As a Vogue Editor who lives in kurtas, these are the 13 styles on my Dussehra wishlist

Dressing up for Dussehra is like making a pitstop on your way to Diwali. Inhabited by the pleasure of slipping into a beautiful new kurta, picking the right jewellery and spending time with the family in the anticipation of a sumptuous festive meal.

The culmination of the ten-day festival presents room for every mood. Pastels for the easy mornings at home, bright yellow for lunch with the neighbours and friends, fuchsia for a burst of colour, rich embroidery for the evening—the opportunities to dress up are endless.

The guiding principle for dressing up is simple: dress for the joy of it. Choose pieces that celebrate Indian design, wear colour with confidence, make time for the mithai grazing tables and let every day bring its own reason to celebrate.

1. The pastel romantic

The kurta set by Raji Ramniq brings a romantic sensibility to the traditional kurta. Its neckline and asymmetrical silhouette makes it an appealing choice for daytime celebrations, particularly when styled with delicate earrings, understated metallic footwear and a barely-there beauty look.

2. Pink, with a little more drama

For those who believe that festive dressing should never be shy, designer Divyam Mehta's fucshia silk kurta makes a persuasive case. Both the saturated colour and the richness of silk offer a polished alternative to run-of-the-mill options. Add your new gold jewellery and let the colour do the talking.

3. The modernist's kurta

AK|OK interprets the traditional silhouette with its signature contemporary sensibility. The bohemian printed kurta and pants set has the kind of quality that straddles an at-home mood for a festive lunch and stretches well into the evening for going out, too.

4. A little sunshine

Yellow has long held its own in the Indian festive wardrobe, and for good reason. Cheerful, auspicious and particularly lovely in daylight, the Boondi set by Avacara Jaipur is an ideal choice for a Dussehra lunch. Keep accessories warm and gold-toned, and finish with comfortable juttis.

5. Gota game

Perfect for the puja that you'll probably be late to, the family lunch you can’t skip and the evening get together with closest friends that brings everyone together, this Divya Sheth set is a reminder that the modern Indian occasion wardrobe is as much about individual expression as it is about tradition.

6. Golden goddess

Gold embroidery and silk have an enduring place in the festive lexicon. Anita Dongre's Ikshita set is a natural candidate for the more dressed-up moments of the season. Think pairing it with heirloom-inspired jewellery and a sleek, pulled-back hairstyle.

7. Texture is the statement

For an evening of celebration, texture can be every bit as compelling as colour. This Mimamsaa garnet-toned crushed-tissue set offers a richer direction for festive dressing, with embroidered detailing adding dimension. Style it with statement earrings and let the fabric carry the look.

8. Stars in mauve

The very demure mauve offers a refreshing departure from the season's brighter hues. Consider this for a celebration that calls for something special without leaning on the expected palettes, pair with a muted golden clutch and chandbalis to complete the look.

9. A nod to nostalgia

Print and gota bring together two enduring elements of Indian occasion dressing. There’s something distinctly ’90s about a printed suit finished with gota and worn with a churidar. Tarun Tahiliani’s take makes a case for revisiting an era when festive dressing meant ornate prints and a little Bollywood-inspired glamour.

10. Colour clash

Warm and earthy, mustard feels particularly at-home during the festive season. When juxtaposed with rani pink, it only looks more striking. A set from Jayanti Reddy's extravagant offerings, this kurta set can transition beautifully from daytime gatherings to the golden light of an early evening celebration.

11. Crushed hues

Alam by Tulsi makes a case for the details that set a kurta apart: an unconventional neckline, an asymmetric hem and a silhouette that feels familiar, yet far from predictable. There’s a hint of nostalgia here, without the weight of embellishment—a reminder that simplicity, when done right is all you need.

12. Festive flourish

This pastel blue Ambi kurta-sharara set by Amaare offer an icy cool alternative to the brighter colours traditionally associated with the season. A kurta paired with sharara bottoms, the look has a nostalgic and classic tonality to it—a particularly appealing direction for those who like their festive wardrobe to have a point of view.

13. The unexpected red

Not every festive look needs to be a traditional kurta set. This geometric cutwork look from Ikai by Ragini Ahuja offers a contemporary alternative for the dresser who wants to mix things up. When the festivities are done, wear the top with a with a pair of shorts or just wear the pants with a fitted white tee.