There was a time where all your heavy jewellery was locked in your safe, only to be taken out during that one family member’s wedding. Your ornate scarves, dangly jhumkas, temple jewellery was only to be worn at occasions that were deemed worthy. But the hierachy has collapsed. Heritage accessories are no longer waiting for an invitation, they are being worn to cafes, classrooms, airports, offices, and even with denim shorts and tank tops.Heritage dressing in India has long been associated with occasion wear, but a quiet shift is occurring where traditional accessories are being folded into everyday, off-duty looks.
From Ceremony To Street Style
Naths, haathphools, ear cuffs, waist chains – these are just some of the accessories that can be seen everywhere and not just with sarees. With centuries-old history, these pieces were considered as temple jewellery and worn on auspicious occasions. Maang tikkas were considered too heavy for everyday wear. But now? These pieces are considered as contemporary. You no longer need the entire set. One of the biggest reasons? – The de-emotionalisation and informalisation of the meaning behind these pieces.
Photograph: (Instagram via @subikshashivakumar)
Younger consumers are styling waist chains with low-rise jeans, blending heritage influences with an effortless sense of style. They’re no longer waiting for events to wear them. The driving force is personal expression, fashion today is less about rules and more about individuality, with young people curating looks that reflect their own personalities and wearing whatever feels most authentic to them.
“Scandinavian Scarves” In Style
We’ve all seen “Scandinavian scarves” aka dupattas taking over our feeds, from global fashion weeks to luxury brands embracing the silhouette on an international stage. But honestly, our favourite part is how effortlessly and casually it’s being styled today. There’s no longer one “correct” way to wear a dupatta and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. From the carpets of the Met Gala to everyday looks with tank tops, oversized shirts, or simple crop tops, the dupatta has evolved into one of the most versatile pieces you can own.
Photograph: (Instagram via @haileybieber)
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by No Borders (@nobordersshop)
It can be elegant, dramatic, nostalgic, practical, or playful, all depending on how you style it. You could throw it over your shoulders as a cover-up on your metro ride to work, wrap it around your head on a summer afternoon, layer it over denim for a relaxed look, or pair it with couture and ballgowns for something more elevated. With endless prints, patterns, fabrics, and colours, the dupatta has moved far beyond tradition or occasion dressing. It’s no longer just an accessory tucked away for festive wear, it’s a statement, a styling essential, and, more than anything, a movement reclaiming cultural fashion in a completely modern way.
The Bindi-fication
One of our favourite things to come out of the casualisation of heritage accesories has to be the comeback of the bindi. The bindi which was a ceremonial marker is now going through a serious fashion rebrand, being slipped in casually, in a more contemporary style.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by LARA RAJ (@lararajj)
What makes the revival so interesting is that nobody’s styling it traditionally anymore. The modern bindi lives in contrast: tiny maroon dots paired with tank tops, silver hoops, cargos, vintage sunglasses, and hyper-casual silhouettes that feel more like a Pinterest moodboard than festive dressing.
It Girl Bags With a Side of Spice
We’ve all loved the chatpata top trends and the revival of blouses, but have you seen the chatpata bag trend – where bags are reimagined with a mix of desi main character energy ? These bags are more than just regular pretty bags. They capture the essence of the potli and make it unique by incorporating various ethnic prints, patterns, colours and even styles.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by mirchi | मिर्ची (@mirchibykim)
These bags blend heritage with modern fashion in the most playful way possible. Think vibrant prints, mirror work, brocade fabrics, patchwork, tassels, embroidery, beadwork, and unexpected colour combinations that instantly elevate even the simplest look. Some lean heavily into vintage Indian aesthetics, while others reinterpret ethnic craftsmanship through contemporary silhouettes like shoulder bags, baguettes. They bring the drama, personality and encapsulate desi maximalism perfectly.
Bringing back Desi Footwear With Desi Energy
Accesories are not just limited to your jewellery. Juttis, mojaris and other ethnic footwear can be seen making a comeback and it’s not just local boutiques leading the revival anymore. Big fashion brands, luxury labels, and celebrities have all embraced the charm of traditional Indian footwear, turning it into a fashion staple rather than a cultural afterthought. From Prada’s Kolhapuris to hand embroidered jutti, it’s showcasing ethnic footwear as a global fashion moment.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Fizzy Goblet (@fizzygoblet)
Part of the appeal lies in their versatility. They can instantly add personality to a simple outfit while still carrying a sense of heritage and artistry. Whether embellished with mirror work, zari, pearls, or modern prints, these shoes are proving that traditional fashion can evolve without losing its essence.
What was once imposed on us has now become our greatest reclamation. The casualisation of heritage accessories marks one of fashion’s most interesting cultural shifts. It is not simply about styling traditional pieces differently, it reflects a larger rethinking of identity, nostalgia, and personal storytelling. Gen Z and young millennials, in particular, are reclaiming heritage objects not as symbols of obligation, but as tools of self-expression.
