Looking for Janmashtami outfit inspiration? Raashii Khanna, Mrunal Thakur, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor and Kriti Sanon show how to give traditional Indian fashion a distinctly modern update.
Janmashtami brings with it colour, celebration and plenty of opportunities to dress up. For those planning their festive wardrobe, celebrity fashion offers an easy source of inspiration—from richly embroidered lehengas and statement sarees to contemporary blouses and eye-catching jewellery.
This year, Raashii Khanna, Mrunal Thakur, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor and Kriti Sanon showcase five distinctly different approaches to festive dressing. Whether your style is maximalist, understated, traditional or contemporary, their looks offer ideas that can be adapted for Janmashtami celebrations.
Raashii Khanna brings colour to festive dressing
Raashii Khanna makes a strong case for embracing vibrant colours during the festive season with a bright pink lehenga.
Intricate embroidery and delicate beadwork add richness to the ensemble, while the dramatic blouse gives the traditional silhouette a more fashion-forward character.
She pairs the look with oxidised jewellery, creating an interesting contrast against the colourful outfit. Loose waves keep the styling relaxed and prevent the elaborate ensemble from feeling overly formal.
Style takeaway
If you love statement colours, choose one dominant shade and let your jewellery provide the contrast. Oxidised accessories can also give a heavily embellished outfit a more contemporary finish.
Mrunal Thakur chooses understated elegance
Mrunal Thakur takes a more sophisticated route with an embellished saree in a muted tone.
The intricate detailing across the fabric gives the outfit its festive character, while the distinctive flair and heavily worked blouse add visual interest.
She completes the look with statement jewellery and chunky kadas, but keeps her hair relatively understated. The result allows the saree to remain the centrepiece.
Style takeaway
For a quieter festive look, muted shades can work beautifully when paired with detailed embroidery. Instead of adding multiple dramatic elements, allow the fabric and jewellery to do the work.
Alia Bhatt gives the classic saree a playful twist
Alia Bhatt demonstrates how styling can completely change the personality of a traditional saree.
Her yellow floral-print saree brings a cheerful festive mood, while a beaded choker adds a more polished touch. However, the standout element is her dramatic hairstyle, which gives the otherwise classic ensemble an unexpected fashion-editorial edge.
The look is a reminder that traditional dressing does not always require conventional styling.
Style takeaway
If your outfit is relatively classic, experiment with your hairstyle or accessories. A distinctive hairdo can transform a familiar saree into a much more contemporary look.
Janhvi Kapoor blends tradition with glamour
Janhvi Kapoor embraces the lehenga for a festive appearance, choosing a pink ensemble detailed with pearl embroidery.
The pearl work gives the outfit a soft, glamorous quality, while pearl drop earrings and a statement ring continue the theme without overwhelming the look.
Her styling strikes a balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary celebrity fashion.
Style takeaway
Pearls can soften a heavily embellished festive outfit. If your lehenga already has detailed embroidery, matching pearl accessories can create a coordinated appearance without requiring excessive jewellery.
Kriti Sanon gives the saree a modern update
Kriti Sanon takes a contemporary approach to the traditional saree with a printed red drape and halter-neck blouse.
The modern blouse changes the overall silhouette, while statement earrings and stacked kadas add a maximalist festive element.
Her mini bag brings another modern touch to the outfit, proving that traditional Indian wear can be styled with accessories that would usually be associated with Western or contemporary wardrobes.
Style takeaway
A contemporary blouse is one of the easiest ways to modernise a saree. A halter neck, structured blouse or another updated silhouette can give a traditional drape a completely different personality.
Five celebrity looks, five ways to dress for Janmashtami
The biggest takeaway from these celebrity looks is that festive fashion does not have a single formula.
Raashii Khanna’s vibrant lehenga works for those who enjoy colour and embellishment, while Mrunal Thakur’s muted saree demonstrates the appeal of sophisticated minimalism. Alia Bhatt proves that styling can make a classic saree feel unexpected, Janhvi Kapoor leans into romantic embellishment and Kriti Sanon experiments with contemporary silhouettes.
For your own Janmashtami wardrobe, the key is to choose the elements that suit your personal style rather than attempting to recreate a celebrity look from head to toe.
A colourful lehenga, an embroidered saree, statement earrings or simply a modern blouse can be enough to give your festive outfit a fresh update.
