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Ethnic Is Not Just Festive Anymore – It’s a Whole Vibe Now
So here’s the thing. Ethnic wear in India has done a total glow-up. Gone are the days when we’d only pull out our kurtas or sarees during Diwali or someone’s wedding (and even then, reluctantly). Fast-forward to 2025, and ethnic wear is everywhere. Office meetings, brunch with the girls, dates, reels, airport looks – you name it. And not the boring, overly blingy kind – we’re talking about cool, breathable fabrics, quirky prints, sustainable threads, and yes, those dramatic flared sleeves that make you feel like a Bollywood queen (or king – inclusivity, y’all).
Let’s take a ride through the best Indian ethnic wear brands that are absolutely killing it right now – not just in stores, but on Instagram, at your cousin’s wedding, and maybe even in your own closet.
FabIndia – The OG That Refused To Die (And Thank God For That)
Honestly, FabIndia walked so every sustainable, handloom-loving brand today could run. Back in the day, it was your mom’s go-to for “proper” kurtas, but FabIndia has lowkey rebranded itself without being loud about it. Now, they’ve got these dreamy block-printed co-ord sets, linen shirts that Gen Z wouldn’t roll their eyes at, and their men’s collection? Surprisingly strong game.
One underrated thing? Their skincare and home section – which you’ll probably discover while you’re just “browsing.”
Online sentiment: Twitter loves FabIndia’s consistency. Instagram influencers love their muted tones. Reddit? Surprisingly divided. Some say it’s overpriced. Others call it timeless. I say, both can be true.
BIBA – From “Aunty Brand” to Gen Z’s Ethnic Go-To
Raise your hand if you once thought BIBA was just your mom’s brand. Same. But oh boy, have they done a serious 180. Their 2025 collection is full of asymmetrical cuts, indo-western combos, and fusion wear that doesn’t look like you’re trying too hard. You can easily wear their flowy kurtas to college or even a Tinder date where you want to look “effortlessly traditional” (but still hot).
Fun fact: BIBA collabed with a few Instagram designers last year, and it actually brought in a younger crowd. Smart move. It’s also one of the few brands with a consistently inclusive size range.
Manyavar & Mohey – The Wedding Mafia You Can’t Escape
Let’s be honest: if you’ve been to an Indian wedding in the last five years, you’ve seen Manyavar. Or worse, been forced into one of those photo-op moments in their stores by your parents. “Look at him in this sherwani! Just like Virat!”
But cringe moments aside, you can’t deny that Manyavar and Mohey own the wedding game. Their outfits are photo-friendly, decently priced (unless you go full Bollywood), and come in every trending shade of the season – dusty rose, champagne gold, mint green, etc.
In 2025, they’ve dropped a slightly more minimalist line that’s perfect for pre-wedding functions or smaller, budget-friendly weddings – a huge win for all of us avoiding lavish big-fat shaadis post-pandemic.
Suta – Sarees With Soul (And Softness)
This is for the soft girlies (and guys, no judgement) who love handwoven sarees, earthy tones, and soft cotton that literally feels like a hug. Suta is what happens when two sisters decide to make sarees fun, wearable, and emotional. Their captions will make you cry, their stories are poetic, and their models are beautifully real – body hair, stretch marks, smiles and all.
TikTok (oh sorry, Reels) is filled with Suta try-ons and draping hacks, and their audience is loyal AF. Like, people buy the same saree in three colours.
Lesser-known stat: Suta’s return customer rate is reportedly over 65% – that’s insane for fashion retail in India.
Bunaai – Insta Baddie Meets Desi Core
If Instagram had a favorite ethnic brand, it’s probably Bunaai. This Jaipur-based label exploded thanks to their dreamy outfit reels and influencer collabs. And not just pretty faces – real people too. Their bestsellers are usually sold out in hours, and honestly, their designs are what you imagine wearing to a mehendi where you want to “stand out but not overshadow the bride.”
Bunaai’s colors are delicious – pastels, ombrés, and the kind of greens and pinks that make you want to click 200 selfies under fairy lights.
They’ve recently gone big on sustainability too – biodegradable packaging and local artisan employment. Trendy with a conscience. Respect.
Libas – Budget Babe with Designer Looks
Scrolling through Myntra at 2am? You’ve probably seen Libas. And maybe, bought that ₹999 kurta set with zero regrets.
Libas is the brand for when you want to look like a fashion blogger without dropping half your salary. Their ethnic jumpsuits? Genius. Their suit sets? Always look more expensive than they are. It’s honestly shocking they aren’t charging more.
What’s wild is that even though they’re mass-produced, the quality is solid and the cuts are flattering for most body types. Plus, their festive collection in 2025? Think metallic foil prints, bell sleeves, dramatic dupattas – on a budget.
Indie Picks from Nykaa Fashion – The Curated Cool Crowd
Okay, this one’s not exactly a brand but more like a treasure chest. Nykaa Fashion’s “Indie” section is where the cool kids go to shop desi. You’ll find up-and-coming brands like The Indian Ethnic Co., Indie Picks, Tjori, and even niche slow-fashion labels.
What’s great here is that you don’t have to follow 20 random IG stores. It’s all curated. And they have cool sales where you can snag a ₹5,000 outfit for half price.
Also, their styling suggestions and reels? Pure Pinterest vibes.
House of Masaba – Loud, Proud, and Fun AF
Masaba Gupta is a mood. Her designs are like your sassy friend who’s always a little too loud, but you love her anyway. Her brand is bold, artsy, and unapologetically modern with an ethnic soul. Think sarees with cow prints, lehengas with candy stripes, and co-ord sets that scream “rich artsy girl.”
Her 2025 collection dropped earlier this year, and Instagram lost its mind over the hot pink monochrome drapes and signature gold motifs.
Small flex: Beyoncé once wore her design. Just saying.
Anokhi – Still Going Strong in 2025 (Respect the Craft)
Look, Anokhi isn’t trendy. You probably won’t find it in flashy reels or influencer hauls. But if you know handblock prints, you know Anokhi is that girl. Their fabrics are stunning, prints are heritage-rich, and cuts are breezy and perfect for Indian summers.
I once wore an Anokhi kurta to a boring office seminar, and three people asked me where I got it. One even said I looked “well-traveled.” Take that, Zara.
This is the brand you go to when you’re tired of polyester and machine prints. Real cotton, real artisans, real craft.
Ok, But What’s Next in Ethnic Wear?
Ethnic wear in India is evolving faster than ever. Here are a few things popping up in 2025 that are changing the desi fashion game:
- Gender-neutral kurtas and dhotis are getting more visibility, especially with Gen Z driving body-positive conversations online.
- Recycled fabrics are being used by newer brands like Reistor and Okhai. Not just eco-friendly but cool-looking too.
- AI-based design curation (yes, seriously) is starting to pop up on platforms like Ajio Luxe. Based on your browsing history, it recommends ethnic styles that match your vibe. Creepy but convenient.
- Rental ethnic wear is booming. You can now rent that ₹20K lehenga for ₹2K for a weekend and nobody knows. Win-win.
TL;DR – Here’s the Ethnic Brand Cheat Sheet
- FabIndia: Timeless and chill
- BIBA: Reinvented and stylish
- Manyavar/Mohey: Wedding staples
- Suta: For soft, artsy souls
- Bunaai: Instagram heaven
- Libas: Budget + glam
- Nykaa Indie Picks: Cool and curated
- House of Masaba: Bold and badass
- Anokhi: Vintage blockprint lover’s dream
A Final (Totally Biased) Thought
Personally, I used to avoid ethnic wear. Thought it made me look older or too “traditional.” But the new wave of desi fashion in 2025? It’s spicy, smart, and stylish. You can wear a dhoti pant with a crop top and still look like you belong on a Netflix show. You can wear a printed saree with sneakers and no one bats an eye. The lines are blurring, and the creativity is wild.
And that’s the beauty of Indian ethnic wear right now – it doesn’t ask you to change who you are. It just adds a little drama, a little grace, and a whole lot of desi to your everyday wardrobe.