Lehenga style Saree is a new trend of Saree introduced in India. This is an aesthetic blend of the traditional Saree and a Lehenga choli. Lehenga style saree is normally 4.5 meters to 5.5 meters long. Here unlike a sari one doesn't have to form pleats but simply 'tuck and drape'.

As that of a traditional saree, the lehenga style saree is worn over a petticoat (in skirt, pavadai in the south, and shaya in eastern India), along with a designer blouse called as the choli, which is the upper garment. The style of choli mostly resembles as that of the choli of a conventional Lehenga or Ghagra choli. Sometimes conventional blouses are also matched with lehenga style saree. The choli is mostly as that of halter neck style, deep neck or “backless” style. As that of the saree, these cholis are also embellished with Kundan, beads, mirrors etc.

Origin

Lehenga style saree is a form of readymade saree that arose from the need of an artistic yet easy to wear party wear. The easy to wear option of the garment tells the ladies just to slip into it and be ready in minutes. Stitched as a long flared skirt with a zip at the side, it is made to the measurements of the wearer. The ensemble needs to be slipped in, fasten the zipper and drape the pallu over the shoulders. This is an outfit for ladies who are not comfortable with usual drapping and pleating that the regular saree demands. This style of saree’s pallu has the dramatic effect of the matching dupatta of the conventional Lehenga Choli.

Embroidery and Embellishments

Various types of Embroidery patterns are employed according to the Lehenga Style saree. Bagh, Chikan, Kashida, Kasuti, Kantha, Sozni, Shisha, Zardozi etc. are some of the commonly practiced Embroidery in Lehenga Style Saree.

Bagh is a special kind of Embroidery done by women in Punjab to be worn during festivals and weddings. Bagh embroidery completely hides the base fabric and is a very heavy kind of embroidery. This Embroidery on Lehenga Style Saree is exquisite as often the cloth is barely visible and only the beautiful embroidery is visible. Kashida is a Kashmiri Embroidery type. This is very colorful and depicts Kashmir in its patterns. The other famous embroidery on Lehenga sarees are Kantha work and Kasuti work of Bangalore.

Various rich and exquisite embellishments are used on Lehenga Style sarees patterns which include Silver embroidery, Golden embroidery, Metal beads, Real pearls, wood beads, glass beads, mirror work, lace work, Kundan, sequins, glittering stones, zardozi etc. Mostly rich fabrics like silk, georgette, brasso, brocade, chiffon, crepe etc are used in the making of a Lehenga style saree.

Draping a Lehenga Style Saree

he method of draping this type of Saree is quite simple and easy. It's easier and tassle free than draping a regular saree. The plain end of the saree is tucked into the in skirt, making one complete round, similar to wearing a regular saree. At this point, pleats are formed in a regular saree whereas when it comes to a Lehenga Style Saree, one continues to tuck in without making any pleats. In a Lehenga Style Saree, pleats are replaced with embellished gotas or panels at the front, which imparts a flared silhouette that is characteristic of a Lehenga Style Saree. Finally, the pallu is draped over the shoulder like a regular saree.

The only difference between a Lehenga style saree and a regular saree is that it doesn't require pleats to be formed at the front. Few Lehenga style saris come with side hooks too. Hook it and fix technique fits the Lehenga style saree snugly around the waist.