Indian Accessories

Modern bride prefers to wear a light Lehnga Choli on her wedding day rather than a heavy sari as her bridal costume.

These lehengas are extremely beautiful and usually decorated by hand in the traditional designs of India. Modern young brides in North India, especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat favor a soft radiant glittering lehenga suit on the wedding day. The winds of Westernization have led to the blending of tradition and modernity in the lehenga too; whether it is the color, embellishments, fabric or the design of the lehenga. The lehnga has evolved to suit the convenience of women. The ends of the waist fabric were stitched and its narrow width was increased by adding more pleats on the waist, portion to make their mobility easier.

Lehenga choli represents the traditional Rajasthan and Gujarat style of embroidery. The traditional lehengas were decorated with motifs and embroidered with Zardosi in royal karkhanas for ceremonies. The rich red color is symbolic of festivity and fertility. Rich red, maroon and majenta were the colors of bridal lehenga. But today’s brides go for off-beat colors like mauves, onion pinks, lime greens, peaches, mustards and blues Bright colors like reds, gold and oranges have made a resurgence now, maroon being the all time favorite.

A beautiful lehenga with a short tight-fitted choli and a matching dupatta brings a soft charm to a bride. The outfit is embroidered in silver threads with fine zardozi borders and ‘butis’. The wide, rich border of the lehenga is stylized with plant and geometric patterns. Ari and zardozi work along with the auspicious coloring of the attire are responsible for the rich gold glow. These specially designed and crafted lehengas make the bride the cynosure of that function and give a special look to her.

Traditional bridal fabrics, silks and crepes, have given way to nets, satins, georgettes and sand tissue. Trendy lehengas have changed to fish cuts, A-lines and side slits. Long cholis with high necklines have been replaced by short-strapped tops with plunging necklines and embroidered blouses.