For years, Indian women have had an embarrassment of choices when it comes to ethnic wear — sarees, lehengas, suits, the works. Men, traditionally, were handed a white kurta-pyjama and told to get on with it. That's changed entirely. Today, men's ethnic wear is one of the fastest-growing segments in Indian fashion, and the options are genuinely exciting.

Whether you're a wedding guest, the groom's side, or the man of the hour, here's a practical guide to finding the right kurta set — and not just looking good, but actually feeling like yourself in it.

Why Kurta Sets Work for Every Man

The kurta set — kurta, bottom (pyjama, churidar, or dhoti), and often a jacket or waistcoat — is the most versatile piece in Indian men's ethnic dressing. It's formal enough for a shaadi, relaxed enough for a puja at home, and adaptable enough to span everything between. The key is in the fabric and the detailing, not the silhouette.

Unlike a sherwani, which signals a very specific formality level (groom or close family at a wedding), a kurta set can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. A silk kurta with an embroidered jacket reads premium and festive; the same cut in cotton keeps things grounded for a daytime function or a family puja.

Occasion-by-Occasion Guide

The Wedding (as a Guest)

The guest's brief is simple: look good, don't upstage the groom. Richer fabrics — silk, art silk, brocade — work well for evening events. Colours like ivory, beige, slate blue, and dusty rose are safe without being boring. A well-fitted kurta with a sleeveless Nehru jacket or bandhgala waistcoat hits the right note without crossing into sherwani territory.

From the Ranjh collection, the Off-White Kurta Set with Long Jacket is a clean, versatile pick — a mandarin-collar kurta paired with a full-sleeve long jacket that works across baraat, reception, and everything in between.

The Wedding (Groom's Side / Close Family)

If you're immediate family or part of the baraat, you can — and should — go a notch higher. A kurta with a structured jacket in a richer fabric, or a longer achkan silhouette, signals the right level of investment without formal sherwani territory. Bold colours work here: crimson, navy, deep green, even a statement sky blue.

The Nawabi Sky Blue Kurta Set with Double Jacket from Ranjh is built for exactly this — a solid silk mandarin-collar kurta with two jacket layers that reads as premium without being over the top.

Haldi / Mehendi / Pre-Wedding Functions

Daytime pre-wedding functions are where men can finally have some fun. Brighter colours, lighter fabrics, printed or textured kurtas — all of it works. Cotton, linen, and light silk blends are comfortable for outdoor or afternoon events. Pair with white or contrasting pyjamas for a clean look.

The Beige Tussar Silk Kurta Set with its Moroccan-pattern thread and sequin work is a great example — detailed enough to feel special, but in a fabric that won't have you reaching for the AC.

Festival Dressing (Durga Puja, Diwali, Eid, Onam)

Festival dressing for men often falls between two extremes — too casual (a plain kurta from the back of the wardrobe) or too formal (a full sherwani for a neighbourhood puja). The sweet spot is a well-fitted kurta with either a waistcoat or no layer at all, in a colour appropriate to the occasion.

For Diwali, gold and ivory read traditional and festive. For Durga Puja in Bengal, bright colours — reds, greens, ambers — are the norm. For Eid, whites and creams with minimal embroidery are classic. The Mauve Kurta Set with Embroidered Jacket from Ranjh threads the needle well — festive in colour, restrained in embellishment.

What to Look for in a Kurta Set

Fabric

Fabric determines everything — how the kurta drapes, how it photographs, how comfortable it is after three hours on your feet. For weddings and evening events, silk and art silk are the gold standard: they have a natural sheen that photographs beautifully and reads as expensive without being heavy. Tussar silk is a slightly more textured, matte alternative. For daytime or summer functions, cotton blends and linen keep you from melting.

Fit

Indian ethnic wear has historically been cut loose, which is comfortable but often unflattering. Look for a kurta that skims the body rather than hanging off it — fitted through the chest and shoulders, with enough room to move. The length matters too: a kurta that hits mid-thigh is versatile; knee-length starts crossing into achkan territory.

The Bottom Half

Churidars (fitted, gathered at the ankle) look clean and elongating with most kurta silhouettes. Straight pyjamas are relaxed and comfortable. Dhoti-style bottoms are fashion-forward and work best with a plain or minimal kurta above. If in doubt, a well-tailored straight pyjama in a matching or contrasting solid colour rarely goes wrong.

The Jacket or Waistcoat

A jacket or waistcoat is what separates a dressed-up look from an everyday one. Sleeveless Nehru jackets in a contrasting fabric or colour add structure. Full-sleeve long jackets elevate the entire outfit. The rule of thumb: if the kurta is detailed, keep the jacket plain. If the kurta is solid, the jacket can carry embellishment.

The Ranjh Edit: Top Picks for 2026

The Ranjh collection at Rangoli India is designed for the modern Indian man who wants ethnic wear that actually fits into his life — not a costume, but a wardrobe. Here are five picks worth shortlisting:

• Men's Off-White Kurta Set with Long Jacket — The clean, adaptable option. Works for guest roles across most wedding functions.
• Men's Nawabi Sky Blue Kurta Set with Double Jacket — For when you need to look like you made an effort. Bold colour, premium finish.
• Men's Crimson Red Kurta Set with Long Jacket — A statement piece for baraat or close-family roles. Plain silk, rich colour.
• Men's Beige Tussar Silk Kurta Set — Detailed Moroccan threadwork in a lightweight silk. Perfect for mehendi or daytime functions.
• Men's Mauve Kurta Set with Embroidered Jacket — The festival pick. Understated colour, thoughtful embellishment.

Browse the full Ranjh Menswear collection at Rangoli India to find the right set for your next occasion.