Every woman needs at least one lehenga in their wardrobe. After all, it’s an easy outfit to throw on when you’re running late or want to go out without spending too much money. But, lehengas are more than just a casual garment. They can be dressed up with an embellished blouse or paired with sneakers for minimalistic weekend looks. In the Indian cultural context, lehengas are considered a staple of wedding attire and many brides wear them on their wedding day as well. If you’re planning on getting married soon, then you need to know about the different types of lehengas that are available so that you don’t end up buying the wrong one. Read on for more information about buying your first lehenga and how you can choose the perfect one for every occasion.
What is a Lehenga?
The word “lehenga” is actually a Hindi word which means “a kind of legwear” or “a dress with a skirt”. The most popular and traditional style of Indian women’s wear, the lehenga is often worn during religious occasions such as festivals, marriages and funerals. The lehenga is a sari, with the difference being that instead of being pure silk, it’s often made from a blend of cotton and polyester, making it a bit easier to wear. In traditional Indian culture, women wear their lehengas with an achkan, a loose knee-length top which can be worn untucked or pulled into a small knot. An achkan is a basic piece that you can pair with virtually any lehenga as it goes well with a variety of tops. For special occasions, you can also wear a blouse or a choli under your lehenga. The only other accessory you might want to include is a pair of shoes.
Types of Lehengas
- Traditional Sari lehenga - Designer Sari lehenga - Designer Tulle Lehenga - Churidar Lehenga - Jutta Lehenga - Anarkali Lehenga - Suit Lehenga
Decide Where You’ll Wear Your Lehenga
When you’re looking at different types of lehengas, decide where you’d like to wear it most. Are you getting married? Will it be for a religious occasion? If so, what kind of occasion is it? Below is a list of occasions when certain types of lehengas are typically worn: - Religious occasions - Traditional Sari lehengas are typically worn during religious occasions such as festivals, weddings and funerals. - Weddings - Designer Sari lehengas are a popular choice for weddings, especially when they’re worn with an achkan. - Formal occasions - For formal occasions, wear a modern-looking Sari lehenga as it goes well with a variety of tops. - Holidays - For special occasions such as Diwali and Christmas, wear a festive Sari lehenga such as a multicoloured lehenga or a sequined lehenga. - Casual occasions - For more laid-back days when you don’t want to get dressed up too much, wear a Churidar lehenga or Sari lehenga.
When to Wear a Sari lehenga
When you’re getting married, you’ll want to wear a traditional Sari lehenga with a sari. Traditionally, the bride wears an all-white Sari while the groom dons a sherwani with a matching white kurta for the ceremony and reception. You can change it up a bit by wearing white instead of all-white or a pastel shade for the reception. You can also wear a Sari lehenga on other traditional occasions where a traditional sari is worn, such as during Lakshmi puja when married women wear matri saris and unmarried girls wear devi saris.
When to Wear a Churidar lehenga
Churidar lehengas are a great casual option for those who want to wear a distinctive and regal look without saris and blouses. To wear a churidar lehenga, you can pair it with a kurta, salwaar-kameez or a shirt and jeans. You can also wear it with wedges or sneakers for an easy and playful look.
Jutta Lehenga
Jutta lehengas are the go-to lehenga for all the new brides. They’re the quintessential Indian bridalwear and are often worn to weddings, religious celebrations and other special occasions. You can wear a Jutta lehenga with a traditional sari, or you can wear it with a western-style pantsuit or a salwaar-kameez.
Anarkali Lehenga
Anarkali lehengas are often worn on Diwali and other festival occasions. The anarkali lehenga comes in a variety of fashionable colours and designs, making it a great pick for the modern bride. You can wear it with a traditional sari or a pantsuit for a more fashionable look.
Suit Lehenga
Suit lehengas are perfect for weddings and other formal occasions where you want to wear a traditional sari. To wear a suit lehenga, you can wear a traditional sari with a blouse or a kurta as an achkan. A suit lehenga is also a great option for women who want to wear a sari but don’t have time to change out of their work clothes when they get home.
Conclusion
Congratulations on making it to the end of this article! If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume that you’re interested in buying a lehenga for yourself, or for a friend or relative. There are so many types of lehengas to choose from, and you’ll need to know the right one for the occasion. The best way to choose a lehenga is to think about where you’d like to wear it most.
