- Avarna Jain,
Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media
Take This As A Sign To Explore The World Of Ghararas This Wedding Season
Give those lehengas a rest!
Pakistani actress Kubra Khan chose a blush pink gharara set for her rukhsati ceremonyInstagram/Kubra Khan
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.
A Brief Lesson About All Things Ghararas
Isn't a gharara the same as a sharara?
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.
Kubra Khan chose a Haseens Couture gharara set for her rukhsati ceremony Instagram/Kubra Khan
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...
Our Top Gharara Picks For The Wedding Season
Raw Mango
Organza gharara set by Raw MangoRaw Mango
Buy it here
Anita Dongre
Abjini Gota Patti Mul Gharara Set by Anita DongreAnita Dongre
Buy it here
Torani
Chandramallika Manmayi Gharara Set by ToraniTorani
Buy it here
Punit Balana
The Noor Set by Punit BalanaPunit Balana
Buy it here
Ridhi Mehra
Awespiring Peplum Gharara Set by Ridhi MehraRidhi Mehra
Buy it here
Aisha Rao
Yin-Yang Gharara SetAisha Rao
Buy it here
Where we give you a fast-paced look into everything you should wish list when you start to think about marriage. What to buy and how to dress, along with modern mithai and the homegrown fragrance makers to bookmark. Make special note of the feature on alta.
It has everything you need to make your wedding special. From the big comeback of red and pink in bridal wear to how the cool kids are wearing corsets to the celebration, there is only one way to get ready for a wedding —with enjoyment.
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