What to Wear (and Expect) at the Next Big Fat South Asian Wedding













Wedding Season is around the corner—and if you’re South Asian—you probably have an average of ten weddings to attend this spring/summer, right? That means ten potential mehndi nights, ten sangeets, ten wedding ceremonies, and ten receptions, for a grand total of forty, looks just for YOU! We explore what to wear for these occasions, how to be innovative with your existing wedding-guest wardrobe, and what to expect at the next big fat South Asian wedding!

Take note of how the off-shoulder element elegantly transitions the look from a traditional lehenga to mimic the silhouette of a fusion gown. If you choose this two-piece look, keep it simple with the off-shoulder top, either in a solid—or if printed—with minimal to no embroidery. Let the voluminous or heavily embroidered lehenga-skirt stand on its own. The blouse nor the lehenga will compete with one another, instead, both pieces will compliment each other flawlessly.

Shown below is the designer, Anushree Reddy’s fun, feminine, and flirty take on the exposed shoulder look and she has just enough modesty to keep the aunties from gossiping. In this look, the blouse is kept simplistic, but the detailed shrug has shoulder cut-outs in the most delicate of ways:


2. All Things Floral
This trend really began to hit street style last year and hasn’t set sail just yet. Enjoy this ultra-feminine meets bohemian look this Season before it’s time for a change. When the floral trend first shifted from runway to “real way,” the common theme was a floral lehenga skirt in pale pastels with pops of color, gotta border and more of a basic blouse. We suggest having fun with this look by pairing two floral patterns together in an unexpected, complimentary manner. Another head-turning option is to pair a floral print with a bold wide stripe print, balancing the girly-ness of the flowers with the chic, clean lines of the stripes. Here are a few free-spirited twists on florals we know you will lust over.

We suggest having fun with this look by pairing two floral patterns together in an unexpected, complimentary manner. Another head-turning option is to pair a floral print with a bold wide stripe print, balancing the girly-ness of the flowers with the chic, clean lines of the stripes. Here are a few free-spirited twists on florals we know you will lust over.If prints are not your cup of “style” tea and you prefer texture instead, go for a lehenga with floral embroidery instead. Try a look like Designer Fahad Hussayn’s bridal lehenga from his 2015 Nautanki Rani Collection.


3. Crop Top Chic
The crop top frenzy really began in the 1980’s with Western street style fashion, and it has come back in a BIG way—now crossing waters to South Asian style. Sure, a sari blouse or choli could be considered a crop top, but what we are referring to takes influence from the West with clean lines and a bit of edge. The best part is this look is easy to replicate with some mixing and matching with your existing wardrobe!

First, try a lehenga you already have and pair it with a more modern crop top you also probably have. If you don’t have a crop you love, not to worry as it’s an easy find. Try mainstream retailers like Zara, Nastygal, or Top Shop.  Now, let your styling creativity run wild! Essentially, you want your overall look to mimic something like this:


4. Gowns
We get it, you’re going to your best friend’s wedding and you want to dance the night away, hands-free and more importantly, fuss-free! One of the biggest wedding guest trends is wearing a gown in lieu of a traditional lehenga or sari! Now, we understand this is something we South Asians aren’t so used to wear to a wedding, however, select a gown that ties to our roots in some way and problem solved! Check out how designer Siddhartha Tytler does gowns with just the right amount of tradition infused within:

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