Indian Accessories

Lengha Choli, otherwise known as lehnga, langa or lengha, has a beautiful history in India.

When the Mughals invaded India in early BC, they brought this pretty skirt and blouse with them. This attire has usually hand-decorated traditional embroidery works such as zardosi and soonf. This style could be way back in the 4th cent BC In the peak of Indian royalty, real gold, silver and expensive stones were used to make these legendary designs. Even now, designers try their best to keep up the tradition by hand decorating these garments. Perhaps modern bride is more likely to opt for a lehnga choli on her wedding day than a bridal sari because of the heavy weight of the sari.

Lehanga Cholis are now sold in pleasing styles such as embroidered lehanga, Tie and Die, Customized Lehanga Choli, Sharara, Garara, Lancha and Indian Wedding Lehanga. Customized Lehanga gives the perfect fit one desires. Gujarati invention tie-dye prints with mirror work are popular among young ladies. This lehanga includes a matching shining Dupatta. Traditional Lehanga is fit for all parties. Designer Lehanga collection combines silk and cotton threads on rich fabrics producing unique patterns. Chikan embroidery has always been a favorite. Sharara gets a western look with a waist long top/blouse and flairy pants and is worn with a long pretty chunnri.. Indian wedding Lehanga is decorated heavily with gold, silver and other precious stones.

Chaniya Choli originated in Kutch, Gujarat and Rajasthan is popular in the west and north of India. South Indians are familiar with another version called pavade. Fabrics used for making chaniya-cholis are cotton, silk, khadi and at times chiffon. Ghagra Choli includes long pleated skirts Ghaghra or Lengha, and twin blouses. The colorful blouses have extensive mirror and patch work on them and are designed to leave the back and midriff bare. Zardosi Lengha, the traditional wear since Mughal time, comes in different styles and is made up of a comfortable fabric. It is suitable for festivals or other celebrations. Bridal Lengha has lasting values and rich craftsmanship. In addition to wedding, Bridal Lengha are worn at beauty contests at national and international level.

The beautiful lehngas are suitable to women of all shapes and sizes and available for small,

medium, large and over-sized ladies. Women belonging to any age group love to wear lehnga choli for formal as well as dress occasions. Women always express a correct judgment regarding fashion choice which has a history of 1000 years. This fashionable wear of Rajasthan is reminiscent of our old tribal designs. Today lehnga choli is gathering admiration from people all over. Like old wine in new bottle, the same old stuff is brought back in an ultra modern style retaining the touch of Indian culture.

When you have decided to buy a lehenga choli you should be aware of certain lehenga buying tips that will guide you to select the right one that will make you the centre of attraction in any occasion. For a slim trim figure a lehenga suit with lovely patterns and a deep-cut neck would be an ideal choice enhancing your feminism. Lehangas made out of fabrics such as raw silk, organza of Benaras or crepe will highlight your flawless figure. Bold ladies may go for cholis with deep backlines or thin straps or one shoulder sleeve. Too thin ladies say a big NO to long choli.
Women having broad shoulders, deep-necked, not wide neck, Ghaghra is the perfect choice. Jeweled necklines are not advisable for busty ladies. Select a long lehenga with small prints of flowers and leaves. Fatty ladies without proper bust or shape chose an A-line lehenga of crepe or georgette with extensively embroidered cholis.

Short ladies look out for lehenga choli with vertical prints and U or square neck to give a taller appearance. Avoid short sleeves and sleeveless cholis and heavy work or heavy fabric Dupatta should flow from the shoulder to the knee to disguise the shortness. For women with large waist kurti style choli in deep bright colors will fit well. Sophisticated prints are preferable to complicated designs. Plump figures might select a long length choli having a deep neck so that a bit of cleavage is seen. Now decide on your fashion style suitable to your figure.

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.