8 Types of Lehengas to Flare your Ethnic Look

India being a land of multitudes of cultures and festivities, occasions to dress traditionally are always around the corner. Whether it is Karva Chauth, Bhai Dooj or a wedding, dressing up in your favourite ethnic couture is always a task to look upon to. And when it comes to the world of ethnic dressing, Lehenga choli is a quintessential part for the women of India.

If it’s a bride-to-be, more than half of the onus of her looks goes to the Lehenga that she chooses to wear. Before deciding to buy one, you must know the variety of Lehengas that the fashion world has and which one is the best for your body type. Find out which one is the suits you the most!!

8 Types of Lehengas Designs to become a Perfect Ethnic Diva

1. Circular/ Flared Lehenga
2. Mermaid/ Fishtail Lehenga
3. Panelled Lehenga
4. A-Line Lehenga
5. Sharara cut Lehenga
6. Straight Cut Lehenga
7. Lehangas with a Jacket
8. Half Saree Lehenga

1. Circular/ Flared Lehenga

One of the oldest and most traditional styles, this lehenga has a broad flare and forms a complete circle at the hem, hence named. The Lehenga has extreme volume and starts with numerous pleats at the hem that finally diffuse as one goes down the flare. If you are interested in custom designing your lehenga, choose fabrics that can take a number of pleats and go for huge borders at the hem. Too much embroidery on the fabric won’t be a really good choice for this type.

Special Feature: Adds Extreme volume below the waist
Length Of Choli: Short length choli with a subtle Design
Fabrics: Brocade, Jacquard, Georgette, Crepe, Silk
Perfect for: Apple (or V shape), Pear Shape, Hourglass Shape, Straight (or Rectangle) Shape
Worst Choice For: Women with very slim waists (Since it can look clumsy if waists are too tiny)

2. Mermaid/ Fishtail Lehenga

Imitating the mermaids, these lehengas are tight at the knees and flare from the calves in the form of a fishtail. These lehengas are tighter at the hips and the waists and hence must be worn with a proper bodysuit beneath.

Special Feature: Accentuates the Hips
Length Of Choli: Short halter-neck choli
Fabrics: Brocade, Jacquard, Georgette, New Silk, Art Silk
Perfect for: Hourglass and Rectangle body shape
Worst Choice For: Apple Shape, Pear Shape and Thin Body Type

3. Panelled Lehenga

This lehenga consists of horizontal panels of fabrics attached along the flare of the lehenga. Often because of too many panels of fabrics, the volume of the flare is increased. Also, a contrasting set of fabrics is used to give colourful designs. This lehenga is a good choice if your attending traditional functions and aren’t a bride yourself.

Special Feature: It creates a slimming Effect, Hides and Extra Flab
Length Of Choli: Long Cholis
Fabrics: Brocade, Jacquard, Georgette, New Silk
Perfect for: Hourglass Shape, Pear Shape, and Petite Body Type
Worst Choice For: Apple Shape, Straight (or Rectangle) Shape, and Skinny Body Type

4. A-Line Lehenga

This lehenga has the usual A-line hem that forms a perfect A. The lehenga is tighter at the waist and flares out to the bottom.The number of pleats in this lehenga are quite less.

Image Courtesy: Flipkart.com

Special Feature: Perfect ad Elegant, Easier to carry
Length Of Choli: Varying lengths can go with this lehenga
Fabrics: Brocade, Jacquard, Georgette, New Silk, Chiffon, Cotton
Perfect for: Hourglass, Pear Shape, and Tall Body Structure
Worst Choice For: Apple and Straight (or Rectangle) Shape

5. Sharara cut Lehenga

With the trends changing in the market, these have also evolved into the categories of lehengas. These are lehengas that are stitched from the middle of the hem like a trouser or a huge plazo but looks like a lehenga as a whole. These are usually worn with long kurtis and are usually worn by muslim brides.

Special Feature: Trousers in the form of a Lehenga
Length Of Choli: Long Kurtis till hips or calves
Fabrics: Brocade, Jacquard, Georgette, New Silk, Cotton, Crepe
Perfect for: Apple Shape, Hourglass Shape, Pear Shape, Straight (or Rectangle) Shape, and Tall Body Structure
Worst Choice For: Petite and women with too slim legs

6. Straight Cut Lehenga

A straight cut lehenga, as the name indicates, has a straight skirt that flows along the body curves and doesn’t flare out like the usual lehengas. This one is the most versatile option and goes well with almost all the body types. Since this lehenga is extremely skin hugging, one needs to be very careful with the right inners when going for this one.

Special Feature: Flows with the body curves
Length Of Choli: Choli Blouse, Blouse
Fabrics: Brocade, Jacquard, Georgette, New Silk
Perfect for: Hourglass Shape, Apple Shape and Straight (or Rectangle) Shape
Worst Choice For: Pear Shape and Too thin body structure

7. Lehangas with a Jacket

This style is very fresh in the world of weddings and is getting into the top hits these days. The lehengas are kept flary and simple with a long jacket covered in zardozi embroidery or delicate weaving on velvet. Since only the hem of the lehenga is visible through the jacket, these often have broad laces or heavy work on them.With the type of jacket that you chose, you can have a variety of looks from rich and elegant ones to subtle and decent ones as well.

These are a perfect option for your wedding reception.

Special Feature: Hides the extra fats(if you are plump) or creates volume(if you’re too skinny)
Length Of Choli: Long jackets
Fabrics: Brocade, Jacquard, Georgette, New Silk
Perfect for: Hourglass, Apple, Inverted Triangle and Tall Body Structure
Worst Choice For: Pear Shape and Petite Women

8. Half Saree Lehenga

Inspired from the traditional South Indian half saree, this lehenga gives a virtual saree look without the need to go through the hassle of tying one. The look is basically due to the way one drapes the dupatta with the lehenga. It usually is a low flare A-line lehenga.

Special Feature: Gives a Virtual Sari look
Length Of Choli: Choli blouse
Fabrics: Brocade, Jacquard, Georgette, New Silk, Cotton
Perfect for: Hourglass, Apple, Pear Shape, and Tall Body Structure
Worst Choice For: Petite Women

Are you still confused in selection for best Lehenga Choli according to your body shape? Don’t worry here is the help. Click on image to Zoom.

Image Courtesy: Raagbydeepams.com

A perfect lehenga according to your body type won’t only accentuate your personality but will also bring out the best in you. So do chose the perfect lehenga and look your best.