Last Updated on 8 months by Maya Jayaram

Want some ideas on Onam dress for women?

The Onam season is soon approaching, so here are some amazing  style ideas and  useful tips and tricks to creating stylish and fashionable outfits that you can sport, not just for Onam or Vishu but for any traditional or ethnic festivities.

We have also done a similar post for men- Onam Dress Code for Men (5 Easy to wear Onam Styles).

So, we couldn’t resist giving our beautiful women folks a simple and evergreen Onam fashion guide.

The new age Onam fashion

Onam is all about fun, food and festivities and now fashion too! How often have we wondered and struggled to find the right outfit to wear to an Onam celebration at college, office or with friends and family? And most of the time, we end up wearing the traditional Kerala saree or the Set Mundu (women) or a shirt & Mundu (men). Or at least that was the case till a couple of years ago!

How are women taking up the Onam fashion game?

Today, we see our usual and authentic attires taking a fashionable and stylish streak. When it comes to women’s Onam ethnic wear, you have so many different choices available- Kerala sarees now come with intricate thread work, embellished patterns or even embroidery. And designer blouses are trending like anything! Apart from sarees, we also have beautifully designed kurtas, skirts and even crop tops that keep up with the Onam or the Kerala theme that you can easily style to create the perfect Onam attire.

Thanks to designer boutiques and fashion stylists, even the most traditional Kerala saree has evolved impeccably to suit the tastes of the modern young women. With intricate gold thread work, tassels, colorful borders and other similar patterns, combined with the beauty of designer and fancy blouses, kasavu sarees are now an all time favorite. And if you are someone who is not a saree enthusiast, worry not, because you have a lot of other options like lehengas, dhawanis, salwars, anarkalis, dresses and even gowns in ivory and gold to keep with the kerala saree theme. Its not just the gold kasavu thats in the forefront, silver kara or silver kasavu in kerala saree or set mundu are equally garnering the attention of women. It adds a rustic charm and is the epitome of simplicity.

Some of the best options for the fashionable divas out there:

Skirts & Tops

No sarees or salwars for you? Want to wear something more youthful and trendy?

Skirt & Top
Skirt Onam outfit

Embellished tops and skirts to resemble authentic kerala pattu pavada is a great choice. In contrasting shades, you could customize the top and skirt depending on your choice and have simple embellishments to make it look more ethnic and unique.

Salwars

Salwars with kasavu are yet another great option for those who aren’t very keen on draping a kerala saree but still wants to try something ethnic. Kasavu salwars can be customized as per your choice, you can choose between golden or silver kasavu and further add a uniqueness to it. You could try a adding simple mirror works, floral patterns, embroidery or even Ikkat prints on the yoke part of the salwars.

Floral Embroidered Salwar

Dhawani- Kerala Saree with a twist

Dhawanis or half sarees were a popular trend among young women in the yester years. And just like most vintage styles making a reappearance, dhawanis too are back with a bang but this time with a kerala saree twist. Ideal for those who want the best of both worlds, this one is a combination of a saree and long skirt. And to sport for Onam or Vishu, pair a bright log skirt (in pop colors) with a kasavu mundu (kerala Set mundu) and you would be the ultimate fashion diva, at any ethnic occasion!

Dhawani

Floral Kerala Saree

Floral is the latest trending design, be it in sarees, salwars, skirts or dresses. So boring kerala sarees can now take backseat with floral patterns strewn over the simplest of kerala sarees to create a subtle yet elegant Onam attire.

Floral kerala saree

Lehenga style Outfit

Who said lehengas have to be ornate and embellished and can be worn only for grander occasions? Upcoming actress Kalyani Priyadarshan sported a crème and gold lehenga style outfit that fits the bill for any authentic Kerala themed occasion, especially an Onam celebration.

Kalyani's onam look

Our picks for this Onam – Lehenga and crop top

Dress image Name Details   Check price
New Project (20) Faux Silk Semi-stitched Lehenga Choli ✓ Rich look with the great colour combo
✓ Intricate thread works in lehenga choli
✓ A grandly designed dupatta highlights the attire
Check Price
Ethnic Yard Women's Satin Digital Printed Work Semi-Stitched Grey Lehenga choli Satin Digital Printed Work Semi-Stitched Grey Lehenga choli ✓ Affordable price
✓ Beautiful floral pattern all over the flared skirt
✓ Lightweight art poly silk fabric
✓ Trendy crop-top
Check Price
Women's Maxi Skirt Womens’ Gold Maxi skirt ✓ Lightweight soft cotton fabric
✓ simple but elegant design with contrast colour combo
Check Price
Raw Silk Flared Lehenga Choli Sets (Coral) Raw Silk Flared Lehenga Choli Sets (Coral) ✓Silk fabric with foil print gives a party look
✓ Contrasting colour combinations with golden borders
✓ Plain cream crop top highlights the skirt design
Check Price
Onam-blog Women’s Jacquard Semi-Stitched Lehenga choli ✓ Great colour combination
✓ The tiny embellishment on the blouse highlights the flared skirt
✓ Grant floral pattern as border serves any occasions
Check Price
White Poly Silk Lehenga Choli With Dupatta White Poly Silk Lehenga Choli With Dupatta ✓ Affordable price
✓ High contrast colour combo, perfect for a sangeet
✓ Soft muslin fabric for dupatta
Check Price
Organza Floral White Semi-Stitched Lehenga Choli Organza Floral Semi-Stitched Lehenga ✓ High quality organza
✓ Beautiful floral pattern throughout the dress
✓ Matching dupatta to high light the outfit
Check Price
Onam-lehenga Women’s Organza Floral White Lehenga Choli ✓ Royal colour combination with white and beige
✓ Lightweight art satin fabric
✓ Intricate golden floral embroidery throughout the border
Check Price

Evergreen Onam Styles to sport for on any Ethnic festivals

Here are a few evergreen styles that you can get inspired from and recreate for an Onam celebration or any similar ethnic festivities.

Meera Jasmine’s Onam treat

When simplicity meets Elegance , it becomes difficult to take our eyes off the beauty. Meera Jasmine flaunts her Onam look in Golden Kasavu saree with thick border and intricate designs all over. Styling with a pearl necklace set, she brought the Onam style Live for us.

Namitha Pramod’s Onam look

Namitha Pramod’s Onam look

The south Indian Charming actress Namitha Pramod has always loved darker shades of blue to match with her kasavu. Creating versatile trend with same colour combo is a real game changer. The deep violet Lehenga skirt with heavy border work and subtle dupatta paired with golden crop top highlights the Onam feel more than ever. On contrary, pairing the good old gold-bordered Kerala saree with a heavily embellished yet suave blouse in a contrasting shade is a perfect ethnic look.The golden border and sequin work in the sleeves highlights the overall outfit just like her smile.

Bhavana’s Onam Ethnicity

The stunning actress Bhavana has proved that, no matter how much fashion world evolves, the simple traditional kasavu saree will always be on the hit list. The off white plain tissue saree with golden border all along is sure to keep you awestrucked, this Onam.

Anaswara Rajan’s contemporary Onam look

The Ladki- Answara is known for the new trend she brings in her characters. And this time she has brought a new fashion idea to spread the onam fragrance. The subtle floral patterns on white lehenga skirt matched with lavender hued crop top is definitely a visual treat for this year’s Onam.

Saniya Iyappan’s Onam style

SANIYA IYAPPAN’s Onam style

Let us go for Saniya Iyappan’s new kasavu- lehenga trend this year. The circular flared lehenga skirt customised half-blouse and dupatta in our classic ‘Kasavu’ are certain to steal the show. Thin intricate golden thread work over the skirt and rich thread danglings on the dupatta will never go unnoticed.

Priya Varrier’s Onam bash

The young actress has kept Onam style simple yet charming with her Anarkali model off-white chudidhar.

Pairing white ankle length leggings has given the attire a modern touch while the tiny golden dots all over keeps the Onam- vibe still on.

Samyuktha Menon’s Onam style

Let us break the old fashion conventions, as Samyuktha Menon pulled off her Onam look and brought in the new jaw-dropping half- saree trend into our tradition. The plain kasavu dupatta flashes the subtle floral design all over the flared long skirt and the matching blouse. She has once again been the classy chic by matching the handwoven kasavu saree with a trendy dark green tie-back blouse.

Samyuktha Menon’s Half saree style
Samyuktha Menon’s hand-woven saree trend

Aishu’s with Onam Blast

Aishu’s kasavu saree

We still love to flaunt the timeless plain kasavu saree. The Mollywood actress Aishwarya Lakshmi showcased the art of keeping it simple yet elegant in her Onam attire with a stark sleeveless white blouse for a casually draped kasavu saree, which never goes out of trend from mallus.

Our picks for 2021 Onam – Saree

Dress image Name Details   Check price
Onam-handloom saree Bengali tant Handloom Cotton Branded Saree ✓ High-quality handloom cotton
✓ Hand weaved design
✓ Multi designed borders with contrast shades
Check Price
kanchipuram saree Kanjivaram Art Silk Saree ✓ Affordable price
✓ Vibrant Red borders
✓ Golden embellishment throughout Pallu border
Check Price
New Project (29) Block Printed Kerala Pure Cotton Saree ✓ Affordable price
✓ High-quality cotton fabric
✓ Simple and elegant rangoli design
Check Price
Onam-kasavu Cotton Kerala kasavu saree ✓ Affordable price
✓ High-quality assam cotton blend fabric
✓ Beautiful intricate floral designs with golden zari border
Check Price
New Project (31) Women’s Cotton Saree with blouse piece ✓ Affordable price
✓ Simple traditional design
✓ High quality cotton
Check Price
Onam-art silk saree Off White Color Art Silk Kasavu Saree ✓Golden patterns all over the saree
✓ Lightweight art silk fabric
✓ Intricate kerala designs give a royal look
Check Price
Kasavu Cotton Saree (2) Kerala cotton kasavu saree ✓Simple and elegant saree
✓ Lightweight tissue cotton fabric
✓ Intricate peacock designs give a royal look
Check Price
Onam-saree-with-tassle Womens Kuthampully Flora Tissue Saree with Fancy Border and Tassels ✓ Plain saree with thick border in highlighting colour
✓ Soft tissue fabric with tassels
✓ Light and narrow golden border in pallu highlights the design
Check Price

Nyla Usha’s Onam look

Nyla Usha, popular RJ, anchor and actress, has always managed to charm her fans and listeners with her acting, anchoring and more so often with her impeccable fashion sense. A true diva, she has always been able to carry off her modern and ethnic outfits with the same elan. And hence we thought, her recent ethnic outfits will surely be an inspiration for those of you who want to look trendy while staying true to the Onam spirit.

The looks featured here are simple yet stylish and beautiful.

Want a sassy look? Go for this minimalist yet trendy look sported by Nyla Usha, sporting a bottle green sleeveless blouse with her kerala saree. With just a bright bindhi sans any accessories, she has managed to embolden the whole ethnic outfit game.

Nyla Usha bottle green sleeveless blouse with her kerala saree

Prints and floral motifs are quite in trend these days, especially on kerala sarees. Nyla looks every bit the ‘Malayali Manga’ in this exquisite gold and crème saree with a hint of red. And she has accessorised it just right with gold jewellery to go with the outfit.

Nyla kerala saree onam pranaah

Every reason her outfits are a great inspiration, you will see why in this picture. She truly demonstrates how a subtle kerala saree (with minimal golden border) paired with the star of the look, the mustard yellow blouse, can create such an amazing look. Yet again paired well with golden accessories.

Nyla Usha Onam Saree look

Poornima’s Onam Saree Look

Poornima Indrajith Onam saree look

Want to go for an uber chic look in an ethnic outfit this Onam? Donning a kerala saree with subtle green mirror work and pairing it with matching sleeveless blouse, actress and stylist Poornima Indrajith has definitely paved a trendy path to an ethnic destination.

Jacqueline & Mridula Murali’s Dhawani Style (Half & Half)

Want to break away from Sarees? Try the dhawani style like Jacqueline and Mridula Murali (above).

While Jacqueline has opted for an elaborate look with full on accessories and intricately embellished skirt and dhawani, Mridula has chosen to keep it simple and minimal.

Isha’s Assymetrical Outfit in Kerala Kasavu

Who knew you could whip up a Kasavu outfit so stylishly? Perfect for women who do not want to drape a kerala saree for Onam, this look can be chosen for weddings or any othet ethnic or special occasions as well. The asymmetric flares of the top gives it an extra charm.

Our picks for 2021 Onam – Anarkali and Kurtas

Dress image Name Details Check Price
New Project (36) Poly Silk Anarkali Kurta ✓Elegant and simple design
✓ Ankle length Anarkali Kurta
✓High-quality lightweight silk fabric
Check Price
Women's Cotton A-Line Kurti Women’s Cotton A-Line Kurti ✓ Soft cotton fabric
✓A-Line cut suits the majority
✓ Boat neck suitable for broader shoulders
✓ Vibrant printed and dotted patterns with red contrasted design
Check Price
New Project (38) Chanderi Cotton Anarkali Kurti ✓ Soft chanderi cotton fabric
✓ Thin golden lace border
✓ Unique neck pattern
Check Price
Onam-straight kurta Women’s Festive Straight Kurta ✓ Affordable price
✓ Unique half collar with designer neck border
✓ Uniform Golden patterns
✓ Simple and elegant
Check Price
red kurti Women Jaipur Kurti ✓ Affordable price
✓ Beautiful red colour kurti with elegant and simple golden pattern around neck
✓ Net dupatta with golden pattern is a highlight
✓ Straight fit suitable for all sizes
Check Price
     

Samantha’s Stylish Kerala Saree

A very recent look, Samantha has given us fashion goals by sporting this Kerala saree so stylishly. Paired with simple mirror work, the blouse is quite catchy and the contemporary style earrings complete the look!

And more Styles

Here are a few more styles that are worth recreating and some tips to whip up some great Onam outfits.

Crop tops in ivory shades to match with the skirts, embroidered patterns on the yoke etc are some simple and minimalist yet fashionable ways of styling your Onam ethnic wear.

Women today are more keen on creating a contemporary look, combining both ethnic and modern elements in their everyday fashion.

So for this Onam, try some amazing and unique blouse styles to match your Kerala saree and up your style quotient.

Jhumkas and neckpieces in gold and silver are some great way to accessorize and complete the look!

Now you realise that the Onam fashion is getting as rich as our culture!

So hope you take these style tips and inspirations to whip up some amazing Onam outfits.

You can let us know your thoughts and share your views on Onam fashion in our comments section below. And if you have managed to get some inspiration from some of the tips and styles we have mentioned in this blog, do share your pics on Facebook or Instagram and tag us!

Disclaimer: We do not own or sell any of these outfits or images shown in this blog, and are purely for illustration purposes only. All image sources have been mentioned and duly credited below.

Image Source:

Pinterest
Pranaah
www.prokerala.com/news/photos/super-dancer-chapter-2-shilpa-shetty-kundra-330223.html
threads.werindia.com/fashion/this-onam-wear-kerela-sarees-like-bollywood/
https://www.instagram.com/misspinkshoes26/
https://www.instagram.com/zalhaas/
https://www.instagram.com/sajna_bridal_wear_designer/
https://www.instagram.com/nyla_usha/
https://www.instagram.com/poornimaindrajith/
https://vedhika.in/
In the banner – Aswathy Pillai

6 COMMENTS

  1. Onam is just a few days later and I am worried I have nothing to wear. these celebrities are giving real fashion goals to meet this Onam. I really liked these outfits.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here