Asian Lite - Top Asian Newspaper in the UK. Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Pakistani, Middle East and North Asian and International news & headlines.

The mantra for this year's Durga Puja fashion, going by the trends in Kolkata, which has an "intellectual style quotient", is psychedelic prints in western wear coupled with a heady mix-and-match of fabrics and prints in ethnic wear.

"Jumpsuits and playsuits are must-haves. Shrugs and jackets are expected to be hot. Knee-length dresses in floral prints as well as geometrical prints are very popular," Mario Periwal, designer and owner of Showstoppers, told IANS.

A spokesperson of leading boutique Sienna in the Salt Lake satellite township agreed. "Everything will have prints. It is not limited to women's wear but men's wear also," she said.

An official of a Colorplus showroom said prints for men are turning out to be a big hit this puja season.

"We have stocked up on printed shirts in pastels. Full sleeve shirts in stripes are also in vogue," explained a Colorplus storekeeper.

Durga Puja, the biggest festival in this part of the world, would be celebrated Oct 20-24 this year.

According to Hindu mythology, the goddess Durga, accompanied by her four children Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati, descends to earth each year to visit her parents. This is the occasion that the puja celebrates.

Durga, it is believed, stays for five days to eradicate evil from earth before returning to her husband, Lord Shiva, at Kailash on Dashami.

Durga, the slayer of the demon Mahishashur, sits astride a lion and wields an array of weapons in her 10 hands.

The religious fervour means ethnic wear is the chosen dress code; women, men and children strut traditional stuff while pandal (marquee) hopping.

Indigenous fabrics like khadi are set to go from simple to sassy as prints like batik are tossed in.

"We have got kurtis with batik prints as well as printed cotton (khadi) sarees which offer both design and comfort,"said a representative of Murshidabad Silk House in south Kolkata's Dakshinapan Shopping Complex.

The quintessential Benarasi saree - a must have in every traditional wardrobe - is also a rage.

"Benarasi sarees with heavy zaree work and embellishments are a perennial craze," revealed a representative of Fab India.

Sarees from the south are set to up the glam quotient further.

"The traditional white saree with gold border is a hit. Besides that, another addition is the Chettinad saree in earthy shades with broad stripes and checks in contrasting tints which will suit the tastes of those who don't want to dress too loud,"said a sales representative at the Kerala State Emporium in the Dakshinapan Complex.

The show stealers, however, are the ornate golden thread-embroidered white suit pieces set to be sewn into salwars or churidars.

Threadwork is big this puja with Sienna boutique coming up with sarees and suit pieces in 'khesheh' work.

"The fabric is pure cotton in pastel shades and on that there are wefts of various colours," explained the boutique spokesperson.

Even skirts get a festive makeover with Fab India coming out with kalidar and ghera styles.

Fashion is meant for everyone and men are spoilt for choice.

"Embellished silk kurtas will be the highlight," said a Fab India sales executive.

Sienna is also offering men's kurtas in 'khesheh' work.

"Since the fabric is pure cotton, men will find it both comfortable and classy," said the Sienna spokesperson.

For those indulging in rituals, dhotis and uttariyas are in.

"Our dhotis and stylish uttariyas are quite popular during the pujas," a sales-person from Kerala State Emporium elaborated.

Reincarnations of the humble pant/trouser such as the unisex Jodhpur pants and dhoti pants are making big waves this puja.

With clothes taken care of, women can invest in chunky jewellery pieces.

"Copper jewellery goes well with different textiles and colours," said the Sienna spokesperson pointing out necklaces, earrings and rings.

Intricate silver trinkets can balance any glamorous outfit.

"Jhoomar style earrings are very much in demand both in silver and metal" said a spokesperson of Asian Arts in New Market.

Bracelets of camel bone and those made out of seeds are light on the pocket as well as trendy.

Not to be forgotten are the essential carry-it-all bags and purses.

"You can be handsfree while pandal hopping with sling bags and David Jones bags," says Tarique Alam of Leather Planet at Metro Plaza.

As shoppers get set to grab and run, and as people make up their minds about what to gift friends and family, fashionistas carefully curate their wardrobes. And the dressing games, ahead of puja, have begun.