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How to Wear Ajrakh in a Modern Way

28 September 2026

TRADITIONAL, BUT NOT OLD-FASHIONED

Ajrakh has been around for thousands of years, but that doesn't mean it has to look like something reserved for a very traditional wardrobe.

You've probably seen the familiar indigo, red, black and earthy tones before. What makes Ajrakh interesting today is how differently those prints can be worn.

A classic Anarkali can feel contemporary with simple jewellery. An Ajrakh kurta can work for an everyday outing. Even a traditional print can look completely different when you change the way you style it.

So, if you love Ajrakh but aren't sure how to make it work with your everyday wardrobe, it really comes down to a few simple choices.

Let The Print Take The Lead

You Don't Need to Add Too Much

This is probably the easiest place to start.

Ajrakh prints already have a lot going on - geometric patterns, repeated motifs and those beautiful combinations of indigo, red, black and ivory.

So when you're wearing an Ajrakh print outfit, let the print be the interesting part.

Keep your jewellery simple. Choose understated footwear. Skip the heavily embellished bag.

You don't have to compete with the print. Let it do the talking.

Solids Make Ajrakh Feel More Contemporary

One of the simplest ways to give Ajrakh a more modern feel is to pair it with something plain.

A solid dupatta with a printed kurta. Plain trousers with an Ajrakh top. Or even simple footwear in a colour pulled from the print.

The contrast gives the pattern some breathing room.

White, ivory, beige, black and deep indigo work particularly well because they don't fight with the colours already present in the Ajrakh print. Current Ajrakh styling guides similarly recommend neutral and solid pieces to keep the print as the focal point.

And honestly, you don't need to match every colour in the print.

Pick one and let the rest stay quiet.

BRING IN SOMETHING PLAIN

Think Less Traditional, More Personal

You don't have to style Ajrakh with a complete set of traditional jewellery every time.

A pair of silver jhumkas can work beautifully. So can small hoops, a simple bracelet or even just a watch. The same Ajrakh kurta can feel very different depending on what you wear with it.

Going somewhere festive? Add statement earrings.

Heading out for lunch? Keep it simple.

Wearing it to work? A structured bag and understated jewellery can make the whole outfit feel more polished. The print stays the same. The mood changes.

CHANGE THE WAY YOU ACCESSORISE

The Print Doesn't Have to Look Traditional

This is where Ajrakh gets really interesting.

You don't necessarily need a very traditional silhouette to wear a traditional print.

A straight kurta, a clean Anarkali or a simple long kurta can make Ajrakh feel much more contemporary. Current 2026 coverage also shows Ajrakh moving into cleaner, modern silhouettes rather than being limited to conventional heritage dressing.

Naseebo's Zohra Ajrakh Anarkali Kurta Set is a good example of this balance. The print carries the traditional character, while the Anarkali silhouette gives it an easy, polished feel.

PLAY WITH THE SILHOUETTE

Ajrakh Doesn't Need to Be “Styled” Too Much

There's something about traditional crafts that makes us feel like we need to make an occasion out of them.

But you really don't.

Wear your Ajrakh kurta with the jewellery you normally like. Wear your Anarkali with the footwear you find comfortable. Carry the bag you actually use.

That's probably the easiest way to make modern Ajrakh feel natural because modern doesn't have to mean completely different.

Sometimes, it simply means taking something traditional and wearing it in a way that fits into your life today.

And that's what makes Ajrakh so easy to keep coming back to.