Indian Wedding Outfit Inspirations

The big fat Indian wedding is a celebration of two souls coming together and also the time to bring on your Fashion A-game! Looking back on some of the outfits I have seen over the last few months, here are some suggestions you can take inspiration from. For this piece, we are covering five outfits from the more commonly loved categories of Indian wear – lehengas and sarees.

Ornate Foliage

This Payal Singal gold and deep green lehenga set comes with an ornate v-neck sleeveless blouse and a deep back that can be fastened at the back, and is adorned with heavy gold floral embroidery. The A-line skirt is made with layers of pale gold net and an overlay of a stripe-like design and embroidery of gold foliage on emerald fabric.

This pattern also runs on the borders of the sheer-lightweight dupatta, which ties the whole look together. The dupatta also has tiny embellishments scattered over the sheer net fabric, to tie the whole look together.

Fresh Mint, Anyone?

Mint may sound like an unusual choice, in a sea of vibrant or dark coloured lehengas, but this one is a show-stopper! With modest, elbow length sleeves and a scoop neck, the ‘choli’ comes alive with embroidery in rich colour and motifs of peacock feathers in gold. This pattern continues on the front-central portion of the skirt, while the rest of the ‘gher’ is dotted with deep colourful Indian motifs on the pale mint background, making it eye-catching, yet, no too loud. It also comes with a sheer dupatta, that is bordered with navy tassels to mimic the colour from the motifs on the bodice of the outfit. 

You Can Never go Wrong with Pink!

This fresh pink piece is as much of a standout at an evening event as at a day function. The spaghetti blouse, although like the other also has colourful beading and embroidery details, it stands out because of the ruffle fabric that effortlessly flow. The full princess skirt, has midnight-blue and silver tassels running in symmetric vertical lines right from the waist, and meets up with more vibrant motifs at the hem.

You can also opt to wear this one without a dupatta, that won’t come in the way when you are breaking a leg on the dancefloor. One less thing to worry about! For a bit of fun and contrast, you can complete this look with a rani pink lip. 

The Modern Traditional

A hand-painted silk saree is always special and the beautiful contrast of beige and marron is a classic combination. It is perfect for a traditional day time function, but can also be embellished for a more edgy look. Pleat up the ‘pallu’ and fasten a black belt around, for a modern take, which also makes it practical as it secures everything in place, without you having to worry about the fabric shifting too much. 

Royalty with a Touch of Glam

This deep purple georgette saree is gorgeous as is and can be worn just like that at any function. Tiered ruffles at the hem and on the ‘pallu’ give it a modern, almost undone, look, and the V-neck halter blouse completes the silhouette. But the piece de resistance is the beaded jacket, in different shades of purple and silver. It is also very practical for more chilly climates or for a touch of more modesty to the look.

So, which one of these do you have your eyes on? 

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Ultimate guide to plan the wedding of your dreams

A wedding is the most important day of one’s life. Life is a beautiful ride and a new life begins after the journey of the wedding. Once in a while night, in the middle of an ordinary life. A lot of things change after the wedding day.

Got the man, got the ring? Now, all you have to do is plan your wedding. Wedding planning is a subtle journey from venue tours to the ultimate day of the wedding. To plan the Ultimate wedding of your dreams, it might sometimes be a little overwhelming and that’s why you’re probably here in the first place! So FashionForRoyals has decided to light the way for you so you don’t get lost in the world of love with a little checklist that you need to make. Check it out below.

Invitations – The first and the foremost important step, inviting people to attend your wedding. Wedding celebrations are becoming more glorious with a variety of cards available in the market. Weddings are considered as promising each other for leading a  life together and the today’s modern indian wedding invitations make the invites unique in its own way, one has so many choices to choose from – traditional, stylish, budget-friendly, and even designer Wedding Invitations are available these days.

A Wedding Folder/Binder– This should contain all your ideas that you’ve been dreaming about since you were a little girl! It should serve as a guideline for what you want your big day to look like. Get those scissors out and start sticking! You can even use pining tools like Pinterest for this as well, but sometimes I still would go for the traditional Folder

Figure Out Your Budget- You need to determine how much spending power you have based on yours and your families contribution. This is key to make sure you know your limits when planning for outfits or events.

Guest list– This is something you might want to make in advance because failing or accidentally forgetting to call someone might get you into trouble! So take out that excel sheet and start typing!

Hire a Planner– What better than someone who actually knows what they’re doing! A planner will do all the running around for you and sometimes is the best option for people, especially for those of you who can’t take time off from work.

Lighting– A lot can happen with the right lighting. It can highlight the decor and also make you and your guests look good in the photographs.

Research Photographers, Caterers, Bands and Florist– Research according to your requirements and budget and have it noted down for your future use.

A Game Plan for Kids– Disruptions during the ceremony aren’t ideal. Even if you love them, just have a plan to keep these little ones attended and keep them at what they are best.

Add Some Favors: Though it is never a necessity, but it is a good gesture to say thank you to your guests for being a part of your important day.

A Stylish Exit– Consider the fact that every exit is an entry somewhere else. Keeping that in mind, take full advantage and plan an extravagance stylish exit for yourself.

BONUS– For those of you who live in the 21st century, should consider these awesome top 3 wedding planning apps. There are many out there to choose from

Pantone StudioChoosing your theme and, with it, your colour palette. Start with any colour you love, and Pantone will give you all your complementary colour options. What could be better than this? No more mismatching on your day! Now all your bridesmaids will look on point!

Happy Enjoy Planning your wedding and keep following us for more tips coming soon!

Festive Season Inspiration with Indian Hanger

I am an Indian at heart who calls London her home, and festive season is definitely when I miss my friends, family and
country more than any other time in the year.1-fashionforroyals-4During the festival of LIGHTS, I love the buzz of shopping and meeting my friends. The auspicious occasions call for celebrations in Indian ethnic outfits.

This post is dedicated to all the expats from India, who miss India just as much and would like to be a part of the rich culture and heritage even when they are not in India. Interestingly, I revisited the site www.indianhanger.com, which I had used a couple of years ago to reconnect with my roots back home in India.1-fashionforroyals-8I have been a regular customer to this online portal and I have noticed how they have paid close attention to the finer details. They have been able to represent India’s ethnic and traditionally rich culture in their unique designer collections available across the globe. What I love about them the most is their ‘Custom Fit’ ideology. Will it fit me? That is always my biggest challenge (and I am sure that it is the first question that comes to any Indian woman’s mind who wants to wear Indian ethnic wear too!) with Indian clothes. The comfort of knowing that the product you have ordered is as per your exact measurements saves you the nightmare of wondering if it will fit you when it arrives, or if you may have to return it. Fact: More than 60% of the outfits are returned due to their FIT issues across the e-commerce industry. Personally for me, this is the BIG WINNER when you choose Indian Hanger as your option for Indian Wear.1-fashionforroyals-9Their collections have moved from clothing lines to human characterisation. They aim to curate unique yet relatable collections that appeal to every kind of woman. They are introducing a range of products for the Tradition Lovers, The Wedding Crazy Bridesmaids, The Avid Traveller, The Enthusiastic Entrepreneur & The Culture Lover in you, to name a few.

My pick was a light outfit leaning towards an Indo- Western look from Indian Hanger, keeping in mind that affordability plays a key role. Being able to buy customised designer pieces at great prices allows you to choose several outfits, which is why I love them so much. Their low and flat international shipping cost makes them an even more obvious choice for me. The comfort of receiving a made to measure product at your doorstep is unparalleled!1-fashionforroyals-7The outfit I have selected is by the Designer Aartiza & Divya Kanakia. A navy blue Anarkali style gown with 40 beautiful kalis! It has a chic sheer effect, which makes it easy to wear for almost any wedding related function. I decided to accessorise the outfit with a pair of statement uncut stone earrings, a traditional crystal stone bracelet and a clutch.

Indian Hanger has many more designers collections featured on their website, featuring a selection of both Indian and contemporary outfits. To complete your ethnic look, they also have a variety of statement jewellery pieces and accessories. It definitely saves you the hassle of having to worry about quality or having to look elsewhere for matching accessories.

More Outfit Details Below:

Outfit – Aartiza & Divya Kanakia
Bracelet – Shillpa Purii
Earrings – Shillpa Purii
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Some statement accessories that you should add to your collection to add that oomph to your outfits are: Maangtikkas (pair them with lighter earrings or a neckpiece), Statement Earrings, Paayals (anklets), Statement Clutches, Ethnic Bangles or Cocktail Rings.

As for the outfits and styles that are going to be a really big hit this season, look out for: Embellished Capes, Dhoti Pants, Velvet fabric outfits and Long Sleeve Blouses. One of the biggest trends that is making a comeback is mixing and matching multiple outfits to recreate new looks from your existing wardrobe!1-fashionforroyals-16

Don’t forget- Festive Season or Occasion Dressing is all about having fun and being creative! Reinvent your style this festive season with www.indianhanger.com

Warp n Weft – An Ode to Benarasi Heritage in London

A sari is one of the most versatile Indian attire. A typical 6 yard sari has been a part of the traditional Indian wardrobe since decades. It’s a go-to item for any occasion be it formal or casual. It is a drape which flatters every body type and makes you look gorgeous instantly.

There are many fabrics, materials and styles that one can choose from when draping a sari. A Benarasi is a classic and iconic sari and has been an all-time favourite for many Indian women.

A Benarasi sari is a traditional sari which comes from Benaras or Varanasi, a city in India. The saris are inspired by the mystical personality of the holy city known for its beautiful temples and ghats. The 6-yard silk sari is woven with gold or silver zari or silken threads and is decorated with intricate patterns and designs. There are various patterns and designs in Benarasi including the Jungla, Chouka, Aada, Khinkhab and so on. From geometrical designs to metallic floral designs, a traditional benarasi sari always looks regal and elegant.
warp-n-weftThese saris have been part of the of the Benaras household since centuries. This tradition has been passed through generations when Indian women used to wear these hand woven silk beauties for special occasions like weddings. A typical piece takes months to finish based on the intricacies involved, which makes it riskier for the weavers, since by the time they finish a piece it may be out of fashion. That’s where Warp ‘n Weft comes in play by working from the grass-root level.

Warp ‘n Weft is an institution from Mumbai which brings the voice and soul of Benares in the exhibition of traditional hand-woven benarasi textiles at the flagship store in Mumbai for last two decades. The founder and creative director, Ms. Sagrika Rai, is born and brought up in Benaras which makes this project close to her heart.

Warp ‘n Weft hosted a week-long exhibition at the Nehru Centre in London till the 30th of September 2016. Warp ‘n Weft presented the secrets from the sacred Ganges and the opulent traditions of the Indian culture to London through the gorgeous textiles and handlooms. The curated collection had a perfect blend of traditional Benarasi handlooms with modern sensibilities which made the silks look stunning along with ethnic style of jadau jewellery from Jaipur Gems.
warp-n-weft-1A special evening was organised on Wednesday 28th of September in London. The event was held at the Nehru Centre in London which promotes cultural exchange between India and UK. The centre has hosted several musical, dance and cultural events in the past. This was an exclusive invite only event promoting Benarasi culture, ethos and handicrafts by Warp ‘n Weft.

The attendees included buyers, press, bloggers and members of the Indian fraternity and the collection showcased traditional apparels in Benarasi Fabric and style like saris, scarves, along with a traditional twist on western outfits like jackets and shorts. The evening and the curated collection was a romantic combination of the east and the west. The event enjoyed real sounds of temples and ghats, handloom and powerloom and various moods of the Benaras life captured and composed by Grammy award winner Dr.Prakash Sontakke, a Hindustani vocalist from the Benaras Music School. Warp ‘n Weft will soon be releasing this music album Benaras A Future From The Past across the digital music arena.

It was an enjoyable evening spent in the depth of Benarasi culture with some soft music, delicious Benarasi food, wonderful people coming together to enjoy a beautiful collection of curated fashion.
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Warp ’n Weft also at the event, announced the launch of ‘Benaras Pashm’, an inimitable expression of a functional blend of pure cashmere with the beautiful Benarasi silks in colours and hues apt for classic as well as modern tastes. The gossamer and delicate complexion of these shawls captured the interest of British Reality TV artist Jasmin Walia to wear one in Pure Burgundy over her sequined lavender dress for the evening.

Be A Trendy Bride

Trendy-Indian-Bride

A big hello to all the Damsels,

As the season of wedding is going on, here I am to share my thoughts on wedding fashion. The Indian weddings are mainly blushed in red color. The color, red is considered as the most auspicious color in Indian tradition.  But have you ever thought that why this color has such a tremendous significance in our tradition?

Why bridal stuff is in red color only, not in other colors?

Most of us simply follow traditions without knowing why we have been asked by elders to follow these traditions. But let me tell you, that every tradition and rituals have strong reason behind them from red color as a bridal wear to applying “sindoor”.

The red color plays an important role in our tradition because it represents heat, activity, passion, sexuality, anger, love and joy. And also, gives the feeling of sacrifice.

But nowadays, brides are not dressed in pure red look. They are getting bold are doing a fusion of red and other rich colors, which give them a new look and at the same time enhances the look of the bride. It feels good to see that we follow our traditions while also being fashionable. A recent example is the wedding of signer Rageshwari where she wore a baby pink color and peach color lehenga.

Bridal look in Peach and Orange lehenga

Rajeshwari singer and actress was wearing lehenga with orange and peach color.

When you look at these colors,  you might feel that they are not bright colors and may not go with the bride. Its all about appropriate makeup and matching the right accessories, which can make a bride look beautiful even without carrying loads of red in her dress, which is a symbolic bridal color.

Tips for wearing lehenga with such different colors

  • When you opt for bridal lehenga with lighter colors, go for heavy jeweler. It does mean that you need to increase number of pairs of necklace. You can go for one pair of necklace, but make it heavy and traditional in look• And a dupatta in contrasting color, like for cream you can go for a red or dark green  dupatta. You can also take two dupatta, one matching with lehenga and the other one in a different color.
  • A make-up artist plays a big role in completing your bridal look. You can ask your artist to give you a heavy eyemake-up for example you can go for bold eyes or smokey look or darker lip colorsHope you all find your dream wedding dress in the color you love and and crush all the hearts, leaving one……….

Keep reading my post and don’t forget to look “Stylish and Spicy”…

Contributed by Himanshi Singh

Himanshi Singh is an IT girl by profession and a beauty, fashion and trend blogger by passion.. For her, writing is a great way to express her thoughts.