27 Types Of Kurtis To Suit Every Occasion And Body Type
Overview
- 1. Anarkali
- 2. Colour Blocked Kurti
- 3. Silk Kurti
- 4. Asymmetrical Kurti
- 5. Lace Kurti
- 6. A Line Kurti
- 7. Straight Kurti
- 8. Angrakha Kurti
- 9. Gathered Kurti
- 10. Indo-Western Kurtis
- 11. Floor Length Kurti
- 12. Shirt Collar Kurti
- 13. Kashmiri Kurti
- 14. Flared Kurti
- 15. Kaftan Kurti
- 16. Short Kurtis
- 17. Jacket Kurtis
- 18. Ikat Kurti
- 19. Tie Dye Kurti
- 20. Denim Kurti
- 21. Bandhani Kurti
- 22. Chikankari Kurti
- 23. Tiered Kurti
- 24. Boat Neck Kurti
- 25. Embroidered Kurta
- 26. Peplum Kurti
- 27. Sleeveless Kurtis
Anarkali
Fitted at the waist and a flared silhouette, Anarkali kurtis rarely go out of style. Pick one in cotton and muted colours for work, or go as dressy as you like for a wedding or other celebrations. They're especially great for parties, thanks to their comfy structure.
How to Style: Because of the flared silhouette, we suggest you style your anarkali with skin-hugging bottoms. Be it a churidar or a pair of fitted jeans, this is the most sorted and easy way to style your anarkalis. You should also finish off the look by adding block heels or an elevated pair of footwear to compliment the flow of the outfit.
Colour Blocked Kurti
Colour blocking uses contrasting colours, often a bright and a muted one that pair well together. Get yourself one in colours you like for casual brunches with your pals. You can pair them with beige trousers or muted leggings to complete the look.
How to Style: To rock your colour-blocked kurti in the office, pair it with something very comfortable and relaxed. If you are styling A-lined style kurtis, we recommend going with pant-style bottom wear in subtle hues to complement the bright and bold colours of the kurta. Choose something that has a straight and relaxed fit.
Silk Kurti
Silk kurtis are the perfect pick for festive occasions, think Diwali or any other special occasion. They look stunning on their own, so you don't have to put in too much effort to accessorise your outfit. Pick a cotton silk blend if pure silk feels too stifling.
How to Style: As the silk fabric is enough to shine on its own, we recommend going easy on the accessories and adding a pair of statement earrings and juttis to the mix.
Pro-Tip: If you're looking for juttis to match your outfit, you can find affordable brands here.
Asymmetrical Kurti
Asymmetrical kurtis use variety in the structure of the hemlines, sometimes using a high-low pattern. They're great for co-ord sets or if you'd like to highlight your bottom wear as much as you do your kurti. Pair them with chich tan or gold flats to complete the look and keep the focus on the kurti.
How to Style: The asymmetrical kurti looks great paired with matching bottoms. It gives a co-ord set look and is an easy way to look chic and polished. Finish the look by stacking jewellery on your wrist and adding comfortable footwear.
Lace Kurti
Lace adds beautiful detailing to your simple kurti, elevating it with minimal detailing. Lace kurtis go well with or without a dupatta and are best paired with straight-cut pants and a pair of your trusty flats.
How to Style: A lace kurti's detailing makes it the most delicate style, and you need to let that shine while styling this fit. Your bottom wear should be simple; a straight cut is the most recommended. To add something extra, you can also look for bottoms with lace detailing. Finish off the look with a pair of intricate juttis or flats that bind the whole look.
A Line Kurti
A line kurtis are excellent if you'd like more room below the waist length. Unlike straight-cut kurtis that people often find an issue with near the waist or hips, A-line kurtis look seamless throughout your torso, only accentuating your waist. They're the perfect choice for long office hours.
How to Style: A-line kurtas are best paired with your old-trusty straight-fit bottom wear, which complements their A-line style. For work, we recommend adding chic, minimal accessories to the fit, like a watch or a set of rings, and finishing off the look with some comfortable ballet flats.
Straight Kurti
Straight kurtis are a staple and work for various occasions including casual errand runs. If you like a structured look on your kurtis, opt for a straight silhouette that's frill and fuss-free to take you through the day.
How to Style: Because of the straight fit, we recommend adding a little drama and flow to the fit with a stunning pair of palazzo. Accessorise with a smart sling bag or handbag, and you add minimal jewellery.
Angrakha Kurti
Angrakhas look regal and elegant no matter what occasion they're worn for. They come with tie-up strings that you can fasten by yourself before wearing them and often come in the softest fabrics like mul and cotton. The roomy structure makes them ideal for summer days.
How to Style: Unlike the Anarkali, we recommend styling your Angrakhas with as flowy bottomwear as possible. The whole flow of the fit looks grand, and if you like a little bit of oomph and twirl to your fits, this will be absolutely perfect. Finish off the look with sturdy platform footwear.
Gathered Kurti
Gathered kurtis have a pleated waistline that allows for some room in your outfit. Pair them with a comfy pair of trousers, flats and your work tote, and you're ready for a day of work.
How to Style: Gathered kurtis go well with straight cuts or pant-style bottom wear, creating an illusion of the Anarkali style. A pair of sturdy flats and structured tote would be perfect to finish off the fit.
Indo-Western Kurtis
While Indo-Western kurtis don't have a specific silhouette, they're predominantly given the name because of their colour schemes and minimal work. They work with a pair of trousers or denim, making them the perfect choice for college-goers if they need to adhere to a dress code.
How to Style: Your favourite boyfriend or skinny jeans would be a great addition to the Indo-Western kurtis look. Let the style and colour of them shine, and you can be as relaxed and easy-going with the bottom. For footwear, you can also experiment with sneakers to make it more cool and casual.
Pro-Tip: Check out our ultimate guide to buying jeans online to get your perfect pair.
Floor Length Kurti
Floor length kurtis could be called the Indian counterpart to a maxi dress, and are an excellent choice if you're planning to accessorise your outfit and keep the focus on your top. You can wear them with simple leggings or skip them altogether if the fabric isn't sheer.
How to Style: If you are styling it as a dress, we recommend styling it with flats and accessorising it with minimal jewellery and a handbag. If you want to add bottoms, a pair of leggings complimenting the kurti's colour will also work.
Shirt Collar Kurti
A perfect blend of western and Indian sensibilities, shirt collared kurtis have a button down style in the front to give off the appearance of a regular shirt with an Indian kurti style length. They look smart, and are great for work when paired with flats and palazzo pants.
How to Style: Shirt-collar kurtis need a simple pair of straight-leg kurtas or palazzo-style pants to maintain and complement their overall flow. To finish off the look, add a beautiful pair of blocked heels and a nice handbag.
Kashmiri Kurti
Kashmiri hand embroidery looks stunning and is best worn on festive occasions. The silhouette used is typically straight fit, while still being roomy. Pair them with your favourite dupatta, minimal jewellery, and a bold kajal to complete the look.
How to Style: We recommend adding a flared bottom to recreate a dreamy, elegant look with your Kashmiri Kurtis. The structure of the whole fit will be relaxed and roomy. For an anarkali-style look, you can also add straight-fit bottoms.
Flared Kurti
Like Anarkalis, flared kurtis are fitted on the waist and get roomier from there. Flared kurtis are an excellent option if you'd like some drama in your outfits. They're perfect for intimate functions or even Dandiya nights when paired with some chunky oxidise jewellery and Kolhapuris.
How to Style: Flared kurtis are super versatile and work well with fitted or flared bottoms. We recommend using light, simple colours for the bottom wear, which can be styled with a number of kurtis.
Kaftan Kurti
Kaftan kurtis are the first choice for several folks thanks to their relaxed yet elegant fit. Pick a dressy one to go with gold accessories, a bag and flats for more elegant evenings out, or a simple cotton one that you can dress up for various occasions.
How to Style: Because kaftan kurtis have a relaxed fit, a slightly fitted bottom or straight-fit pants would work the best. You can accessorise with the trending stackable jewellery and a pair of flats that go well with the Indo-Western theme.
Short Kurtis
The perfect balance between a regular top and an Indian fit, Short kurtis are great if you'd like to add an Indian touch to your outfits and are perfect for college too. Pair them with a chunky choker, some bracelets, and your favourite pair of denim to complete the look.
How to Style: A true uni staple, short kurtis work greatly with loose, relaxed bottoms, especially jeans and sneakers. To finish the look, add a pair of boho earrings, silver jewellery, and a boho bag. We suggest going for baggy jeans, but you can also add dhoti pants for days when you feel experimental.
Jacket Kurtis
Jacket kurtis take inspo from western trench coats and other layering items. They look super chic and are a great choice for winters, when you'd like to layer up but still remain fashionable.
How to Style: This Indo-Western apparel can be paired with straight-fit pants or leggings. For footwear, we recommend kolhapuris.
Ikat Kurti
Ikat works best in casual or formal settings. The Indian handloom uses yarns of various colours to create the patterns and looks simple, formal and elegant. Pick a silhouette that works best for your body type.
How to Style: Depending on the structure of the silhouette of your Ikat kurta, we recommend leggings or pant-style bottom wear in light, basic colours.
Tie Dye Kurti
Tie Dye is a fab technique that adds a pop of colour to all your fits. Pick soft cotton kurtas in tie-dye that go supremely well with chunky silver jewellery for an Indian boho-chic look.
How to Style: When styling your tie-dye kurti, remember that keeping it simple and basic will work in your favour since the colour and pattern are loud. Keep the look clean with a sleek pair of leggings or a simple palazzo. If you want to make the look more boho, accessorize with chunky silver jewellery.
Denim Kurti
Denims look fab with several styles including overalls and jackets so why not kurtis? These kurtis are made from a soft denim fabric so they're comfortable to wear, without any restrictions. Since they're slightly thicker than your average cotton kurti, pick them for early winter days.
How to Style: When styling your denim kurtis, choose a cotton or linen bottom with a straight fit that complements the style and flow of the fit.
Bandhani Kurti
The Bandhani has been a much-loved pattern for generations and looks fab for Indian get-togethers, think day Sangeets or Haldi. The unique dyeing pattern will remain a classic, so pick a colour that's timeless as well.
How to Style: When it comes to pairing anything with bandhani, go for easy base colours like white and beige and add more elements like silver jewellery to make the fit more interesting.
Chikankari Kurti
Another timeless style that looks regal, elegant and uber feminine, a solid Chikankari is a must-have in your wardrobe. It speaks volumes of Indian artistry, can be maintained easily and is super versatile. Complete the look with heavy earrings and white palazzos.
How to Style: Styling a Chikankari kurta with denim is super popular among college students and looks very casually chic. You can also wear them with a pair of straight-fit pants made of cotton. Finish the look with some silver jewellery.
Tiered Kurti
Much like flared kurtis, tiered kurtis add a touch of drama to your ensemble and get the name since they're structured with multiple tiers from the waist down. The big flare on them makes them an ideal choice for get-togethers. Pair them with skinny jeans or leggings so the focus remains on the kurti.
How to Style: Styling a tiered kurta with leggings makes the most flowy silhouette and looks elegant. Finish off the look with a block heel and a nice sling.
Boat Neck Kurti
Boat neck kurtis are great if you'd like to show your decolletage and collar bones. Pair them with a chunky pair of Jhumkas or earrings and leave your neck bare. They add some width to your upper torso and balance out the rest of the silhouette making your form look more symmetrical.
How to Style: The key to styling boatneck kurtis is leaving your neck bare. Accessorise strictly with earrings, bracelets, and rings. Wear silver jewellery and a stunning bag, along with a simple pair of kolhapuris.
Embroidered Kurta
If you like intricate work and detailing, pick an embroidered kurta, available in various motifs and styles to celebrate handmade styles on your Kurti. Hand-embroidered pieces scream elegance and work well in multiple settings.
How to Style: Embroidered kurtas are perfect for important events and occasions, and we recommend styling them with statement jewellery and embellished juttis. Make it more eventful by finishing the look with a beautiful potli.
Pro-Tip: Looking for brands that do excellent potlis and clutches? Check out this list!
Peplum Kurti
Peplum kurtis have been super popular lately and truly are great for every day. Cinched right below the chest and flared all the way to the waistline, they look great on all body types. These also work great as college fits as they have an indo-western vibe that looks cool, chic, and casual.
How to Style: Peplum kurtis give you the most amazing twirl, so we recommend styling them with fitted bottoms to maintain the flow and structure. You can style them with jeans, leggings, or fitted cotton pants.
Sleeveless Kurtis
Sleeveless kurtis are lovely. These work great for an indo-western or Indian vibe —looking super stylish and chic both ways. You can opt for short ones as well as long ones and pair them with a relaxed fit bottom, perfect for college or office.
How to Style: Keep your bottoms relaxed and loose. Experiment with earrings, watches, and bracelets as accessories.