Five ways to rock desi fusion fashion to perfection

Take a cue from these celebrity divas on how to mix East and West for a fun and creative look

If you’re looking for ways to elevate your everyday look and add a touch of uniqueness to it, a tad bit of desi fusion may be all you need to make a style statement. Whether it’s the tried and tested combo of baggy, colourful shalwars and basic t-shirts, the addition of a koti on top of your everyday jeans and T-shirt outfit, or simply wearing chooriyaan and black metal jewellery with a dress, there are a million and one ways to incorporate a desi touch to western outfits or vice versa.

Here are our picks of top five celebrity divas rocking the desi fusion look to perfection.

Areeba Habib

If you don’t have time to mull over which items of clothing you want to mix and match for your next fusion outfit, just throw on a denim jacket over any matching separates. Areeba looks as chic as ever in a black shalwar kameez combo, paired with a faded denim jacket and a pair of shiny loafers to really bring the whole look together. Wear a bag and some hoop earrings like the model’s and you have the perfect outfit for a lunch with friends, a day at university or simply an afternoon of running errands!

Zara Peerzada
Take a page from Zara’s book and when in doubt, add a paraanda! We love how the model has fused East and West in this fun and flirty outfit, adding a touch of edginess with the combat boots. The neon orange paraanda goes fabulously well with the patterned blue and white skirt. If you aren’t feeling as daring as Zara, switch the tube top for a black tee and you have an effortlessly cool outfit ready.

Alia Bhatt

While Alia may be sporting a Sabyasachi kurti, you can replicate the look without making too much of a dent in your bank account, and you can customise it to your liking! Just get some cloth from a local market and adorn it with lace for a similar look. We love how Alia has paired the bell-sleeved kurti with khaki shorts, but you can just as well pair it with flared jeans for the ultimate 70s queen look.  

Eman Suleman

Have a gorgeous sari lying around but don’t have time to run down to the tailor and get a matching blouse stitched? Worry not, chances are the solution is already in your closet! Pair a sari with a collared shirt for the perfect desi fusion look. We adore Eman’s white shirt and red checkered sari combo, and the bangles, as well as the choker, are giving off major vintage vibes that we can’t help but love!

Sara Ali Khan
Sometimes, the best way to incorporate fusion in your outfits is to wear traditional prints, patterns and embellishments in more Western cuts. Whether you choose chunri, kaamdani or Sara’s phulkari-esque embellishment, the stitching you opt for can help you make a fusion fashion statement. Get the cloth of your choice stitched in the form of jackets, crop tops or kotis – the sky is truly the limit when it comes to options!