Indian Bridal Wear
Trousseau shopping is every bride's nightmare. It has to be perfect yet as inexpensive as possible. SeasonsIndia.Com have chalked out a few guidelines for your persual.

The first thing you must keep in mind when you shop for your wedding trousseau is to divide the list into three sections - Indian formal, Western formal and semi-casual. There aren't many occasions for casual dressing for the Indian bride. Of course, since it is your wedding, you must keep in mind that the silhouettes must be ultra feminine. And as far as possible, let whites and pastels dominate your new wardrobe. This season, fashion pundits predict a break away from old traditional fashion phobias and a move towards bolder definitive statements.

You can look for lots more metallic tones or undertones in clothes. Sentiments brand designer, Vandanna Roy promises that the note for this season is silver, in any and every form. She feels it's the ice cool colours that will predominate. She also feels that many people could avoid the earth colour look this season and go in for more pastel shades. Vandanna's own collection is based on this premise.

Another look for the season is nets, transparent fabrics and a general feel of lightness. Vandana advises people to put away the chunky gold and go in for the white gold and silver look. So match your wardrobe accordingly.

In the Indian formal section, where you can get as dramatic as possible, get yourself a judicious mix of sarees, salwar kameezes, lehenga cholis and lachas. Indian handlooms offer some must haves in the trousseau variety of sarees, like the Banarasi, the Paithani, Tissue, Kanjeevaram and the Bandhni sarees in silk. The good sarees in these traditional weaves all come at the price tag upwards of Rs 4000, so plan the colours you need. Buy traditional weaves in traditionally classic shades, they'll never go out of style. You could complement these with embroidered cholis which are immensely chic. Alternatively, you could get embroidered chiffon saris, which look both understated and elegant.

You can get your salwar kameeze and lehenga cholis from the Seasons, super store located at Santa Cruz(west), Mumbai or shop online, if you cannot make it to Mumbai. Make sure you have some outfits with traditional embroidery.

The Ceremonial Look
For your sangeet ceremony, try a lacha in tissue and zardozi in a pastel shade. Make sure it's not too cumbersome in case you feel like dancing at your wedding. Sorbet colours like mango, peach, pista are some options for an elegant, subdued look.



A mehndi ceremony
This ceremony is one of the more traditional ones. Try a bright bride-like sari, in a wine or an ochre shade, a Banarasi or a Kanjeevaram, with traditional motifs.

Wedding Reception
For the wedding reception, ghagra cholis in traditional colours like maroon, burgundy, pink, red or wine shades, with intricate zardosi work look stunning. Team this with traditional jadau jewellery. If you want to be jazzy this is one of the few occasions when a gold lame blouse and a gold embroidered tissue sari will not be too much. Or maybe you could play different with a non-traditional colour like blue or green.


Westerns For Your Honeymoon
Anita Menon, whose work has always been about minimalism and whose indo-western outfits are in vogue, does differ somewhat. Her forecast for the season though is a bit different, and she says that colours will still be a hot favourite with western wear. She also predicts the end of cargoes, as we know it, with low waisted, wide-bottomed pants making a comeback. Cottons are big this season, according to her. Yet, even she feels that silhouettes will be the playing field of the fashion industry and her own range of short kurtas highlights this point. Include a jacket and trouser set, which you could team with a silk camisole for a formal evening look. Also, a floor-length straight sheath in a fabric with a soft sheen could take you through many cocktails and dinner parties. A knee-length dress in a figure flattering fabric is ideal for evenings out with friends. Antique lace is a good bet for a cocktail function. Gold lace as a sheath dress is immediately sexy, attractive and timeless.

Cool It! Ultimately, as jewellery, accessories and clothes go towards a more heavy, metallic look, it makes sense to follow the pattern and choose from the cooling and soothing shades. There is nothing better to catch the light than a glint of silver in your attire….and the shine in your eyes.