Indian Lehanga choli- this outfit mainly belongs to tribals who have gained popularity not just in India but is casting its magic on western women too. An original creation of Rajasthan, lehenga choli has become the center of attraction and main costume for all festivals and parties. This women's ethnic wear is known by varied names like Chaniya Choli, Sharara and Ghagra choli. The attire is very much elegant and graceful, this festivity attire is easy to carry. A lehenga or ghagra is a pleated skirt and is worn with a long or short, stitched and fitted blouse (the choli). The ghagra is secured at the waist and leaves the back and midriff bare. Ghagra choli is also worn with a dupatta, a 2.5 meters of light transparent material usually georgette. The dupatta is worn like a scarf or veil.
The Lehanga cholie has a very important Choli (blouse) which is usually tight fitted to give you just the perfect sexy look. Dupatta is not compulsory but yes it definitely embellishes the beauty of your wardrobe. Designer Dupatta comes up in a variety of beautiful shades with elaborate designs. Dupatta can be draped in distinct styles. Latest draping style is that of wrapping it around the arms to make a unique fashion statement. Embroideries add glamour to the brocade. Mirror work, Zari, Gota, Meenakari, Kundan and Resham work looks simply fabulous.
For the very much traditional look, designers are working on cuts and shapes. Trendy Lehangas usually come up in fish cuts, which are tight up to the knee but then take a twist. The lower part is frilly and loose and the choli is made in the style of jacket with deep necks and backlines. Brides usually go in for this attire for the special day of their lives. Designer indian bridal wear consists of marvelous designs. Young girls select colorful Chaniya Choli for dandiya raas events.
To give it a little westernized look, this ancient traditional wardrobe has undergone a makeover. New arrivals consist of distinctive styles and shapes. Haute couture collection consists of Lancha, Garara and Sharara with different necklines and cuts and sleeveless cum strapped Choli. If you are a bold type, go in for designer deep necked Cholis and flaunt your sexy midriff. So, girls what are you waiting for. Go out and hunt for some nice ethnic trendy Lehanga Choli. The most preferred Indian attire worn in Indian weddings are the Ghagra cholis also known as Lehenga choli and chaniya choli.
The ghagra or lehenga or sharara comes in the following fittings:
• A-cut
• Straight cut
• Umbrella cut
• Fish cut or Mermaid cut
Kinds of Ghagra choli
Bridal lehenga choli:
A wedding is an auspicious occasion when the attire demands keen attention. During a modern wedding, the brides have a wide variety of Indian bridal dresses to pick and choose. Ghagra Choli or Lehenga choli is the most preferred one. The rich colors used for bridal ghagra choli are symbolic of festivity / fertility. Metallic yarn is traditionally used on the Lehenga choli. During the actual wedding ceremony, conducted in front of the fire, the motifs and the colors of the ensemble glow. In Northern India the most preferred bridal wear is the ghagra choli or Lehenga choli as it is some times called as designer bridal lehenga choli.
In Maharashtra brides wear a Paithani sari, a terrific Lehnga and shawl with its gold brocade border woven intricately with birds, flowers and geometrical patterns. Other woven saris from this region, such as Chanderis, Indoris, and Maheshwaris also form part of the trousseau with yellows, orange and greens being the dominant colors.
The ensemble of the Muslim bride from Hydria is the zari-encrusted blouse with a lehenga. The veil (dupatta) is edged with gold tassels and embroidered all over. Tissues and brocades are used in abundance.Wearing of bridal ghagra choli is a fashion with lasting values and rich craftsmanship.
Ghagra choli:
Ghagra choli or Lehenga choli is the most preferred party wear of young people. Most of the important guests in weddings will be in a ghagra choli. The ghagra choli is worn to mark important occasions and festivals. The Indian ghagra choli can be worn at main occasions like mehendi, dandiya / sangeet, the wedding ceremony and the reception. Outfits for women such as the 'Indian Ghagra or Lehenga - choli' brings out the essence of feminism. Embroidered Indian ghagra choli is quite famous round the globe. It is one of the oldest form of Indian clothing. The young generation has evolved the traditional choli to strap less blouse, spaghetti top and tube top.
Traditional Ghagra choli:
The traditional dress for women in Rajasthan and Gujarat is the lehenga choli or ghagra choli but can be seen all over the country. These cholis are brightly embroidered, waist- length bare - backed blouses. Indian ghagra cholis, lehengas are gathered ankle - length skirts secured around the waist. The attire is completed by a veil - cloth called odhni or dupatta draped across the neck or over the head. The Indian lehenga choli is one of the most colorful Indian clothing, adding verve and color to the surrounding landscapes. Tribal women in these area bedeck themselves from head to toe with chunky silver jewellery.
Indian Fashion Dupatta
Indian fashion dupatta is no more a traditional wear but has entered the arena of the fashion world. It is known by varied names like Chunni, Chunari and Odhni. Ideally it was attired by Indian women to bedeck their head while offering prayers in the temple. Even now, the women in rural areas cover their head with a chunaria as a symbol of respect towards elders. The best part of Dupatta is that you can wrap it around with almost every wardrobe whether classic ethnic style or trendy Indo -western. In fact ethnic outfits are absolutely incomplete without it.
Dupatta adds grace to the garment. They come up in all bright vibrant colors with beautiful beads and mirror work. When we talk about Dupattas, the first immediate thought that comes to mind is of Lal Dupattas of Rajasthan with elegant tie and die prints popularly known as Laharia. These Lal Dupattas look simply amazing especially on white colored suits.
A choli is a midriff-baring blouse worn in India and other countries where the sari is worn. The choli is cut to fit tightly to the body and has short sleeves with a low neck. The choli is usually cropped, allowing exposure of the navel; the cropped design is particularly well-suited for wear in the sultry South Asian summers. Choli's can be worn longer so they don't expose as much midriff as well.
Women of the Gujarat and Rajasthan countryside may also wear the choli with a gypsy skirt called a lehenga or a Ghagra. A Lehenga is a full skirt worn with a choli also called a gypsy skirt or lehnga. The lehenga is worn in different styles, made of different fabrics and includes unique patterns. The lehenga of Rajasthan and Gujarat is known for its bandhni work which is a technique in tie-dye mastered by Hindu women of the region. The ensemble of this full skirt and choli is also called Ghagra Choli in some parts of India.
The more modern skirts of the Lehengas are cut on the bias and have a grand ball gown look to them, the more traditional kind are straight cut but still quite full. This outfit also includes a Dupatta or an odhani.
The states of Punjab and Haryana are famous for the `phulkari (flower-work) shawls that are worn with a tight-fitting choli and gaghra. Phulkari forms the traditional costume of rural women of this region. Phulkaris were made for everyday wear. Usually the border and field of the shawl were not so densely embroidered, with much of the ground cloth exposed. For ceremonial occasions, however, a special kind of phulkari known as a `bagh` (garden) was made, in which the whole of the ground was covered with embroidery, so that the base cloth was not visible at all. These Phulkaris are worn as the Dupatta or Odhani with Lehengas and Ghagra Cholis.