Admit it or not, Indians all around the world are heavily influenced by Bollywood fashion. Bollywood celebrities set huge fashion trends, especially for Indian ethnic wear. From taking style inspiration from them as a wedding guest to finding the most stunning bridal lehengas for the bride-to-be, we follow them on Instagram religiously and press that save button on posts that feature our desirable aesthetic.
Whether it is looking at Kiara Advani’s stunning soft pink lehenga or Alia Bhatt’s red mehendi lehenga made with recycled materials; from Diwali party outfits to Eid and Rakhi suits, our eyeballs rotate to Bollywood celebrity fashion for all our fashion inspiration. Celebrity fashion is popular and powerful. Even when we choose to refresh our daily wardrobes for western wear, we first do our due diligence on Instagram and magazines to see what’s in and who’s wearing the hottest color this season.
Classic Looks That Have Been Around for Decades
Here's a roundup of all the classic looks that have been around for decades.
Saree
There is no denying of the power of a saree. Sarees have been around for more than a few decades and define the very essence of India. From traditional style sarees and colours, they have evolved over the years but certain things are just classics. The Indian saree is considered to be among the oldest form of garment in the world which is still in existence. There is nothing more classic than this six yards of pure elegance.
Modernizing this classic, the contemporary saree comes in fabrics like chiffon, net, organza, silk, chinon, satin georgette, among other fabrics. Lashkaraa’s saree collection is for the modern Indian who is looking to keep her roots in tradition and Indian heritage while being effortlessly chic in her own aesthetic. From our Dusty Blue Heavy Embellished Net Saree to Soft Mint Embellished Chinon Saree, Peach and Off White Satin Georgette Saree and Dusty Pink Embroidered Saree – Lashkaraa offers a wide range of sarees, one for each unique personality. Pick your favorite!
Anarkali
Anarkali suit originates from the Mughal era, getting its name from the renowned Mughal empire courtesan ‘Anarkali’. Historically, Anarkali and Prince Salim fell in love but their story ends tragically. Nonetheless, she made her mark in fashion with the signature Anarkali style suit that elongates with the body, almost to floor length. The flowing top or kameez is frock-style and has a slim-lined bottom or churidar along with a long matching scarf or dupatta.
The ultra-modern styles of Anarkali reach out for fabrics like velvet, satin, net, georgette with styles that range from single strap kameez to plunging necklines and intricate embellishments. Newer, fresh colors are employed like our Periwinkle Embellished Velvet Anarkali Gown, Light Green Embellished Velvet Anarkali, Light Grey and Pink Heavy Embellished Net Anarkali, Light Grey Heavy Embellished Net Anarkali Gown, among other styles. Bollywood actors like Karisma Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit and more have adorned the Anarkali on more than one occasion.
Salwar Kameez
This Indian staple outfit is the kind that is practical yet traditional. Over the years, this style has seen variations as often as each season. The basic formulation comprises a top and bottom along with a dupatta. Styles can range from ‘salwar’, ‘patiala’, ‘churidar’, ‘flared-cuts’ and more.
Indian cinema has played a huge role in the evolution of this classic. Movie stars like Sadhana and costume designers like Bhanu Athaiya popularized new skin-hugging silhouettes, borrowing tailoring techniques from the West in the 1960s and 1970s. By the 1990s, the silhouette took a turn towards sheer, strappy designs, like the ones seen most famously on Madhuri Dixit in the movie ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’.
Fast forward to 2023, the salwar kameez has many variants and one must pick on the basis of the occasion. One can choose the classic Punjabi suit like our Light Pink Embroidered Punjabi Suit or the sharara like the Light Green Embroidered Sharara Suit. If you’re looking to add a fun twist to your Punjabi suit, go for a peplum top like White Floral Printed Peplum Punjabi Suit. This one is an ideal summer style.
These clothing staples are all wardrobe must-haves. Each one of these styles can cater to every occasion on your social calendar. From intimate soirées that require delicate, elegant and effortless styling to big events and weddings that can take all the drama you may bring (in clothes), these Indian ethnic wear staples can work their way to multitask.
Recent Bollywood Fashion Trends
B-town is always prepared to bring its A-game when it comes to fashion. From A-list Bollywood celebrities that dress up in their best selves to celebrity weddings, to flaunting their outfits on Instagram – each outfit is a style statement for many. Some of the most stunning trends influenced by Bollywood celebrities recently are –
Plain Saree With a Statement Blouse
Plain sarees give the liberty to experiment with blouse styles in versatile ways. Adding a stylish statement blouse to your simple saree gives a unique touch, making for the most desirable look. Lashkaraa’s Peach and Off-White Satin Georgette Saree is a stunning piece best for day events.
Pastel Lehenga
Bollywood brides are moving towards lighter shades of Indian outfits. While some choose to go with classics, many are opting to experiment with pastel shades. From actor Kiara Advani who chose a rose gold bridal lehenga choli to Actor Athiya Shetty who went for a champagne pink bridal lehenga and Actor Alia Bhatt in white and gold embroidered bridal lehenga – light hues are trending at the moment. Our best picks from Lashkaraa are Ombre Pink and Blue Heavy Embellished Lehenga, Blush Pink Thread Embroidered Lehenga, Peach Heavy Embellished Net Lehenga among other styles.
Printed Lehengas
When choosing between style and comfort, it is often a good idea to go for lehengas that don’t have a lot of heavy weight work. Especially for pre-wedding functions and bridal trousseau, printed lehengas are a fabulous option. Even for bridesmaids and wedding guests, printed lehengas make for a great outfit. Our favorite is the White and Pink Floral Printed Lehenga, light and beautiful.
Make Your Clothes Multitask
One of the best ways to fully utilize your Indian ethnic wear collection is to try out different ways to style them, making them modern with a slight traditional touch. Simple ways like pairing a satin blouse with your printed lehenga can quickly add an Indo-Western touch to your otherwise predictable outfit. One can even ditch the dupatta and go sans draping on their lehenga and blouse ensemble. Add a stunning bejewelled choker necklace to it and you may be sorted!
There are numerous ways to style Indian wear. So, don’t be afraid to experiment!
Ref –
https://www.kreeva.com/blog/evolution-of-anarkali-suits/