MUMBAI  - From a time when Bollywood stars only wore traditional outfits during festivals, they are now emptying their pockets in high-end designer shops to experiment with their look for "Diwali".

Bollywood has seen an evolution of fashion from the mid 1990's when ornate traditional outfits dominated. Many stars now have hired their own style gurus who constantly innovate with their look and wardrobe.

Bollywood designers say this "Diwali", the Hindu festival of lights, will see the actors mixing simple formal shirts and trousers with rugged jackets and leather shoes. Some may even prefer the traditional bright coloured lavish kurtas.

"The men will be simple and sober but classy and urban," said Narendra Kumar, whose list of clients include Bollywood star John Abraham and directors Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rakesh Roshan.

For the women, designers have dished out a wide range of outfits from the plunging neckline tops and shirts to skirts and shiny dresses. The traditional stitch work and printed salwar-kameez in golds, reds, greens and blues are in demand too.

"The preference is tilted towards wearing the traditional stuff this time," said designer Anita Dongre, who dresses up the likes of Mallika Sherawat. "But there is a great demand for the Western outfits too. Westerns are must for the Diwali parties."

Designers also feel the Bollywood icons will prefer wearing their attitude this "Diwali" rather than following a trend.

"This Diwali will see a lot of bling and shine from our stars and everyone will try to look as different from the other as possible," said Raghavendra Rathore. "Now the stars want to set a trend and not follow one."