6 Vogue Ways to Make Your Ethnic Wear Radiant With White

By Anusha Lall

Colours are the soul of your wardrobe — every hue you choose speaks to your self-expression, and your mood and vibe are greatly influenced by what you wear. When it comes to ethnic fashion, women go straight to bright and vibrant colours; white rarely comes to mind. While pastels and softer tones are gradually becoming popular, going all the way to white still seems to be a choice many women hesitate over. But with the appeal white offers, the day isn’t far when everyday ethnic wear will shine in bright white — the rising summer heat paired with the subtlety of white brings out an inherent elegance. Here are some ways to incorporate white into your everyday ethnic look.

1. Plain and simple

White radiates serenity. A plain, simple kurti on a hot summer day cools you down and gives an easygoing vibe — a pure kurti with a solid border lets you make a style statement simply by being yourself. And if you’re looking for glamour, look no further than white sarees with chikankari embroidery or velvet-on-net designs. A plain dupatta with a similarly styled trouser completes the effervescent look.

2. Mix it up

The contemporary outfit has succeeded in merging the ethnic with the western. A plain white shirt with a long ethnic skirt is wildly popular with girls who are never hesitant to try something new — pair it with oxidised jewellery and you’ve mastered ethnicity without much effort.

3. A hint of colour

White works so well in every outfit because it matches any colour imaginable. Pair a white kurti with a coloured trouser and a matching dupatta to add vibrance to the directness of white. Suits and kurtis with coloured patterns on a white background are a timeless trend — palazzo suits, kurti-pyjami and an old-school salwar kameez all make a strong style statement when mixing ethnicity with everyday fashion in a world of white.

4. Elaborately ethereal

Elaborate embroidery and bold designs are both ethereal and glorious. Everyday ethnic wear can take an extravagant turn if you go more detailed with the fabric — anarkali suits are the best choice to heighten the oomph factor, though any suit with the same appeal works just as well.

5. While in the office

Available in comfortable fabrics like linen, cotton and cotton silk, white outfits are the perfect blend of formality and comfort. The formality of the workplace is well matched with a trouser suit or a simple kurti with plain white leggings; minimalist jewellery completes the trendy office look. Pair with sensible footwear and you’re ready to hit the bustle of the office.

6. As a topping

Colours are popular for everyday use, each shade bringing life to your attire in its own way — and you don’t have to choose an all-white ensemble for the perfect look. Pick a shade you like with a white design as the cherry on top; if it’s embroidery on cotton, you know you’ve made the right choice. While vibrant and dynamic, the white tones down the loudness colour brings and binds the outfit with just the right intricacy.

White is effortlessly traditional and brilliantly versatile. Allowing room for experimentation and fusion, an ethnic look in white symbolises brevity and originality — bold, gentle, original and traditional all at once. If you think white isn’t a colour, wear it more often to understand the special place it holds at the core of ethnic fashion.