Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8 this year, with five days of celebration from November 6 to 10 and Diwali parties across the US filling the weekends around it. This is my edit for the Festival of Lights: pre-stitched sarees, hand embroidery, velvet and jewel tones that glow in candlelight. I grew up in India watching my mom and aunts hand embroider, knit and weave, and that craft still shapes every piece I design.
Order by October 21 for standard delivery before Diwali begins on November 6. After that, 1-day shipping ($35) is available on orders placed before 1pm EST. Free US shipping on orders over $250.
My pre-stitched sarees
A traditional saree takes practice to drape. My Jahan saree ($298) and Firdaus saree ($298) are pre-stitched three-piece sets: a sequin crop blouse, a pre-draped skirt in shimmer crinkle fabric and a long stole you drape over the shoulder. You can be dressed in about five minutes. Jahan comes in deep maroon, a traditional festive color, and Firdaus in teal with flutter sleeves. Both come in XS to XL, and larger sizes can be made to your measurements. Each is made in a very small run, so they go quickly.
Dresses for a Diwali party
Color is the heart of Diwali dressing. The Marquis ($328) pairs electric royal blue with handcrafted floral embroidery on a floor-length off-shoulder maxi. My Mahal maxi ($378) carries a print inspired by the murals and miniature paintings of Samode Palace, made with artisans in India in organic cotton sateen with voluminous sleeves. The Duchess kaftan ($298) flows in red and pink viscose linen satin, and the Carolina ($265) runs pink into cobalt with one balloon sleeve.
For a cool November evening, velvet is my favorite. The Gaudi wrap ($398) is printed velvet in teal, blue and purple, inspired by the stained glass of the Sagrada Família, and the Velvet Green ($338) is a striped metallic stretch velvet midi with an oversized bow. The Queen wrap midi ($258) in pink and purple and the burgundy Begum ($288) with full sleeves are lovely for a family puja.
Gold, embroidery and the finishing layer
Gold is the color of Diwali. My Agra jacket ($228) is woven gold jacquard with velvet bows, and the Babur jacket ($238) is sea green jacquard, named for the first Mughal emperor. The Fleur jacket ($288) is blue cotton tapestry with hand-beaded floral embroidery made by craftspeople in India. Any of them over a simple dress turns it into a festive outfit.
For a daytime puja or a family lunch, my cotton pieces carry traditional Indian embroidery. The Jharokha maxi ($298) in cinnamon brown and the royal blue Samode maxi ($298) both have hakoba embroidery ruffles, and the Amber dress ($278) has contrast Indian embroidery on a flounced mini.
Colors to wear, and a note on black
Choose rich, joyful color: red, maroon, pink, magenta, marigold, emerald, teal, royal blue and gold. Many families avoid all-black and all-white outfits for Diwali, so if you love black, wear it with gold, like my sparkly black and gold Opal wrap ($378) or the Bella ($298), hand beaded with gold glass beads.
Not sure of your size? Check the size chart. For more occasion dressing, see my wedding guest dresses and Indian fusion pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, the evening of Lakshmi Puja. The five days of celebration run from Dhanteras on Friday, November 6 to Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, November 10, and many Diwali parties in the US take place on the weekends before and after.
What should I wear to a Diwali party?
Wear rich, festive color with some sparkle or embroidery: a saree, a jewel-tone maxi, velvet, or a dress with a gold jacket. Red, pink, gold, emerald, teal and royal blue are all beautiful choices. Add gold jewelry and skip all-black or all-white outfits.
Can a non-Indian guest wear a saree to Diwali?
Yes. Wearing a saree to a Diwali party is a warm way to honor the festival. A pre-stitched saree like my Jahan or Firdaus lets you wear one without learning to drape. Teal and royal blue are easy colors for any guest, and a festive maxi dress works beautifully too.
Can I wear black to Diwali?
Many families avoid all-black outfits for Diwali because it is a celebration of light. If you love black, choose a black dress with gold, sequins or beadwork and add bright jewelry, or save black for another party and wear color.
How long does a pre-stitched saree take to put on?
About five minutes. The Jahan and Firdaus each have a sequin blouse, a pre-draped skirt that fastens at the waist and a long stole you drape over your left shoulder, so you don't need any draping experience.
