Dressing for a winter mehndi

Winter events are almost always partly outdoors, and the fabrics that photograph best are the ones least suited to standing in a garden at ten at night.

Weight is the lever. A heavier base cloth under the same embroidery holds its shape in cold air, where a light chiffon collapses.

Structure comes second. Organza holds a shape away from the body and traps a layer of warm air doing it — which is why it turns up so often in winter formals despite being sheer.

Spend on the dupatta. It is the layer you will actually wrap yourself in.