Like every other Onam, this year too, the same old question is back: what are we wearing, and how are we styling ourselves for Onam?
Opening social media for Onam outfit inspiration can be exciting. But let’s be honest, it can also get a little overwhelming. Between endless reels, trend reports, Pinterest boards, and perfectly styled Onam looks, finding something that actually feels like you can be quite a task.
So, we decided to make things a little easier and, hopefully, keep that cortisol in check too.
From classic Kerala sarees and traditional jewellery to flowers, unexpected accessories, maximalist looks, and a few wonderfully quirky finds, here are the Onam fashion trends and styling ideas that caught our eye this year.
Because Onam fashion does not have to mean following every trend. Sometimes, it is simply about finding a look you’ll love wearing.
Padma is back!
Lotus flowers can never really go out of fashion, can they? Every other year, it makes a strong comeback and plays the elegance card.
Be it your good old lotus hair accessory or a gorgeous hand-painted lotus blooming across your saree, thamara has always had a way of making a statement.
And this Onam, we saw a whole lot of thamara-inspired gorgeousness making its way into Kerala fashion. From delicate floral details to statement lotus motifs, the flower found its way into sarees, accessories, and festive looks.
Some trends disappear for a while and return when we least expect them. The lotus, apparently, has decided it is not going anywhere.
We fell in love with this contemporary take on the classic flower, too.
All hail small businesses!
Touch Me Not, take notes here.
This super-cute, yet such an integral Mallu piece of our childhood games, woven into our good old kasavu, can make an Onam look feel extra special.
At PinkLungi, we have always been the strongest cheerleaders for small businesses, and honestly, Onam feels like the perfect time to show them some love.
From homegrown designers to little businesses creating beautiful, thoughtful pieces, there is so much talent waiting to be discovered.
After all, Onam is about sharing happiness and prosperity. So why not share a little of that with the people who are making beautiful things right here?
This Onam, maybe let’s shop small too.
You might also like: Rental Fashion Outlets In Kerala That You Must Check Out
Chethi, mandaram, thulasi, with a few pichaka malakal thrown in
Our good old flowers can never fail to astonish when it comes to fashion and Onam styling.
Whether they show up as delicate motifs on fabric or simply find their way into your hair, these traditional flowers have a magical way of making even the simplest Onam look feel majestic, with minimal effort.
It is an easy yet incredibly effective mantra for standing out without trying too hard. And honestly, when flowers this pretty are doing the work, why would you?
We know you won’t believe us without proof, so here you go.
And while we are talking flowers, here is another one we are absolutely rooting for: chembaruthi.
We suggest wearing it on your saree, hand-painted, bold and beautiful, rather than limiting this notorious beauty to your ears.
Sorry for the chali.
A little chembaruthi blooming across your saree can add just the right amount of colour and character to your Onam look, while still keeping that unmistakable Kerala charm.
Also read: Practical Picks That Every Man Should Have In Their Wardrobe
Mul Cotton Kodumkaatu
For the past few weeks, we have been severely injured by the mul cotton Onam attire fiasco.
Every other social media post seems to be telling us that if you want to look different and noticeable this Onam, you simply have to go for a mul cotton saree.
And we couldn’t disagree more.
Don’t get us wrong. We absolutely love the fabric. Mul cotton has that super-soft, lightweight feel and an effortless kind of elegance that makes it perfect for a long Onam day.
But let’s stop selling the lie that wearing mul cotton automatically makes you stand out.
At this point, almost everyone has at least one mul cotton saree tucked away in their wardrobe.
So, how do you actually make it your own?
Our two cents? Go all in on the styling.
Pair that understated mul cotton saree with beautiful terracotta, oxidised, or antique jewellery and let the accessories do the talking. Or go completely classic with a floral bun or mulapoov.
You might also like: Mullapoov Beliefs and Hairstyles We Bet You Didn’t Know About
Because the fabric may be everywhere. Your styling doesn’t have to be, does it?
The Return of Legends
The legendary Palakka Mala, Ilakkathali, Manga Mala, Kasumala, Mullamottu, and Poothali have decided to make their grand return to the Onam fashion scene, and honestly, we are not complaining.
These were the OG board members of our ancestors’ amadapetty, after all.
They have been quietly holding their place in Kerala’s jewellery traditions for generations, and now they are back to remind us why they were classics in the first place.
Only this time, they have had a little makeover.
Their timeless motifs are being reimagined in lighter, simpler, and more contemporary designs, making them much easier to pair with today’s minimalist Onam looks.
So, make way for the legends in their new avatars.
The classics are back, and they are here to prove that good jewellery never really goes out of style.
Simple Strokes of Elegance
Sometimes, it is the smallest details of Mallu aesthetics that can transform your entire look.
It was love at first sight for us.
A delicate Manjadi Mala, Chilanga Mala, or an OG gajra can add just the right amount of charm to your Onam outfit and take a simple look to the next level.
These handmade bird-inspired accessories have our hearts too.
You don’t always need statement jewellery or an elaborate hairstyle to make an impression. Sometimes, a few tiny touches of Kerala nostalgia are all it takes.
Here are our simple stunners that we absolutely vouch for.
Also, how cute are these hair accessories?
Maximalism Waala Onam
If “kurach over aakkiyalo?” is your vibe, we have some goddess-level material for your Pinterest board too.
Maximalism is one of the most underrated and misunderstood concepts in fashion.
We are often told that too much is too much. But legends say you are never overdressed; everyone else is simply underdressed.
So, if “more is more” is your fashion philosophy, this one is for you.
Think statement jewellery, dramatic flowers, layers, bold details and all the festive gorgeousness you can possibly fit into one Onam look.
Let’s have a look at some maximalist Onam fashion inspo that proves there’s absolutely nothing wrong with going a little, or a lot, extra.
And if you want some gorgeous and happening sarees, do check this one out too.
Madras Check Checks Out
We were pleasantly shocked to see this amazing, playful grid of colours making its way back into the fashion scene.
What was once our grandparents’ old, unnoticed checked mundu is now making quite the fashion comeback.
From sarees to shirts and contemporary festive wear, Madras checks are having their moment again.
And honestly, would it be an exaggeration to say that this year, quite a few of our old-school classics are reintroducing themselves to a whole new generation?
Looks like our grandparents’ wardrobes knew something we didn’t.
Charithram
At PinkLungi, we have always been certified corset paglus.
So when we came across this beautiful piece called Charithram, we instantly got nostalgic about some of our earlier Onam recommendations. There is something about seeing a familiar fashion idea come back in a fresh avatar that makes us want to revisit all our old favourites.
And this one? We are definitely putting it on our list of things we would love our fashionistas to try this Onam. A little traditional, a little unexpected, and very much our kind of fashion.
Onam and Your Quirks
Who said Onam fashion has to be all kasavu, gold and jasmine flowers?
This season, we stumbled upon some wonderfully unexpected ways to bring a little personality into Onam.
Beautiful crocheted accessories like these anklets and hair parandhis
Postcards for Onam
Malayalam in fashion
Because while some of us love keeping it traditional, others would happily give “Onam, but make it weirdly wonderful” a shot. So, for everyone looking to colour a little outside the kasavu lines, here are some of the quirks that caught our eye.
These were our finds. Hope you find this list useful.
Happy Onam, folks!
