Now that festive season is round the corner, it’s the celebration of bright lights, colours, gaiety and a time when everyone puts its best foot forward. This year is no exception as Kolkata decks up to make a style statement.

Durga Puja being a pure Bengali festival, Bengalis prefer getting into traditional attires on at this time. Women wear the quintessential sari drape, with hair untied, sindurer tip (sindur bindi) and dazzling jewelleries and men wearing the traditional dhoti and punjabi is an extremely common sight. Saris like the traditional taanth, dhakai jamdani, chanderi silk or tussar silk will be the most desirable pick during the four days of the Pujas.

At the same time there is revival of exquisite Indian heavy artistry like zardausi and needlework or mirror work. There will be mostly earthy colours like yellow, orange, brown, beige but on the priority list will be the very Bengali “laal paad sharee” (white sari with broad red border) especially for Ashtami morning. However teenagers can be a little more adventurous with their saris like embroidered chiffon or zardosi silk or even designer painted boutique saris. Some can even try out an ethnic salwar suits, anarkalis, etc.

To go with the ethnic sari is none other than gold jewellery. These not only give a rich look but also redefine the original spirit. These include earrings, necklaces, armlets, nose rings, bangles, anklets, waist chains, etc. For married women shakha-pola is surely going to add on to the ethnic look. For the ones who want to keep the look slightly simple can try out a sleek pearl set or a colourful crystals set.

Whatever the case may be one should keep in mind not to overdo the jewellery. Other accessories include a nice zari bordered bag or the traditional batua or bags with beads. Sandals should be matching with the sari as a pair of nagrais should look really good. Kurta pyjamas and sherwanis are very much in vogue for men this Puja. The matkakurtas and bandhgalas are good ethnic wear and the short kurtas with embroidered necklines and hemlines are very in. However, no denying the crisp white embroidered punjabi and pyjama or a designer dhoti is sure to steal the show. That is an all time hit.

For the young ones who wish to be a little trendier can try out a designer kurta with a pair of well fitted denim jeans and kolapuri chapels to go with it. Now coming to the overall grooming and make-up, I would recommend a total detoxification treatment. For ladies wearing planning to sari, it is important that the exposed areas of the body should have the same healthy sheen as the face. So not only a facial or skin treatment as per the skin type is essential but also a total body polishing is required to have an even tone. This should be followed up by an ayurvedic hair spa, an aroma pedicure and manicure.

This is important as Puja is at such a time of the year when the effects of summers is in its blossoming self. So a lot of skin eruptions and breakouts occur leaving the skin tanned and patchy. It is essential to get a flawless even tone with a healthy glow before application of any make-up. For working women there is nothing to worry as this is not at all a time consuming process. Just a couple of hours one day prior to the D-days or on that very day could be enough to gear you up and make you look your best.

Makeup should not be too loud. A light base followed by just a little blush on to give a healthy look should suffice. Eyes can be highlighted with eye shadow, kohl, eyeliner and mascara to get that big dark impressive look. For the lips a light shade matching with the outfit or better still just some gloss should look just right for the occasion. If the outfit is sari then, a bindi preferably the red sindur bindi, will only go on to enhance the looks.

Hairstyle or hairdo is one such area where one can go out of their way and experiment. This will depend a lot on the facial contours. For the ladies having long hair can restrict themselves with the conventional look with a designer jooda with fancy clips and beads and lacing it up with flowers. Flowers are a must, be it white or colourful ones matching with the outfit. It is something which reinforces the Bengali traditional look.

Some can keep it open and adorn it with hair accessories and for those who wear their hair short can simply blow-dry and set it up with some styling mousse. Others can try out the curls look or the straightened look depending on what suits them.

For the gents a good haircut is a must. A two tone reflect global hair colour can also highlight their looks. This can be followed up by styling it up with gel to give a wet look or a stiff look. The fashion statement this Durga Puja is to keep it stylish and fashionable, holding on to the much cherished traditional way.

(The writer is a celebrity dermatologist and cosmetologist)