A lehenga is an easy go-to choice for festivals but there are so many other options for a celebratory outfit. Sarees, shararas, kaftans, co-ords, tailored jackets and fluid dresses can all be made to feel just as special if the style, fabric and accessories are right. The volume of a skirt is replaced by other design elements like draping or embroidery or shine or structure. It all creates a different kind of glamour, leaving scope for individual expression and practicality depending on the occasion. These looks are more suited to specific requirements of the event or personal style.
This collection of festive looks for women contains 9 different approaches to a lehenga.
1. Pre-Draped Saree With a Sculptural Blouse
Pin itA pre-draped saree is the best of both worlds – the effortless glamour of the garment without the fuss of draping involved, making it a great alternative to a lehenga when you want to look sharp but feel like something easier to move in.
Go for a satin, crepe, organza or lightly textured saree with a blouse that has an interesting take on the usual – an off-shoulder neckline, structured shoulders, a square neckline or a softly corseted bodice.
Go tonal but not matchy-matchy – think deep wine paired with dull rose, emerald with black or ivory with antique gold.
Limit the accessories to one standout pair of earrings, a sleek clutch and some low heels to let the saree do the talking.
This is a great option when you want something festive but not too fussy for the everyday.
2. Short Embroidered Kurta With Sharara Pants
Pin itA short embroidered kurta with dramatic sharara pants offers you the movement and festiveness you desire for a lehenga, but with a lighter overall feel.
Make sure to go for a kurta that ends along the hip or just above the knees so that the flare of the sharara is not lost. Focus the embroidery on the neckline, sleeves, or bottom of the shirt instead of the whole top.
The trousers can be left to do most of the talking in this outfit. Make sure to look for softly gathered pleats or a tiered flare, or fullness in a georgette, silk-blend fabric or other flowy material.
Finish the look with statement earrings and a small clutch, along with low heels or embellished flats to secure your outfit.
This is a top lehenga alternative for women who want to have the movement and volume of the skirt, but don’t wish to wear it.
3. Cape Blouse With a Draped Midi Skirt
Pin itA pretty little cape blouse with a draped midi skirt makes a fabulous festive look if you are not into lehengas. This outfit creates a dramatic evening silhouette but in a much lighter dressy skirt.
Go for a cape blouse with a soft sleeve, asymmetric or draped one shoulder style, and an open skirt that drapes gently at the waist and flows down into softly folded layers.
Satin, crepe, or fluid silk mixes will help you achieve the desired effect by playing with draped folds of fabric rather than volume.
Choose the color palette in neutral tones: midnight blue with grey-silver accents, burgundy with a grey-pink shade, black with antique gold, or dark green with bronze.
You need to complete the look with architectural earrings, a sleek clutch, and low heels. It’s better not to overload the outfit since the caped blouse is pretty decorative.
4. Brocade Jacket With Wide-Leg Trousers and a Minimal Inner Top
Pin itA brocade jacket can create just as much of an impact as a lehenga if the rest of the outfit is kept simple. Team it with a nude or white camisole, bustier or cropped top and wide-legged trousers to let the richness of the fabric stand out without the look becoming too heavy.
Go for a cropped or hip-length jacket or something slightly longline if you want to create drama. Let the brocade do the talking by pairing it with well-fitted trousers in black, ivory, deep green or chocolate. If the trousers are in a darker shade, keep the jacket in a lighter hue so that the overall look doesn't feel too boxy.
Avoid going all out on traditional jewellery and opt for sculptural earrings, a small clutch and mules or sleek heels instead. This look works best for someone who wants to look dressed up but still feels comfortable in her clothes and doesn't want to feel overwhelmed by layers or volume. It's perfect for a party or a festive dinner out.
5. Silk Kaftan With Statement Cuff and Embellished Mules
Pin itA silk kaftan is a great reminder that festive dressing is not always about fitted silhouettes and full skirts. The volume is more laid back, the shape is easier to wear and the rich fabric itself can be enough to give the outfit extra appeal.
Choose silk, satin-silk or a fluid mix with just a sheen and look out for statement detailing like contrast piping, a clean neckline or some delicate embroidery over a busy pattern. A waist tie or some gentle internal shaping can add structure if you want to try something less bare.
Jewel tones are the best way to go if you want to try out this particular look. Emerald, aubergine, sapphire, wine or bronze are all great options that will give your outfit its festivity without making it too busy.
Replace statement jewellery with one bold cuff or an architectural bracelet and complete the look with some embellished mules and a sleek clutch. The less busy, the better when it comes to accessories so that the luxury of the silk can shine through.
This would be a perfect alternative to a lehenga for someone who wants to look celebratory but still feel elegant and classy at the same time.
6. Minimal Anarkali With Architectural Jewellery
Pin itA minimal Anarkali can be festive without the heavy embroidery and layers. The silhouette speaks up for itself in its own right, so most striking is the simplest version of the ethnic wear.
Opt for a solid or nearly solid Anarkali in silk, chanderi, crepe or another pretty drape, but with one special detail — instead of lots of busy work, go for a single contrasting border, an unusual neckline, subtle tonal embroidery or delicate metallic edging.
Deep plum, forest green, midnight blue, burnt orange and ivory are great colors to try if you go for a more pared-down ethnic wear.
Go for geometric-shaped jewelry to add a modern edge in place of a full traditional set — a sculptural cuff, earrings or a ring. Finish the look with flat pointed shoes, sleek heels or fancy mules, depending on the occasion.
This is a great choice if you want to look festive but still feel elegant and not overwhelmed by the heavily decorated lehenga.
7. Festive Co-ord Set With Contemporary Accessories
Pin itDhoti trousers make for a festive movement in an entirely different way than a lehenga. Where the drape falls lower on the torso, creating a more sculpted effect, the trousers create a less conventional aesthetic.
Go for an asymmetric festive top, one-shoulder blouse or sharply cut tunic that ends around the waist or upper hip. Avoid making the top too boxy, as it will make the overall silhouette too baggy.
Rich solids are particularly effective, so look into deep teal, aubergine, rust, black, or wine, adding in metallic embroidery, a contrast border, or mirror work in a single area rather than across the entire outfit.
Finish the look with sleek sandals or low heels, and one standout accessory such as oversized earrings or a cuff. Avoid adding too many decorative elements, as the unusual silhouette of the trousers already provides a sense of personality.
This is one of the more distinctive festive outfits that isn't a lehenga that makes use of modern, comfortable silhouettes that stand out from the crowd in a way different from the typical wedding-guest wear.
8. Dhoti Trousers With an Asymmetric Festive Top
Pin itDhoti trousers make for a festive movement in an entirely different way than a lehenga. Where the drape falls lower on the torso, creating a more sculpted effect, the trousers create a less conventional aesthetic.
Go for an asymmetric festive top, one-shoulder blouse or sharply cut tunic that ends around the waist or upper hip. Avoid making the top too boxy, as it will make the overall silhouette too baggy.
Rich solids are particularly effective, so look into deep teal, aubergine, rust, black, or wine, adding in metallic embroidery, a contrast border, or mirror work in a single area rather than across the entire outfit.
Finish the look with sleek sandals or low heels, and one standout accessory such as oversized earrings or a cuff. Avoid adding too many decorative elements, as the unusual silhouette of the trousers already provides a sense of personality.
This is one of the more distinctive festive outfits that isn't a lehenga that makes use of modern, comfortable silhouettes that stand out from the crowd in a way different from the typical wedding-guest wear.
9. Long Embroidered Jacket Over a Sleek Slip or Column Dress
Pin itA long embroidered jacket worn over a minimal slip or column dress can create festive impact, without having to go for a traditional skirt silhouette. The base is kept clean and streamlined, while the outerwear adds texture, colour and detail.
Pick an embroidered jacket in either brocade, mirror work, or threadwork, and team it with a solid dress in black, ivory, chocolate, deep green or another neutral tone. The juxtaposition is most effective if you go for something simple in silhouette, that will let the jacket do all the talking.
To balance the volume, go for an open front jacket with some kind of slits on the sides, or a slight structure at the shoulders, rather than a flared design.
Finish with pointed heels or sleek mules, a small clutch and one standout jewel, like earrings, so that nothing else competes with the embroidery.
This is one of the most elegant ways to wear a lehenga, for a woman who wants to appear both festive and modern, for a more dressed up evening.
What Makes an Outfit Feel Festive Without a Lehenga?
Pin itFinal Thoughts
Festive dressing needn't be all about the lehenga. A pre-draped saree, sharara, kaftan, co-ord, Anarkali, dhoti trousering look or even an embroidered jacket can also feel special if the silhouette and styling is in sync with the occasion.
What's important is creating enough visual impact through fabric, movement, colour or one standout detail to allow you to be more free-spirited in your choices based on comfort, individuality and how formal the event really is.
When it comes to festive dressing for women, if you're building a capsule, save the looks that feel closest to your style and consider other options beyond standalone occasion-wear. The most exciting festive outfits for women, are the ones that feel exciting even when worn a second time in a drastically different way.
