Lehengas - The Best Traditional Attire for Festivities

A Lehenga is a traditional attire that is worn by women across the length and breadth of India. However, many states, especially in the South, are yet to be introduced to the concept of Lehenga choli. So, there can be a question, 'what is lehenga?' Well, to answer the same, the lehenga is a form of a full-length skirt. It is worn with a blouse that exposes the midriff (in most cases), and a dupatta completes the set. 

There are various designs of the blouse and its fittings. Many women like the blouse to be well embellished and the dupatta to be plain, while other women would rather be comfortable wearing a plain blouse with an embellished dupatta. In some cases, the blouse covers up to the waist. The preference of a particular type of Indian lehenga depends on the personal choice of a woman, the community she belongs to, and the on-going norms. Lehenga is usually acknowledged as traditional wear. 

Origin and making of Lehengas: -

The lehenga had become popular as an attire amongst women mainly in North India during the 10thcentury. These lehengas have evolved through fine craftsmanship with the arrival of Mughals in India and their subsequent rule from 12th to18th century. Initially, lehenga was made out of cotton fabric. Once this dress started gaining popularity, women from the royal households wanted lehenga for themselves made out of silk and other plush fabrics. 

Even though lehenga these days are mostly put under a machine for weaving embellishments, still, it takes quite a lot of time to get a set ready. Handstitched and handwoven lehengas take even more time than the machine ones, and these also cost higher. 

Many communities (especially in the west and north of India) engage themselves in making and designing lehengas only. They create a distribution of work and work in harmony to produce the most beautiful pieces of embellished lehenga choli anyone has ever seen. 

Types of varieties of Lehengas:-

- Straight lehenga - As the name indicates, straight lehengas descends from the waist to the ankle in a straight manner. This type of lehenga does not flare. 

- Ruffle or layered lehenga - This party lehenga type will have one ruffle or several layers that are present on the lehenga. 

- Half saree lehenga - This lehenga gives a saree look without the need to go through the hassle of draping a saree. It is a lehenga that has pleats like a saree. 

- Jacket style lehenga - This type has a normal lehenga and a blouse with the addition of a jacket that is worn along with the blouse.  

- Circular or flared lehenga - This is the oldest and traditional style that has a broad flare and a good volume. It has many layers underneath and forms a complete circle. 

- Fishtail or mermaid lehenga - Imitating the fish, these lehengas are tight from the waist to the knees. These then flares from below the knees in the calf area. 

- Trail lehenga - This lehenga has some fabric that makes a trail at the behind. These are best for special occasions. You must never wear one of these while you are on the roads. 

- Sharara lehenga - These lehengas are stitched from the middle of the hem. In actuality, they function like a trouser but look like lehengas.