Lehenga Style Guide | Bridal, Party & Festive Lehenga Trends

A-line Lehenga:

The A-line lehenga is defined by its silhouette: fitted at the waist (often with a waistband) and then gradually flaring out giving a gentle “A” shaped look.

Body type considerations and fit guidance:

If you’re pear-shaped (wider hips than shoulders): A-line is often a very good pick because it smooths out lines and gives a balanced look.

• Petite frames: Go for a moderate flare rather than extremely wide flare so the proportions stay balanced
• Taller frames:You can carry a more generous flare, longer hem, more dramatic fabric, if you like.

Waist and length:

Ensure the waistband sits comfortably (you’ll be wearing it for hours), and the length is correct (with your heels/shoes in mind) so that the lehenga isn’t dragging.

Choli/blouse & dupatta coordination:

The top and dupatta must coordinate in style, colour and fabric with the lehenga skirt for a cohesive look.

Ready-to-wear vs made-to-measure:

Especially for global buyers and online purchases: see if measurements (waist, hip, length) are clearly stated, and whether custom tailoring is available.

£57£57£54£54£54£54£51£51£51£51£53£53£24£24£24£24£24£24£29

Umbrella Lehenga:

The umbrella cut is defined by the flare: from the waist, the skirt expands widely, creating a dramatic sweep. The more flare, the more dramatic some even claim 8-meter or 10-meter ring volume skirts.

Body type considerations and fit guidance:

• If you’re petite:Choose moderate flare (so the skirt doesn’t overpower you), ensure the waist sits well, and if possible, take note of your height and where the hem will fall (heels vs flats).
• Taller frames or if you love drama:A generous flare works beautifully the umbrella effect will shine.

£45£45£81£62£62£64£62£62£54£251£251£237£224£241£241£214£224£224£203

Bridal Lehenga:

A bridal lehenga isn’t just another outfit, it's the one you’ll carry in photographs, videos and memories for years to come. It must feel right, look right, and stand the test of everything from movement, ceremony, rituals and the big entrance. Let’s walk through the factors you’ll want to keep in mind.

Body type considerations and fit guidance:

Different silhouettes work differently for example, a flowy skirt may work for one body type and a more defined waist for another. As one expert guide says: “Apple-shaped: opt for lehengas with long blouses or flowy skirts… Petite: lighter fabrics so the skirt doesn’t overwhelm.

Length & flare:

Ensure the skirt length works with your height and shoe-choice (heels vs flats). The hem shouldn’t trip you up. Pleats, flare, and waistband should be comfortable.

Blouse & dupatta coordination:

Your choli/blouse and dupatta should match in fabric, colour and vibe. If the skirt is heavily embellished, you might prefer a simpler blouse or vice-versa. The dupatta drape and placement matter a lot in bridal photography.

Custom fit versus ready-to-wear:

Especially if you’re shopping online or from abroad, make sure you’ve allowed time for alterations (waist, length, blouse fit). One article lists “not keeping time for alterations” as a key mistake

£285£285£285£285£285£285£298£298£298£298£306£306£302£302£302£302£306£306£251£251£237£224£241£241£214£224£224£203

Printed Lehengas:

Skirt flare & print visibility:

A wide flare or circular skirt gives the print more “canvas” to show so the print reads beautifully. If the silhouette is narrow, the print may get obscured in movement.

Body type considerations and fit guidance:

Ensure the skirt length works with your height and shoe-choice (heels vs flats). The hem shouldn’t trip you up. Pleats, flare, and waistband should be comfortable.

• If you’re petite: Choose a slightly narrower flare or moderate print size so the print doesn’t overwhelm your frame.
• If you’re taller or longer:A generous flare and bold print can make a strong style statement.

Coordinate blouse & dupatta:

With printed lehengas, you can either match the print (same fabric blouse) or contrast smartly with a plain blouse that picks one print colour. Dupatta can carry matching or complementary prints.

Ready-to-wear vs tailored fit:

Especially for NRIs or online buyers ensure you have correct waist size, length (with your footwear/heels in mind), and that their return/alteration policy is clear. Printed skirts might need adjustments to ensure the print remains aligned and looks sharp.

£84£92£39£40£56£130£68£57£54£54£54£54£230£230£230£230£230£230£50

Long Choli Lehenga:

The long choli lehenga silhouette is distinctive: the top is longer than a typical crop blouse, and the skirt completes the look.

Length & proportion:

Ensure the choli length suits your height and the skirt length suits your footwear (heels vs flats) so the lehenga doesn’t drag or appear too short.

Body type considerations and fit guidance:

Ensure the skirt length works with your height and shoe-choice (heels vs flats). The hem shouldn’t trip you up. Pleats, flare, and waistband should be comfortable.

• If you’re petite: A long choli can add length to the torso appearance (which can be a pro) but it needs to balance with skirt flare and hem length so you’re not visually shortened.
• If you’re taller or have a longer torso: You might carry a longer choli well the larger canvas can enhance detailing and coverage.

Waistband & skirt flare:

The skirt should fit at the waist comfortably, flare beautifully, and align visually with the longer choli. If the choli ends too high or too low in relation to the skirt waistband, the proportions may look off.

Dupatta & styling:

With a long choli, the dupatta drape matters. Do you drape it over the choli, or at the side? The styling should complement the longer top.

Ready-to-wear vs customization:

Especially for buyers abroad or online: check whether sizing (choli length, waist, skirt length) can be adjusted. The “Long Choli Lehenga” filter on Cbazaar includes “Made to Measure” options

£37£97£105£51£124£124£85£85£80£80£80£80£60£57£57£58£58£45£48£46£43

Anarkali Lehenga:

The anarkali-lehenga silhouette typically gives you a longer top (bodice) or kurta style, and a flared skirt. The visual effect is elegant, dramatic and flattering for many body types. A style guide notes that the anarkali “highlights the slimmest part of your body while adding drama to your movement.

Length & proportion:

Ensure the bodice length, skirt waist and hem length suit your height and footwear (especially heels vs flats). The transition between bodice and skirt should sit comfortably at or slightly above the natural waist for best effect.

Body type considerations and fit guidance:

• Pear-shaped (wider hips/lower body):This style works well because the bodice draws attention upwards and the skirt flows out gracefully.
• Petite frames:Floor-length bodice with skirt may overwhelm if fabric or flare is too heavy; choose moderate flare and lighter fabric.
• Taller frames:You can carry heavier fabrics, fuller flare, longer bodice length beautifully.

Dupatta & drape:

With this silhouette, the dupatta adds layered elegance. Check whether it comes included, its fabric, how it complements the bodice and skirt in colour and embellishment.

Tailoring/Ready-to-wear:

Especially important for exports and NRIs check if size charts are detailed (bust/waist/hip), if custom tailoring options exist, and how alterations are handled

£37£74£73£141£101£118£118£118£118£118£85£85£75£78£78£78£78£56£56£56£72

Chaniya Choli:

The chaniya-choli silhouette typically has a flared skirt from the waist, a fitted or semi-fitted choli (blouse) and often a dupatta. The design allows for motion and tradition.

Length & proportion:

Ensure the bodice length, skirt waist and hem length suit your height and footwear (especially heels vs flats). The transition between bodice and skirt should sit comfortably at or slightly above the natural waist for best effect.

Body type considerations and fit guidance:

• If you’re petite:Ensure the skirt length is appropriate (with your footwear/heels in mind), the flare is balanced and the choli fit doesn’t compress. A too­long skirt or too heavy fabric might overwhelm.
• If you’re taller or have longer proportions:You can carry a generous flare, longer skirt and heavier fabric with ease.
• Waist fit & flare:The waist band must sit comfortably (you’ll likely move, dance) and the skirt should flare nicely so the design shows.

Choli fit & comfort:

Because the choli is a top element, check bust fit, shoulder/arm fit (especially if sleeveless or cap-sleeve). Comfortable movement matters.

Dupatta styling:

A dupatta (scarf) is often part of the set how it drapes impacts your overall silhouette. Check its fabric, length, whether it comes with the set.

Custom sizing / ready-to-wear:

Especially for NRIs or online purchasers check size-charts, whether tailoring is allowed, and how return/exchange works. One guide emphasises this in online buying of chaniya-choli.

£32£72£56£130£130£130£130£130£62£64£68£74£76£63£82£82£40£40£52

Mirror Work Lehenga:

Skirt flare & volume:

With mirror-work, flared skirts showcase the reflective work beautifully as you move. One article shows examples of mirror-work lehengas where the border mirrors or full-skirt mirrors are highlighted

Body-type guidance:

• Petite frames:Consider moderate flare so the mirrors don’t overwhelm your frame, and ensure mirror-work is distributed (not only huge motifs at bottom) so it balances.
• Taller/longer frames:You can carry larger motifs, heavier mirror-work, bigger flare with confidence.

Blouse (choli) & dupatta:

The mirror-work on the blouse and dupatta should coordinate if the skirt is heavy in mirror-work, you might pick a blouse that’s simpler (or with moderate mirror-work) to avoid visual overload.

Size & length considerations:

Ensure the waist/hip fit is correct, the skirt length suits your height and footwear. Mirror-work can add weight, so waistband comfort is important. Online buyers should check measurement charts carefully (especially NRIs).

Custom sizing / ready-to-wear:

Especially for NRIs or online purchasers check size-charts, whether tailoring is allowed, and how return/exchange works. One guide emphasises this in online buying of chaniya-choli.

£96£128£119£285£285£285£285£285£285£298£298£298£298£306£306£302£302£302£302£306£306£146£146£392£420£386£386£386