HANDLOOM SAREES · UNSTITCHED SUIT MATERIALS · SOURCED DIRECTLY FROM WEAVERS · FREE SHIPPING ACROSS INDIA
What to Wear for Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj: A Diwali Week Guide
Buying Guide · Diwali Week
Dhanteras to
Bhai Dooj: five days.
What to wear for Dhanteras and the rest of Diwali week — Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj — day by day, in handloom.
8-minute read · Buying Guide
Diwali isn’t one day, it’s five, and each asks for something different from your wardrobe. Knowing what to wear for Dhanteras, for the puja, and for the family days either side saves you from reaching for the same saree five times, or worse, the wrong one for sitting on the floor in front of a row of diyas.
01 — The calendar
What to wear for Dhanteras, and the four days after
This year Dhanteras falls on Friday 6 November and Diwali, with the main Lakshmi Puja, on Sunday 8 November. Govardhan Puja follows around 9 or 10 November and Bhai Dooj around 10 or 11 November. Calendars and regions differ by a day, so check the one your family follows. Our guide to what to wear for Diwali parties covers the evening get-togethers; this one is for the days and rituals themselves.
02 — Day by day
Five days, five different briefs
Dhanteras
Easy, bright, made for errands
Dhanteras is a day of shopping, lighting lamps, and buying something auspicious, so you’ll be in and out of cars and shops. A lightweight cotton or silk-cotton handloom in a bright yellow, marigold, or green is festive without being fussy.
Choti Diwali
Something you can move in
The day before Diwali is usually spent on rangoli, cooking, and hanging lights. Choose a comfortable cotton you won’t mind getting a little colour on, and save the better saree for tomorrow.
Diwali · Lakshmi Puja
The festive centrepiece
This is the day for red, gold, and deep jewel tones, and for your best silk. The puja usually means sitting on the floor for a while, so pin your pleats securely and choose a drape you can sit in comfortably.
Govardhan Puja
Relaxed, family-lunch festive
A quieter day of family meals and visiting. Something light and handwoven in a softer palette works well, and it lets you rest from the heavier silk of the day before.
Bhai Dooj
Light, warm, and photo-ready
Bhai Dooj is about the tilak, the sweets, and the photos with your brother. A bright, easy handloom you feel good in is all it needs, and it’s a natural day to give or get a handloom gift too.
A practical safety note
Diyas and a loose pallu don’t mix. Pin the pallu at the shoulder, tuck the end in, and keep your pallu away from the flame whenever you light or move a lamp.
03 — Colours and gifts
The Diwali palette, and what to give
The traditional Diwali colours are reds, golds, marigold, and deep greens, with lighter, brighter shades for daytime. If you’re deciding what to wear for Dhanteras and still need a gift for someone, our Diwali gifting guide covers handloom gifts people actually keep, and the price guide shows what each weave should cost. Working out what to wear for Dhanteras and the days after is mostly a matter of deciding how much you’ll be moving around, and how much sitting you’ll do.
04 — Common questions
Quick answers
What colour should I wear for Dhanteras?
There’s no strict rule. Bright, auspicious tones like yellow, marigold, red, and green are the usual choices, and a comfortable fabric matters more than the exact shade.
What should I wear for Lakshmi Puja?
A silk or silk-cotton saree in red, gold, or a rich jewel tone is the traditional choice. Pin the pleats well, since you’ll likely be sitting on the floor.
What is the best saree to sit through a long puja?
A lighter silk-cotton drapes without bulk and is easier to sit in than a very heavy silk. Pin the pleats at the waist and the pallu at the shoulder so nothing needs adjusting.
What should I wear for Bhai Dooj?
Something light, bright, and comfortable. It’s a family day built around the tilak and the photos, so choose a handloom you enjoy wearing rather than anything elaborate.
More festival guides
Planning around the festive calendar? See what to wear for Navratri, Durga Puja, Karva Chauth, Christmas and New Year, Pongal and Sankranti and winter weddings. Coming up next: Holi, Eid, Basant Panchami, summer weddings.
Dressing for Diwali week?
Not sure what to wear for Dhanteras and the days after? Tell us the days and your budget over WhatsApp — we’ll suggest ready handloom pieces that cover the whole festival.
