Designer Half Sarees: A Rising Trend

The “Anarkali dresses” are making a comeback in a big way. Long Anarkalis with golden and colourful brocades are becoming such a huge rage. Everyone from the pregnant Shilpa Shetty to the new gorgeous mom Aishwarya Rai to Anushka Sharma are looking graceful in Anarkalis, but I am not going to talk about them today because personally, I have had my run with Anarkalis and the long ones tend to make me look short. :((

Since last year, lehenga sarees or half sarees have been steadily gaining popularity as a replacement for traditional lehengas and sarees. I have seen brides decked in half sarees looking resplendent. Those brides who are in a dilemma and cannot make up their mind whether to wear a lehenga or a saree for their reception, can opt for this because this is such an awesome hybrid.
The ease with wearing a lehenga saree is that you don’t have to pleat it like a saree, just tuck and drape it around once and you are ready to go!!
For me personally, lehenga saree is a great option because I do not yet know how to wear a saree and I am not comfortable wearing lehenga, so all I have to do is to tuck and drape, and its all done.
A little while ago pre-stitched sarees were in vogue, but not everyone could carry it off with aplomb.
Another feature with half sarees is that you can mix and match it with contrasting dupattas. There is no thumb of rule in half sarees that dictates a particular color of dupatta for a certain lehenga. So, there is always a scope to experiment unlike a traditional saree.
I first saw lehenga saree when South Star Prithviraj’s bride wore it for her reception. Take a look, its a perfect red bridal attire with heavy work. Do not miss the tassles hanging down from the lehenga, its kind of cute!
The traditional half saree that South Indians wear looks like these:
The charm of half sarees is that you can wear all the three pieces in stark contrasting colours, the blouse can be green, the dupatta can be yellow, and the lehenga can be red. Take a look at how Diya Mirza rocked it at one of the Riteish-Genelia pre-wedding functions.
Most of the times, matching lehenga and dupatta also work in great way for half saree. Take a look at this lady called Poornima Indrajith.
This lady in the below picture is wearing a heavy embellished piece though for me it is hard to tell whether it is a proper lehenga saree or a lehenga, but whatever it is, she is looking gorgeous.
Here’s designer Nishka Lulla at Riteish-Genelia Wedding in a slightly distorted half saree, whatever that means!!
Last but not the least, Genelia was wearing a lehenga saree for her wedding reception and she looked gorgeous.
So, what do you think of lehenga sarees, yey or nay. For me, its a yay. Do share your opinion.
Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
How to Get a Lovely Neck
How to Firm Loose Neck Skin
Necklines and Necklaces
Sweater Dresses : How to Style a Sweater Dress
DIY T-Shirt Cutting Ideas
Monsoon Fashion Trends
Color Block Fashion: Trend Alert
Would You Wear These Fashion Trends?
Harmful Women Fashion Trends
4 Fun Fashion Trends To Try This Season
Would You Wear These Fashion Trends?
Bizarre Fashion Trends From Around The World
5 Bizarre Makeup & Fashion Trends 2010
Velvet Dresses: Velvet Fashion Trend
Military Fashion Trend Wear
Hairstyle Trends for 2011
Sheer Women’s Clothing : Fashion Trend
Fashion Trend: Nerd Glasses
Style Guide: In Fashion Always
Top 8 Makeup Trends from New York Fashion Week Fall/ Winter 2010
Fashion Must Haves for Summer 2011
Saree Blouse Design Ideas
Saree and Blouses Collection, Blouse Styles
Velvet Dresses: Velvet Fashion Trend
I used to hate wearing Half sarees when i was in college.. (but those time it was just a combination of plain colors without any designer work in that)
But now i just loved it :woot: :woot: :woot:
Nice article Jomol, will buy soon :yahoo: :yahoo:
You used to wear half sarees in college Shami….how cool, :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Yes for Functions at home i used to wear.. i belong to chennai Jomol born in Tuticorin (thirunelveli district), there people used to stare at me when i wore Suits, over there Half Saree was the only dress accepted 🙂 now only the trend is changing in my native 🙂
I have heard a lot about tuticorin….Shami…its near seashore na :woot: :woot:
Yes Jomol, its very near to sea shore, even my house in Chennai is near to Sea shore, 10 mins walk.. You heard VGP beach in chennai (i am residing near to that) 🙂
Wow….you are so lucky Shami…….I love beaches and having a home near is such a great thing…..I want to own at least a waterfront property one day :waaa:
I have been to Marina Beach in Chennai Shami, but that was very crowded and I had to walk a lot in the sand to actually see the sea, but when I went to Pondicherry and Puducherry, I saw the most beautiful seas. :yahoo: :yahoo:
My Area is not that much crowded, it will be similar to Pondicherry beach only 🙂
I never go to marina beach, toooo much crowd.. but i like Elliots beach or besant nagar beach, there is famous church in that place, visit it when you come to chennai next time :):)
Thank you Shami, will go there this July or August :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
But Jomol, ppl who live near beach wont feel in that way, bcos we are used to that know, even my Colleagues from other parts of india told me that “We are lucky to have home near beaches”.
I rarely go to beaches, once in a month or once in two months :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
But every weekend my son ask me to take him to beach :):)
You rarely go to the beach :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: but I think in the evenings it might be fun. You know the home we stayed in Puducherry, we could hear the waves in the night. I still feel you are damn lucky :yes: :yes:
I don’t like anarkalis either…for same to same reason… :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:
Rads….i will loook like a kutti shrub in anarkali…he he :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:
I look like that dosa batter grinding thing….nonelectricity one 😐
hawwwwwwww 😆 :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:
Good Morning Jamuley !! :puchhi:
Awesome Compilation…Loved Anusha’s anarkali suit :heart:
I personally love anaarkali suits and have got so many of ’em :yahoo:
Half sarees are soooooo comfortable !! I bought one from Bangalore :preen:
Good morning Depseeka….aaj your name is ‘e” gaayab :pigtail: :pigtail: :pigtail: :pigtail: :pigtail: :pigtail:
Bhookhi ladki…mere naam me se letters khaana band karo :spank:
Hey Jomol.. Nice article.. 🙂
Can u pls suggest some good websites/place where we get good lehenga sarees.. I searched a lot for it in Bangalore.. But none were as impressive as the pics u’ve posted.. :star: :star: :star:
Padma, you can get good ones at Sareez.com, please check out that website O:)
Genelia in her wedding attire looks simply stunning!!!! :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: I agree Jomol, these lehenga sarees so stylish and easy to wear :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Thank you TA :woot: :woot: :woot:
wow jomu, such lovely dressessss n pictures… good job :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Aying…mein Nupuriz ko reply karna bool gayi :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
Aaah that was a nice one Jomol.
I am thinking of draping my beautiful dupatta in this style that i wore for my weddding with the wedding lehanga for the next function that i attend..
Wow Gurpreet, yes, you can do that na, with your wedding lehenga…..if possible do share pics :yahoo: :yahoo:
Hi,
I’ve been a silent spectator at IMBB for more than 6 months now and swear by the reviews before buying any small cosmetic stuff under the sky. Rati u’ve been doin a fab job. Keep up d gud work… :yes: I’m so so in love wid the Anarkali suits these dys… Don’t have one yet though… :worship: N i bet these lehenga sarees are jus awesome!
Thanks swathi. 🙂
This post is written by Jomol not me. 🙂
Swathi….thank you for compliments and Rati…she is complimenting you for this awesome blog that you have created :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi:
OMGGGG !! Jomo i want anushka’s anakrakali :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: I have worn anarkalis so much that now I am quite bored of them but seeing this post, i want to pick up a new one soon :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
and for people like me who cnt wrap sarres on their own, i think these half sarees are a great option. Loving Dia’s . :victory2:
Ha ha ha … “people like me who cnt wrap sarees on their own”… I can totally relate with you on that…whenever I’ve to wear a saree I just do my makeup first and then wait for my mother-in-law to come and drape it 😉
Deepseeka, I also call someone for help…. :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5:
Rati..you can toh wear anarkalis…you tall with endless legs :spank: :spank: :spank: , I and Rads short 😥 😥 😥 😥
O:) O:) O:) O:) O:) O:) Bt i love this lehnga chunri style. Bachpan mein I used to so with with my skirts and mom’s dupattas. 😀 Dint know it would become a trend one day :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:
he he..shame to shame…..skirts up dupattas na…. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:
yeshh 😀
haw so true…bachpan mein I did same too :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: what dayzzz…sigh :teddy: :teddy: :teddy:
My sis’s wedding is coming up and I didnt want to wear a lehenga nor a saree for the recption.. my cousin suggested these lehenga sarees 😀 Great post Jomol..
Hey gurlzz, chk this article :jalwa: :jalwa: :lol2: :lol2: http://www.purba-ray.com/2011/07/not-tonight-darling.html
Thanks Aarthi, I think these type of half sarees are a great option :yes: :yes:
Superb post jomoluu….lehenga sarees…i saw some collection in fashionandyou sometime back but then they werent so grand and all..i wanna get one myself 🙂
Thanks Varshini…….I like the one kajal agarwal is wearing above…. :yes:
yeahh..that looks very pretty na…coral pink shade 🙂
wish i have her flattering figure too 😉
i loouuuuuuuuuuuddddddddddd the 12th lehenga a lot. its is beauuuuuutiphuuulllll…. :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: . i’ll design somthing like this for my reception. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: well whenever it happens :waiting:
i means in mammoti’s son’s marriage…. his wife is looking awesome. :happydance:
Hai na Soni….she looks very graceful and yes you wear lehenga saree in your reception :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:
For my first KC, i wore my wedding lehnga and draped the dupatta like a saree… i was wayy ahead of the trend… :p
nice work compiling all the pieces jomo 🙂
KC? :struggle:
wow, Anks, I am sure you would have rocked, its the best way to use wedding lehengas after the D-day :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Rocked toh pata nahi… but i was kicked to wear it again 🙂
Anks, this time you do a mix and match thing, if I am going to buy it, I will get in contrasting colours :woot: :woot:
hmmm… good idea 🙂
Karva Chauth Sugi
Awesome article Jomol….The pics are FAb… :yes:
Thanks Richa :woot: :woot:
Even me in love wid the 12th lehenga….. :-*
yeah its fab Swathi :yes: :yes: :yes:
Nice article Jomol with cool pics….I too love lengha sarees,. :heart: :heart: :heart: …I wore them for my civil wedding couple of years ago. :love: ….They have been in for quite awhile now….they are such a boon to ppl who are not pros is sari draping….
With these type of sarees how ever , the pallu should be pinned up instead of let loose(flowy style) to see the true beauty of the saree…. However i struggle in pining up the pallu,,,, doesnt look quite good like in these pics
Supriya, even half sarees have been worn in South India since ages, but the thing is that this trend is now catching up uniformly across India, so that’s why thought of bringing it up O:) O:) Both pinned up and flowing version looks good :love:
I luv Anakali suits… biught 1 gr8 piece for myself this time n it luks gogs on me :whistle: :toothygrin: :victory2: … just tried till now.. waiting for the rght ocaassion to wear it… 😉
n the half sarre is 1 thing tht i want to try next… thinking to pick 1 up for my brother’s marriga whenevr tht wud be… :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
gr8 pics n post jomo. :clap: :clap: :pompom: :pompom: … u have really jagao my spirits to go shopping :stars: 😀
Nids……I am so happy I jaagaoed your spirit. :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: ….Nidsy, mera ehsaan kabhi nahin boolna :nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono:
:smug: :smug: :smug: :teeth :teeth :teeth
nice review jomol :yes: :yes:
Thank you Renji :woot:
Like both anarkali suits and lehenga sarees 🙂
Heer, Lehenga sarees are fab :yahoo:
:woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:
loved genelia wali and sophia wali :love:
Jomol such awesome gorgeous pictures i love anushka’s anarkali and genelia’s lehenga saree 🙂
Thanks Indrani :woot:
:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: @ Genelia’s lehenga!!! :heart: Thanku for this Jomol! U have revived the desire to wear anarkalis & half sarees!! :puchhi:
Nafisa,…..ur welcomes :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:
I love anarkalis :pompom: :pompom: They suit me better than regular chudidar n suits :toothygrin: n the one Anusha is wearing is gorgeous Jomo :woot: :woot: :woot: :woot:
Have not tried the half sarees though!!! :specs: may be this yr 😉
Ekdum mast compilation Jomol..frm here & there & everywhere :dance:
Am suppa duppa fan of Anarkalis..but not those OTT types.. :yuck: Sabyasachi makes the awsomestestest ones :jaiho: Baaki saare make ’em look like poori saree shop collaged in one piece :yuck:
@Half sarees…I wear it the way we gujjus wear on chaniya choli or I wuld prefer like flowing dupatta over lehenga. This latest trend has yet to appeal me.. :haanji:
Shilpa…all of the Sabysachi’s creations are to die for….I am a huge fan :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Longggg backkkk..I used watch ‘Bournvita Quiz contest’ when Derek O’brien made his debut & he used to wear those droolworthy kurtas with geometrical work on it..very hat ke frm traditional ones & I used to wait to read the Costume Designer’s name & thats when I discovered Sabyasachi.. :teddy: Tab se me loyal to him :hugleft: In fact I have designed & embroidered 2-3 kurtas/sherwanis of my hubby in those assymetrical & geometrical ways & they became huge hit in Diwali Functions.. :dance:
awsme article. .al pics fab . .enuf 2 undrstand wht style it is. . :waytogo:
these are all so gorgeous! i must try this half saree :yahoo:
Thank you so much Khush :happydance: :happydance:
my pas ek be anakali nae. . 🙁 no weddng so no traditional stuff 2 buy. .
Grt one Jomo… My mom and maasi wore lehenga sarees in my mehendi function. :))
Wow….and you wore the 9-yard saree na….cutie :puchhi: :puchhi: :puchhi:
Jomol :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
am so tempted to buy anarkalis.. But i’ve to lose so much weight to fit into those and luk gud… :waaa: :waaa: :waaa: :waaa:
jomol i have a lehnga sarees i so love it…..good article jomo :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: l
Good article Jomol!! Being a south Indian myself I have LOVEEEED half sarees since ages.. I wouldnt have to go through the torture of draping, not liking the pleats, and then re-draping till I get tired n wear a suit instead :lol2: :lol2:
For some strange reason I also feel young when I wear these.. O:) O:)
Ramya…I have never worn a half saree, but my mom was used to wear it when she was in college…. :hihi: :hihi:
I bought lehanga for my reception it will look good rite? for tht ocssion i opted it becz its dfferent and trendy thz days i bought 2 colors purple n baby pink vch color shld i wear n i want to drape it lyk half sAree ll it luk gud plzz suggest
I bought lehanga for my reception it will look good rite? for tht ocssion i opted it becz its dfferent and trendy thz days i bought 2 colors purple n baby pink vch color shld i wear n i want to drape it lyk half sAree ll it luk gud plzz suggest
Lehenga style saree is the latest trend, Absolutely no other dress can hold a candle to a gorgeous and ethnic designer half sarees in bright color combination and heavy embroidery and embellishments that are usually done using Sarkozy stones, authentic beads and sequins, fine zari and laces.