Designer Lehengas – Adding Grace and Allure to Indian Weddings

Lehengas are synonymous with Indian ethnic fashion. This gorgeous three-piece outfit comprising a skirt, blouse and dupatta, is a wardrobe must-have for Indian women. Lehenga cholis are extremely versatile and can be worn for festivals, parties, weddings and other occasions. Over the years, designer lehengas have become hugely popular especially for weddings. From intricate embroidery to rich fabrics and vibrant colors, designer lehenga add unmatched grace, glamour and allure to a bride and her trousseau.

Latest Designer Lehenga Trends

Here are some of the latest trends seen in designer wedding lehengas –

Embellished Lehengas – Bridal lehengas are getting bolder with embellishments. Intricate hand embroideries with resham, zardozi, swarovski crystals, pearls and beads are amping up the glam quotient. Embroidery styles like kantha, kashmiri and chikankari are huge. 3D floral motifs and threadwork are also gaining traction.  

Metallic Lehengas – Metallic lehengas in gold, silver, copper and bronze are making heads turn. Accents of dazzling sequins, beads, mirrors and crystals on the skirt, blouse and dupatta sparkle beautifully. These ornate lehenga dresses are perfect for sangeet and reception functions.

Pastel Hued Lehengas – Pastels are reigning the bridal fashion scene. Soft powder pink, mint green, lemon yellow and baby blue lehengas look refreshing and elegant. Pastels touched up with hand embroideries and subtle embellishments have an ethereal charm.

Floral Prints – Floral prints are eternally fashionable. Designer lehengas with all-over floral prints, sparse floral butis to 3D floral appliques give a dreamy romantic vibe perfect for summer or destination weddings.

Color Blocked Lehengas – Color blocking is gaining prominence where the skirt, blouse and dupatta feature contrasting colors for a dramatic effect. Yellow skirt with pink blouse and green dupatta or blue skirt with red blouse and orange dupatta are some examples.

Layered and Panelled Lehengas – Layering different fabrics like organza, silk and tulle is trending. Panelled skirts with contrasting fabrics stitched together in unique prints, embroideries and textures look interesting. Half-half lehengas divided diagonally into two different colors/fabrics also make heads turn.

Asymmetrical Hemlines – Bridal lehengas are ditching the regular circular hemlines for quirky asymmetrical hemlines. These lend a modern edge to traditional Indian outfits. Handkerchief hems, angled hems, ruffled layers are quite the rage.

Fabrics and Materials

Here are some of the opulent fabrics and materials used in designer bridal lehengas –

Banarasi Silk – Banarasi silk is the most coveted fabric for lehengas due to its luxurious feel. Intricate zari weaving patterns like jangla, meenakari, butidar create a rich textured effect.  

Organza – Sheer, delicate and dreamy – Organza is perfect for overlaying or panelled lehengas. With amazing drape and flow, organza lehengas have an ethereal charm.

Chanderi Silk – Made from fine silk yarns, chanderi fabric is light and features a subtle sheen. Chanderi is perfect for destinations weddings as it is airy and comfortable.

Velvet – Velvet with its smooth luxurious texture adds instant glam. Deep jewel tones like royal blue, emerald green and burgundy velvet lehengas make a regal statement.

Georgette – Flowy georgette is a popular sheer fabric for lehengas. It is light, airy and looks graceful. Georgette lehengas featuring intricate threadwork and kundan/pearls embellishments make gorgeous outfits.

Tulle – Sheer, delicate tulle in single or multi-tiered layered lehengas is perfect for mehendi and sangeet functions. Tulle adds bounce and volume to the skirt.

Bhagalpuri Silk – Bhagalpuri silk lehengas have a subtle sheen. The supple, lightweight fabric holds rich embroidery beautifully.  

Kota Doria – Made from fine cotton yarn, Kota doria fabric with its checked weave looks elegant. It offers a nice crisp finish perfect for summer weddings.

Choosing the Right Blouse

Designer lehengas are paired with unique blouse styles like –

Corset blouses – Shape and structure corset blouses with strings, ribbons, buttons and embroidery. These perfectly contour the upper body.

Sheer yoke blouses – Blouses with net/sheer yoke and sleeves lend sensuality. Delicate threadwork on the yoke elevates the look.

Off-Shoulder blouses – Off-shoulder blouses exude a dreamy romantic vibe with their dewy skin-revealing designs.

Cape sleeves blouses – An emerging trend where the blouse features a short cape extension instead of sleeves. The sheer cape sleeves with borders look delicately feminine.

Cold-shoulder blouses – Blouses with slit cut-outs on the shoulders are a hot trend. The cold-shoulder design reveals just the right amount of skin.

Backless blouse – For the bold brides – an open back blouse design is striking and sexy. Intricate strings/cords and doris feature on the open back panel along with embroidery.

Crop Top blouse – Crop tops that bare the midriff paired with lehengas is a fresh trend, especially for mehendi functions. Mirror work, threadwork, sequins or beads embellished crop top blouse amps up the style quotient.