Ghararas have been a staple in South Asian fashion for centuries, adored by women from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India alike. This traditional garment’s signature flair from the knee has made it a go-to choice for special occasions, including weddings, eid celebrations, and festive gatherings. When it comes to dressing up for such events, ghararas are often paired with other popular desi outfits like lehengas, shararas, sarees, and shalwar kameez or churidars.
The introduction of gharara pants has further expanded the versatility of this style, allowing women to wear a more relaxed version on daily basis while still exuding that signature flair. Whether you’re heading to an eid celebration or a casual get-together, ghararas and their variations have become an integral part of South Asian fashion.
What To Wear With Ghararas?
While shararas and ghararas may seem interchangeable at first glance, there are distinct differences between the two. A sharara is a one-piece garment that resembles a skirt with flared, wide-leg trousers, whereas a gharara has two separate pieces joined together at the knee, typically hidden by lace or embroidery. Both shararas and ghararas have their roots in traditional Indian wear, dating back to the Mughal era, and continue to be popular among women around the world today.
The stitching styles of shararas are more akin to palazzos, while ghararas boast a unique stitching style that sets them apart. Additionally, ghararas tend to be fitted at the thighs compared to shararas.
Before we dive into the latest gharara styles from 2018 and 2019, some quick tips for incorporating gharara outfits into your wardrobe include substituting gharara pants for lighter wear, pairing gharara outfits with traditional jewelry like gold and silver jhumkas and chandbalis, and saving shararas and ghargas for special occasions like weddings or festive seasons.
It’s worth noting that a sharara typically consists of loose trousers paired with a dupatta and shirt, often decorated with embroidery or glasswork. A lehenga or ghagra is a longer, more voluminous skirt with similar embellishments. Fararas, on the other hand, are similar to ghararas but lack the ruching at the knee, featuring straight, tight trousers with flared bottoms.
Ultimately, sharara, gharara, lehenga/ghagra, and farara are all traditional forms of clothing in South Asia, where accessories play a crucial role in styling these garments. With this understanding, we can now move on to exploring the latest gharara styles that have captured the attention of fashion enthusiasts.
↓ 16 – Gharara Inspiration For Diwali & Navaratri
For those seeking inspiration for Indian ethnic looks with ghararas, we’ve curated some stunning examples that blend simplicity with elegance. One such look is Nora Fatehi’s effortless yet captivating outfit, featuring a floral gharara paired with a crisp white shirt. The dupatta’s border perfectly complements the gharara’s, creating a harmonious visual effect. This synergy between pieces highlights the transformative power of dupattas in elevating any ethnic ensemble.
For our younger readers, we’ve also discovered a beautiful and accessible look that’s perfect for teenagers and young girls. For those looking to elevate their fashion game, Kunza Official is an excellent Indian brand to explore. Located in New Delhi, this brand offers an impressive range of gharara sets priced between INR 18,000 to INR 30,000.
Their collection features a diverse array of solid-colored, printed, embroidered, and embellished ghararas, ensuring that you’ll find something to your liking – or perhaps even treat yourself to multiple sets.
↓ 15 – Mother Daughter Matching Ghararas
When it comes to dressing up in matching outfits with your little princess, there’s no better option than the elegant ghararas or lehngas. For young girls, these styles are particularly practical and easy to carry around. Both of these stunning ensembles were designed by the renowned Indian designer Kamal Sood.
Another great example of twinning perfection can be found at Kunza Official, where their outfits will undoubtedly set a high bar for any parent-daughter duo looking to make a stylish statement together.
↓ 14 – Bridal Ghararas
Kareena Kapoor’s royal wedding attire still evokes nostalgia, with her stunning golden embroidered gharara being a standout piece. The traditional garment, originally belonging to her mother-in-law Sharmila Tagore, was further embellished by designer Ritu Kumar, making it a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. While ghararas are often associated with brides, they also make for breathtaking bridesmaid looks. Take, for instance, the exquisite design created by Indian fashion expert Reynu Taandon.
The piece not only highlights the beauty of the garment but also showcases the versatility of the gharara as a stylish choice for the entire wedding party.
↓ 13 – Trending NOW: White Kurtas With Tie Dye Ghararas
Zari Faisal, a rising star in the design world, has crafted an extraordinary collection of ghararas this year, perfectly complemented by her own kurtas. One standout piece is the captivating combination of a crisp white kurta paired with a vibrant tie-dye block print gharara. What’s more, these stylish ghararas are remarkably affordable, priced between $20 and $50. And, for a limited time, you can get your hands on this very ensemble for a steal at just $11.76 – a saving of nearly 77%!
↓ 12 – Gharara Outfit For Eid
The understated elegance of Maryam Ishtiaq’s pastel gharara outfit is a masterclass in subtle yet striking fashion. As a Pakistani-based blogger, she effortlessly blends traditional and modern elements to create a look that’s perfect for special occasions like day weddings, mehndi celebrations, Eid festivities, or any other event on your calendar.
The ensemble consists of a plain off-white gharara with delicate pleats, paired with a fully embroidered short shirt and a light purple banarsi dupatta that adds a touch of color without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. To avoid monotony, the shirt features strategically placed colored embroidery. Maryam completes her look with a pearl and golden choker and gold earrings, exuding an air of sophistication and tradition.
For more inspiration, be sure to explore our curated selection of Eid gharara styles from around the world. For an extensive collection of 2019’s latest Eid dress designs for girls, click on this link.
↓ 11 – Gharara With Gown
This stunning ensemble is courtesy of Faraz Abid Sheikhu’s FAS Design Studio, where modern fashion seamlessly merges with traditional gharara styles. The model’s attire features a flowy pleated gharara, paired with an intricately embroidered satin coat that falls just above the shoulder, and a muted green blouse peeking out from beneath. The harmonious color palette, dominated by shades of green and grey, creates a mesmerizing visual effect.
The fabric’s subtle sheen adds depth to the overall design, while the delicate tassels on the upper portion add a touch of elegance. This outfit would be perfect for special occasions like weddings, mehndi ceremonies, or festive celebrations like Eid.
↓ 10 – Off-shoulder Top With Gharara
Toronto-based creator and influencer Ankita, an Indian by origin, has left us spellbound with her impeccable style. The outfit she’s showcased features a stunning embroidered net gharara paired with a pink, off-the-shoulder short shirt and a lightweight net dupatta. The gotta work border on the dupatta adds a touch of regality and shine, making this look truly unforgettable. To complete the ensemble, some subtle gold jewelry is all it takes to make a statement.
What’s remarkable about Ankita’s style is that you can easily replicate this look by getting the fabrics stitched at your local markets, with many affordable options available.
↓ 09 – How To Wear A Black Gharara
One of Ankita’s standout gharara outfit ideas is her striking black ensemble, elevated by vibrant embroidery and thoughtful accessorizing. Black can be a monotonous color, but the addition of colorful details or a statement piece like this orange-embellished gharara with a plain dupatta and a poppy mid-length shirt transforms the overall look.
To take this understated outfit to the next level for a special occasion, Ankita has added an array of beautiful accessories – golden jhumkas and a stunning matha Patti headband that adds depth without overwhelming the ensemble. This polished look is perfect for a private dholki or sangeet celebration, showcasing Ankita’s ability to elevate everyday attire with thoughtful styling choices, even sourced from local markets in India.
↓ 08 – The White Beauty
The enchanting gharara outfit was the result of a collaboration between Hira Attique, a renowned beauty and fashion blogger from Islamabad, and Sapphire Pakistan. We are deeply grateful for their contribution in showcasing this stunning ensemble. The pièce de résistance is the exquisite banarsi dupatta, which I find particularly captivating. The combination of a lightly embroidered shirt and gharara is truly alluring.
The intricate embroidery on the flared portions above the knee and around the neck area adds a touch of elegance, evoking beautiful malas worn as necklaces. The full sleeves with embroidery enhance the outfit’s modest yet stylish appeal. This look is perfect for any religious celebration, such as Diwali or Eid. What I appreciate most about this dress is that it has been skillfully crafted from a simple 3-piece suit, making it effortless to recreate an outfit of this caliber.
↓ 07 – Best Gharara Color For Summers
The latest collaboration between Hira Attique and Sapphire Pakistan is a stunning light purple gharara that exudes elegance. This beautiful cotton ensemble features a long gharara paired with a flowy shirt and a delicate net dupatta, reminiscent of the 80’s era. The farshi-style gharara, characterized by its length and width, adds a touch of grandeur to the overall look.
Sapphire Pakistan has expertly styled this outfit with silver chandbalis and an open-hairdo, making it perfect for any occasion. As someone who appreciates traditional gharara styles, I find this ensemble to be flawless. Whether you’re hosting a party or attending a social gathering, this understated yet regal look is ideal. The gharara’s royal touch is balanced by the outfit’s minimal and elegant color palette, making it perfect for those who prefer simplicity.
↓ 06 – Pastel Drama
Maria B’s latest ensemble showcases a masterful blend of pastel drama. The trend has been going strong since 2017, and judging by its enduring popularity, it seems unlikely to lose steam anytime soon. While bright and dark colors have their own unique charm, there’s something undeniably regal about traditional wear in soft, pastel hues. This outfit is a perfect illustration of that.
The combination of colors makes it suitable for both lunch and dinner events, with the royal gharara adding an extra layer of sophistication. To complete the look, some tasteful pearl and silver jewelry would be a great addition. As part of their Eid 2018 collection, this stunning ensemble is still available from the brand’s stores or online platform. Even if it goes out of stock, you can rest assured that Maria B has an extensive range of similar, elegant pieces to choose from.
↓ 05 – Celebrity Style
A recent fashion sighting has caught our attention, featuring Pakistani drama actress Hira Mani’s stunning outfit. This 90s-inspired ensemble exudes elegance and classiness, a quality often overshadowed by modern street style and chic fashion trends. The golden silk shirt with a fawn-colored lining is paired with a vibrant red jamawar gharara and a golden net dupatta.
The contrast between the golden embroidery on the shirt and the red and gold embroidery on the dupatta adds depth to this already striking look. To complete the outfit, Hira Mani has added a selection of jewelry pieces, including jhumkas, a neckpiece, and a headpiece. This full wedding look is versatile enough to be worn in both winter and summer settings.
Next, we have renowned actress Dia Mirza, who has opted for a metallic gharara paired with a coral pink embroidered kurta.
Her outfit is a masterclass in understated glamour, with the subtle shimmer of the metallic fabric complemented by the delicate embroidery on her top.
↓ 04 – Gharara With Lawn Kurtis
This year, a trending style has been the pairing of plain gharara pants with lawn and chiffon kurtis. Many fashion brands have featured this combination in their ready-to-wear collections, such as Kayseria’s Eid 2019 collection. The bright colour printed kurta from this same collection is a must-have for hot summer Eids in many Asian countries. It’s the perfect outfit for casual get-togethers or even just a relaxed evening out.
To complete the look, add some big, dainty accessories like jhumkas and golden or silver bangles. What’s great about this combination is that it offers both comfort and trendiness, making it ideal for extreme summer heat. For those who love wearing kurtis, don’t miss our article on 18 Ways to Wear Palazzo with Kurtis.
↓ 03 – Casual Gharara Attire
Ego’s Summer collection boasts a fresh take on traditional ghararas, solidifying their place as a trendsetter in this season’s fashion landscape. The brand’s latest offering seamlessly blends casual charm with subtle elegance, making it an absolute must-have for any wardrobe. Light and airy fabric, paired with a pleasing tea pink hue, brings a refreshing touch to the overall ensemble. The incorporation of a short peplum shirt cleverly evokes 90s nostalgia without sacrificing modern flair.
To complete this look, adding some silver bangles and jhumkas or chandbalis would be the perfect finishing touch.
↓ 02 – Semi-Formal & Formal Style Ghararas
Fatima Irfan Sheikh, the popular beauty and fashion influencer behind Glossips, recently showcased a stunning fawn-colored gharara outfit from Maria Nasir Online. The outfit’s simplicity is what makes it truly impressive – a plain net dupatta paired with an embroidered short shirt and a matching plain net gharara. What caught my attention was Fatima’s gorgeous hair and hair color, which added an extra touch of elegance to the overall look.
This ensemble would be perfect for any occasion where you want to make a statement. Interestingly, Maria Nasir Online is originally from Norway but ships worldwide, making it accessible to fans like Pakistani influencers Fatima Irfan Sheikh and many others.
↓ 01 – Gharara Pants
One of the standout pieces in Ankita’s collection is her substitute outfit, which features a pair of gharara pants that exude comfort, practicality, and style. Unlike some other outfits, these pants can be easily paired with everyday clothes to create a chic yet laid-back look.
For those seeking a more relaxed, casual vibe, plain gharara pants are an excellent choice. Simply pair them with your favorite shirts or kurtis for a look that’s both effortless and stylish.