I wore a brand new linen shirt to my first holi celebration, and my coworker Anita still brings it up. Four springs later I finally know what to wear. The shirt did not make it.
For Holi, wear old white or light cotton you won’t miss, and protect the things you can’t replace. Mine is a thrift-store tee that has been pink for three springs. The rest is how I got there, including the shirt that didn’t survive.
Discover what to wear to Holi, from old cotton outfits and comfortable shoes to phone protection, skin care, and practical festival safety tips.
Wear old, light cotton and skip anything you’d miss
Pick clothes you already own and don’t love, in cotton or another light fabric that dries fast. White shows the colors best, which is why so many people choose it, but any pale shade works. Holi is a spring festival where people throw colored powder and water, so whatever you wear will end up stained. Think of the outfit as something you’re about to retire.
The Saturday in March I wore the wrong shirt
It was a Saturday in March, around 11:30, and Anita had talked me into a community holi event at a park twenty minutes from our office. I’d bought a white linen shirt the week before for dinner, and it was the only white thing I owned that fit. I put it on over jeans I loved, grabbed my phone, and walked into a field of people already covered in pink and yellow. Not great, for the shirt.
Within ten minutes someone had smeared a handful of green powder across my chest, laughing. I stood there holding my phone out in front of me like a hot plate.
“Meera, you’re supposed to let it happen,” Anita said. She was purple from the hairline down.
“It’s a white shirt,” I said.
“It’s a holi shirt now.”
It never recovered. It came out of the wash a dull mint, I wore it once more, and then I accepted it was done. The jeans survived. My phone got sprayed with something wet, and I spent the drive home with it in a bag of rice. It still works, though the charging port crackles sometimes and I haven’t found out why.
I took one small thing from that day. Choose the outfit before the morning of the event, not during it.
What I wear now
My holi outfit costs almost nothing, and that’s the point.
Top
A loose white cotton tee from a thrift store, in a size I don’t mind getting soaked in. Cotton dries faster than linen and takes repeated washing.
Bottoms
Old leggings or shorts. I skip denim now, since a wet pair gets heavy and cold.
Shoes
Closed-toe sneakers I’m ready to lose. Sandals felt cooler until powder got between my toes.
Looking after your skin, hair and eyes
I’m not a doctor, so take this as what I do, not what’s right for everyone. Some people rub plain oil, such as coconut oil, on skin and hair beforehand so the color rinses off more easily. That worked for me. I also tie my hair back, wear sunglasses, and keep my mouth shut when someone winds up to throw. Holi powders vary, and I can’t tell what’s in a given batch, so if you have sensitive skin, asthma, or eye trouble, ask a doctor before you go.
Phones, bags and the $11.50 pouch
After the rice incident I bought a waterproof pouch for $11.50, and it has lasted three springs. I wear it on a lanyard under my shirt. Keys and wallet stay in the car when I can manage it, and I take my photos before the colors start, then hand the phone to Anita for a few afterward.
This is what goes in my tote:
- An old towel
- A full change of clothes, socks included
- A plastic bag for the wet ones
- A water bottle
- A spare pair of sunglasses
Getting clean and getting home
Cover the car seat with a trash bag or an old sheet, because you’ll be damp and colorful. At home I rinse the clothes in cold water first, then wash them alone. Don’t count on whites coming back white. A faint pink cuff is just part of the deal.
Is it okay to join if you’re new?
Mostly, yes. My sister Tara, who grew up around it, says it marks the arrival of spring and has roots in Hindu tradition, and that newcomers are usually welcome. She also reminds me to ask before putting color on anyone’s face. People get different about that, and holi goes better when everyone’s comfortable.
Small things that help
Eat before you go, since the lines for food can be long. Drink water, because dancing in wet clothes is tiring. And arrive a little early, when the crowd is thin and you can find a spot by the fence for your bag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holi
1. What should I wear to holi if I’ve never been?
Old, light cotton you won’t mind losing, plus closed-toe shoes. I’d also pack a full change of clothes and a towel for the ride home. Anything you’d cry over stays in the closet.
2. Do I have to wear white for holi?
Not at all. Any pale, old cotton works, and white just shows the colors best.
3. How do I protect my phone at holi?
A waterproof pouch on a lanyard worked for me, and I take photos before the color starts.
4. Can I wear contacts to holi?
Yes, some people do, but I switch to glasses or sunglasses since powder in an eye is miserable. I’m not a doctor, so ask an eye doctor if you’re unsure.
5. Can I wash my holi clothes with regular laundry?
I don’t. I rinse them cold first and wash them alone so nothing else turns pink.
Conclusion
I think about holi most when I find the mint shirt at the back of my closet, still pink at the cuffs. It never got its color back, and I stopped trying. Anita texted me this morning, “Same park this year?” I said yes, then dug out the old white tee and set it by the door.
