It’s made up of three parts—the skirt, the blouse and the dupatta shawl—and is sometimes referred to as a bridal lehenga choli. “Bridal lehengas tend to be heavier, with richer fabrics like silk, intricate hand embroidery and colors like red, maroon, cream or gold,” Vora says. Even within the Indian bridal lehenga category, though, there are subcategories by culture, region or event; the bride typically has looks for the Haldi or mehendi, the Sangeet, the wedding ceremony and the reception. Genelia Deshmukh stunned in a brown lehenga paired with a hand-painted Kalamkari dupatta, blending elegance with tradition. The earthy tones, artisanal craftsmanship, and minimal styling made her outfit a perfect example of sustainable ethnic fashion done right. When it comes to traditional Indian wear, a dupatta is so much more than a piece of fabric.

• Kalamkari, an ancient art form that involves freehand drawing and natural dyes, added an artisanal charm to her outfit.
• In addition to stunning lehengas, Studio East6 also offers a cool collection of lehenga-adjacent dresses in its Wedding Edits section that would be perfectly appropriate.
• Its detailed hand-painted motifs and earthy hues beautifully complemented the lehenga, making it the highlight of her ensemble.
• “Wearing a lehenga is a beautiful way to honor the culture and have fun with it.” There are a few things to look for and avoid, of course.

Much like Western wedding dresses, the cost of wedding lehengas is all across the board, and brides (and guests) can find looks that fall within their specific budgets. For guests looking to spend less on Indian wedding attire, online retailers offer lower-end (but perfectly workable) options around $100 to $500, with outliers in both directions. A lehenga is a traditional Indian outfit worn by women for celebrations like festivals and weddings.

Fashion

“Wearing a lehenga is a beautiful way to honor the culture and have fun with it.” There are a few things to look for and avoid, of course. “Colors like black are normally not worn to the religious or wedding ceremony itself, as they historically represent bad omens,” Vora expands. “Ask the couple if they have any theme, dress code or color preferences.”

• Whether you love the elegance of a traditional drape or the drama of a contemporary twist, your dupatta can reflect your personality and the moment you’re dressing for.
• Rupa Vora is the founder of Chicago-based retailer Studio East6, which offers curated collections of wedding lehengas from India’s top designers.
• From brunch-ready belted looks to regal double layers, these festive outfit tips can turn any outfit into a fashion moment.
• There’s no single way to wear a dupatta, and that’s the beauty of it.

Jacket Drape

The second dupatta can be draped diagonally or pleated for balance. Pin it across the front like https://pin-up-site.in/en-in/ a saree pallu, letting it fall on your opposite shoulder.

What elevated the look was the Kalamkari dupatta, hand-painted with traditional motifs, reflecting India’s rich textile heritage. Wedding guests may not want to spend quite as much as the bride on their attire; online retailers such as Kalki Fashion, Indya and Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop offer colorful lehengas at reasonable price points. In addition to stunning lehengas, Studio East6 also offers a cool collection of lehenga-adjacent dresses in its Wedding Edits section that would be perfectly appropriate.

Whether you love the elegance of a traditional drape or the drama of a contemporary twist, your dupatta can reflect your personality and the moment you’re dressing for. Perfect for haldi functions or casual day weddings, this style is the epitome of laid-back ethnic outfit styling. If you’re wondering how to wear a dupatta on your wedding day, this regal, layered look is the answer. The parts should be worn together to complete the full lehenga choli.

Renting a wedding guest lehenga is also an option; All Borrow offers a wide collection of lehengas to rent by occasion. Genelia Deshmukh’s brown lehenga with hand-painted Kalamkari dupatta is more than just a fashion statement; it’s a celebration of Indian tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. With her impeccable styling, she has once again set a benchmark for ethnic fashion lovers who want to keep it classic yet contemporary. Genelia Deshmukh has always been a style icon who blends grace with contemporary elegance. The Sangeet is a prewedding event, typically held a day or two before the ceremony.

Cultural Lehenga Styles & Significance

Kalamkari, an ancient art form that involves freehand drawing and natural dyes, added an artisanal charm to her outfit. The dupatta was not just a fashion accessory but a piece of wearable art. Its detailed hand-painted motifs and earthy hues beautifully complemented the lehenga, making it the highlight of her ensemble. So go ahead, mix it up, try fresh dupatta draping styles, play with colours, or belt it up.

For an in-person shopping experience, Chicago’s Studio East6 carries many of these labels and more; brides can also shop curated collections online at Maya Prêt-À-Porter and Kynah. Rupa Vora is the founder of Chicago-based retailer Studio East6, which offers curated collections of wedding lehengas from India’s top designers. With her help, we break down the parts of a lehenga, symbolic colors, where to shop and more. A lehenga for a wedding guest, no matter their heritage, is definitely appropriate.

It’s an accessory, a statement, and often, a symbol of culture and tradition. Whether you’re wearing a lehenga, salwar kameez, or a saree-inspired ensemble, the way you drape your dupatta can completely transform your outfit. From subtle grace to dramatic flair, experimenting with dupatta draping styles can add depth, personality, and elegance to your ethnic outfit styling. Vora notes that green is another popular bridal lehenga color, symbolizing fertility and new life. Genelia’s choice of a rich brown lehenga showcased understated elegance, striking the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication. The earthy tone of the lehenga made it versatile, suitable for festive occasions, weddings, or cultural celebrations.

It’s full of life and joy, with choreographed dances and the coming together of families. “The wedding lehenga is typically heavier, more traditional and symbolic—often in red or other auspicious colors,” Vora says. “The Sangeet lehenga, on the other hand, is more fun, often in brighter, bold colors like hot pink, yellow or electric blue, and designed for movement and dancing.” Many Indian brides—even if they’re hosting their wedding at home in America—will have their wedding attire made in India, or travel there to source fabrics and Indian wedding jewelry. Others turn to well-known Indian designers and labels, much like Western brides turn to bridal designers. Anita Dongre, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Falguni Shane Peacock, Seema Gujral and Manish Malhotra are some of the most prominent.

From brunch-ready belted looks to regal double layers, these festive outfit tips can turn any outfit into a fashion moment. Because Indian suit styling isn’t complete without that perfect drape. There’s no single way to wear a dupatta, and that’s the beauty of it.

Sangeet functions or formal family events—this look gives a saree-style effect while keeping the comfort of a lehenga intact. A great pick for cocktail nights or modern-day receptions, it adds drama without much fuss to your festive outfit. An attire category with so many intricacies and unique regional specifications naturally inspires some questions. Every lehenga is embedded with meaning; over the centuries, various regions across India and its neighboring territories and countries have developed specifications that set their lehengas apart.