lehenga styles Archives - FashionForRoyals

Lehenga Styling for Pre-Wedding Rituals

A wedding is a plush affair in India and it is celebrated on a grandiose scale. Every bride to be is very eager to pick out her outfits, be it a wedding lehenga, cocktail dress or reception saree. The colour of the outfits, the matching jewellery, the contrast with the wedding décor are all the things that run in a bride’s mind before the big day. And it is obvious because it’s her special day and she wants to look nothing short of perfect for the groom and the camera.

Indian weddings are a grand affair. They are always celebrated with a lot of colours, themes, rituals and functions before the big day. Starting from the functions like Mehendi or sangeet to the main event a bride has to pick multiple outfits which make her look her best for all the events. Before finalizing on any of outfits a bride needs to do some market research.

Make sure to check out the local stores, online shops and the runaway designer style to check out the latest trends before picking out your outfit.

If you are getting hitched sometime soon and on a hunt for a stunning outfit for your pre-wedding rituals, then check out this monotone lehenga styled by me. A bridal lehenga is incomplete without some detailed handwork and embroidery.

I have styled this flared lehenga with embroidery work from Priti Sahni. The lehenga is a bold deep purple shade. If you are a bride who wants to break the stereotype and move away from the typical reds and pinks, then this colour is your pick. For brides who love to experiment this deep purple colour is very sultry and makes for a sophisticated look for any evening events.

This lehenga is perfect for a Sangeet. This colour block lehenga with detailed zardozi embroidery on the choli and the skirt is stunning enough to let you sizzle on the stage. An ode to Indian crafts and design, this lehenga set can make your evening even more memorable.

For a complete look, you need to pair your lehenga with the right type of jewellery. I paired this extravagant lehenga with Kundan, Emerald and Ruby studded jewellery.

Kundan Jewelry is very traditional and classic. The elegance of these stone studded jewellery is no match to any other contemporary styles. The light gold colour of the kundan perfectly matches the gold dupatta and the work on the lehenga.

Since the blouse is very heavy I would recommend to not wear too many statement pieces of jewellery. But that doesn’t mean you don’t flaunt some crystal. You can always pair a Maang tikka and bring some oomph to your outfit. Maang tikkas have come back in style and are a great way to style your outfit. The boat neck of the blouse allows me to wear a choker necklace which is traditional yet fashionable.

Now when it comes to makeup and hair, this outfit would look great with some subtle makeup. You can either go for bold lips or eyes, but not both. I also prefer open hair and loose curls for a girly look. One can always tie up their hair into a bun for a sophisticated look but I believe buns are better for post-wedding events like the reception.

What makes this piece even more special for me is the woman behind it. Priti Sahni was an engineer by profession, who quit her job to pursue her passion of designing. Known for her hand embroideries and Indian Craft, Priti’s designs have an interesting mix of colours and fabric which are woven into the most beautiful sarees and lehengas.

So get ready to pick out your Bridal Outfits! What sangeet looks are on your mood board? Let me know in the comments below.

Outfit Details:

“In The Garden” – Summer Wedding Floral Lehenga Look

Indian weddings and festivities are an experience filled with colours, rituals, laughter, joy and family. There are so many functions before the actual wedding that make the whole affair more memorable and fun. From sangeet, mehndi, pheras, and cocktail Indians know how to celebrate and enjoy.

I love seeing everyone decked up in different ethnic outfits like Lehengas, Anarkalis, and Sarees. But at times you get confused which outfit or colours are appropriate for the occasion. You don’t want to be overdressed and look like the bride or immediate family member or underdressed and feel like you don’t belong.

Since it’s Summers on Now, I have decided to write this post focusing on a look for daytime functions. For this garden party look I went in for a light and printed lehenga paired with a gold choli and a bright mauve dupatta with gold bootis. The choli is more like a crop top than a traditional choli as I wanted a modern twist to the entire look. Florals are perfect for spring and an outdoor daytime event which is why I went for a floral printed lehenga in summery shades of pink. The floral print screams out outdoor, colourful, fun, and spring it’s a good twist to the traditional Indian lehengas with embroidery and hand work. It is very light and easy to wear since it’s printed. What I love about lehengas is that you can twirl around in them and it makes you feel like a princess.

The outfit is a customised outfit from Anaya textiles. They specialise in fabrics like chiffon, silk and cotton and have a wide range of designs. The best part is that they do “made to order” outfits where you can create your own outfit, whatever you desire right from the fabric to the colour palette it can all be customised.

I paired up my floral lehenga with traditional Kundan earrings and necklace. I went in for key jewellery pieces to enhance my overall look. I also added a matha tikka to highlight my outfit. You can match your tikka to your earrings for an elegant and graceful look. To complete my outfit I have also worn bangles, ring and a hath phool. Hath phool or a hand bracelet is a globally loved Indian ornament. Traditionally it was only worn by brides but with designers coming up with modern and lighter variants of the jewellery it has even become a party wear accessory. I have gone for a simple hairstyle to keep the focus on my outfit and jewellery and a very romantic look with my makeup. One of the best parts of this outfit is that you can even reuse the skirt for a western look if you want. Pair it with a white tee or a crop top for a modern look. This look is a great day look and perfect for a garden party like a mehndi or a sangeet function.

Outfit – Ananya Textiles
Jewellery – Master Jewels
Hair & Makeup – Jasleen Kaur
Photography – Shoot and Star
Styling & Ideation – FashionForRoyals

What did you like about this outfit? Let me know in the comments below.

Warp ‘n Weft- Where Modernity Blends with Tradition

Benarasi, the rich fabric that defines the grandeur of the ancient city of Varanasi, truly captures the essence of Indian tradition. Indeed, Benarasi deserves to be called the “Fabric of Antiquity” as it epitomises the culture and heritage of the country. And what I love the most about this textile is that it effortlessly blends with contemporary dressing, making a timeless synergy of modernity with tradition.

Today, Benarasi is making fashion headlines as designers across the globe are taking it to the fore. It is my favourite too and I love to play with these rich weaves. I find it perfect for creating stunning fusion ensembles. The vibrant colours and distinctive weaves of this luscious and rich fabric make an extraordinary combination with the simplicity of western attire making it elegant and chic.

When it comes to Benarasis, Warp ‘n Weft is the brand name that comes to mind. I picked some exquisite Benarasi weaves from this brand to create a unique look with the famed ‘brocade’ and ‘khinkhab’ marrying our Indian cultural heritage with western.

Benarasi Shorts with Jumper

This glamorous ensemble combines a pair of stylish shorts from Warp ‘n Weft in Silk ‘Khinkhab’ with a mustard coloured full-sleeved jumper. Crafted in rich burgundy Benarasi fabric with floral weave, the cute hot pants are the highlight of the ensemble. And the knee-high boots complete the look to perfection. The entire look is a statement; bold and confident style and can make one standout no matter what the occasion speaking of the adaptability of this vintage pure weave to suit the look of the discerning woman.

Benarasi Lehenga with Leather Jacket

The second look that I have put together brings together the magic and timelessness of Benarasi and the sassiness of leather. This one is an unexpected combination which has an elegant Benarasi Lehenga in bronzy metallic hues, choli in deep wine not red, teamed with a stylish black leather jacket. The vibrant choli features the traditional Benarasi butti weave. The lehengas which has panels in the subdued shades of bronze and gold, is woven like poetry in thread with the ‘Sunflower Buta’ in design. And the funky leather jacket adds the oomph factor to the look. The ensemble is creatively accessorized with a lovely Kundan neckpiece to enhance the eclectic touch. What’s more it keeps me warm in this chilly English weather. A great alternative to make sure I get to wear my favourite Indian Skirts no matter what the weather. Gives the whole outfit that grunge look. **wink** **wink**

Warp ‘n Weft is a revolution in itself when it comes to Benarasi weaves. The brand has been catering to a global clientele since 1997 showcasing the rich culture and provenance of the master craftsmen weavers of Varanasi. The brand understands the desires of the emerging trends and burgeoning demands of buyers who appreciate the beauty of the significant hand-crafted Benarasi fabric and would settle for nothing but the best.

The flagship store of Warp ‘n Weft is in Mumbai. The brand also enjoys an international presence, as it collaborates with Este Couture in the UK and soon would be exploring new tie-ups too. Additionally, it offers an amazing bespoke online styling service “Warp ‘n Weft Personal”, which brings customised fashion to the doorstep of Benarasi lovers. From colour detail to yarn detail and weave detail, the brand customises the fabric according to the customer’s desire. Buyers can have a unique and personalised look designed just for them by availing this exclusive service.

Benarasi is the fabric that has a global appeal and Warp ‘n Weft continues in their endeavour to get it all the recognition that it deserves. The brand endorses Benarasi, not as a fashion fabric but as a legacy that is to be carried forth to the next generations.

Lehenga Styles in Trend for 2015

With wedding bells just round the corner, every bride-to-be begins the hunt for her dream lehenga. Make no mistake, she has been planning this one outfit, whether secretly or otherwise, for a long, long time.

But often what happens is that when the moment of choice finally arrives, it is somewhat anticlimactic. She is overwhelmed at the vast plethora of fabrics, cuts and colours she needs to choose between. If you are facing a similar situation – looking for the perfect wedding outfit and just so confused – this might help: the who’s who of fashion have decided what will make you the beautiful blushing bride and here are the lehenga styles trending high in 2015.

Traditional Ghagaras:

The classic lehenga style – with a pleated, flared, voluminous skirt – ghagaras never go out of fashion. They remain popular in 2015 too. Cinched at the waist, often with elaborate detailing there matching the skirt border – these appear graceful on every body type. Go in for a traditional ghagara if you want to look like the quintessential Indian bride.

Lehengas with Jacket:

These comprise of a lehenga bottom and choli, topped with a long jacket with either heavy work or a netted bodice. Spotted often in Manish Malhotra’s collections, these jacketed lehengas look regal and runway ready. For those who are heavily into high couture, these would be a good option.

Banarasi Lehanga Choli:

Lehengas on silky material with ample work in gold and ivory tones are also appearing recurrently in bridal fashion. They offer a rich, feminine look, which is great for brides-to-be who are more conventional in their tastes.

Anarkali Lehengas and Lehenga Gowns:

Both these styles represent a fusion of different forms of traditional Indian clothing. Anarkali lehengas have an almost floor-length anarkali-cut top, covering a flared skirt at the bottom. Lehenga gowns are typically floor-length gowns fashioned with ethnic cuts and embroidery to mimic the look of classic lehenga. Both these styles would suit the modern Indian bride who is confident in her unconventional, experimental tastes.

Lehenga Sari:

Another fusion of two distinct forms of Indian ethnic-wear, the lehenga sari is essentially a three piece garment – the choli is separate while the legenga-bottom wraps around the waist and the dupatta is draped like a pallu. The lehenga sari looks like a sari, sans the pleats. Overall, it creates an elegant and deceptively simple feel – perfect for the minimalist bride.

A-Line Lehengas:

In this type of lehenga, the skirt retains a somewhat conical shape, forming an ‘A’. This is a clean cut which is best for thick materials and heavy embroideries. Thus, velvet lehengas or full-length zardozi panels are made with the A-line silhouette; naturally, these never go out of fashion either. They are most suitable for the bride of fine tastes, who wants to have a most fancy, elaborate lehenga.

Lehenga Styles for Different Body Types

Lehenga, the quintessential bridal wear is an integral part of Indian weddings. On the most important date of a bride’s life, it is her desire to look absolutely divine and the onus lies completely on the lehenga. Long, heavy and billowing lehengas in vibrant colors and embroidered to perfection lend a celestial form of grace and beauty to the bride. As soon as she makes her entry, everyone’s attention averts toward her and remains captivated by her exquisite elegance.

A beautifully designed lehenga that accentuates the figure and brings out the feminine grace is what every woman desires. However, it is important to know about the various types of lehenga and choose the one that would be befitting for a particular body type. Lehengas are available in different styles and cuts and can either be tailor made or even bought off the rack. Choosing a particular cut as per the body type is the most important requisite.

Mermaid Style or Fish Tail
Typically, a fish tail or mermaid style lehenga is fitted till the knee and then flares out at the bottom. This type of lehenga is apt for women with an hourglass or a straight/boyish figure. The lehenga is meant to accentuate the hips and can be teamed up with a corset or a halter-neck choli.

Straight Cut Lehenga
Straight cut lehenga is one of the most versatile options, as it compliments most body types. Resembling a wrap-around skirt, this type of lehenga is straight from the waist to the hem with slits on the side. Complimenting straight cut lehenga is a blouse or choli blouse or choli that falls below the collarbone to give an elongated look.

A-Line Lehenga
A-line cut implies that the skirt resembles the alphabet A that flares from the waist to the hem. Since the flair is kept to the minimal, therefore this type of cut is apt for women with pear shaped body. Ornate cholis or blouses with puffy sleeves can be designed to accentuate the upper part of the body.

Panel Length Lehenga
Offering the right amount of flare and creating a slimming effect is the panel length lehenga. Since this type of lehenga make a person look thin, therefore they are always quite in demand. The lehenga ideally consists of a number of panels stitched together and the panels can be of the same fabric or even a combination of fabrics. Long cholis that hide the stomach and further enhance the slimming effect go well with this type of lehenga.

Circular or flared lehenga
Circular or flared implies that the lehenga is voluminous. The skirt has plenty of pleats near the waist and therefore fabrics that are flowing and graceful are usually preferred for this type of lehenga. It ideally compliments a woman with a cone-shaped body or slimmer torso and is well matched with a choli that is classy and elegant yet very subtle.