Indian bridal lehenga is perhaps one of the most glamorous and intricate outfits a woman can put on. The amalgamation of multiple fabrics, various colours, and other accessories make these outfits stand out from the rest. So much so that even international celebrities are spotted at red carpet events wearing Indian bridal lehengas. Even though wedding lehengas have come into vogue only in the last few decades, they have a long history behind them. Let’s dive deeper and explore everything you need to know about Indian bridal lehenga – its origins, style variations, potential designers for your wedding, and more…
What is an Indian Bridal Lehenga?
A lehenga is a traditional Indian outfit that is usually made up of a single long piece of fabric, with a slit in the side for the wearer’s leg to go through. A lehenga is accompanied with a choli (top) and shimagh (necklace) or a dupatta (long scarf). The most important part of any lehenga is the fabric, which can be silk, crepe, chiffon, velvet, or any other lightweight fabric. An Indian bridal lehenga is a variation of the above-mentioned outfit. It’s a long gown-like garment that incorporates a wide range of colours and fabrics such as chiffon, silk, velvet, and many more. The outfit also has a dupatta and is a traditional outfit worn by Indian women during their wedding. The outfit is now being worn by women across the world to attend different occasions.
How Did the Indian Bridal Lehenga Come Into Being?
The origin of the bridal lehenga is a bit sketchy, but it’s believed that it came into vogue only a few decades ago. Traditionally, bridal outfits in India were very different from what we see today. Married women in India were expected to wear a traditional sari or a saree to mark their special day. The saree is a long strip of fabric that is wrapped around the body, and it’s the outfit that most Indian brides continue to wear even today. But the saree was considered a conservative outfit and was not suitable for all occasions. So, designers started experimenting with a different outfit that would be more appropriate for a special occasion like a wedding. They experimented with a variety of fabrics and designs and finally came up with the Indian bridal lehenga. The Indian bridal lehenga is a combination of sari and gown. It has the elegance of a sari with the convenience of a gown.
Indian Bridal Lehenga Styles
There are various styles of Indian bridal lehengas that you can choose from. Here is a list of some of the most popular bridal or wedding lehenga dress styles:-
Traditional Lehenga – This is a classic Indian bridal lehenga made with chiffon or silk fabrics. It has a T-shaped yoke and is embellished with heavy embroidery. The traditional lehenga usually has a long flowing skirt that gives it a regal touch.
Bollywood Lehenga – The Bollywood lehenga is a flashy and colourful outfit that is used in Bollywood and Hindi movie songs or dance sequences. It’s usually made out of chiffon or crepe fabrics with heavy embroidery. The Bollywood lehenga is embellished with zari, sequins, and stones.
Chic Lehenga – The “chic” lehenga is a modern take on the traditional Indian bridal lehenga. It has the elegance of a sari with the convenience of a gown. The material used is usually a mix of chiffon and silk fabrics. The simplicity of this outfit makes it a popular choice among modern Indian brides.
Fancy Lehenga – Fancy lehengas are heavily embellished with zari, sequins, and stones. They are known for their heavy embroidery and bright eye-catching colours. Fancy lehengas are reserved for special occasions like weddings.