The festive season is in full swing with the wedding season approaching soon. While it is tempting to buy a new outfit for all the upcoming festivities, repurposing what you already have is a sustainable (and pocket-friendly) choice. After all, slow fashion is all the rage at the moment.
Buying separate outfits for each event you need to attend can get expensive. Additionally, it is impossible to find the perfect lehenga on the first try and buying multiple options is both time-consuming and expensive. Since women lehengas are also bulky, storing them can become a hassle if you don’t have a huge wardrobe (which most of us living in urban areas lack). However, all of this shouldn’t dampen your festive fashion choices.
While it may seem intimidating to pair different pieces, it’s not impossible to achieve. Just ensure it looks well put together while complimenting all the other elements of the outfit. You also need to find the correct colours, fabrics, and textures that would make a cohesive ensemble.
Still wondering where to start? We’ve got you! We will help you utilise the clothes you already own to the fullest and create many versatile outfits that would not only make you shine but also be stress-free this festive season. Keep reading as we share the top tricks and tips to mix, match, and pair women lehengas.
1. Complimentary Colours
Picking the right colours is a must when you are mix-matching women lehengas for women. Even if you cannot find the exact colour, go for complimentary shades. To begin with, choose what you want to focus on – the lehenga or the choli. Once you have your main focus picked out, look for items that will go along with it. The easiest way to do this is to use a colour wheel as your guide (yes, we’re going back to school). Your complimentary colour will be right opposite the primary colour. Examples include yellow and purple, green and red, orange and blue, and magenta and green.
2. Basics
Having a bunch of basics ready to go is the ultimate cheat code when mix-matching outfits. For lehengas, specifically, solid pieces in common colours like red, blue, white, and black will help you create several “new” outfits out of your existing wardrobe. You can also go for blouses in gold (or rose gold) and silver. If you can’t decide where to begin, take a look at all the women lehengas you own and find common colours or shades. For example, if you mainly own red/orange shades, you can pair them with green or golden pieces. Another great option while building your collection of basics would be to choose fabrics that are commonly used in ethnic wear and also go along with other fabrics – like lace, net, and chiffon. Keep the prints and texture of these items simple so it effortlessly blends in with multiple other pieces.
3. Proportions
It is important to make sure that your final outfit is proportional and looks flattering on you. It should suit your body type, while also giving you a classy look and the right shape. If your lehenga is structured, fitting like a skirt, you can choose to go for cape-like blouses and loose-fitting shirts on top. If you are going for a heavy lehenga that adds bulk to your bottom, pick a fitted piece for the top. Similarly, your dupatta should be lightweight if your lehenga is heavy and vice-versa. An easy way to ace this is to remember that you can have one main character (your lehenga or choli), a side character (your dupatta or jacket), and some background actors (accessories and shoes).
4. A touch of Western wear
If you are willing to stray away from the traditional looks, adding a twist to your outfit will keep things interesting. Pair your elaborate lehenga with your kurtas for an elegant outfit. Add a modern touch by ditching the dupatta for a suit jacket, shrug, vest or even cape. Wearing a shirt as a blouse with a statement necklace is also a great way to upgrade your lehenga look. This will help you make even your oldest women lehengas look brand new. If you are switching up the bottom wear, pair your favourite choli with palazzos or flared jeans for a casual yet festive look. You can also don your trusted crop tops as a blouse. If done right, this will add the perfect combination of Western and ethnic wear.
5. Re-purpose cholis and dupattas
Your cholis don’t have to stay limited to women lehengas – you can use them as blouses with sarees and also pair them with solid skirts for a toned-down look for other occasions – like a haldi or sangeet. You can also wear them as tops with regular pants and skirts. However, it is important to ensure that your blouse has a side zipper closure, as opposed to front hooks, and comfortable padding if you are trying this out. An obvious way to reuse dupattas would be by pairing them with your kurtis. Dare to try something new? You can also wear them as a top – think scarf tops that have been all over the internet. Draping your dupattas using the same hack will give you the ultimate edgy look.
Finding the right balance between buying and repurposing can help you create multiple looks, setting you apart without costing a lot of money. Pairing different pieces from women lehengas together will give you a unique outfit and ensure you are never under the threat of accidentally wearing the same outfit as someone else.
Experimenting with fashion is always fun and this will give you an opportunity to go through your lehenga collection and learn more ways to wear them so they don’t gather dust. We hope you try your hand at giving your lehenga a second life! In girl math, you are getting an entirely new wardrobe for free!
