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Malaysians Share Their All-Time Favourite Deepavali Outfits And Their Best Festive Looks

Time to get those OOTD ideas ready!

Cover image via Dharshana (Provided to SAYS) & Nirosha (Provided to SAYS)

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There's something about the festive season that brings out the best in all of us

From decorating our homes to indulging in delicious treats and, of course, dressing up in our finest outfits, the celebrations are truly special.

Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is no exception! For many Malaysians, the yearly tradition of picking out that perfect outfit has become one of the most anticipated parts of the celebration.

We spoke to some Malaysians, and here's what they shared about their favourite Deepavali outfits of all time:

1. "At first sight, the saree screamed DEEPAVALI in my face!"

"The colour makes it look bright and happy, and adding minimal accessories gave it a complete feel."

- Nirosha, 25 years old.

2. "I was surprised by how good purple made me feel"

"It was my first time wearing this colour, and it not only looked great but also gave me a newfound confidence."

- Yoggaraj, 25 years old.

3. "Yellow will always look good on me!"

"That's why I'm so in love with the outfit I wore for Deepavali 2022. And guess what? I'm planning to go yellow again this year, hehe!"

- Raveena, 25 years old.

4. "If I had to pick one, I think it would be the lehenga I got for Deepavali 2006 (yes yes, years ago, I know, I'm old :')

Tushaara (center) in a blue lehenga.

Image via Tushaara (Provided to SAYS)

"It was what I like to call, my first 'big girl' outfit — iridescent sky blue, with gold beadwork/embroidery along the collar, hem, and scarf, that practically glowed in the sunlight. At ten years old, as far as baby me was concerned, that lehenga was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever owned (and I think it contributed to my current obsession with dual tones in my sarees today!)

"Sartorial sense aside, in addition to feeling like a grownup, that outfit holds a special place in my heart because of the significance of that Deepavali.

"We lost our maternal grandmother (in the white saree on the right) to diabetes the year after this picture was taken. That year had been the first time in a while that we managed to gather a lot of the extended family together for Deepavali, and I'm doubly glad that we managed to have that celebration with her before we lost her."

- Tushaara, 28 years old.

5. "My go-to Deepavali OOTD is anything that my mum chooses for me, like this white Anarkali which is very special to me"

"We both went for Deepavali shopping in Klang and she chose this beautiful Anarkali and I loved it the moment I saw it. Mum's choice is the best choice always!

- Prithi, 24 years old.

6. "This outfit was a special gift from my parents after their shopping spree in India and I loved it the moment I got it"

"All the hype and excitement was just for this one click and then done. Swapped back to my comfy home clothes and went straight to kitchen for a set of poori with chicken curry. Nothing beats fashion like home-cooked Deepavali food, hehe!"

- Schutheysan, 24 years old.

7. "I absolutely loved my outfit from last year because it was both super comfy and beautiful"

Dharshana in green.

Image via Dharshana (Provided to SAYS)

"Deepavali is all about waking up early for temple visits and then heading home to prep before relatives come over for house hopping. So, I decided to go for something cosy, and the best part was twinning with my sister!

"P.S. My sister is my number one."

- Dharshana, 29 years old.

8. "My all-time favourite colour has always been blue, but two years ago during Deepavali, I decided to switch it up and go with orange"

"That outfit gave me such a bright and vibrant look, and I loved it even more because it was the year I received a lot of 'ang pow'. I guess orange is my lucky colour, but still not giving up on blue!

- Vhovignesh, 28 years old.

9. "No matter how many years pass, I'll always love this Deepavali outfit because I'm obsessed with the mix of blue and green"

"If I could, I'd wear this colour every Deepavali, but I've got to keep my Instagram feed colourful, IYKYK!"

- Jeyamalar, 25 years old.

10. "This is my favourite Deepavali outfit from a few years back!"

"I love the repeating pattern and colour of the top, and the fit is perfect — no need to roll up the sleeves like I have to with so many other tops.

"Plus, the super comfy pants are a big win when I'm chasing around two toddlers at every Deepavali open house!"

- Dave, 34 years old.

From family traditions to new personal styles, these outfits not only capture the essence of the festival but also the unique spirit of each individual <3

So, whether you're pulling out a traditional outfit passed down through generations or mixing in something modern and fresh, remember that it's all about feeling good and celebrating with your loved ones. After all, it's not just about what you wear – it's about the joy, confidence, and culture that shines through. Happy Deepavali!

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