Cocktail
Ashtami
Shasthi
Pratipada
Saptami
Saptami
After dark
Black, with a bit of nerve
The cocktail is where Indian wear gets its sharpest edge. Black, wine and metallics, a sleek blouse, maybe a jacket over the shoulders. This page holds everything we'd suggest for the wedding cocktail night: sarees and pre-drapes, blouses, jackets and kurta sets.
Black leads, and we'd start with the luxurious black satin with dull gold lace and pendants. It has plenty of detail without any heavy embroidery. Our Surprise sarees pair black with red, fuchsia or sapphire, if you want a flash of colour. Not a black person? The Wine Galaxy organza with beads is just as glamorous.
Our go-to formula is a plain satin with a black sequin bustier. A plain satin with a sequin blouse is hard to get wrong. For an outdoor December cocktail in Delhi, throw the black velvet jacket with lace over it. Keep jewellery minimal: one bold earring or a sleek cuff.
Good to know
Is it okay to wear black to a wedding cocktail?
Many families now welcome black for the cocktail night. If you're unsure, check with the hosts, or lift it with gold.
Which blouse should I wear with a cocktail saree?
A sequin bustier, a sleeveless sequin blouse or a stretch knit blouse. Knits are a smart buy because they go with sarees across your wardrobe.
Can I wear a jacket over a saree?
Yes, and we love it. A velvet jacket over satin looks sharp and keeps you warm at an outdoor winter function.