Festive fashion is not just about the outfit. Jewellery can completely change the character of a traditional look, and this season, celebrity-inspired styling is moving beyond conventional jewellery sets.
From oversized earrings and contemporary chokers to layered necklaces and colourful gemstones, Bollywood celebrities are showing how traditional jewellery can be styled in a more modern and individual way.
Speaking to HT Lifestyle, Leshna Shah, founder of Irasva Fine Jewellery, shared some of the jewellery trends that can inspire festive dressing this season.
Statement Earrings With Minimal Jewellery
One of the simplest ways to make a festive outfit stand out is to let a dramatic pair of earrings take centre stage.
According to Leshna Shah, statement earrings paired with minimal jewellery elsewhere are expected to remain popular.
She pointed to Alia Bhatt as an example, highlighting the actor’s recent Ganesh Chaturthi styling, where oversized polki earrings were paired with an ice-blue outfit.
The approach allows the earrings to become the focal point without making the overall look feel excessively embellished.
Deepika Padukone has also frequently experimented with larger, shoulder-grazing earrings, using them as the main jewellery element while keeping other accessories comparatively understated.
How to recreate the trend
If your outfit is already heavily embroidered, choose one striking pair of earrings and keep the necklace and bangles minimal. For simpler kurtas, sarees or lehengas, you can experiment with larger earrings without making the overall look feel too busy.
Layered Necklaces Are Making Festive Jewellery More Personal
Layering is another jewellery trend gaining attention, particularly among those who prefer to create a more personalised festive look.
Rather than wearing a matching jewellery set from head to toe, the idea is to combine necklaces, rings and bangles in different proportions.
Deepika Padukone’s styling has offered several examples of this approach, with layered necklaces, chokers and stacked rings used together to create a more maximalist appearance.
The key, according to the styling approach highlighted by Shah, is to make sure every piece has a purpose. Different lengths, textures and silhouettes can create a layered look without making it appear random.
How to recreate the trend
Try combining a short necklace or choker with one longer chain. You can then add a few rings or bangles while keeping the colour of the metals relatively coordinated.
Coloured Gemstones Add Personality
Traditional festive jewellery does not have to be limited to diamonds or gold. Coloured gemstones are another trend worth exploring this season.
Shah expects gemstones to have a strong presence in festive jewellery and highlighted Janhvi Kapoor’s use of emeralds and diamonds as an example of how colour can create contrast against traditional clothing.
Emeralds, sapphires and rubies can add visual interest to a festive outfit while retaining the refined character associated with fine jewellery.
Instead of matching jewellery to the exact colour of an outfit, contrasting gemstones can create a more contemporary appearance.
The Modern Choker Makes a Comeback
The choker continues to evolve beyond its traditional styling.
Shah expects modern chokers to remain prominent during the festive season, with celebrities including Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and Karisma Kapoor demonstrating how the silhouette can be paired with different Indian outfits.
A choker can work with everything from a saree to a lehenga. It can also be worn alone for a clean statement or combined with longer necklaces for a more layered appearance.
How to style a festive choker
For a heavily embellished lehenga, a relatively clean choker can provide definition around the neckline. With a simpler saree or traditional outfit, a more elaborate choker can become the main jewellery statement.
The Key Is to Adapt Celebrity Trends to Your Own Style
Celebrity jewellery can provide plenty of inspiration, but recreating a look does not necessarily mean copying every element.
As Shah pointed out, festive dressing is ultimately about taking inspiration from celebrity styling and adapting it to your own personality.
Whether that means choosing a single pair of dramatic earrings, introducing colourful gemstones, experimenting with a choker or building a layered combination, jewellery can be used to make a traditional festive outfit feel more personal.
This season, the focus is less on following one fixed jewellery formula and more on finding combinations that complement the outfit while reflecting individual style.
