The festive season in India is almost upon us, with a host of festivals coming soon starting with the auspicious, joyous and uber playful Navratri.

The enthusiasm during Navratri is unpalpable and transcends borders, with people around the globe take part in the proceedings by performing the spirited Garba and playing with dandiyas. But keep the dancing and the poojas aside and there is one more unique thing that sets Navratri apart. The embrace of colours.

Each of the nine days has a colour associated with it, which is decided by the day of the week the festival begins. Every colour is dedicated to a particular form of Goddess Durga and all taking part in the celebration dress up in the colour of the day, adding another layer of symbolism to Navratri.

The colour sequence for 2023 is as follows:

Day 1 – Sunday – October 15 – Orange
Day 2 – Monday – October 16 – White
Day 3 – Tuesday – October 17 – Red
Day 4 – Wednesday – October 18 – Royal Blue
Day 5 – Thursday – October 19 – Yellow
Day 6 – Friday – October 20 – Green
Day 7 – Saturday – October 21 – Grey
Day 8 – Sunday – October 22 – Purple
Day 9 – Monday – October 23 – Peacock Green

So it goes without saying, clothing plays a significant role in the preparations for Navratri, especially for women who begin their preparations well in advance. From meticulous planning to shopping for the perfect attires, from custom tailoring to coordinating accessories, the choice of clothing becomes a focal point of discussion and excitement in the days preceding Navratri. It's a time when fashion and tradition seamlessly blend and become the talk of the town in the days leading to Navratri.

Jewellery also forms a major part of these discussions, with women striving to match the colours of their pieces with either the traditions and cultural significance or the colour of the day.

While gold is typically the preferred choice for auspicious occasions, Navratri presents a unique scenario. Firstly, gold may not complement the vibrant traditional attire women don during this festive season. Secondly, wearing a variety of gold pieces for different days of Navratri may not be practical.

In such circumstances, silver and oxidized jewellery emerge as much more suitable and versatile choices for adorning oneself during the celebration.

Wearing oxidized jewellery during Navratri holds cultural and aesthetic significance. Oxidized jewellery, with its intricate designs and silver-toned finish, complements the vibrant and colourful attire worn during this auspicious festival.

It adds a touch of elegance and tradition to one's look, enhancing the overall festive spirit. Furthermore, silver is believed to have purifying and protective qualities in many Indian traditions, making it a symbolic choice during Navratri to ward off negative energies and bring blessings and prosperity.

Oxidized pieces also offer a unique blend of tradition and contemporary style, making it versatile enough to be worn with both traditional and modern outfits, allowing devotees to express their individuality while respecting cultural norms.

A heavy ghaghra choli can be matched with an understated elegance of a minimalist choker or necklace to complete the look. And there are various kinds of earring designs available to effortlessly match almost every outfit that you are planning to don.

Sets are also available in alternate metals like zinc and brass, expanding the range of choices and making them much more practical and accessible. This allows one to express themselves more freely while also keeping in tune with the expectations.

India's rich heritage of craftsmanship ensures an abundance of creativity and oxidized jewellery takes it a step further, making it the perfect choice not just for Navratri but also for other upcoming festivals. If elevating your style quotient is your aim, you simply can't go wrong with this.