Barely are you done with the robust Navratri festivities when Diwali arrives at your doorsteps. The lights, the mithais, the crackers, the colours and the grandeur have already started filling the air up. And now all you need to do is to wait for the card party invitations to flood your inbox and you are all set for the season. Remember that the taash parties are your best excuses to flaunt your bling. There’s a reason why half of Bollywood (Ekta Kapoor, Akshay Kumar to Shilpa Shetty, Shabana Azmi, Aamir Khan and Simi Grewal) host these glamorous card parties.

The desi touch is mandatory, given that it’s Diwali. But don’t forget to add that much needed twist to your ethnic wear to make the right statement.

I chatted with designer Archana Kochhar, who’s a go-to designer for most of Bollywood when it comes to ethnic wear. Archana had previously given Stylemynt tips on Navratri dressing (you can read the post here).

She generously spared a few valuable tips on how to dress right for the card parties.

Archana stresses on cocktail wear for the parties. The look should be semi formal with an Indian touch. “It could be something fun with a bit of drape and bling. Men can go for Indo Western garments,” she says.

Anarkalis and sarees are certainly your best bets for the card parties. But instead of going for the regular anarkalis, pick the anarkali gowns that are all the rage right now, suggests Archana. That and the gown inspired sarees lend a global twist to desi wear.

But the thing to remember here is that anarkalis can overwhelm a petite frame and is best avoided if you are vertically challenged. Look for embellished fitted knee-length kurtas instead.

Fabrics could range from chiffon and georgette for the drapey garments and the Khadi silk or Khadi cotton with beautiful brocade border for something more basic. And the festive shades to look out for are turmeric, shades of blue and green and purple.

Here are a few key tips for men and women to be the cynosure of all eyes in the taash parties:

MEN

Wear a silk kurta (now is the time to bring out your silks what with the nip in the air) with churidar and throw a shawl/ scarf on with interesting details.  Please avoid wearing jeans and a tee to a taash party. If you must do denims, pair it with a nice, bright kurta.

Wear a chunky watch to go with it and finish the look with leather chappals.

WOMEN

The tie up cholis look sexy with heavily embellished chiffon sarees. If you want to keep it slightly more casual, pick a fitted salwar kurta, a fish cut lehnega choli or the floor sweeping anarkali as Archana suggested and pair them with one piece of striking statement jewellery. It could be either a pair of gorgeous chandeliers or a chunky neckpiece or a bold cuff in case you wear a sleeveless anarkali. Cocktail rings also add copious doses of glam. Carry a pretty batua in a pop colour to carry all the cash (and in or even a sequinned clutch (no big bags please!) and pick out comfortable wedges or kitten heels with semi precious stones as embellishments to go with the festive mood.

Oh yeah, and win some cash! Actually, loads of it! Break a leg.