How to Wear a Kurta American Style When the Weather Gets Warm

I wore out my first kurta because I enjoyed it so much. So then I began collecting them. A kurta is a collarless shirt that ends above or below the knee. It’s a style originating in India where this loose top in light materials helps with comfort in hot weather. As you shop for one, you will often find it named a kurti or tunic. All of mine have long sleeves and are made of a gauzy cotton. Spring is the best time for me to wear them. But there are many variations of materials and sleeve lengths that work well for Summer, too. As I explore how to wear a kurta American style, I’m sharing my outfit ideas with you. Age doesn’t matter. I hope this helps you to find some comfortable new outfits for the warm weather ahead.

This post has been updated from a previous version to give you the highest quality content.

How to Wear a Kurta

Model in Cotton Linen Embroidered Long Kurta from Fabindia showing how it is worn over pants.

If your kurta is above the knee, use it just like a tunic. If it is below, use it as a dress over pants.

What to Wear on the Bottom

Try kurtas over long skirts, wide-leg pants, leggings, jeggings (jean leggings), cropped pants or gauchos. Since a kurta is long and loose, leggings or skinnies balance it out nicely.

Your bottoms can be cropped or long, as you choose.

It’s not as easy to do if you don’t get a set, but skirts can be layered under a kurta. Peasant skirts work well this way.

Shorts are fine, too, with shorter kurtas.

However, wide-legged pants such as palazzos are another option.

If you layer a kurta over pants or skirts, ideally they should be in a light material (like silk or chiffon, for instance) and flowing.

What Kind of Shoes to Wear

Black Silk Kurta by EDOA at Etsy with black beads and slip-on sneakers

Finish your outfit with flat sandals, embellished slip-ons, embellished sandals, ballet flats or even sneakers.

How to Accessorize

From Soul Flower

Take a cue from the traditional way of accessorizing a kurta by adding a long scarf. Usually, it is draped over one shoulder. However, you could also loop it or drape it over your arms or leave the ends hanging in front if you like.

You might like to add a long shawl. It adds a beautiful exotic touch. And it’s especially helpful if you’ll be encountering a chill.

Depending on the neckline of your kurta, you might like to add a statement necklace. Try a gypsy-style layered necklace, a big coin necklace, a long pendant or a mala necklace. Actually, go through your jewelry collection and consider the possibilities. You could layer beads or use turquoise and coral necklaces. Or go for something really sparkly and over the top with matching earrings.

How to Wear a Kurta American-Style:  Outfit Ideas for You

I have come up with lots of ideas here for how you can wear a kurta American-style. I hope these help you to use a kurta to create your own outfits from what you have.

Gabby Gauze Tunic from Soft Surroundings is a tunic that is similar to a kurta. Here, it is worn with beige cropped jeans.

Ways to Wear It With Jeans:

With a kurta and skinny jeans, wear ballet flats, espadrilles, boots, brogues, moccasins, etc. Wear minimalist jewelry. For more accessory and footwear ideas, see the following outfit combinations.

1. Any color kurta + white skinny jeans. Add flip flops. You might like to roll back sleeves and add earrings. Or just add drop earrings (maybe star, sun and/or moon earrings.)
2. A jean jacket or biker jacket over a kurta + skinny jeans or jeggings (jeans made like leggings.) Add mules.
3. A kurta + jeggings.
4. With a kurta and blue jeans, try wearing a long gold chain necklace + espadrilles. Or, try a necklace on a cord or a pendant with charms + layered bracelets (i.e., a faux leather wrap bracelet with a bangle and a gemstone/beaded bracelet.)

   

5. With a blue kurta + skinny blue jeans, add hoop earrings + a simple openwork cuff in the same metal as the earrings. Or, add a printed shawl + tan peep-toe booties + a Hamsa pendant or chunky bead pendant + layered bead bracelets + layered narrow gold bangles. Finish with a head wrap.
6. A kurta + distressed skinny jeans. Tie a rope belt over it and add a pendant on a rope or cord.
7. Belt a kurta over blue jeans. Use a neutral-color belt, like stone. Add short strands of multi-color beads and a straw hat.

If You Don’t Want to Wear Skinny Bottoms, Here Are More Options

1. Instead of skinny bottoms, try a kurta over relaxed drawstring pants. Add sneakers + a wrap bracelet.
2. A kurta + shorts. Add an African cowrie shell necklace or bracelet.
3. Wear a kurta over palazzo pants, including printed palazzos.
4. A kurta + silk pants in a matching color.
5. Try a kurta over a linen skirt. Add a bracelet + sandals.
6. A short kurta over a peasant skirt.

More Ways to Wear a Kurta

1. Add a kimono in a matching or toned color over a kurta. Wear leggings or skinnies for a slim contrast to the loose and flowing tops.
2. Tie an Indian print scarf around the waist of a kurta as a belt. Wear it over skinnies.
3. A kurta + white skinnies. Add hoop/coin earrings + a turquoise bead bracelet.
4. A kurta + leggings + ankle boots.
5. A kurta + gray or white skinnies.

Lucknowi Chikan 100% Pure Cotton Knee-Length Straight Kurti Kurta for Women on ebay with white leggings and heels

Let’s Connect!

Was this helpful to you? Do you already have a kurta? I hope I gave you new ideas for how to wear it. I would love to hear how you like to wear it! Just enter your comment below!

Like this post?  You might also like to read:

• “How to Style Palazzo Pants Your Own Special Way”
• “How to Wear Wide-Leg Pants in the Most Comfortable Way”
• “How to Enjoy the Ease of Harem Pants”

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Angie

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