Post Category - Style & BeautyStyle & Beauty - Post Category - Style For KidsStyle For KidsPost Category - DeepavaliDeepavaliLooking to buy traditional Indian clothes for Deepavali / Diwali or a special occasion? We check out the best spots to buy Indian outfits from kurtis to lehengas for kids and adults in Singapore
Deepavali/Diwali the Indian Festival of Lights is almost here (4 November 2021) and whether your child has a special celebration at school, or your family is looking to celebrate at home it’s a fun reason to upgrade your Indian dress or buy the traditional Indian clothing for your kids! Deepavali is the biggest Indian festival of the year and it’s tradition to wear shiny new clothes for this important celebration! If celebrating Deepavali is not part of your culture but syou till wish to take part in the festivities and wear traditional Indian clothing, it is important to do so respectfully with an understanding of the culture. Ready to get shopping? First let’s take a look at what the different Indian clothes consist of and where to find them in town and online!
Read More: Kids Wearing Other Ethnicities’ Traditional Outfits: Appropriation or Appreciation?
↓ Scroll down for all the best spots to buy traditional Indian dresses, lehengas and kurtas in Singapore!
Traditional Indian Clothes for Girls
When it comes to traditional Indian clothes for girls, you have two basic options:
1) Salwar Kameez – drawstring or elastic pants with a long tunic top. This combo often comes with a dupatta (shawl), which is usually better suited (and easier to handle) for older girls. Or you could opt for 2) Lehenga Choli. The lehenga is a long flared skirt with a top (can be a crop top style or longer) and is usually completed with a shawl.
Traditional Indian Clothing for Boys
For boys, depending on the event, you can buy a silk or cotton kurta (tunic), which can be worn with jeans, pants or matching pyjama pants. A lot of the newer styles feature a nice little waistcoat style jacket to wear over the tunic.
What to look for when buying Indian fashion
Whatever you opt for, make sure the little ones are comfortable, the clothes fit well (snug but not too tight), no embroidery or threadwork is poking them (I often recommend boys wear a soft t-shirt under their kurta, for example), and that they have had a chance to get used to their new clothes before the big day! Go ahead and buy some bangle bracelets for the girls (the Deepavali Bazaar on Campbell Lane has gorgeous ones) along with a sparkly hair accessory. Open-toe sandals are perfect to complete the look.
Places to Buy Traditional Indian Clothes in Singapore
1. Nimbu
Nimbu is a sustainable kids fashion brand offering a wardrobe that grows with your kid. For every purchase you make, you have the option of buying the next size at half price! Check their website for their latest festive collection of traditional Indian gear for kids which includes lots of adorable kurta and dhoti sets, plus see what inspired them to kickstart this movement.
Nimbu, www.nimbu.sg
2. Fabindia Singapore
Fabindia is an Indian fashion brand that is much loved by Indians worldwide for its excellent quality, variety and colourful designs. The store at Vivocity has a good selection of traditional Indian outfits and festive clothing for both boys and girls from ages 2-14! While the price ranges are higher (starting at $29 for infants, $56 for boys and $61 for girls outfits) than most of the Little India stores, the styles are more contemporary and the quality of fabric is excellent. There are some great outfits here for mamas and papas, too!
Fabindia, #01-141 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore, www.fabindia.com
3. College Collection
If you are looking for choices and help when hunting down the perfect Indian clothes…this is your store! The sales staff is very helpful and they can even help find traditional outfits for you and your kids to match! The in-house tailor will ensure the perfect fit for your little one. The trendy little ‘suits’ – aka embellished top and ‘Shimmer and Shine’ style flared pants- will have your little lady all excited for Diwali. They have a lot of very traditional Indian clothes in here as well as lots of fun contemporary Indian outfits. PS: do not go here on a Sunday- way too crowded!
College Collection, 125 Serangoon Road, Singapore www.facebook.com/College-Collection-Singapore
4. Fashion Palace
Tucked along colourful Buffalo Road in Little India, Fashion Palace has an entire floor for Indian dress and kids’ clothing (on the second level). You’ll find beautiful prints in cotton, brocade and silk in the form of jackets, kurta, dresses, lehenga, and suits. Whether it’s for an Indian wedding or a special occasion like Deepavali, Fashion Palace offers plenty of traditional Indian costumes for the little ones. Prices start from $15.
Fashion Palace, 8 Buffalo Road, Singapore, Tel: (+65) 6295 1175, www.fashionpalace.com.sg
5. Fayon Kids
This Delhi-based children’s clothing boutique makes the most exquisite and high quality Indian kids clothes for girls and boys, and luckily for us mamas they ship worldwide! The stunning traditional Indian clothes are perfect for a fancy Diwali celebration or even an Indian wedding!
www.fayonkids.com
6. Tekka Market Block 665
Don’t be put off shopping at Tekka Market! Take the escalator up one level from the Serangoon Road entrance and you will find a huge number of shops selling Indian outfits. Not all the stores carry kids’ clothes, though but you could try Rose Fashions (#02-119), Fiza Bollywood Fashion (02-143), Piya Store (02-149) and Sameer Saniyya (02-110). Traditional Indian clothing for boys and girls of all ages start from about $30, depending on what you’re looking for. The shops’ sales staff are super helpful and can work with your budget (don’t be afraid to bargain!). There are also several tailors around if you need any minor alterations done to your lehenga or kurtis.
Read more: Top 10 Stalls at Tekka Market
7. Mustafa Centre
Is there anything you can’t find at Mustafa (open 24 hours)?! The Indian kids’ clothes section here tucked away in B1 is not the most contemporary or top quality Indian fashion wear, but if you are looking for something that your child will wear only once, and if you aren’t looking to spend a lot, this is a good option. Don’t expect any sales assistance — it’s a bit like rummaging through a sales bin here. The prices are low, though!
Mustafa Centre, 145 Syed Alwi Road, Level B1, Little India, Singapore
Read more: Ultimate Guide to Mustafa Centre (+ a downloadable map!)
8. Little Muffet
This online store has an incredibly huge and affordably priced selection of Indian kids clothes. They ship to most countries but the traditional outfits are made to order so expect a little bit of waiting time (2-3 weeks) before you receive your order of Indian clothes to Singapore.
www.littlemuffet.com
9. Jaypore
Jaypore is a multi-label online store with beautiful handmade sarees, dupattas, jewellery, shawls, home decor, art and more. Plus of course a great kids section of traditional Indian clothing to add to your cart for Deepavali! There is free shipping on orders above $100 and you can also get 15% off your first purchase with the code JPLVTI9F.
Jaypore, www.jaypore.com/kidswear
10. Forty Red Bangles
Forty Red Bangles is a socially conscious brand stocking traditional Indian outfits as part of their sustainable luxury line of clothing, accessories and homeware. Based in India so do take into account international shipping times if you order.
Forty Red Bangles, www.fortyredbangles.com
11. Pinklay
Pinklay is an online store offering the most gorgeous colourful Indian kids wear (as well as traditional Indian outfits for adults and homeware). We love how this brand engages with Indian artisans using traditional art forms including hand block printing, embroidery and patchwork using pure fabrics and keeping away from all synthetic materials, leather, and plastic. Pinklay stocks kurtas, lehangas, kaftans, pyjama sets, Indian dress and other traditional wear.
Pinklay, www.pinklay.com
12. Minora Centre
Minora Centre located on Serangoon Road has Indian outfits for adults and children as well as a range of festive Indian partywear for kids. You’ll find a range of Indian kids clothes in various colours and detail-work, including Lehenga sets, Kurtas, Salwar Kameez and Achkans. Prices start from $30.
Minora Centre, 202 Serangoon Road, Singapore
13. Jinder’s
Looking for new Indian clothes for yourself? Jinder’s stocks some gorgeous traditional, and contemporary Indian clothing for women plus occasion wear (plus sizes available too). Check out their variety of kurtis, kaftans and other garments plus accessories to match. Sign up for Jinder’s newsletter and get 10% off your order!
Jinder’s, 153 A Selegie Road, Singapore www.jinders.com.sg
If you are looking for a one-off Indian outfit for your child to wear for a school Deepavali celebration you can also try your luck looking on second-hand clothing sites like Carousell.
We can’t wait to see your kids dressed up in traditional Indian clothing this Deepavali – tag us in your IG won’t you?
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