What to wear for Diwali this year

Diwali in the UK is never one outfit. There's the evening at home, the visits to family, the dinner where every aunty has an opinion, and the party at the weekend. All of it happens in a British autumn, usually in the rain.

So plan it like a wardrobe, not a look.

The evening at home: comfortable, not casual

You'll be sitting on the floor, leaning over a rangoli, and lighting diyas with the family. Dress for that.

A cotton or silk kurta set works for everyone. An anarkali with a light dupatta looks right without trying too hard. For men, a kurta pajama is the obvious call. Get the fit right, add a Nehru jacket, and it's done.

One rule that matters: keep chiffon and net dupattas pinned and away from the diyas. Synthetic fabric catches fast. Nobody wants that to be the story of the night.

The visits: shoes off, layers on

Every front door means shoes off, so wear something you can slip on and off without sitting down. Juttis and kolhapuris earn their place here.

Between houses it's cold, and inside it's warm. Layers you can take off at the door and pick up on the way out beat one heavy outfit you're stuck in all evening.

A thermal under the kurta is not cheating. It's experience.

The party: this is where the lehenga comes out

The weekend party is the one you've been planning since September. Go for it.

• Jewel tones look best under fairy lights. Emerald, ruby, deep purple, and gold always.
• Mirror work and gota catch the diyas and every phone camera in the room.
• Sharara and gharara sets give you the drama of a lehenga with an easier night on the dance floor.
• For men, a bandhgala or an embroidered kurta with a contrast shawl. Velvet makes sense once the nights draw in.

Wedding season leaves a lot of beautiful pieces in garment bags. Diwali is a good reason to find one on Dukanoh: someone else's big-day lehenga, your party.

Dress for Britain, not for Delhi

This is the part nobody puts on Pinterest.

• A long wool coat over a saree looks sharp, not lazy.
• A pashmina or embroidered shawl is the most useful piece you'll wear all week.
• Block heels over stilettos. Wet pavements and long driveways are not your friend.
• A thermal under the kurta is not cheating. It's experience.

Then pass it on

Most of us won't wear the same Diwali outfit two years running. Once the season's done, list it on Dukanoh. Someone's been looking for exactly that piece, in exactly that size.

Happy Diwali.