Indian party wear is a vast category of clothing full of innovative and exciting garments. From the most traditional garments such as sarees and salwar kameez to fusion wear such as saree gowns, tunics or corset lehenga cholis, there are many different types of Indian party dresses for women to choose from. Moreover, each dress itself is available in many different designs and colors to appeal to different style aesthetics and personal preferences. While Indian fashion does offer a lot of versatility, there are still certain trends and rules which can help women to avoid a fashion faux pas. Here is a short style guide for those interested in the most popular ethnic wear styles for different Indian occasions:
Weddings
When it comes to wedding dresses, Indian fashion is all about the glitz and glamour. This is the one occasion when women can go all out and put on their fanciest and most formal Indian party dresses and accessories. It is best to go for a more formal looking outfit such as a salwar kameez, saree or lehenga choli at a wedding. Anarkali salwar suits are amongst the most popular Indian party dresses for weddings, as they offer the perfect combination of comfort and style. On the other hand, those who want a more elegant and refined look tend to go for light-weight, contemporary sarees made of georgette and chiffon. Close friends of the family, who have to have a more opulent look, often invest in designer lehenga cholis with elaborate embellishments. The most exquisite and beautiful would be the Indian bridal dress which comes with intricate, detailed designs and a regal silhouette to set the bride apart from the crowd. A guest wearing a dress more elaborate and glamorous than the Indian bridal dress worn by the bride would be considered a major fashion faux pas.
Parties
For normal parties or formal gatherings, it is best to avoid heavy set outfits such as lehenga cholis. Instead, women can opt for plain chiffon sarees, anarkali suits, and designer kurtis. These types of Indian party dresses have a very ethnic look but are much easier to carry off at a high energy function.
Ceremonies/Religious Functions
At ceremonies and religious functions, more conservative and comfortable clothing is the norm. This does not mean it has to be plain, simple or boring as wearing monochrome outfits is also considered very inappropriate. High collar salwar suits, silk sarees and cotton ghagra cholis in bright colors would be a good option for these types of occasions.
Festive Celebrations
Indian party dresses for festive occasions have to be both comfortable and colorful. They should offer the wearer plenty of flexibility and movement while at the same time creating a visually pleasing silhouette and look. Options such as circular lehenga cholis, lehenga sarees, embroidered salwar kameez and embellished tunics are therefore the most in demand for Indian festivals. For certain festivals, regional outfits are the expected attire. For instance, at the Navratri or Dussehra celebrations in Gujarat, women wear mirror work ghagra cholis while men wear kediyu kafni pajamas.
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