The costumes of the dancer are gorgeous. The costume consists of a dhoti for both male and female dancers. It is usually of richly embroidered needlework or shimmering silk or satin. It fits easily above the ankles and is pleated along the legs, which it protects. Over the dhoti, in the middle, is a pleated or frilled cloth hanging from the waist to perhaps the knees. The upper part of the male dancers body remains bare save for a necklace Women wear a tight fitting choli of the same colour and material as the dhoti.

Armlets, wristlets or bangles, earings and necklaces serve to enhance the dancer appearance. Women wear a veni or semi circle of real or artificial flowers round the bun or plait of the hair. In the centre of the forehead a tika or dot is impressed. The most typical items of jewellery are the thalaisaman (headpiece), with the rakodi, worn just above the flowers in the hair, and the Chandrasuryan (moon and sun) on either side, as the head symbolises the heaven. The ear ornaments consist of three pieces, the maatal (chain), jhimki (hanging earring) and the thodu, which fits on to the lobe.

For the neck there is the adigai, which consists of a choker and pendant, and a longer chain with a broad padakkam or pendant designed in red, green, and pearly stones with peacock or floral designs set in a half-moon like frame. An undulating bangle, vanki; for the upper arm, gold bangles for the wrist, an odyanam or broad ornament belt, and occasionally a hair ornament called sarpam or snake to decorate the long plait, completes the whole.