Designer Lehenga Cholis: The evolution

International pageants like Miss Universe and Miss World have glamorized this traditional dress worn by women in India and transformed it into a designer ensemble. Customary yet new, classic yet elegant, we are talking about the changing styles in designer lehenga choli. It is a garment that has not only withstood the changing tide of time but in fact, transformed itself into something more classy and faddish eventually taking the fashion police by a storm.

Since time immemorial, Indian queens and princess wore this garment made with exquisite workmanship and gold work. Even in those times a lot of research was done on this dress to make it look exclusive for the royals. Virtually every state of India had its own style in craftsmanship and fabric which was incarnated on these dresses. With time, this lehenga choli has evolved so much but the basic essence remains the same.

Just like it used to be worn by the royals in the bygone era, a designer chaniya choli is an obvious choice for the bride to be. It has an added appeal as a wedding wear because of its association with royalty. Since every girl dreams of being a princess on her big day, choosing a designer lehenga choli becomes the first step in this transformation..

The journey of a mystic lehenga choli into a designer ensemble has been nothing less than riotous. This dress in its modern avatar is much more ravishing and alluring than its older counterpart thanks to the international recognition it has got through beauty pageants. Though the basic essence has remained the same, there have been many variations in style and pattern to make it look in tune with the latest in fashion.

This dress comprises of a long skirt, blouse and a duppatta. The skirt can be stitched in many ways and patterns. The A-line pattern is a hit in lehenga. A fish cut also gels well in this as it gives shape to your lower body. Then there are also the usual good old umbrella cuts which still go well in lehengas. The choli or the blouse is the most versatile garment in a chaniya choli as it can be stitched in many ways. The designers of today have gone absolutely berserk in glamorizing it in multiple ways. There are backless cholis, criss crossed backs, halter necks, short ones, sleeveless and long sleeved ones to choose from.  A proper fitted choli flaunts your curves and makes this dress look all the more visually appealing and charming.

There are also other inexpensive and usual variants like a cotton lehenga choli which are worn during festivals by young girls. Navratras, Chath puja, Durga puja, Eid witness most of the young girls dressed in a cotton lehenga choli and enjoying the festivities. These mirror work chaniya cholies are typically festive in India and a must have for these celebrations.

Whichever way you want to wear, the chaniya choli is one dress which every woman will have in her wardrobe. After all it is the very essence of being an Indian.

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