Up the Bong Swag With These Essential Bengali Dressing Style Tips and Be the Star of Every Event!

Every regional wedding in India has a unique flavour. And the wedding outfits have a lot of contribution in representing diversity. When you see a beautiful bride adorned in a Pehran and Tarang, you know you're looking at a gorgeous Kashmiri wedding. Whereas, a vibrant Panetar saree, Gajji silk and Bandhani dupatta with an embellished Pagdi are the characteristic features that you'll find in a Gujarati Shaadi. So, what are the key elements that define a typical Bengali dressing style? Is it the saree draping style or the fabric? Are the Kurta Pyjamas from Bengal any different from the sherwanis of Punjab? What are the popular fashion choices that millennial couples from Bengal swear by? Intrigued to know? Dive in!

1. The Biye Dressing Trends

You all must have seen some gorgeous Bengali bride pictures in different wedding ceremonies. So let's talk about the specific Bengali dressing style a bride and a groom adopts on the big Biye night. Here are a few essential aspects to take care of:

A) Bride - Bengali dressing style

• Traditionally a bride loves to sport a red Banarasi saree on her wedding night draped in a typical Bengali Atpoure style. It's a rich silk saree with heavy gold or silver thread-work done all over it.
• Traditional Bengali gold jewellery including a Shakha- Pola and Mukut are the essential jewellery and accessories for a Bengali bride.
• A net veil or an Odna in red is placed on her head covering the hair.

B) Groom - Bengali dressing style

• For the big night, a Bengali groom enters the wedding mandap in a Tussar silk Kurta heavily embroidered at the front. This particular Kurta is usually cream, beige or golden coloured and the embroidery work is done in either maroon, red or golden.
• A Mayurpuchha dhoti is a must for a groom to be teamed up with the Tussar kurta. This dhoti has a large number of pre-stitched plaits and looks like an opened peacock tail once worn. The dhoti is typically red or maroon in colour. However, the groom is supposed to change into a white silk dhoti and shawl while performing the rituals.
• As for footwear, a pair of Kolhapuri Juttis or Chappals are the most popular trends.
• A watch and gold buttons for the kurta complete the groom's wedding look.

2. The Gaye Holud Dressing Trends 

Keeping in tune with the fun and galore of Gaye holud or the Haldi ceremony, the dressing style of the bride and the groom exhibits nothing but cheerfulness. Here are a few style tips:

A) Bride - Bengali dressing style

• One of the most loved elements of Bengali dressing style is the vibrant yellow 'Tant' or cotton saree with handloom work. Not just the bride, but all the other women who apply Haldi on her drape a yellow saree, preferably in cotton and in Bengali Atpoure drape.
• Simple gold earrings, Bengali bangles and a gold chain are enough for Gaye Holud. Post the Gaye Holud and holy bath, the bride wears the 'Shakha' (Conch shell) and 'Pola' (Red coral) bangles, akin to a Punjabi or Sikh bride's marriage Chura.
• Some brides sport a key bunch or a fancy embellished trinket to hang from the end of their saree Pallu. That particular trend has been a part of Bengali dressing style since forever.

B) Groom - Bengali dressing style

• Grooms wear colourful kurta pyjama in cotton, khadi silk or silk teamed up with white churidar or even a pair of jeans.
• Some of them go a little further and carry a vibrant dupatta or a stole around their necks to add some colourful vibes to the ceremony.
• If you're feeling up for it, you can also go with a colourful dhoti with your Haldi special Kurta for a complete traditional Bong look.

3. Pre-Wedding Shoot Dressing Trends 

Now, this is one of the most sought after sections especially when it comes to exploring fashion trends. A pre-wedding photo shoot is an opportunity for a Bengali couple to flaunt their diverse wardrobe. Traditional, contemporary or fusion...take a look at some Bengali dressing style ideas that couples incorporate in their photo-shoots:

A) Bride - Bengali dressing style

• A Jamdani saree in red, yellow, purple or magenta with a contrasting blouse is quite a popular choice as a pre-wedding shoot outfit among Bengali brides. Especially if you're shooting with an old Kolkata charm as your backdrop.
• Other than the airy Jamdani, some of the other popular saree choices are chiffon, Chanderi, printed crepe or Matka silk saree. These are all easy to carry and have a great fall.
• Light terracotta jewellery with simple makeup and hairstyles are ideal. You can look for chic bun styles or can go with open hair.
• If you're looking for something less traditional, go with kurti and jeans/leggings paired with colourful dupatta. Large hoop or silk thread earrings and a bracelet would complete the look.
• Other options are long skirts with a tank top or a cute midi-dress.

B) Groom - Bengali dressing style

• Black kurta with jeans, colourful kurta with white churidar or mid-length kurta with jeans- Bengali grooms simply love to wear kurta on every chance they get. You can choose the colour the fabric of your kurta depending on the weather conditions and background colours, .
• Loafers, Kohlapuri sandals or Juttis are the ideal footwear choices.
• Men who prefer western or contemporary dressing, go for a simple linen shirt with dark trousers or jeans.
• For a little more summery casual look, you can go for three-quarters Cargos with t-shirts and boat shoes.

Sporting a saree is not just a traditional custom but a significant part of Bengali dressing style that brides love to fashion. To add a little spunk to your traditional Bengali sarees try different unconventional blouse patterns with them. Grooms can try out unique accessories and jewellery for an edgy look. The whole idea behind acing the Bengali dressing is to bring in fresh fashion elements while keeping the traditional style intact. Flaunt the beautiful ethnic fabrics and handlooms of Bengal and mix them up with contemporary ideas. Fashion is after all, about experimenting new things and still maintaining the traditional flavours! Bookmark our take on Bengali dressing style now!

Explore street shopping in Kolkata for some stunning jewellery and accessories at amazing prices!