lights with the YSL Couture Mini Clutch Palette. Featuring four radiant shades in velvety mattes and glimmering metallics, each hue blends seamlessly to create looks that capture the warmth and brilliance of the celebration.

Sunday Riley- Multivitamins: C.E.O. Vitamin C And Luna Kit

This powerhouse day-to-night duo pairs 15% Vitamin C for brightening and dark spot correction with retinol-rich Luna oil to visibly smooth, firm, and even skin while you sleep.

Rare Beauty Selena’s Essential Eye Duo

The limited-edition bronze olive shade and mini mascara are meant for creating a classic smoky eye this Diwali. The eyeshadow stick lines, shades, and smokes out your eyes and the water-resistant mascara makes your lashes look long and lifted.

Fenty Skin- Start’r Set

Fenty Beauty’s skincare starter set must be your go-to this festive season. With a gentle cleanser, dark spot-targeting toner-serum and SPF moisturiser, the set hydrates, and evens skin tone. Infused with vitamin C-rich Barbados cherry for radiant skin— plus a bonus Butta Drop sample for that extra festive glow.

Moroccanoil Repair Set

Infused with argan oil and amino acids, this trio hydrates, softens and keeps frizz in check for 72 hours. Moroccanoil works on every texture, straight, coily or somewhere in between, and doubles as a quick refresh for day two hair. The products are infused with keratin to repair damaged hair and reduce frizz.

M.A.C Gilded Glamour Bestsellers Trio

Deck out your holiday looks with M.A.C’s Gilded Glamour trio. This limited-edition gift set of curated must-haves for eyes, lips and skin features a full-sized lipstick in Warm Teddy, mascara and a mini setting spray. Ready to gift in holiday-exclusive gold-toned packaging at a gold star value.

Huda Beauty Obsessions Eye Kit

The Huda Beauty eye kit consists of the iconic Obsessions palette with nine pans of mattes, shimmers and glitters for custom eye makeup. The mini mascara infused with carnauba, sunflower seed and beeswax, lengthens the lash and provides long-lasting hold for volumised lashes.

Estee Lauder Powerful Nighttime Repair Mini Duo

Estee Lauder’s Powerful Nighttime Repair duo set are small wonders with big benefits. This deluxe mini duo is the perfect travel size. These products supercharge your skin and make it look smoother and even-toned.

indē wild Radiant Hair Ritual Minis Kit

Discover the magic of healthy hair with inde wild mini essentials. The award-winning Champi Hair Oil and Moonlight Scalp Serum are crafted with modern science and ancient Ayurvedic wisdom.

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set

The cult favourite Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Jet Set includes a body wash, the Brazilian bum bum cream, and a perfume mist for irresistibly soft, tight, and deliciously scented skin.

Laneige Lip Care Set

This budget-friendly lip care set dissolves dead skin cells and deeply moisturises up to 8 hours. Enriched with grape, raspberry, and pomegranate, Laneige completely revitalises your lips.

Jo Malone London Cologne Discovery Collection

Cosmic tip: Since what you are giving out is shifting drastically, what you are receiving is changing too.

Find your forte and stick to it. You can do everything, Gemini, that doesn’t mean you must. When you choose harmony, happiness and joy as your foundation for every choice and decision you make, you recognise the role you want to play in your life and the things you want to really do. And you, my Gem, are born to build – a community, a safe space, a creative outflow and a peace haven that is built on the foundation of freedom and joy. This is rare, and you must cherish it.

Cosmic tip: Assert your boundaries to remember your core strengths.

You receive an idea, you get confused, you over-strategise, you think of a million ways in which you can make it work, you get overprotective, calculating and on guard, you get frustrated and end up in a loop once again – sound familiar, Cancer? Well, it is time to get your game back on. It is time to remember that for you, my dear, your heart speaks louder than your head and very rarely is it wrong. It is time to remember that you are here to feel your way through life and not think your way through and sure, it might work for others, but does it really work for you? Nope. So, timeout, and think long term but hold onto your empathy and ability to feel your way through things for dear life. Got it? Okay.

Cosmic tip: Play your cards well, but bring more heart into your game.

Things are on fire, Leo and you don’t need to hide anymore. Your hard work is paying off and although there may be a lot happening simultaneously in your life, remember that you are good for it. You are once where you couldn’t wait to be. You are growing and glowing and this glow up is not a façade—it is happening because you have done the work to get to know yourself a lot better than before. You are learning to trust your inner voice, and when it says—all is well, trust that it is.

There’s something undeniably theatrical about dupattas—one flick of chiffon and suddenly you’re in your own Om Shanti Om moment (wind machine optional). Dupattas has long played understudy to the lehenga or kurta, but this festive season, it’s high time we gave this unstitched starlet its main character moment. Bollywood, of course, has done the most PR for it—“Hawa mein udta jaye…”

Even before the global fashion landscape was obsessed with the Scandi-girl scarf and “elevated layering”, here we’ve always known the power of this unstitched rectangle. We’ve hidden behind it, clutched it in school ceremonies, draped it over dolls. It can shift the tone of an entire look—ceremonial, subversive, camouflaging or simply saving a look that didn’t quite work out.

Whether it’s a featherlight handloom Chanderi, a weighty Kanchipuram zari or something dipped in more chamki than the midnight sky, this festive season, we’ve got you covered.

Banarasi weave

Heavy with heritage, Banarasi’s dense zari and silk brocade offers a luxurious fall that’s best reserved for evening occasions or ceremonies. Best to drape with precision; no sloppy folds. Pair this with a tissue salwar set or across a lehenga; this regal number offers range.

Silk Brocade Dupatta, Payal Khandalwal, ₹24,800

Handwoven Gold Organza Dupatta, Ekaya Banaras, ₹11,075

Handwoven Mustard Silk Dupatta, Ekaya Banaras, ₹10,175

Red Pure Organza Silk Hand-Embroidered Odhani, Tilfi, ₹40,500

Tilfi- ‘Hamsa Vilasa’ Pink Pure Katan Silk Banarasi Handloom Dupatta, ₹28,000

Chanderi weave

Lightweight silk-cotton with a crisp finish that holds shape without stiffness. Ideal for daytime events where neatness counts. Best worn folded sharply across the shoulders or pinned vertically for a tailored look. Chanderi does have an airy yet luxurious feel, it pairs well with a sleeveless kurti set and contemporary, minimal jewellery.

Applique and Cutwork Dupatta, Ikai, ₹22,790

Light Pink Cotton Silk Chanderi Dupatta With Floral Motif, Swadesh, ₹9,900

Char Chand Stole in Navy Chanderi, Shorshe, ₹14,500

Bandhani

Soft georgette or cotton with circular tie-dye patterns that make the eye dance. Easy to drape, a bandhani is perfect for casual daywear or a stroll through festive markets. Toss over one shoulder or loosely around the neck. Pair with a classic backless choli or with a slip top and denims to keep the effortless vibe intact.

Rani Pink Jaal Bandhani Dupatta in Georgette, Ratanshi Kheraj Sarees, ₹24,465

Red Zardozi embroidered bandhni odhna, Nidhi Tambi Kejriwal, ₹1,15,000

Floral bloom

Painted or printed, these delicate florals blooming across organza, cotton and silk are a soft, romantic pick for daytime festivities. Don one with a white mul angrakha when you head to get your mehendi done with the girls.

Dupatta Chanderi Silk Amethyst, Suket Dhir, ₹22,650

Oaxaca Verde Dupatta, Kshitij Jalori, ₹34,800

Damson Silk Stole, Anita Dongre, ₹5,250

Peach Hand-Painted Organza Dupatta With Tassels, Geroo, ₹9,540

Indian woven rainbow (Bhujodi and kala cotton)

Cotton handlooms with a lively textural weave, natural fabrics and dyes. These materials tend to be of a heavier weave but perfect for daywear. They pair well with jeans, kurta sets or even a dress—ideal for introducing a pop of colour for a laid-back look.

Women Blue Cotton Self Design Bhujodi Dupatta, Jaypore, ₹4,990

Handcrafted Bhujodi Dupatta, Kutch Culture, ₹3,000

Handloom Bhujodi Kala Cotton, Ethnic Elements, ₹7,500

MultiColour Cotton Pochampally Handloom Dupatta, Ethnica, ₹2,200

Shibori

Typically on silk or modal, this airy fabric features jewel-toned, patterned prints from traditional clamp-dye techniques. Has a silky scarf-like feel, perfect for layering. Wrap across to elevate a co-ord set or knot it to your bag for a fresh twist on tradition.

Women Maroon Red Cotton Printed Shibori Dupatta, Jaypore, ₹1,990

Shibori Organza Dupatta – Black/Lime, Studio Medium, ₹12,500

Ajrakh

Typically in deep indigos, blacks and earthy reds, ajrakh on modal or cotton delivers moodier prints. Pairs exceptionally well with darker lehengas or sequined separates for an impactful look. Pair with silver or diamond chandbalis and head out for an evening Diwali party.

Cotton Dupatta – Shuja, Vraj Bhoomi, ₹3,650

Maroon Modal Ajrakh Printed Dupatta, FabIndia, ₹3,499

Organza

Sheer silk with a subtle stiffness, offering a floaty yet structured fall. Works well for evening wear where you want lightness without losing form. Organza can sponge a heavier outfit and balance it well, use it to soften a richly detailed outfit without losing balance.

Mridula Dupatta – Dark Green, Lajjoo, ₹36,900

Mridula Dupatta – Fuschia Pink, Lajjoo, ₹36,900

Silk Organza Dupatta, Payal Khandalwal, ₹9,800

Linen

India, even in late October, tends to get hot, so linen dupattas in muted hues can be just the respite you need from heavier sets. Paired with linen trousers and a shirt or with a kurti set, it helps you feel fresh, natural and luxurious.

Teal Jamdani linen dupatta, Anavila, ₹14,500

Pomba Handwoven Colour-Blocked Linen Dupatta – Ochre, Manan, ₹5,500

Velvet & shine

Velvet, zardozi and jewel tones come together when you’re dressing for sparkle under the stars. Mirror the richness with a velvet or tissue sharara set with an embellished potli and juttis. When leaning into richer textures, these are your go-tos.

Red And Maroon Hand Embroidered Zardozi Silk Velvet Doshala, Weaver Story, ₹23,990

Goonj Georgette Dupatta – Heavy in Black, Sunira Designs, ₹88,500

Orange Velvet Ari and Zardozi Dushala, Rhua, ₹45,000

Reva Dupatta – Silver, Nicobar, ₹6,500

Blue Hand Embroidered Silk Velvet Doshala With Contrast Chanderi Tissue Border, Weaver Story, ₹24,990

South Indian silks

Kanchipuram silk dupattas bring serious gravitas with their gold-threaded motifs and rich colour palettes. Often ignored as a weave in dupattas, they have a more structured fall, drape one over a silk lehenga or across a half sari. Pair with antique temple jewellery to complete the look.

Kanjivaram Silk Dupatta, Kanakavalli, ₹21,460

Maroon Kanjeevaram Silk Dupatta, Tulsi Weavers, ₹13,390

Kanjivaram Silk Dupatta, Kanakavalli, ₹18,620

Delicate detailing

Net, tulle and ultra-fine laces with embroidered accents, scalloped hems or lace insets. Delicate details that would make your grandma happy. Best layered over tone-on-tone sets or light silks for afternoon events. Pair with a pastel slip dress for a twist and accessorise with pearls and a delicate clutch to complete the look.

Ivory Floral Cutwork Dupatta, Chandranima, ₹14,990

Shimmer

The OG pataka piece. Sequins, shisha and a whole lot of shimmer—these are dupattas that love the limelight. Drape as a veil or shawl to add drama to even the most basic outfit.

Rajbaraat Lehenga with Sheeshya Veil Set, Irth, ₹6,70,000

Silver Embellished Lehenga Set, Abhinav Mishra, ₹2,46,400

Also read:

Why enamel jewellery is the season’s boldest statement

5 chic ways to make scarves the hardest working piece in your wardrobe

We tried and tested 8 shapewear brands so you don’t have to

It’s easy to mistake milia for whiteheads–small, pale bumps that crop up overnight, clustered under the eyes, on the cheeks or along the nose. But before you go shamelessly popping them, listen up. What looks like a mild breakout or whiteheads is a completely different kind of skin concern that won’t respond to your tried-and-true acne spot treatment, and definitely not to squeezing.

“Milia are tiny cysts that sit just under the skin’s surface,” explains cosmetic physician and head of education at Acquisition Aesthetics, Dr Emmaline Ashley. “They are full of a protein called keratin, which is commonly found in your hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin.” Milia presents itself as pearly-white bumps; however, they are not inflammatory, infectious or even remotely related to acne.

Whiteheads, on the other hand, are closed comedones are a type of acne lesion that is caused by clogged pores filled with sebum, dead skin and bacteria. “Milia, however, are firmer, deeper-set and won’t extract easily like a whitehead,” warns Dr Ashley.

What causes milia?

Our skin isn’t just a protective barrier. It’s a living, breathing organ that renews itself roughly every month. As part of this natural cycle, dead skin cells are meant to shed from the surface, making way for the fresh, healthy ones beneath. But sometimes, that process doesn’t go quite as planned, causing milia.

These tiny, pearly bumps form when dead skin cells and keratin become trapped beneath the surface, rather than exfoliating as they should. They most often appear around the eyes and cheeks, delicate areas where the skin is thinner, making them more susceptible to buildup.

“Clinically, milia are smooth, dome-shaped, and feel firm to the touch,” says Dr Ashley. “Unlike a whitehead, they don’t come to a ‘head,’ they’re not red or inflamed and they’re usually not tender or painful unless irritated.”

According to Dr Hussein Yassine, Board-Certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Expert Clinic in Beirut, milia is often found in newborns and in adults with dry or damaged skin and can be triggered by multiple factors, one of them being the use of occlusive ingredients or very thick, hydrating formulas, they contribute by disrupting natural exfoliation.

“A lot of people consider petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, to be a moisturiser, which it is not,” he explains. “Not to forget the use of mineral oils, lanolin, beeswax, paraffin, and other rich natural oils, as well as cocoa and shea butter.” Even ingredients like dimethicone, commonly found in makeup, can contribute to congestion when layered too heavily. Overusing rich eye creams, failing to properly remove makeup or relying on occlusive products in hot, humid climates can also create the perfect conditions for milia to form.

There’s also a lesser-known subtype known as traumatic milia that can occur after the skin experiences stress. Think resurfacing lasers or dermabrasion. In these cases, the skin’s natural healing process gets disrupted, trapping keratin beneath the surface as it tries to repair itself.

How to treat milia

In most cases, milia is harmless and tends to resolve on its own with time. But if it’s persistent—or simply bothersome from a cosmetic standpoint—experts recommend a combination of consistent at-home care and professional in-clinic treatments. “A skilled clinician can use a sterile needle to gently de-roof the lesion,” says Dr Ashley. “Cryotherapy, diathermy or even laser ablation can be suggested for more extensive cases.”

Channelling the sartorial codes of the ’70s, Bhumi Pednekar stepped out in a look that fused retro tailoring with contemporary Indian craftsmanship. For the India Today Conclave, the actor wore an Anavila ensemble styled by Manisha Melwani. The look was accented with brooches from Tribe Amrapali, earrings by Moi, rings from Bijouri, a hair brooch by Golecha Jewels, a custom purse by Meera Mahadevia and Oceedee brogues. The florals, as Pednekar noted, were a nod to the women she’s embodied across a decade in cinema—each with her own story, her own sari, her own truth—woven here into a look that felt nostalgic yet modern.

The sari itself—a plaid linen sari highlighted with zari—was from the brand’s prelude-to-festive collection. A soft purple and muted pink Madras check, draped traditionally, it provided a grounding contrast to the tailored jacket layered on top that featured the label’s signature Luna scallop finish, whose rose-strewn print evoked vintage upholstery florals. The Peter Pan collar was punctuated with a slim green-and-pink scarf, tied loosely like a cravat, building up the retro mood while softening the structured silhouette.

The accessories drew from a variety of influences, blending multiple aesthetics. The tapestry-style evening pouch, which was on a short chain strap, echoed the jacket’s pattern, while gold embroidery and sequin edging lent it a delicate ornamentation. On her feet were heeled Rebecca brogues: closed-toe Oxford-style lace-ups with stitched panel construction, pointed toes and chunky low heels. Crafted from patented leather with a matte finish, the structured shoes added a utilitarian edge to the sari. Striped stockings peeking out from beneath the drape introduced another textural layer.

Jewellery choices extended the narrative with two brooches around the neckline and shoulder: a butterfly-shaped piece in rhinestones fastened between the collar tips and a dragonfly in pink stones pinned on the pallu—both lending a touch of whimsy to the tailored top. Earrings were stacked—Promise earrings (purple amethysts, diamonds and emeralds) and Thea earrings (rose-cut diamonds, and pachchikam-set emeralds). She completed her accessorising with a set of Masand rings, crowned with rubies and emeralds, on her fingers, and a vintage-style gold watch over a jacket sleeve.

With the help of the philosophy of ikigai (生き甲斐), you can find out what the meaning of your life is and what it is that’s worth living for. This is made up of the characters for living (生き – iki) and value (甲斐 – gai) and can therefore be translated as something like the value or meaning of life. The Ikigai method is intuitive and individual, but you should still take a little time to come to grips with it. We’ll show you which questions you need to answer to find your own purpose in life, which you can use to achieve happiness in your job and personal career.

Ikigai: What is it and what can it do?

Ikigai is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is a philosophy for finding joy in life. Until the 1960s, ikigai (生き甲斐) was actually equated with shinigai (死にがい), which translates as ‘what is worth dying for.’ In military Japan, the meaning was initially related to the emperor and the nation. It wasn’t until the economic upturn in the 1960s that the focus shifted to life, and the movement then spread to the West in the 1990s.

The humble ankle boots has remained a timeless staple in our wardrobes, even when sleek knee-highs and buckled biker boots dominated the trend cycle of late. In fact, the classic silhouette, which, for many of us, marked our first foray into heels as teenagers, should be considered a year-round staple.

Like many other revivals we’re witnessing at the moment, the ankle boots of winter 2025 aren’t far removed from the styles we wore in the Noughties. Slouchy, suede buccaneer boots, Kate Moss for Topshop-inspired snakeskin and second-skin styles are cropping up once again.

Ankle boots come into their own as the weather gets cooler, but unlike taller styles, they aren’t suffocatingly hot, making them the perfect transitional piece. They’re also versatile when it comes to styling, as ankle boots tend to slip neatly under, or layer over, most trouser or jeans silhouettes. Plus, they also look great when styled with socks and tights on the chilliest days, too.

Key styling references come courtesy of the autumn/winter 2025 runways. At Louis Vuitton, pointed, heeled and shearling-lined ankle boots were paired with everything from tartan dresses to cargo trousers, jumpsuits and rain macs – most of which were styled with woollen knee-high socks for added winter appeal. Isabel Marant’s supple leather ankle boots, meanwhile, came studded and ruched around the ankle, styled with lace fishnet tights, black leathers, plaid and pinstripe.

Louis Vuitton AW25.

Launchmetrics.com/spotlight

Isabel Marant AW25.

Launchmetrics.com/spotlight

Missoni offered an especially nostalgic take with flat, pointed buckle boots in snakeskin, suede and leather. Styled with shorter hemlines, they were balanced by oversized outerwear, slouchy knitwear and striped scarves. At the other end of the spectrum was Cecilie Bahnsen’s collaboration with The North Face, which yielded storm-faring interpretations: zippered ankle boots with Gore-Tex soles and signature floral accents, perfectly offset with knee-high socks and girlish, flouncy skirts.

Cecilie Bahnsen AW25.

Stefania Danese

Missoni AW25.

Launchmetrics.com/spotlight

“When an item remains in your wardrobe rotation for over a decade you know that it’s worthy of a place in the fashion hall of fame. For me, it’s a pair of Topshop snake-print ankle boots that I splurged on (relative to my minimum-wage salary) in my early 20s,” says Joy Montgomery, Vogue’s shopping editor. “With a low block heel and pointed toe, they’re the perfect style to wear with straight-leg jeans, plus the pop of print is an easy way to add interest to basics. The snake-print boot has been central to Khaite’s autumn/winter collections in recent years, plus I’ve spotted some chic pre-loved Celine styles on eBay. But this season I’ll still be sticking with my old faithfuls.”

So whether you’re going for something minimalist, boho or sharp and tailored, there’s an ankle boot to suit every occasion. From thick-soled stomper boots that add grit to slip skirts to sleek pointed-toe pairs that sharpen denim and cargo trousers, the possibilities are endless. Scroll to find out how to style this season’s best ankle boots now.