Here’s what wedding guests are wearing in 2022

We got the country’s designers and stylists to break down what the attire of wedding attendees looks like now 

If you look back at any Bollywood movie which has an Indian wedding as a part of its storyline, whether it’s 90s hit Hum Aapke Hai Koun (1994) or something more recent like Veere Di Wedding (2018), you’ll find that the characters are often clad in heavy lehengas, vibrant jewel tones and a whole lot of shine. For as long as we can remember, the unwritten dress code for Indian nuptials, both on screen and in real life, has been “more is more”. However, in recent times, what the country’s wedding celebrations look like has changed, and the wardrobes of its attendees has evolved with it as well. Guests, today, are parting with impracticality and challenging convention in more ways than one. Wondering what this looks like? We got a few designers and stylists to fill us in.  

Comfort comes first 

Over the last couple of years–particularly during the pandemic-induced lockdowns–we’ve gotten accustomed to the roominess of loungewear and we continue to seek comfort not only in our everyday attire but also in the occasion-wear we opt for. Indian designers are increasingly observing that wedding guests are no longer willing to be weighed down by overly ornate, floor-sweeping outfits. “There’s a shift towards comfortable traditional wear and it’s here to stay. No one wants heavily embroidered pieces anymore–it’s all about the cut, the style and the fabric,” says designer Payal Singhal. Scroll through her Instagram account and you’ll find that it is populated with pictures of Singhal’s clients in airy fabrics, pretty prints and detailing that’s dramatic but also has a certain lightness to it. “Recently, we’ve been witnessing a rise in demand for stitched saris that are easy to manage, and simple lehengas,” says Singhal. 

Celebrity stylist Isha Bhansali, too, has noticed a switch to more practical silhouettes. “I’ve been seeing people wearing a lot of trousers with kurtas and tunics. Wedding wear has become much more comfortable than it used to be in the past,” she says. This need for comfort, Bhansali elaborates, also extends to the accessory choices of wedding attendees. Heavy clutches are being replaced by crossbody bags or fanny packs and stilettos are still being swapped for logo-laden or embellished kicks. The latter is evidenced in the overwhelming number of homegrown and international options that show up when you run a search for wedding-appropriate sneakers.  

Versatility for the win 

In addition to comfort, there’s also another factor that dictates how wedding guests dress. We are gradually coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic as more mindful consumers–the kind that prefer purchasing pieces with repeat value. Now, more than ever before, there’s a focus on finding outfits that can multitask. “Wedding guests are looking for versatility. They want to see how many ways they can wear the same outfit or parts of the same outfit and style it differently to create an entirely new look. For example, many are using their lehenga blouses with heirloom saris,” says Simone Contractor, a Mumbai-based designer who is swiftly becoming a firm favourite with millennial and Gen Z guests. Apart from elegant, easy-to-match blouses, the season’s sought-after styles, according to Contractor, also include shararas–a silhouette which is growing in popularity because of its ability to befriend everything from crop tops to jackets. 

But it’s important to note that the versatility of an outfit isn’t dependent on whether it can be split up and styled in several ways alone. Timeless pieces, which are not shaped by fleeting trends, are also more likely to be reused. “People want statement styles but they also want them to be understated and classy. The emphasis will always remain on investing in outfits that go on to become collectibles,” explains New Delhi-based designer Seema Gujral. Contractor seconds this. “Clients are looking for classics that can be worn for years to come, which is why pearlwork and threadwork are hot favourites,” she explains, highlighting that wedding attendees are now favouring intricate, rather than over-the-top, work that doesn’t go out of style.

Changing colours 

Attention-grabbing embroidery isn’t the only cliché associated with Indian wedding wear that has been put to rest. People are also parting with a predictable palette of bright colours.  “There’s a newfound love for a muted palette. Soft, romantic tones are emerging as a trend this season,” says Monica Shah, one half of the duo behind couture label Jade. However, there’s another unexpected shade that seems to be cementing its presence. “Many people have started wearing whites to weddings. This wasn’t common in India before,” says Bhansali. 

Her point of view is supported by a recent, much-talked-about wedding. Last month, fashion designers Arpita Mehta and Kunal Rawal tied the knot in Mumbai, surrounded by their close friends and family, who, along with the bride and groom, were dressed in shades of white and gold. “Both Kunal and I love the colours and have incorporated them in our collections several times. Since we had pheras in the morning, we wanted to create a solemn, pure and beautiful vibe,” says Mehta, of how the colour scheme reflected both the duo’s preferences and the nature of the festivities. As couples continue to opt for celebrations which are more private, personalised affairs, the colours that we veer towards are also likely to be in tandem with them. 

Finding a balance

The problem with words like “comfortable” and “classic” is that they can sometimes be a little misleading. They can leave us with visuals of outfits that are boring or bland but what Indian wedding guests are wearing is far from that. The search for ease and adaptability has made us more open-minded towards experiments and fuelled the popularity of several out-of-the-box, hybrid ensembles. The sari, for example, is routinely being reimagined and moulded to the needs of a modern Indian woman. Jumpsuit saris and sari dresses continue to be big hits with new-age wedding guests. In addition to this, the cape has been combined with countless separates, whether it’s a traditional kurta or a crop top.

What further adds to the allure of these outfits is that although they are convenient to carry off, they tend to retain the richness that lies at the very core of Indian wedding attire through the use of luxurious, feel-good fabrics and meticulous craftsmanship. “There is no doubt that factors like comfort have become paramount but people want that without compromising on fabric and design. The silhouettes are breezier but there’s still an abundance of opulence and glamour,” concludes Gujral, sharing that the coming wedding season will be all about striking this balance.

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