Festive Season 101: Bollywood Celebrity-Inspired Sari Looks to Steal

The festive season is here, which means the invitations, the family gatherings, and the hunt for the perfect outfit have officially begun. And while trends come and go, the sari always makes its way back into the spotlight. We are talking sari moments that made us pause, double-tap, and take notes. From Alia Bhatt’s bejewelled Sabyasachi blouse to Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s playful take on draping, these looks you can actually steal this festive season.

So let your blouse do the talking, or experiment with how you drape it or treat the accessories like extensions of the outfit. Here are ways to make sure your sari doesn’t just fit in but stands out.

Celebrity-Inspired Sari Looks

Bejewelled Blouse

This festive season, the blouse is the star. Take a cue from Janhvi Kapoor’s golden embellished blouse that proves that a well-chosen blouse can turn even the simplest sari into a statement. Whether it’s mirror-work, sequins, or a bustier dripping in detail, the trick is letting the blouse double up as your jewellery. 

Sculptural Drapes

The way you drape a sari can completely change its mood, and no one shows that better than Shilpa Shetty. She recently stepped out in a pre-draped sari worn over pants, paired with a statement blouse. You can try the same: cinch it with a belt, let the pallu fall like a cape, or play with a front-open cowl drape over pants.

High-Shine Metallics

Festivals are about light, and metallic saris catch it beautifully. Just look at Alia Bhatt shimmering in liquid gold or Kareena Kapoor making silver sequins look timeless; a metallic sari has never gone wrong on either. This season, swap your safe pastels for molten gold, liquid silver, or a fully sequinned drape that glitters under the diya glow. The best part? Metallics don’t just look glamorous, they also photograph like a dream, making them a natural win for every festive photo and reel.

Layered Drama

We’ve often seen women reach for layering tricks in winter, but Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has turned it into a year-round style statement. She proves that a sari can look even more powerful when paired with something unexpected—a velvet jacket draped over the shoulders, a feather-trimmed cape that adds movement, or a sharply tailored blazer for instant polish. It’s the kind of styling that makes a sari feel less like tradition and more like high fashion.

Accessory Switch-Ups

The usual gold set isn’t the only way to accessorise a sari, and Shraddha Kapoor proves it. She styled hers with a heart-shaped, embellished bag that added a playful touch to the overall look.  You can do the same by swapping out predictable jewellery for a single standout detail: a motif brooch pinning your pallu, a sculptural ear cuff instead of chandbalis, or even a crystal-studded belt.