Five Ways To Wear One Kurta Set

A kurta set gets bought for a wedding, worn once, and then waits a year for
the next one. Most of that is a styling problem, not a wardrobe problem — the
set is already three separate garments, and only one of them is festive.

1. The kurta, on its own

Take the dupatta off and the occasion goes with it. A straight or A-line kurta
over your own trousers reads as workwear, especially in a solid or a small
repeating print. Keep the trousers plain: the kurta is doing the pattern.

2. The palazzos, under something else

Wide-leg palazzos are cut for drape, not for a set. They sit under a plain
shirt or a fitted top the same way any wide trouser does, and the fall is
usually better than a trouser bought as separates.

3. The dupatta as the only ornament

An embroidered or sequinned dupatta over an entirely plain outfit — a black
kurta, a shirt and trousers, a dress — does the work of jewellery. This is the
cheapest way to make a plain outfit festive, because you already own it.

4. Half-tuck the kurta

A short front tuck changes the silhouette from column to defined waist. Works
on straight kurtas, not on anarkalis — a flared kurta tucked anywhere bunches.

5. Layer it open

An unbuttoned or open-front kurta over a plain base is a jacket. Long kurtas in
light fabrics do this best; they move instead of hanging.

The one rule

Whichever way you wear it, let one piece be the loud one. A set is designed so
its three pieces agree with each other; once you break it up, they have to
agree with whatever you have put them beside instead.