Hey everyone!
What's the one thing that's always flooding your social media feed when you are in your late 20s? Weddings! Well, yeah. In the past 2-3 years I have attended at least 10-15 weddings, including my own. Hehe. While being the bride has its own pressure of looking amazing on the big day, it's also quite a big deal for the best friend to look presentable. While some people come for the food and the cake, there are some others who come to check out what everyone is wearing. It gets tiring and heavy on the pockets to buy a new outfit every single time. Although I have loads of new silk sarees just lying there in my cupboard, it's tiring and annoying to wear them on my own. If you've seen my posts on Instagram, you'll know that I went all the way to Bangla land for one wedding and less than a month later, I was eating dhoklas at a wedding in Gujju land. I am pretty sure in the next couple of years, I will be doing a North India tour solely for weddings. So I have come up with an Ethnic Wear Look Book for those of you who like to travel light, not spend a dime for new outfits, mix n match and look fabulous!
Sizzle in an ethnic gown
Why always wear a saree or a lehenga? Sometimes an ethnic gown or an anarkali gown does the job too! Try and collect pieces like these that are super comfy and are gorgeous. This is perfect for a mehendi or a sangeet function and easy to sway in. If you want to look a little more decked up, you can either accessorize heavily or pick up a gown that's more shimmery.
Yellow to the rescue
Yellow sarees have always been my true love. I have always wanted to own a plain yellow chiffon saree that I could wear with different blouses. I picked this one up because I knew how much I'd enjoy wearing it. What I love about this is that you could wear this with possibly any color! This outfit is perfect for a haldi ceremony. Also, you don't have to stick to yellow. I'd say, buy plain chiffon sarees in as many colors as possible.
Let the blouse do all the talking
Of late, I have felt that it's better to invest in a well tailored blouse than a heavy saree. A nicely embroidered blouse with a unique design always catches everyone's attention. I got this made for my sangeet lehenga, but because the tailors ruined it, I had to stash this away. However, I wore this to a friend's wedding and wore a simple chiffon saree to keep the attention on the blouse. Having blouses in various colors and patterns could be really useful.
Clean out that closet
My mum wears a saree to work everyday and she has a massive collection of sarees from all over the country. I always find myself raiding her wardrobe at the last minute trying to find a suitable saree for random functions. Now it's gotten even better with my sister-in-law being around as she has a splendid collection of saree blouses and we both are the same size. Yay! So, if you have generous family members like I do, try to mix and match and see what works best for you.
Bling bang
I've seen that not many women wear fancy sarees these days and have been investing in traditional silk sarees instead. Although silk sarees look classy, they are definitely a pain to drape when you are on your own. I always find blingy and grand fancy sarees a more suitable option for night weddings and they can act as a perfect substitute to a heavy silk saree.
Slide into a skirt
Crop top and a long ethnic skirt have taken the ethnic game to another level. You could use an old saree from mum's closet and get a skirt stitched. If you are uncomfortable showing your belly, you can always get a dupatta. I think it looks really elegant and is very sassy.
Simplicity is underrated
If you absolutely don't like to dress up, then just pick up a bright colored kurti ands wear it with chudi pants. Sometimes an elegant looking kurti can look amazing in a setting where not all eyes are on you and you just want to be dressed appropriately without stealing the bride's thunder.
Some more ideas
I hope this post was useful. Ethnic wear and I have come a long way. From being a top-to-bottom jeans girl who wouldn't be caught dead in anything Indian to someone who's always hunting for ethnic pieces wherever she goes, I have definitely evolved. When I can't buy 'em, I tend to create 'em. Always try to be creative with your outfits because that way you'll be the only one wearing it. And don't forget to pose with your hand on your hip and get a picture taken :)
Have fun at all the upcoming weddings!
Love,
Hand On The Hip
What's the one thing that's always flooding your social media feed when you are in your late 20s? Weddings! Well, yeah. In the past 2-3 years I have attended at least 10-15 weddings, including my own. Hehe. While being the bride has its own pressure of looking amazing on the big day, it's also quite a big deal for the best friend to look presentable. While some people come for the food and the cake, there are some others who come to check out what everyone is wearing. It gets tiring and heavy on the pockets to buy a new outfit every single time. Although I have loads of new silk sarees just lying there in my cupboard, it's tiring and annoying to wear them on my own. If you've seen my posts on Instagram, you'll know that I went all the way to Bangla land for one wedding and less than a month later, I was eating dhoklas at a wedding in Gujju land. I am pretty sure in the next couple of years, I will be doing a North India tour solely for weddings. So I have come up with an Ethnic Wear Look Book for those of you who like to travel light, not spend a dime for new outfits, mix n match and look fabulous!
Sizzle in an ethnic gown
Why always wear a saree or a lehenga? Sometimes an ethnic gown or an anarkali gown does the job too! Try and collect pieces like these that are super comfy and are gorgeous. This is perfect for a mehendi or a sangeet function and easy to sway in. If you want to look a little more decked up, you can either accessorize heavily or pick up a gown that's more shimmery.
Yellow to the rescue
Yellow sarees have always been my true love. I have always wanted to own a plain yellow chiffon saree that I could wear with different blouses. I picked this one up because I knew how much I'd enjoy wearing it. What I love about this is that you could wear this with possibly any color! This outfit is perfect for a haldi ceremony. Also, you don't have to stick to yellow. I'd say, buy plain chiffon sarees in as many colors as possible.
Let the blouse do all the talking
Of late, I have felt that it's better to invest in a well tailored blouse than a heavy saree. A nicely embroidered blouse with a unique design always catches everyone's attention. I got this made for my sangeet lehenga, but because the tailors ruined it, I had to stash this away. However, I wore this to a friend's wedding and wore a simple chiffon saree to keep the attention on the blouse. Having blouses in various colors and patterns could be really useful.
Clean out that closet
My mum wears a saree to work everyday and she has a massive collection of sarees from all over the country. I always find myself raiding her wardrobe at the last minute trying to find a suitable saree for random functions. Now it's gotten even better with my sister-in-law being around as she has a splendid collection of saree blouses and we both are the same size. Yay! So, if you have generous family members like I do, try to mix and match and see what works best for you.
Bling bang
I've seen that not many women wear fancy sarees these days and have been investing in traditional silk sarees instead. Although silk sarees look classy, they are definitely a pain to drape when you are on your own. I always find blingy and grand fancy sarees a more suitable option for night weddings and they can act as a perfect substitute to a heavy silk saree.
Slide into a skirt
Crop top and a long ethnic skirt have taken the ethnic game to another level. You could use an old saree from mum's closet and get a skirt stitched. If you are uncomfortable showing your belly, you can always get a dupatta. I think it looks really elegant and is very sassy.
Simplicity is underrated
If you absolutely don't like to dress up, then just pick up a bright colored kurti ands wear it with chudi pants. Sometimes an elegant looking kurti can look amazing in a setting where not all eyes are on you and you just want to be dressed appropriately without stealing the bride's thunder.
Some more ideas
- Palazzos have become poplar among young girls and even older women. Wearing a pair of palazzos with a cute ethnic crop top or a long kurti could work really well for some pre-wedding functions.
- A long ethnic jacket would look amazing on some dhoti pants and a plain kurti inside it. Complete the look with some jhutis and you're ready to roll.
- Gold and silver are usually those festive colors you need to play with. Anything bling for that matter can be useful while creating your ethnic ensemble.
Total ethnic wear turn-offs
- A sharara really puts me off. I mean, what is that? You can either be a skirt or pants. The need to be both is weird. The most irritating ones are those which have bell bottoms starting from the thighs.
- Puff-sleeved blouses can be a terrible idea. You need to be really fit to be able to pull that off. I've noticed some women with chubby arms trying to wear 'em and look more plump than they already are. I'd like to keep a safe distance from these blouses.
- Bikini top for a blouse is yet another disaster in my opinion. That is definitely not for everyone!
I hope this post was useful. Ethnic wear and I have come a long way. From being a top-to-bottom jeans girl who wouldn't be caught dead in anything Indian to someone who's always hunting for ethnic pieces wherever she goes, I have definitely evolved. When I can't buy 'em, I tend to create 'em. Always try to be creative with your outfits because that way you'll be the only one wearing it. And don't forget to pose with your hand on your hip and get a picture taken :)
Have fun at all the upcoming weddings!
Love,
Hand On The Hip
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