Fashion

How to style an Anarkali Salwar Kameez?

Albert George Feb 21, 2025

Women wear Anarkali on all occasions to create an appeal with timeless elegance. It also boasts a unique cultural heritage inspired by the Mughals. But over time, this fashion outfit evolved and became the melting scene of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Whether you attend a wedding, participate in a festival, or engage in formal events, it always remains the most versatile fashion choice.

Interestingly, Salwar Kameez also shares a deep cultural connection with Anarkali suits, offering a perfect blend of tradition and comfort. If you're looking to explore a diverse range of Salwar Kameez that complements modern fashion trends, check out the collection here.

How you style these outfits matters a lot. There is no single way to style them to perfection since it varies based on personal taste, occasion, and other factors. But still, if you are inquisitive about some great styling tips, here we go.

Let’s decode the allure of Anarkali

Let’s try to understand first what makes the Anarkali Kameez so unique, coveted, and special. Some of the crucial features that make it unique include the following.

A long and flowy kameez over a skin-hugging bodice ending with a flared skirt, that precisely makes the Anarkali silhouette.
You can also pair it with churidar pants or a regular salwar creating a structured appearance.
To elevate the grace in your Anarkali appearance, add a designer dupatta.

The typical Anarkali silhouette is widely known for the dramatic flare of the kameez. The flared kameez squeezing the waist just flows outward adding a touch of grace and glamour to the silhouette.

Remember Choice of Fabric Matters

The styling often depends on the fabric you choose. Whether you choose silk or chiffon, can make or break the Anarkali look. Let’s have a quick look at the widely popular fabric options for Anarkalis and the respective time to wear them.

Silk: Silk Anarkalis make the ideal choices for weddings and reception events. These Anarkalis are the most luxurious and often come with detailed embroidery work all over the fabric.
Georgette: If you prefer lightweight and flowy fabric, georgette is the ideal choice. It is equally a beautiful fabric choice for daytime events or day-outs and summer evenings.
Velvet: This fabric is a winter favorite for Anarkalis. Besides adding warmth and comfort, it also looks gorgeous with a smooth sheen. It is the ideal fabric for evening occasions.
Cotton: Cotton is great for a casual appearance or when you attend a semi-formal event. Cotton Anarkalis are also summertime favorites for their breathable and lightweight fabric. These Anarkalis are mostly worn during daytime functions and events.
Net and Chiffon: These two fabrics often used in the same Anarkalis bring a dreamy, ethereal effect to the appearance. This fabric option is especially great when you wear layered Anarkalis. This is the Anarkali to create a romantic as well as easy-going appeal around your appearance.

Whenever you choose the fabric, be mindful of the occasion you are going to attend. You need to give attention to the season, as well as your comfort. For example, a lightweight chiffon Anarkali isn’t a great fit for evening occasions while a heavily embroidered silk Anarkali cannot be good at all for casual day-outs.

Bring your true color in Anarkali

The choice of color for your Anarkali Kameez can just make or break the fashionable appearance you want. So, be a little mindful of the colors. Let’s bring here some tips to help you choose the perfect shade for your Anarkalis.

If you have fair skin, pastel shades can be the right choice. You can choose from soft and mellow hues such as mint green, baby pink, and lavender. You can also go for bold and gorgeous pearl shades like royal blue and emerald green.

For women with medium skin tones earthy tones work best. You can choose mustard yellow, burnt orange, or olive green. For medium tones, Anarkalis can also look gorgeous in jewel tones such as ruby red and sapphire blue.

For women with dusky skin tones, vibrant color options are ideal. The choice of colors includes fuchsia, deep purple, and turquoise blue. For dusky skin colors, you can also opt for Anarkali kameez in bright metallic shades such as gold and bronze.

Now here too you need to give special attention to the occasions and events you are attending. For example, weddings and reception parties always demand that Anarkalis appear in shimmering shades like red, maroon, navy, and gold. But for daytime parties, your Anarkalis will look good in soft hues such as peach, beige, or light blue.

Styling is in the Details

After all the styling of the Anarkali kameez remains in the details. The detailed embroidery work and embellishments that your Anarkali Kameez comes with speak of your fashion taste. Let’s discuss here some popular options.

Gold or silver zari thread embroidery will add some elegance, especially if you wear it at weddings and special occasions like reception parties.
Stone and sequin design work is also popular if you want to add sparkle and glam to your appearance.
Resham design work made of fine silk thread is another exotic choice for Anarkali kameez. The silk thread embroidery with its delicate design patterns allows you to make a gorgeous appearance.
Mirror work with thread can bring a bohemian and casual vibe while making you look playful wearing an Anarkali.
Lace design with bright pearl details can easily add to your feminine grace with a romantic sophistication.

Play with the Dupatta for Styling

Dupatta has always been a quintessential part of authentic Anarkali kameez fashion. To make your styling stand out you can always try draping the dupatta in ways that suit you. Here are some dupatta draping ideas.

Classic Dupatta draping is already the most popular and easiest one to try. All you need is to drape it over one shoulder. It gives the Anarkali its authentic traditional look.
Lehenga-style dupatta draping is also widely popular. You need to pin the dupatta to just one side of your waist evoking the typical draping style of a lehenga.
Open draping of dupatta is perfect if you want to create a casual vibe wearing an Anarkali. Just let the dupatta flow freely across both shoulders making a relaxed appearance.
Using a decorative belt to keep the dupatta pinned around your waist can make a distinct style statement. With the belt fixing the dupatta at the waist level, you can appear with a more structured silhouette.

Styling Anarkali Kameez Different Body Types

When it comes to a gorgeous fashion outfit like Anarkali, the “one size fits all” approach cannot be the right styling approach. You can make a gorgeous appearance of your own when you choose the style based on your body type. Here we provide Anarkali styling tips for different body types

Pear-shaped with wider hips will look good with detailed bodice and flowy skirts for a more balanced appearance.
Apple-shaped figures should choose Anarkalis that highlights your torso to bring some structure.
Hourglass body shapes should complement the well-defined waistline with fitted Anarkalis so that you can perfectly showcase your naughty curves.
Petite figures will look good in short-height Anarkalis. You can create an optical illusion of height by styling it with vertical embroidery.
Tall figures will look gracious in floor-length Anarkalis. The bold prints and varied patterns across the length of the fabric can make a stunning appearance.

Styling Anarkalis Based on Occasions

Styling your Anarkalis cannot be done without giving attention to specific occasions or events you are attending. The most illustriously designed Anarkali that you wear at grand weddings cannot be an ideal match for casual parties. Here are some tips to choose Anarkalis based on the vibe of the occasion.

Weddings: Weddings always deserve a stunning and grand appearance with richly embroidered Anarkalis made of luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet.
Festivals: To complement the celebratory mood of festivals you should choose bright hues and traditional print motifs in your Anarkalis.
Reception & Cocktail Parties: In reception and cocktail parties you should opt for Anarkalis with contemporary designs and minimalist embellishments for a sophisticated look.
Daytime Functions: During daytime functions and casual day-outs Anarkalis made of lightweight fabrics and simple designs look best. As for fabric choices, you can opt for georgette, chiffon, or cotton. Opt for soft pastel shades to make the best of your Anarkali appearance.

Ending Notes

Anarkali kameez comes as a timeless fashion outfit mitigating tradition with modernity. To make the most of your Anarkali appearance, give close attention to the choice of fabric, color, design elements, embellishments, and accessories. Remember, the styling can only be perfect when it suits your body type and fashion preferences.