Nine nights. Nine colours. Endless rounds of garba, a few too many plates of sabudana khichdi, and that one aunty who always asks, "Beta, why aren't you dancing?" Navratri is easily one of our favourite times of the year.

Every woman has felt this at some point during the festival: you want to look festive, but you also want to breathe. Heavy fabrics and long evenings of dancing don't really go together. A cotton mulmul saree fixes that. It's light enough to twirl in, soft enough for long pujas, and it photographs well.

Here are nine looks, one for each night, built around the traditional Navratri colours. The order of colours changes every year depending on the weekday the festival starts, so do check this year's calendar and shuffle the looks to match.

1. Yellow: sunshine and folk art

Yellow is bright and full of energy. A mustard folk art print feels made for this day. Pair it with a red blouse to pick up the border, add oxidised jhumkas, and you're ready for the first aarti of the season.

The Sunlit Folk Art Drape

2. Green: fresh and earthy

Green stands for new beginnings. Choose a sage or bottle green mulmul with a small block print. Gold-toned bangles and a simple bindi keep it graceful. If you don't own a green saree, a green blouse with an ivory saree works just as well.

3. Grey: understated and modern

Grey surprises a lot of people, but it's one of the most elegant colours of the nine. Our monochrome newspaper-print saree in grey is perfect here. Silver jewellery, a black blouse, and a small potli bag make it feel modern without losing the festive touch.

Monochrome Press Muse Mulmul Cotton Saree in grey

4. Orange: warm and bold

Orange brings warmth and joy. Since it's a strong colour, let the saree be the hero. Keep your jewellery minimal: a pair of gold studs and a thin chain. A marigold gajra in your hair finishes the look.

5. White: calm and pure

White is the colour of peace, and a white mulmul saree with a red border is a classic. Our Lakshmi Charan and shloka print saree is especially meaningful for puja days, with little footprints of the goddess printed right into the fabric.

Traditional White Saree with Red Lakshmi Charan & Shloka Print

6. Red: the power colour

Red belongs to the Devi herself. If you have a red mulmul saree, this is its night. If not, try a white or black saree with a bold red blouse and red bangles. A red bindi and a dark kohl eye make the look complete.

7. Royal blue: deep and regal

Royal blue looks good under evening lights. A navy floral print mulmul is a softer take on the colour and works well for garba nights. Go for silver or oxidised jewellery and a contrast blouse in mustard or pink.

Classic Geometric & Floral Motif Printed Saree in navy blue

8. Pink: soft and playful

Pink stands for love and kindness. A blush or rani pink saree with tiny buttis looks lovely for Ashtami pujas and kanya pujan. If you're feeding little girls at home that day, you'll appreciate how easy a light mulmul is to move around in.

9. Purple: a grand finale

Purple ends the festival on a regal note. Pair a purple mulmul with gold jewellery, or style a black saree with a purple blouse if purple isn't in your wardrobe yet. It's the last night, so go a little extra with your hair and makeup.

Tips for dancing in a saree

• Use three or four safety pins on the pleats and pallu so nothing slips mid-garba.
• Make sure the petticoat drawstring is snug. Mulmul is light, but it still needs a firm base.
• Keep the pallu a little shorter than usual so you don't trip while spinning.
• Flat juttis or kolhapuris are better than heels for dancing.
• A crossbody potli keeps your hands free for dandiya.

Why cotton for Navratri?

October can still be warm in most parts of India, and garba grounds get crowded. Cotton mulmul lets your skin breathe and absorbs sweat, so it won't stick to you after the fifth round. It's also light enough to wear all nine nights without wearing you out.

Happy Navratri. Enjoy the dancing.

Find your colour for every night. Shop our cotton mulmul sarees, and subscribe to get 15% off your first order with code SUBSCRIBE15.