Diwali dressing has drifted toward the party. The puja, the actual reason for the evening, gets whatever is left in the wardrobe. Here is how to dress for both without changing twice.
Rule one: new, or at least fresh
Tradition says new clothes for Lakshmi Puja. If new is not possible, freshly washed and pressed is the spirit of the rule. What matters is that you did not wear it yesterday.
Rule two: colour with intention
Gold, cream, ivory, and red are the colours of the Goddess of prosperity. Yellow is auspicious. Black is traditionally avoided for the puja itself. Pick one colour and let it be the whole look, rather than layering three.
Rule three: dress for sitting
Lakshmi Puja is done seated, often for a while, in a room full of lamps. Silk that breathes, or cotton silk. A kurta with a clean line that does not need adjusting every time you reach for the aarti thali.
When to break them
Break the new-clothes rule if the alternative is debt. Lakshmi does not want that. Break the colour rule if a family tradition says otherwise. Your grandmother's rule beats ours. Break the silk rule if it is hot, and it is often hot. A crisp cotton in the right colour is more devotional than a sweaty silk.
For the evening after
The same kurta with a stole swapped, sleeves rolled, and the footwear changed carries you from the puja to the card game without a wardrobe change. That is the whole trick. One outfit, two moods.