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Dear brides-to-be, if you are shopping for your wedding festivities right now and are wondering what kind of lehengas or saris to get, you might want to reconsider your options. While the elegance of a lehenga or a sari is undeniable, there is an entirely different world that you might be missing out on. We're talking about ghararas.
First things first, a sharara and gharara are not the same. The key difference between a sharara and a gharara lies in their silhouette. A gharara is more fitted at the thighs, flaring out dramatically at the knees, where the fabric is gathered or pleated. A sharara, on the other hand, has a smooth, continuous flare, kind of like wide-leg pants, without a distinct starting point for the flare. Think of Anushka Sharma's gorgeous black and gold outfit that she wore in the song 'Cutiepie' (in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil). The flaring style of the bottom half of the outfit indicates that it was a gharara, not surprising since the character was supposed to be from Lucknow.
The gharara traces its roots to the Mughal Era, originally worn only by royalty, and was a significant part of the Mughal Harem. While the gharara has evolved over time, it’s still a significant part of South Asian culture, especially in Pakistan and certain areas of India, like Lucknow and Hyderabad.
While ghararas are predominantly worn by Muslim women, there is no reason others shouldn't wear it, given how versatile it is—and who's making the rules anyway? Apart from the old-school charm, thanks to its history as old as time, ghararas are incredibly comfortable and breathable—something you can actually move around in. Whether you wear them for your sangeet, mehendi, haldi or wedding, you’ll be able to dance the night away while looking like a dream.
Recently, Pakistani actress Kubra Khan wore a stunning gharara for a wedding. Take a cue from her and go all out on the drama, or keep it minimal.
No matter what kind of a bride you are, ghararas come in a wide realm of styles, offering something for everyone. Here are our top picks...