Festive
Navratri Jewellery Guide: What to Wear for Nine Nights of Garba
Earrings that move with you, nothing that swings into your partner. How to dress for garba and dandiya, night after night.
By The Priskel Studio 3 min read
The short answerDance-proof your jewellery: secure earrings with movement, a haathphool or kada that will not slide, and a payal with a little sound. Skip long necklaces that swing during garba. Rotate two or three earring pairs to match each night's colour, and wipe pieces dry after every night of dancing.
Navratri is nine nights of the most energetic dressing in the festive calendar. Your jewellery needs to look good in the ring, stay put through dandiya, and be ready again the next evening.
The garba rules
- Secure over heavy. Choose earrings with a firm post and back. Heavy danglers tire your lobes by the third round.
- Nothing that swings out. Long necklaces fly during spins. A choker or no necklace works best.
- Let your hands sparkle. A haathphool or kada catches the light with every clap.
- Add sound. Ghungroo on a haathphool or a payal at the ankle adds to the rhythm.
What to wear
| Piece | Why it works for garba | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Colourful drops | Move with you, match any night's colour | Navrang Cabochon Drops |
| Lotus jhumkas | Classic swing, pairs with chaniya choli | Kamalini Lotus Jhumkas |
| Ghungroo haathphool | Chimes with every clap | Chhanak Ghungroo Haathphool |
| Pearl payal | Light, and shows with every step | Mogra Pearl Payal |
Matching the nine colours
Each night of Navratri has its own colour, announced each year. Rather than buying nine sets, build around antique gold-tone, which goes with every colour, and rotate two or three pairs of earrings with coloured stones. The Navrang drops, named for nine colours, combine several shades in one pair.
Hair and makeup tips
- A braid or low bun keeps earrings visible and hair out of your face while you spin.
- Put earrings on after hairspray and setting spray have dried.
Care across nine nights
UTSAV is brass-based and hand-finished, and it is not waterproof. After each night, wipe off sweat with a soft, dry cloth, let pieces air out, then store them flat in their pouches. Never wash them. Every piece carries a 6-month Finish Promise. More in our traditional jewellery care guide.
Questions we hear often
What jewellery should I wear for garba?
Secure statement earrings, a haathphool or kada, and a payal. Skip long necklaces that swing during spins.
Is oxidised or gold jewellery better for Navratri?
Both are popular. Oxidised suits mirror-work chaniya cholis; antique gold-tone suits silk and brocade.
How do I stop earrings hurting during garba?
Choose lighter pairs with a firm back, and add a clear silicone back for support on long drops.
Shop UTSAV earrings and the festive edit.
Shop the story
The pieces in this story
Any 2 save 10% · any 3 or more save 15% with Stack & Save.
