Asian weddings are a vibrant celebration of love and culture. The sharara or lehenga is an integral part of this festive atmosphere, showcasing the beauty of traditional attire. Nothing beats the grandeur of a flowy, royal, and colourfully embroidered sharara at an Asian wedding. As the wedding season approaches, brides-to-be are likely searching for the latest sharara designs to make their special day even more unforgettable.
Fear not, as we’re here to provide inspiration and guidance on finding the perfect sharara outfit for your loved one’s big day.
How to Wear a Sharara Dress
In our previous post, we explored the intricacies of Gharara Suits in great detail. A natural extension of this discussion is the concept of shararas, which share some similarities with ghararas but exhibit distinct differences. Unlike ghararas, shararas are loosely fitted and lack stitching around the knee. In fact, one could argue that shararas are the precursors to modern palazzo pants. As we delve into the world of shararas, it’s essential to consider how to style them effectively.
Here are a few key takeaways: conventional embroidery techniques can still be applied to modern cuts, breathing new life into traditional designs. Similarly, old fabric can be revitalized with new embroidery styles. In hot summer months, pair lightweight jewelry with heavily embroidered shararas for a stunning look. Even without intricate embroidery, the right accessories can make all the difference. For brides-to-be, a fancy, heavily worked sharara is an excellent choice.
The resurgence of net, gota, and kiran in wedding wear shararas offers a unique opportunity to incorporate these elements into one’s wardrobe. When pairing jhumkas and chandbalis with traditional shararas, the key is to create a regal, royal look. To achieve this, focus on making sure the dress remains the focal point, rather than the dupatta.
A clever way to do this is to pin the dupatta at the shoulder on one side and wrap it around your hand on the other, allowing the dress to take center stage.
↓ 15 – Celebrities In Shararas
Shararas are a type of traditional Indian attire that closely resembles ghararas. The main difference is that instead of gathering above the knee in a chunnatain form, they feature two flared legs from top to bottom. This unique design allows for a more fluid and dramatic silhouette. Celebrities like Sonakshi Sinha have been spotted wearing stunning sharara outfits, pairing them with embroidered shirts and net dupattas that evoke a sense of regal elegance.
The beauty of this outfit lies in its versatility – it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. For instance, Sonakshi’s daytime look featured subtle makeup and nude lips, while a night function could call for bolder, more dramatic makeup choices. Shararas are often paired with statement accessories like Anita Dongre’s sharara set, which retails at Rs 116,000, or Fizzy Goblet’s juttis, priced at Rs 2,990.
Adding a touch of glamour to the overall look is Auraa Trends’ earrings, available for Rs 9,500. In this sense, Shararas have become a go-to choice for celebrities like Mahira Khan and Pooja Hedge, who often opt for Anita Dongre’s designs. The latter’s stunning red sharara outfit is reminiscent of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, while Pooja Hedge’s look exudes the same level of elegance and sophistication.
Overall, Shararas are a testament to Indian fashion’s ability to blend traditional with modern elements.
↓ 14 – Mehndi Ensemble
In winter or spring, this striking two-legged sharara ensemble in rich velvet is a stunning mehndi combination that can be effortlessly worn by Desis across the globe. While it may not be suitable for the scorching summer heat of South Asia, its delicate charm makes it an ideal choice for milder climates. The ensemble’s centerpiece is a beautiful blue embroidered peplum that adds a touch of elegance to any occasion, whether it’s a wedding or a special event.
Paired with flared shararas and complemented by a gold traditional neck piece and earrings, this look exudes understated sophistication. For an added layer of glamour, consider draping a golden dupatta over the ensemble or opting for a chiffon or net pearl dupatta that matches the sharara’s colour palette. This exquisite combination is available for $650.00.
↓ 13 – How To Wear Shararas In Winters?
As the winter wedding season approaches, finding a stylish yet comfortable outfit can be a challenge. However, the Maria B green velvet sharara checks all the right boxes. Not only does it exude elegance and sophistication, but its warm and soft fabric also makes it perfect for cold winter days.
The ensemble is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring a beautiful two-legged sharara that flows from head to toe, except for the dupatta which adds a pop of color and allows you to match your jewelry with ease. Subtle embroidery on the flare, sleeves, and neckline adds a touch of sophistication without being too over-the-top. This style is perfect for those who prefer understated yet stylish wedding attire, making it an excellent choice for distant relatives or friends’ weddings.
↓ 12 – Designer Sharara
Banarsi fabric has been a stalwart companion to traditional Indian garments like shararas, ghararas, saris, and other attire since antiquity. While initially all these clothing items were made from banarsi fabric, over time, embroidered, chiffon, net, cotton, and other fabrics entered the scene, offering a diverse range of options.
The combination of a banarsi sharara with an embroidered shirt instantly transports us back to the 1990s, as evident in the stunning ensemble worn by Maya Ali, designed by Nomi Ansari. This blend of vintage charm and modern flair serves as a poignant reminder of how Indian fashion has evolved through the ages.
↓ 11 – Casual Shararas
Shararas and ghararas, once an integral part of everyday wear for older women in Indian households, have largely been relegated to special occasions like weddings. Grandmothers, mothers, and aunts would adorn themselves with these traditional clothing items in the 1980s and 1990s, but as modernity took hold, they became reserved for such events only. However, it’s the dupatta that truly elevates the sharara or gharara from casual to captivating.
That’s why we’ve curated a list of 17 types of dupattas that can help you elevate your look and bring together any outfit.
↓ 10 – Desi Airport Look
Anushka Sharma’s post-wedding look with Virat Kohli serves as the epitome of understated elegance. Her Sabyasachi-designed long shirt and sharara combination, complemented by traditional red wedding bangles, is a masterclass in effortless style. The addition of a roomy handbag for the journey and coordinating orange khussas that mirror the detailing on her attire add a touch of whimsy to this straightforward yet stunning ensemble.
This look can be easily replicated at various Indian celebrations, such as Eid, Diwali, Ramzan get-togethers, and Holi, making it a versatile and timeless style statement.
↓ 09 – Subtle Yet Sublime
The essence of this beautiful pink sharara and short-shirt combination lies in its understated yet captivating beauty. It’s an ideal choice for summer weddings or celebrations held at home, such as dholki, mehndi, or sangeet ceremonies. The comfortable and effortless attire makes it perfect for navigating any summer wedding with ease. To complete the look, add some statement gold earrings and traditional footwear like jootis, khussas, or heels.
The short-shirt and sharara combination is undoubtedly a highlight of sharara fashion, effortlessly blending in with its surroundings.
↓ 08 – Banarsi Shararas
A stunning banarsi sharara ensemble that’s perfect for a summer wedding, minus the weighty dupatta. The flowing chiffon scarf adds a touch of elegance while keeping the overall look light and breezy. This season’s hottest colors – bottle green, peach, and onion pink – are all on trend in this beautiful outfit. For inspiration, take note of how the lack of embroidery allows the fabric to take center stage, creating a truly regal yet effortless vibe.
Pair it with some striking green and silver earrings for a chic look that’s sure to turn heads at your next dholki or sangeet celebration.
↓ 07 – Semi-Formal Party Shararas
In recent years, the traditional Sharara has undergone a modern transformation, appealing to not just older women but also teenagers. The younger generation has taken a liking to this Indian outfit in both formal and casual settings. Gone are the days when Sharara was solely associated with mature women; today’s teens have given it a fresh spin, redefining its style and making it their own.
To illustrate this evolution, consider the fusion of modern elements like flared wide-leg skirts, high-waisted shararas, and statement accessories.
↓ 06 – Yellow Sharara Suit
A vibrant yellow sharara style ensemble stands out for its perfect blend of traditional flair and summer charm. This stunning outfit is ideal for religious, cultural, or wedding festivities, exuding a sense of freshness and elegance. The bright yellow hue serves as the focal point, complemented by a short shirt and flared sharara with a simple dupatta adorned with intricate gotta work throughout.
This versatile ensemble would be perfect for summer celebrations like dholkis, mayoons, sangeet, or eid, and its adaptability to pair well with both gold and silver jewelry only adds to its appeal.
↓ 05 – Wedding Wear
The Nomi Ansari ensemble has been making waves in the fashion world after a prominent Pakistani actress showcased it in a drama serial. It’s easy to see why – this stunning piece combines traditional and modern elements with ease. The short apple-cut shirt, wide-leg sharara, and intricately embroidered dupatta all come together to create a truly show-stopping look.
↓ 04 – Summer Fit
Nomi Ansari’s flair for incorporating vibrant hues into his designs is truly remarkable. He effortlessly elevates an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary, and his latest sharara ensemble with a short shirt is no exception. The fawn-inspired color palette takes on a new dimension with the addition of colorful detailing, bringing it to life in a way that only Nomi Ansari could achieve.
A stunning combination of intricate embroidery adorns the short shirt and sharara, which is perfectly complemented by a net dupatta featuring the same embroidered borders. This ensemble would be a showstopper at any mehndi function. Moreover, the incorporation of gold accents adds an extra layer of sophistication to the overall look, making it a perfect fit for jewelry as well.
↓ 03 – Casual
A versatile combination that’s perfect for everyday wear is a cotton short shirt paired with a matching sharara. This outfit is ideal for a wide range of occasions, from family gatherings to Eid celebrations with friends and family, or even just dressing up for a day at work. For added elegance, simple flats, traditional khussas or jootis are great options to complement this look.
To add a touch of sophistication without overdoing it, consider pairing the outfit with small jhumkis and plain silver bangles.
↓ 02 – Sharara For Brides
A game-changer in bridal attire, this two-legged sharara offers a comfortable and stunning alternative to traditional one-legged options. While still exuding royal beauty, the design maintains all the classic elements of a bride’s outfit – intricate bling, heavy embroidery, luxurious fabric, and exquisite jewelry and footwear – with the only departure being the addition of a second leg.
The wide, flared silhouette of the sharara creates an optical illusion, making it seem as though there’s only one flowing leg. Meanwhile, the long shirt modestly covers the legs, ensuring a perfect balance between traditional elegance and modern flair.
↓ 01 – Peachy Delight
The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly this stunning peach sharara attire, exquisitely crafted for Eid celebrations. Its understated elegance combines traditional charm with modern sensibilities, making it the perfect choice for 2019’s cultural and religious festivities. A short shirt paired with a flowy sharara creates a striking ensemble that’s both timeless and contemporary.
For added glamour, pair this look with lightweight silver jewelry, such as jhumkas, to create an unforgettable summer outfit. The peach sharara set is available for ₹6,500.
