How to Style an Anarkali Kurta Set: Jewellery, Hairstyle & Outfit Tips

The Anarkali is one of those silhouettes that needs very little introduction. A fitted bodice, a skirt that flares out from the waist, and a hem that moves just after you do. The name comes from a figure in Mughal-era folklore, and the style has carried that sense of courtly grace ever since. Today, an anarkali kurta set is as likely to appear at a puja or a family lunch as at a wedding, which says a lot about how well the shape has adapted.

What the Anarkali really represents is controlled drama. The volume sits below a structured top, so the outfit feels grand without feeling heavy. That balance is exactly why it flatters so many people, and also why it can go wrong so easily.

An Anarkali has more moving parts than most outfits. The length, the flare, the bottom, the neckline and the dupatta all have to work together, and when one of them is slightly off, the whole look feels unsettled. A set that looked beautiful on the hanger can end up swamping you in the mirror. So what if we helped you get it right?

Let's Understand the Proportions

Length decides almost everything else, so start there.

Floor-length: The most formal option, suited to weddings and evening events. The hem should skim the floor or sit just above it. Try it on with the footwear you plan to wear on the day.

Ankle-length: The most versatile choice. It is easy to walk in and works for festive occasions and daytime functions alike.

Calf or knee-length: Lighter and more casual. It suits everyday wear, shorter heights and anyone who wants the flare without the sweep.

A few things are worth checking before you commit to any set.

Where the flare begins: It should start at or just below the natural waist. If it begins too low, the silhouette loses its shape.

The bodice fit: All the volume sits below, so the top needs to fit snugly at the shoulders and bust, without pulling or gaping.

The bottom: Slim churidars or straight trousers balance the flare. A wide bottom under a wide skirt adds bulk.

Your height: Petite frames tend to look best in ankle or calf-length styles, while taller frames can carry floor-length easily.

Let's See What Biba Has in the Collection

At Biba, anarkali kurta sets sit under two main collections: festive and casual wear. That makes it easier to choose based on how you plan to use the outfit. These sets work well in five places:

Pujas and family festivals: where tradition matters but so does sitting comfortably.

Wedding functions: whether it is a haldi, a mehendi or the main ceremony.

Evening dinners and celebrations: where the flare adds presence.

Festive days at work: when you want to dress up without losing practicality.

Daytime outings and everyday wear: especially in lighter fabrics.

The ShwetSaga Collection

ShwetSaga leans into soft, calm shades, with off-whites and pinks at the centre. These colours give the Anarkali a gentle, refined look that suits daytime pujas, afternoon functions and anyone who prefers a quieter palette to a bold one. Off-white pairs well with gold or pearl jewellery, while pinks sit nicely with kundan or soft oxidised pieces.

The Festive Collection

The festive collection is where you will find richer colours and more detailed work, including embroidered anarkali kurta sets made for weddings and celebrations. Many come with a dupatta, so the whole look arrives complete. Because the outfit already carries a lot of detail, keep the jewellery measured.

The Casual Collection

Casual anarkali kurta sets keep the silhouette but simplify everything around it. Think easier prints, lighter detailing and shorter lengths that work for the office, brunch or a weekend market trip. A printed anarkali dress in this range needs very little styling to look put together.

Why Cotton Works So Well

A cotton anarkali kurta set is a practical choice for any day that involves hours of wear. Cotton breathes, which matters when there is a lot of fabric flaring around you, and it stays comfortable in warm weather. It also takes prints beautifully and is easy to care for, so it can earn its place in your regular rotation instead of waiting for a special occasion.

Round Neck or V-Neck: Choosing a Neckline

Biba's anarkali sets come in round necks and V-necks, and each changes how the whole outfit reads.

A round neck is classic and balanced. It sits close to the collarbone and gives you room to wear a statement earring or a short necklace without the neckline competing with it.

A V-neck draws the eye vertically, which helps balance the volume of the skirt. It also frames a pendant or a layered chain nicely.

Styling Your Anarkali: Jewellery, Hair, Dupatta and Footwear

Jewellery

Choose one focal point and let everything else support it.

Round neck with embroidery: Statement jhumkas or chandbalis, and no necklace. A slim bangle stack is enough.

V-neck: A pendant or fine layered chain with smaller earrings, such as studs or small drops.

Plain or lightly printed sets: You have more room, so try a choker with medium earrings.

Hairstyle

Your neckline and earrings should guide the choice.

Low bun or braid: Shows off statement earrings and a round neck. A good pick for pujas and weddings.

Soft waves or loose curls: Pair well with a V-neck and an evening look.

Side braid or half-up style: Easy and relaxed for casual sets.

Dupatta Draping

One-shoulder drape: Let the dupatta sit on one shoulder with the end falling at the back. It is simple, elegant and lets the flare show.

Across the body: Pin it at the opposite hip like a sash. This works well with heavier or contrast dupattas.

Open drape: Let it hang loosely over both arms for a relaxed, casual look.

Adding a Jacket

An anarkali with jacket is a smart way to dress up a plain set. A short or cropped jacket adds structure for wedding evenings, while a light one gives you a layer in cooler weather. Keep the jacket in a contrasting or complementary shade, and skip the dupatta if the jacket already carries detail.

Footwear

Juttis or kolhapuris suit daytime and puja looks, while block heels or embellished flats work better for evenings. With a floor-length set, check the hem while wearing the exact shoes you plan to wear.

For a simple and elegant look, try this formula: a lightly printed Anarkali, a one-shoulder dupatta, one pair of earrings, a low bun and juttis. It needs no extra effort and works almost anywhere.

A Silhouette That Rewards a Little Planning

The anarkali kurta set looks its best when the proportions are right and the styling stays focused. Check the length and bodice fit first, choose a neckline that suits your jewellery, and let one element take the lead. Before the day itself, try the full outfit with footwear and arrange the dupatta, so there are no surprises. Biba's festive and casual anarkali collections make it easy to find a set that fits both the occasion and the way you like to dress.

FAQS

Q. How can I style an Anarkali kurta set? 

A. Start with the right length and fit, then choose one focal accessory, either statement earrings or a necklace. Add a simple dupatta drape, a hairstyle that suits your neckline and comfortable footwear. Keeping the styling focused usually looks more polished than layering everything.

Q. Which hairstyles look best with an Anarkali kurta? 

A. A low bun or braid works well with statement earrings and round necks. Soft waves suit V-necks and evening looks, while a side braid or half-up style keeps casual sets relaxed. Choose based on your neckline and jewellery.

Q. What are the best dupatta draping styles for an Anarkali kurta set? 

A. A one-shoulder drape is the easiest and most elegant, since it lets the flare show. Draping it across the body and pinning it at the hip suits heavier dupattas, while an open drape works for casual looks.

Q. How can I create a simple and elegant Anarkali look? 

A. Pick a plain or lightly printed Anarkali, drape the dupatta over one shoulder and wear one pair of earrings. Add a low bun and juttis or flats. Keeping to one focal point is what makes the look feel elegant.

Q. What jewellery should I wear with an Anarkali kurta set? 

A. Match the jewellery to the neckline. Round necks suit statement earrings, while V-necks pair well with pendants or layered chains. Keep jewellery lighter on heavily embroidered sets and add more to plain or printed ones.