An Indian/Western Style Jacket: The Bandhgala Jacket

You have to go to an event and you know that everyone will probably wear a tuxedo but you want to be different. Or maybe you just want to try something original so the Bandhgala will perfectly suit you for what you want.

This particular Jacket is a shorter version of an Achkan, a long collared jacket with button that evolved after a blend of European and Indian style in the mid-19th century. Indeed the Bandhgala sports a western cut with an Indian touch, like hand embroidered detailing and a Nehru collar. Although its popularity is mainly due to Jawaharlal Nehru (India's first Prime Minister), who as a leader spread the style by extensively wearing this style of jacket.

Bandhgala's are also popular and are worn by celebrities. For example Actor Shah Rukh Khan was once spotted in a black bandhgala. Also Kabir Bedi and Saif Ali Khan have frequently worn them. “The bandhgala represents India and is the best answer to a formal suit,” said Kabir Bedi.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan

Actor Kabir Bedi

Saif Ali Khan

The formal jackets are usually make with silk, cashmere, khadi, wool but you can also find Bandhgalas made with linen, cotton chino and silk. More and more designers are using lighter fabrics to make jackets as light as possible.

Who said though that these jackets are only for a special event? You can wear it with trousers for weddings or more formal occasions. You can also wear a coat with it or combine with a pair of jeans and stay elegant in more casual moments. Depending on what you like you can find them in different colours from bright to dark.

 

Black Linen Nehru Jacket 

This Jacket was made by Indian Fashion Designer Manoviraj Khosla. He creates contemporary styles using tradional Indian Techniques.

Do you want to get your own? Have a look at this collection of designer bandhgalas.

Indian Sarees for Weddings and Innovative Draping Styles to Try

A diverse country with varied traditions and different customs, to say that India is a complex nation would be just to state the tip of the iceberg. In a country with a rich heritage of thousands of years, change has been a constant. But there have been some aspects of our lifestyle that have never really died down. Like women wearing the saree for an auspicious occasion, especially weddings. Wearing Indian sarees for weddings is something that most women look forward to.

Donning Indian sarees for weddings can imbue you with a grace that is difficult to achieve in any other outfit. And while you may think that it can get a tad too mundane with the conventionally tried and tested draping style, the reality is that the six-yard wonder, especially exquisite Indian sarees for weddings, are clothing options that you can wear innovatively every time without ever getting bored. We tell you our favourite styles of draping this fabulous outfit.

Indian Sarees for Weddings in a Bengali Style

If you are a fan of the Shahrukh Khan version of Devdas, then chances are that you loved the typical Bengali look that Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai sported in the movie. Feminine, classic, and with an ethereal quality about them, they took your breath away. Try the drape they wore in the movie.

Unlike a conventional saree, the pallu of an Indian saree for a wedding when worn the Bengali style is draped over the left side, brought in from behind and under the right arm, and then draped over the right shoulder. Of all the different draping options for Indian sarees for weddings, this style stands out for its simplicity and elegance.

The Gujarati Style of Draping the Indian Sarees for Weddings

A couple of years ago, Indian television was taken over by series featuring Gujarati households, and if you have always found their saree draping style interesting, then you should definitely give it a try. The difference in this style for wearing Indian sarees for weddings? Instead of pleating the saree on the left side, it’s pleated and tucked in on the right side and the pallu of the saree is draped from the back to the front on the right side. This draping style is the perfect option when you want to highlight an elaborate border on the saree.

Draping Indian Sarees for Weddings the Half-Saree Style

Want to channel Deepika Padukone’s look from Chennai Express, then this is the style to master. Not only does it look gorgeous, it also makes your waistline look slimmer. Win-win, we say! How do you achieve this look? Well, pleat and drape the saree as you would normally. Now pleat the pallu and bring it over your left shoulder, pinning it there. Take one corner of the pallu, wrap it around your waist, and pin it under the pleats on the right side, forming a V in the front.  Traditionally associated with younger girls, it is a drape that can look beautiful even on older women when tried with Indian sarees for weddings.

The Mumtaz-style Drape for Indian Sarees for Weddings

Remember the cult classic ‘aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche’ featuring Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz? The way she draped her saree in that song started a movement which is seen time and again to this date. Opt for a vintage-inspired look with this draping style. Wrap your saree tightly around your lower body several times to give it a narrow look and then fling the pallu over your shoulder. This is great option for Indian sarees for weddings when you want to wear them to pre-wedding event like a cocktail party.

Indian Sarees for Weddings and The Modern Drape

Are you more of a world bride? Someone who mixes the Indian with the global? Do you want this to reflect in your draping style? Then this drape would be perfect for you. Wear your traditional Indian saree for a wedding with a polo neck top instead of a blouse and a pair of slim-fit trousers instead of an underskirt. Draped like a dhoti but worn with a pallu like a saree, it can be a showstopper of an outfit.

While these are some of the most popular styles for draping Indian sarees for weddings, there are many more variants out there that you can experiment with. It’s just a matter of getting the drape right. Because once that happens, you are sure to steal the limelight.