Samarpita Yashaswini is a Content Producer for Fashion (HT Shop Now) at Hindustan Times Digital. She has five years of experience in lifestyle writing, specialising in fashion, beauty, and trend-led commerce content. She covers everything from seasonal must-haves and wardrobe essentials to brand reviews and styling edits that make everyday dressing easier and more exciting.
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She began her writing journey in 2020, but her love for fashion started long before that. 7 Handbags every woman should have in her wardrobe Hosting Ganpati at home? 8 Comfortable 4.7-rated kurta sets under ₹ 1,500 5 Capsule fashion investments for September 2026 that skip the microtrend noise Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products.
Because the shape is less dramatic, you can play around with prints, embroidery, dupattas and accessories without the outfit becoming visually overwhelming. Over the years, she has interned with Times Internet and Desi Martini, and worked with Pinkvilla and Schbang, building a strong foundation in digital storytelling and audience-first content. At HT Digital, she writes and creates fashion affiliate content for both the website and social media, blending trend awareness with shopping practicality. Her work sits at the intersection of style and strategy combined with equal parts aesthetic and analytics. The kurta gradually widens from the shoulders towards the hem, creating an A-shaped silhouette without the same amount of volume as a heavily flared Anarkali. That makes it one of the easiest silhouettes to take from work to casual occasions. The upper half is relatively streamlined and the hem gradually becomes wider. An A-line set can be a good option if you: The embroidered detailing makes this a more polished option that can work for office events, festive occasions or dressier everyday wear. The printed cotton option has a more relaxed feel and can work particularly well for everyday ethnic dressing. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
She studied at Delhi Public School and graduated from Miranda House, University of Delhi in 2019, where she also wrote for the college magazine. Loan up to ₹5 Lakhs Starting at 11% p.a.* Ethnic wear can be surprisingly difficult to shop for. A self-confessed fashion enthusiast, Samarpita has a sharp eye for colours, prints, silhouettes, and textures. She notices the fall of a fabric, the mood of a palette, and the difference a good cut can make. Her expertise lies in translating trends into wearable, relatable style and helping readers shop smarter, not louder. She later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and PR from MICA, Ahmedabad. Samarpita believes fashion content doesn’t need to be complicated or overly eloquent. It should be simple, fun, and genuinely helpful, guiding readers through daily style decisions with confidence and joy. Need extra funds for your next purchase? You may know you want a kurta set for a festive event, family gathering or even work, but then comes the confusing part: Farshi, Anarkali or A-line? They can all look elegant, but they create very different silhouettes. A Farshi set brings drama through its wide, flowing salwar. An Anarkali creates volume through the flare of the kurta. An A-line kurta stays comparatively streamlined, gradually widening from the shoulders towards the hem. So instead of asking which one is trending, I would start with a more useful question: Where do you want the volume in your outfit to sit? That one decision can make it much easier to figure out which silhouette will feel comfortable, flattering and appropriate for the occasion. Here is how the three styles differ and who each one can work for. Farshi suits have made their way back into contemporary ethnic wardrobes, and the easiest way to recognise one is by the wide, flowing Farshi salwar . Unlike a conventional straight pant, the salwar creates volume below the kurta and gives the outfit a more dramatic, traditional silhouette. The kurta can be relatively simple, while the Farshi salwar does most of the visual work. Some versions also come with a dupatta to complete the festive look. The result is relaxed, flowy and noticeably different from a standard kurta-and-pants set. A Farshi set can work particularly well if you: If you are petite, pay attention to proportions. A very long or extremely voluminous Farshi silhouette can visually overwhelm a smaller frame, so the length and volume of the outfit matter. This is the more pared-back option of the two. Its simpler styling makes the Farshi silhouette itself the focus and could work when you want to experiment with the trend without going all-out festive. This version leans more traditional and occasion-ready, with embroidery and a dupatta adding more visual detail. An A-line silhouette can help create more visual volume towards the lower half, while a flowing Anarkali can also create a balanced overall shape. All three can work, but look for fabrics that fall rather than stand away from the body. A relaxed Farshi set can be particularly useful if you prefer not to wear fitted trousers. Pay close attention to length and volume. An extremely long Anarkali or very voluminous Farshi salwar can overwhelm a smaller frame. A shorter A-line kurta or a more controlled flare can create a cleaner proportion. You have more room to experiment with longer hemlines, dramatic Anarkali flares and generous Farshi proportions. If you want something different and statement-making , start with Farshi.
Look for Anarkalis or A-line kurtas where the upper section is more structured or fitted before the silhouette opens out.
Farshi vs Anarkali vs A-line: which one should you choose?
“I want my ethnic outfit to feel different from another straight kurta-and-pants set. Anarkali is probably the easiest of the three silhouettes to recognise. Instead of creating most of its volume through the trousers, the Anarkali flares out from the upper body towards the hem , creating a more flowing, feminine silhouette. This makes it particularly useful when you want the kurta itself to be the focal point. The fitted or relatively streamlined upper section gradually opens into a flare. Depending on the fabric, length and amount of flare, an Anarkali can look anything from relatively understated to very dramatic. Anarkali can work well if you: If you are conscious about adding volume around your lower half, look at where the flare begins. An Anarkali that starts flaring higher up will create a very different effect from one that stays narrow for longer. A printed option that can work when you want the Anarkali shape without making the outfit heavily embellished. This is the more festive-looking option, with embroidery and a Chanderi dupatta adding extra occasion appeal. “I want my ethnic outfit to look dressed-up without relying on heavy accessories. The flare does much of the styling work for you. If Farshi is about dramatic volume and Anarkali is about flare, A-line kurtas are the middle ground . “I want a kurta set that looks polished but does not feel too dramatic. That versatility is the biggest advantage of the A-line silhouette. The easiest way to decide is to forget the names for a moment and think about where you want the volume . Instead, use these guidelines. If you want a festive silhouette where the kurta does most of the work , choose Anarkali. If you want the most versatile option for work and everyday ethnic dressing , A-line is the safer choice. And if you are still unsure, think about your existing wardrobe. If you already own several straight kurtas, a Farshi or Anarkali will give you a more noticeable change in silhouette. If your wardrobe is full of heavily flared ethnic outfits, an A-line set may actually be the more useful addition. The best kurta set is not necessarily the one that looks most dramatic on a product page. It is the one whose shape solves what is missing from your wardrobe .
Because proportions, height, fit preferences and styling all change how an outfit looks, that is.
Style Where the volume comes from Overall look Best for There is no single silhouette that is universally “best” for a particular body type.
