Lehenga
The lehenga, lehnga or langa (also known as a ghagra or gagra, chaniya, pavadai, or lacha) is a form of ankle-length skirt worn by women[1][2] in the Indian subcontinent,[3] particularly the Bettiah Christian community of Champaran and the Marwari.[4] Different patterns and styles of traditional embroidery are used to decorate the lehenga. Gota patti embroidery is often used for festivals and weddings. The lehenga is sometimes worn as the lower portion of a gagra choli or langa voni.
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Variations
Ghagri
The ghagri is a six-foot-long narrow skirt, the same length as the original antariya. This style of lehenga is still used today, and is worn by Jain nuns in India.
A-line
The A-line lehenga has an A-line skirt and hem and is named for its shape, which resembles the capital letter "A." The skirt is tighter at the waist and flares out at the bottom.
- Priyanka Chopra in an A-line lehenga
- Shamita Shetty in an A-line lehenga
- Lilavati Save in an A-line lehenga at Manish Malhotra's fashion walk
Flared
A flared or circular lehenga has a round skirt which can be pleated or layered for volume.
- Yuvika Chaudhary in a flared lehenga
Double-flared
A double-flared lehenga is a type of multi-layered can-can skirt with a dramatic flare and extra volume.
- Double-flared lehenga
- Double-flared ghagra choli
Mermaid
A mermaid lehenga, also known as a fishtail or trumpet, resembles the tail of a fish. This style is fitted from the waist to the knees, then flares over the calves.
- Mermaid lehenga
Paneled
A paneled lehenga has several horizontal panels of fabric stitched together to create a flare, resulting in a fuller skirt. The horizontal panels can be of the same or varying sizes and shapes.
- Embroidered paneled lehenga
- Anjali Lavania in a paneled lehenga
- Shraddha Kapoor in a paneled lehenga
- Shantanu Goenka in a paneled lehenga at Lakme Fashion Week
Sharara
A sharara lehenga is also known as a pavadai, langa davani, langa voni, or half saree. It features large, voluminous pants called palazzos. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka it is part of the langa voni. It is typically worn in South India with a dupatta wrapped around the waist and draped across the shoulder like a sari.
- Ankita Shorey in a half saree lehenga
- Shriya Saran in a half saree lehenga
Straight
A straight lehenga has a straight silhouette without any pleats or layers, sometimes with a side slit for easy movement. This style is worn on special occasions.
Trail
A trail lehenga has an extra portion of fabric attached to the back of the skirt to create a train.
References
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- "lehnga". OxfordDictionaries.com. Oxford University Press. 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
- Fashions from India - Tom Tierney
- "Indian Lehenga Choli - Its Origin, History And More". Utsavpedia. 2017-03-18. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
- John, Jose Kalapura (2000). Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 61. Indian History Congress. p. 1018.