Diwali week was always a maximalism week in college. Everyone showed up in their loudest, best outfit, and nobody pretended otherwise. I assumed that was a college thing. I was so wrong.
It's even better in corporate. The whole year runs on fixed guidelines and a proper dress code, so when Diwali week arrives, the office turns into a place where people actually want to dress up and show up. Every single person starts to care.
I've watched my older brother go through this every year. He thinks about his outfit for days and discusses it with his friends. And yet every year he walks out in the same classic black kurta. It makes sense, and it looks good. But as a fashion designer and stylist, I think it's time I told him (and you) there are better ways to do this.
So if you're wondering what ethnic wear for men in the office actually looks like in 2026, here's the honest guide: what works, what doesn't, and how to pick based on you, not just the trend.
First, can men actually wear a kurta to the office?
Yes. But "office" means different things, so here's the quick check.
If your office is corporate, client-facing or conservative, stick to a solid long kurta, or a short kurta with trousers. You can add a Nehru jacket to elevate your look for meetings. If you work at a startup, an agency or anywhere creative, you have more room: block prints, Indo-Western sets and dhoti pants all work. If you're wondering how block printing differs from screen printing, I've broken down the two techniques here: Screen Printing vs Block Printing in India.
And if it's Diwali week or Ethnic Day, in any kind of office, go bolder. Try a rich mustard or deep blue print, a dhoti set, or a kurta with embroidery. Just keep everything else simple.
The rule I give everyone: one ethnic statement, everything else quiet. A loud print means plain footwear and no jacket. A rich silk means no extra accessories.
Option 1: The short kurta (the everyday workhorse)
A short kurta behaves like a shirt, which is why it's the easiest way into ethnic wear at work. It's easy to move in, easy to sit in for hours, and it won't make you feel too dressed up for office.
How to style it:
- Pair it with chinos or tailored cotton trousers for the office.
- Dark jeans work if your office is relaxed.
- Loafers or clean sneakers. Skip the shiny shoes.
My pick: Fasal. It's an off-white cotton short kurta with pleats, with a traditional silhouette and an easy Indo-Western feel. On a normal day it goes with trousers, and on Diwali evening you can switch to a dhoti. That is what I mean by repeatwear: one piece that doesn't disappear into your wardrobe after one festive day.
Stylist's honest note: if you're on the shorter side, a short kurta with a dhoti can work especially well. It keeps your proportions balanced and doesn't swallow your frame the way a long kurta can. Keep the dhoti clean and not too oversized, and stick to tonal colours so your outfit reads as one long line.
Option 2: The long kurta (polished and sharp)
If your office leans formal, the long kurta is your safest and most elegant choice. A good one, in the right fabric and colour, looks more put-together than most shirts.
How to style it:
- Wear it with straight-fit trousers in a contrasting but muted tone.
- Add a Nehru jacket over a white or classic kurta for client meetings, or for the inevitable office photos Diwali week brings.
- Mojaris or leather loafers. If you wear mojaris, keep them neutral.
My picks:
- Vasant: an off-white long kurta in soft cotton, with traditional pleats and Kantha stitch embroidery. It's summer-friendly and breezy but still looks finished. This is the one for a formal-ish office.
- Roop: a casual block-print long kurta in 100% cotton, available in 2 prints. It's relaxed enough for a Friday and still looks intentional.
Stylist's honest note: if you're taller or have a broader frame, long kurtas are made for you. The length adds balance, and you can carry a print that would overwhelm a smaller frame. Shorter guys can still wear them. Just keep the kurta no longer than mid-thigh, and wear slim trousers underneath.
Option 3: Indo-Western (modern, bold, a little fun)
This is where Diwali dressing gets interesting. Indo-Western is for the men who wants ethnic wear without looking "traditional", and it's the most-asked-about category in our DMs.
Dhoti pants. I'll be honest: dhoti pants in a regular office can be a stretch, is a stretch but in a creative office, a startup, or on Diwali day itself, it's a statement. If your dress code is strict, wear the kurta with trousers and save the dhoti for after hours.
My picks:
- Kiran: a long printed cotton kurta in mustard yellow or deep blue, paired with baggy pleated dhoti pants with side cowls. It's comfortable, breathable for Indian weather, and a very good fit for festive days.
- Arush: a short kurta set in 100% cotton with a printed design, pintucks and subtle gotta work on the front panel, paired with relaxed dhoti pants. It's festive without being heavy.
Stylist's honest note: with dhoti pants, the kurta must stay fitted and the dhoti carries the volume. Baggy on top plus baggy on bottom reads as a costume.
When Diwali Gets Dressier: The Silk Kurtas
If you want to go a little extra, go for a silk kurta. It's Diwali, after all. It's one of the few days of the year when you get to dress the way you want, so if your office allows it, why not?
- Arsh (earthy brown): rich and lustrous, with embroidery around the neckline. Warm and understated, and it looks great in the golden evening light.
- Kavin (turquoise blue): intricate front embroidery and a centre slit. Contemporary and confident, and this is the one that gets compliments.
Stylist's honest note: silk is the outfit, so don't add much else. Plain trousers, simple footwear, no jacket. Let the kurta do the work.
From Office Hours to Diwali: Menswear Made for Repeatwear
Now good kurta shouldn't be a one-day outfit. Here are some of my recommendation for your weekly kurta rotation .The pieces above are the ones I'd build a week around, and then keep wearing long after the diya's are put away.
- Monday to Thursday: Fasal with tailored trousers, or Vasant if your office is on the formal side. Easy, quiet and put together.
- Friday: Roop The block print is relaxed enough for the end of the week, and still looks intentional.
- Diwali day: switch Fasal's trousers for a dhoti, or go for Kiran or Arush. If your office allows it, Arsh or Kavin is the one people will talk about.
- After Diwali: every one of these goes straight back into your regular rotation. That's repeatwear.
Browse Tanoti's full menswear collection →[Menswear collection]
How to pick based on you (quick cheat sheet)
- Shorter in height: short kurta with dhoti or slim trousers, tonal colour's, nothing oversized.
- Taller or broader: long kurta, bolder prints, a Nehru jacket on top.
- Wearing it for the first time: off-white or white.
- Want to stand out safely: a block print with plain trousers.
- Dressing a lil extra: silk or a mustard/blue print with a clean silhouette.
FAQs
Can men wear a kurta in a corporate office?
Yes. Choose a solid colour in cotton, a straight cut, and pair it with trousers. Add a Nehru jacket for formal meetings.
Which kurta length is best for office?
Short kurtas are easiest for daily wear. Long kurtas look more polished for formal settings.
Can I wear jeans with a kurta to work?
In relaxed offices, yes. Choose dark, plain jeans and a short kurta.
What colour kurta is best for the office?
Off-white, white, navy, olive and muted earthy tones are the safest. Save mustard and turquoise for festive days.
Is Indo-Western acceptable for client meetings?
It depends on the client. A kurta with trousers and a jacket is safe. Dhoti pants are better for internal or creative settings.
Your brother, my brother, and every guy with one black kurta in his wardrobe: this Diwali, try something different. Pick the fit that suits your height, your office and your mood, and you'll be the one people talk about the next day.
Browse Tanoti's full menswear collection and find your fit for Diwali week. [Menswear collection]
