Indian weddings are a larger-than-life affair. There’s a reason why they’re called ‘big fat Indian weddings’. A humongous part of Indian culture is the lehenga. They’ve held an indisputable sway over bridal trousseau (and our hearts!). From the classic red – long-time bridal favorite, to shades of pink, bridal lehenga hues have evolved to pastel shades and ivories and whites in 2023. But the one thing that has remained constant is the silhouette. Whether it is delicate-looking lehengas or ones with a heavy flare, lehengas are definitely statement-making and full of drama.
When it comes to the bride picking her outfit for probably the most important and special day of her life, the pressure is real! With a myriad of options in the market today for Indian bridal wear, how does one choose her unique and special bridal lehenga? We recommend choosing a velvet lehenga.
With weddings becoming an intimate affair, brides are willing to splurge and experiment with colors and silhouettes. A velvet lehenga choli gives out that effortless luxe heritage feel, that is so royal and dignified. It forms as the perfect ensemble for festive wear and undoubtedly for bridal wear.
How do you style a velvet lehenga?
Velvet as a fabric can be tricky and restrictive to the colder weather. If not styled correctly, a velvet lehenga outfit can go wrong in many ways. Here’s how to style one to look like the magnificent Indian princess you envisioned to look in your outfit.
- To avoid looking over-dressed, either adorn the velvet lehenga ensemble to a gathering that will also be heavily dressed or switch up your velvet lehenga to another fabric that would complement your velvet choli. It’s the best way to tone down the outfit. Mixing and matching will balance the outfit, making you look more graceful.
- Opt for a chiffon or net dupatta instead of velvet or silk. Our Burgundy Velvet Embroidered Lehenga Set is a stunning wedding lehenga that perfectly balances the heaviness of velvet with the lightness of net. Another set is our Dark Teal Embroidered Lehenga Set which features an organza dupatta to complement the velvet.
- Reconsider the gathering location, if it is indoor or outdoor. Velvet is a warm fabric and is preferred during the winter season. One can even choose a velvet lehenga in summer by choosing a lighter fabric for choli, which can be easy on the skin and wouldn’t rub or irritate the skin in the heat.
- Style it in accordance with your body type. If you have small shoulders and chest, then opt for a velvet choli. On the contrary, girls who have a bigger waist can either wear georgette or net lehengas with a velvet choli or opt for high waisted velvet lehengas.
Accessorizing your look to perfection
Velvet lehengas generally come with stunning handwork that makes it an embroidery heavy piece on an existing heavy and rich fabric. When searching for the perfect lehenga accessories to complete your look, balance is key here. Since a velvet lehenga ensemble is on its own complete, it’s best not to go overboard with jewelry. Simply go for a choker necklace with matching earrings and a dainty maang tikka. You can also opt for matching bangles.
Some more intricate details to get the perfect velvet lehenga look –
Pick the right color and hand-work that’s best suited for you
The trick here is to complement the work and the color to get that perfect look in a velvet lehenga. If you like a solid bold color, you should go for minimal and delicate work. If lighter hues are your jam, go for an outfit that has heavy work all over.
Less is more
A simple velvet outfit is equal to 3 heavily embellished outfits made in any other fabric. Using that to your advantage, stick to the less is more formula when it comes to velvet. It’s best to pick jewels that match the work on the lehenga so that they get absorbed in the look.
Go light on the makeup
It’s important to consider your makeup choice when it comes to styling a velvet lehenga. If you are planning to attend a day wedding, you must opt for a natural base with a bit of shimmer over the eyes and nude lips. For a night event, you can go for a bold pout.
Style it without the dupatta
One can even style the velvet lehenga without the dupatta if that doesn’t make you uncomfortable. You can go for a sexy bralette, a halter blouse, or even a covered high neck and elbow sleeves blouse with your velvet lehenga. This will add a contemporary touch to this traditional Indian ensemble, while adding a fresh twist to the styling.
Team with a velvet shawl
Instead of the regular dupatta style, one can even drape a velvet shawl or stole around. It’s the most comfortable way to stay warm in the cold weather without compromising on the style quotient.
Styling a velvet lehenga can be versatile. You don’t have to repeatedly wear the same outfit, the same way. Style it differently; try different looks for each time you wear your velvet ensemble. From changing on the makeup to accessorizing it in a way that can change the way of the look, velvet lehengas can be your all-rounder outfit. Velvet lehengas are forever. They never go out of fashion and remain a classic.
Here are some Lashkaraa velvet lehenga styles to help you put together an outfit for your next Indian gathering!
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Flatter your curves from all the right angles in this Green and Gold Velvet Lehenga. The rich dark green velvet blouse is crafted in a sleeveless design, and the length is kept short to reveal just the right amount of midriff while maintaining a classy and sassy look.
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Turn heads and leave a lasting impression in our Wine Velvet Lehenga. This exquisite ensemble boasts a rich wine-colored velvet top and bottom that effortlessly flows and drapes with every step you take.
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Royalty meets elegance in this Teal and Gold Velvet Lehenga. Featuring a beautifully adorned dark teal velvet blouse with dull-gold tilla work, an intricately embroidered motif on the hem of the sleeves, and a heavily worked sequin lace border on the lehenga, complemented by a beige organza dupatta with blue embroidered lace.
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Stand out from the crowd in this glamorous Periwinkle Velvet Lehenga. A bold off-shoulder cropped choli with a sweetheart neckline is complemented by a vibrant peony design on the lehenga with fluttering butterflies, and a tie and dye dupatta with scalloped floral motifs and kiran lace border.
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Ditch run-of-the pill colors and gaudy designs in our Light Green Velvet Lehenga. This gorgeous piece is inspired by nature with its immaculate handcrafted embroideries of bold flowers, butterflies and leaves in breathtaking hues.
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