How desi stars from Alia to Khushi style dupattas or "Scandinavian scarves"
Fashion has a way of circling back and Gen Z is especially behind the whole nostalgia trend. Among the many fashion items that have made a comeback, the dupatta has made a stylish comeback.
What was once everyday wear suddenly becomes a global runway sensation. The so-called “Scandinavian scarf” aka the dupatta, is having a fashion moment. While it has always been a part of Indian culture, celebrities are now going back to the good old days when we used to style the dupatta with a dress or gown!
Social media and fashion glossies are hailing it as a hot new trend. But for us South Asians, this versatile accessory is nothing new; it’s the humble dupatta, rebranded with a Western twist.
The dupatta is back, now with dresses
For decades, the dupatta has been an integral part of our wardrobes. However, they were usually paried with salwar kameez. However, in the early 2000s, in movies like ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’, 'Mohabbatein’ and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...’ we saw actresses draping the dupatta with dresses and gowns. While the trend vanished in the mid 2000s, it looks like it has made a stylish comeback.
Bollywood stars have been redefining how to style dupattas. Alia Bhatt, for instance, has worn a dupatta with gowns and dresses time and again. The ‘Highway’ actress wore a gorgeous gown and dupatta from the house of Elie Saab's Spring Summer 2023 Haute Couture collection and left everyone stunned. She wore the attire to the NMACC grand opening event in 2023.
Image courtesy: IG/aliaabhatt
In 2024, she wore another Elie Saab dress to Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding festivities in Italy.
Image courtesy: IG/aliaabhatt
Even Disha Patani made headlines when she celebrated her birthday in a glam party look elevated by a dupatta drape. She was seen cutting her birthday cake and having a fun day in her gorgeous outfit.
Image courtesy: IG/dishapatani
Even Gen Zs love it. Khushi Kapoor, too, recently sported a dupatta with her embellished gown during the promotions of ‘Loveyapa.’
Image courtesy: IG/khushikapoor
Part of the Y2K fashion revival trend?
This styling shift also ties back to the resurgence of Y2K fashion. Whether it’s draped casually over the shoulders or flowing behind a gown, the dupatta-turned-Scandinavian-scarf is suddenly the ‘it’ accessory to watch out for.
As the dupatta finds new life on global runways and celebrity wardrobes, one question remains. Will you embrace it as part of your modern party looks, or keep it reserved for traditional suits and lehengas?
