Diwali celebrations come along with card parties, melas, functions, and a long list of shopping. Almost all of you shop religiously for the occasion thereby burning a hole in the pocket. Those heavy traditional clothes, expensive shoes, and accessories undoubtedly make you look stylish, beautiful and perfectly dressed up for the occasion, but the fact of the matter is, these expensive outfits occupy a corner in your cupboards after wearing them once or twice. But what if we tell you that you need not spend a fortune on your outfit, hair, and makeup, and still have that flawless look?

Nischita Babu, a well-known fashion blogger of my_black_skirt says, “After years of spending thousands on my clothes for festivals, I have realized that splurging on outfits I barely use is a sheer waste. It’s very important to shop wisely and buy outfits that are versatile and can be styled and restyled in many other ways later on.

Nischita has given some easy tips to look all decked up without putting too much effort. Read on:

Personalize your outfit: Nothing could be better than being your own stylist. This way, you get to wear what you like that too within your budget. For example, buy chiffon for your saree from a wholesale market, take it to your tailor and get an elegant jari border. Pair it up with a basic top from your cupboard instead of a regular blouse. This would give a contemporary twist to your look. Finish it with a messy bun and a couple of pink roses. And you are ready to set the stage on fire within 500 bucks.

Accentuating is the key:  Accentuating the basic outfit and transforming it into a gorgeous ensemble is one way to look gorgeous without spending much.  Be it a simple kurta or a plain saree, pair it up with statement jewellery – it can be a pair of earrings or a necklace. Complete the look with a nice hair-do.

Spend more on accessories instead of outfits: Don’t spend too much on the main outfit, instead spend on your accessories. Your accessories are versatile and can be used over and over with different outfits. For instance, if you are looking for a kurta or Anarkali, don’t buy over embellished ones. These heavy outfits are limited to just festivities and family occasions. Instead, opt for plain silk kurtas that can be worn in day to day life. Accessorizing it with heavy banarasi silk dupattas or brocade dupattas can also be trendy. Besides this, Banarasi and brocade dupattas are readily available in a majority of fashion stores and are priced between Rupees 600-1000. The brocade/banarasi dupatta accentuates your outfit and adds a festive look.

“I am always on a lookout. Nature and common things around me are my greatest inspiration. Even when I am travelling to work, or sitting in my car beating traffic, I’m watching out of the window looking for all things pretty. As simple as a red car parked next to a white car can give me my next outfit inspiration. Probably you will see me wearing red palazzos with white crop top the next day. Try to find your inspirations in the same way,” she concludes.

-The inputs for the article has been contibuted by fashion blogger Nischita Babu,