CLOTHING GUIDE

Tips for Shopping

  • India will be hot! Choose lightweight cottons and linens for travel and sightseeing. If you are prone to sunburns, make sure to cover up appropriately and wear sunscreen!

    Avoid heavy clothing so that you can dress and travel comfortably. You may not find washing services easily, so please check with your hotels beforehand to plan accordingly.

    For the wedding, we have defined themes for each event on the events page. Please try to align to the themes within your means, but don’t drive yourself crazy. We are just happy to share the special occasion with our friends and family. Most importantly, pick attire that makes you feel good and lets you dance!

  • There are a plethora of online resources available. We recommend doing some research, but you can use the below as starting points:

  • From the moment you step foot into the country, India will offer you a wide range of clothing, decor, and handicrafts. If your travel plans allow, you may consider shopping in India for wedding attire just before arriving at the wedding.

    Prices can range drastically, and bargaining is standard (outside of retail stores). Avoid using international currency with street vendors. Most stores will accept credit cards, but make sure your card will not incur additional foreign transaction fees ahead of time.

    For shopping variety, Delhi offers an unmatched selection. However, you will be able to find local vendors everywhere, and there are also air-conditioned malls for a more comfortable shopping experience. Be sure to check out a variety of stores, as options can vary vastly in price point.

  • Note that the below recommendations are fixed price and non-negotiable. However, many of the stores have a wide variety of affordable options.

    In Delhi, we recommend:

    • Frontier Raas

    • Manyavar

    • Shapura Jaat (neighborhood)

    • Our wedding planners are also very familiar with the shopping scene in Delhi, so you may ask them for recommendations. Below is one contact that they provided:

      • Clothes - Customized Ethnic Designer Bridal & Festive Wear Customised Ethnic Designer

        • +91 97185 99228

    In Mumbai, we recommend:

    • Fashion Street (flea market)

    • Phoenix Palladium (famous mall)

Attire Descriptions

    • Lehenga Choli (Ghagra Choli): A flared skirt (lehenga) paired with a fitted top (choli) and a long scarf (dupatta).

    • Salwar Kameez: A tunic (kameez) with loose trousers (salwar), popular for comfort and widely worn across India.

    • Anarkali Suits: Floor-length, frock-style kurtas with churidar (tight-fitting) pants. 

    • Sari/Saree: A long, unstitched cloth draped in various regional styles, often worn with a short blouse (choli). Please buy a ready-made sari if you have never worn one before.

    • Kurta Pajama: A long tunic (kurta) with drawstring trousers (pajama) for casual and festive wear.

    • Dhoti: An unstitched cloth wrapped around the waist, common in cultural and traditional settings.

    • Sherwani: A long coat-like garment, often worn for weddings and formal occasions, sometimes paired with churidar pants or a dhoti.

    • Jodhpuri Suit: A tailored jacket (bandhgala) with trousers, offering a regal Indo-Western look. 

    • Baju Melayu:

      A long-sleeved shirt (Baju) with trousers (Celana), often worn with a samping (sarong) and songkok (cap), featuring necklines like cekak musang or teluk belanga. 

    • Kebaya:

      A tighter, two-piece blouse and skirt, famously worn by Malaysia and Singapore Airlines flight attendants, with Nyonya versions featuring sheer fabric and intricate embroidery (like Baju Panjang or Kebaya Pendek). 

    • Qipao (旗袍) / Cheongsam (長衫): A sleek, one-piece dress that evolved from Manchu robes, known for its high collar, side slits, and figure-hugging silhouette, popular since the 1920s and 30s.

    • Tang Suit (唐裝): A modernized jacket inspired by ancient Chinese wear, featuring a Mandarin collar, frog buttons, and often elaborate patterns, commonly seen during festivals.

  • For the Sangeet, we encourage guests to incorporate an Heirloom into their outfit. Below are some ideas to inspire what an Heirloom could mean for you!

    • Your mother/grandmother’s jewelry

    • A vintage or memorable red gown

    • A grandfather’s tie

    • Your tea ceremony qi pao

    • Your wedding sari

    • An 80s pinstripe suit

    • A pattern from your culture

    • A brooch

    There are no rules—get as creative as you’d like!