The lehenga with swagger

Remember the song Banno tera swagger from the movie Tannu Weds Mannu Returns? Didn’t we all just love Kangana Ranaut in her lehenga and shirt combo? But the traditional Hariyanvi outfit is now walking ramps!

Celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Tamannaah Bhatia, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Raashi Khanna, among others, have already given their thumbs up to the style. And not only have they looked different from others, but they carried the lehenga-shirt mishmash with élan.

Wearing a shirt over lehenga is also easy and more comfortable this summer, say designers and stylists. All you need is a white shirt, which is the ultimate go-to clothing piece. If you wish to go more colourful, you can opt for colours such as coffee brown, light and dark blue or red. “When it comes to traditional wear, my favourite colour is white. So I would definitely suggest pairing a crisp white shirt with elbow sleeves and a dark coloured lehenga. You can also get innovative and chic by knotting your shirt,” says designer Vijay Rana.

Dia Mirza

Designer Althea Krishna points out that the outfit is a traditional costume of Haryana and was introduced on the ramp by designer Payal Khandwala. “The trend of formal shirts and lehengas is now fading and designers tend to capitalise on fading trends. The look can be carried off by those on the slimmer side, but is not suitable for plump women. One can sport junk jewellery to complete the look,” she says.

Designer Shravan Kummar recommends old, bare or off-shoulder shirts. “When you’re wearing a simple shirt, go really heavy with the lehenga. For instance, wearing a red lehenga with a coffee brown shirt can make one look stunning. You can also wear an orange skirt with a blue shirt or go tonal from head to toe. I would suggest wearing Indian jewellery and nude make-up. You can also wear flowers in your hair,” he says.

Vijay Rana reveals that one can transform a lehenga into a beautiful evening wear by teaming it up with raw silk shirts.