Sarees are the most traditional Indian formalwear. A casual saree is worn by the older generations on a daily basis and more extravagant version is worn for festivals and ceremonies. It is elegant and feminine.

A saree is complicated to drape and secure. It can also be difficult to dance and walk around in unless you are a seasoned professional. If you want the traditional Indian experience and are feeling up for the challenge, Shubhro's female family members would be more than happy to assist with the draping.

Pictured below are Shubhro's cousin-sisters, XX and Thinny.

This is currently the most popular wedding attire option for young adults. It holds cultural tradition and significance while also adapting to modern influences.

This combination of top, skirt and scarf is available in an infinite number of colors and patterns.

There are also an unlimited number of ways to drape your dupatta (scarf). For beginners, the simplest are just over one shoulder, across the neck, or behind the back and in the arms.

Pictured below is Shubhro's sister, Eve!

This more conservative option is flattering for all ages and body types. With a more fitted upper portion flowing into a voluminous skirt, the shape is similar to lehengas, but with a covered tummy.

See the lehenga section above for dupatta draping options.

Pictured below is Amanda in an Anarkali given to be the Sahas. Her dupatta is simply over her shoulder because she is a draping newbie and Shubhro is less help than you might imagine when it comes to female formalwear.

A kurta is a traditional garment with feminine and masculine versions (that vary based on cut). These are normally cotton and very comfortable. They paired with a breathable and colorful pant.

This traditional Indian attire is commonly worn on a daily basis. An elevated version of this can be worn at the wedding or Sangeet, and simpler versions are perfectly acceptable for the Haldi celebration.

In India, men tend to more casually than their feminine counterparts. Some men will wear trousers and a button up while others will wear a kurta over complimentary-colored trousers. Sandals are the most common footwear option.

We recommend shopping online before heading to India so that you can enjoy your time without having to worry about finding an outfit. Unfortunately, we do not have much experience online shopping for Indian attire, so our website recommendations are based on a lot of googling. Biba, Fab India, Global Desi, Utsav, and Andaaz are lower tier, and Almas Tejani, Manyavar, and Kalki are higher tier.

We also found some decently priced options on Etsy and a few other sites, but be sure to check reviews and return policies before ordering.

Feel free to send us pictures of prospective dress options to get a thumbs up if you are uncertain of what you are looking at. We expect to be very busy after Dec 19th, 2025 and will be unavailable to answer your questions.

You can purchase an outfit in India and even manage to get it tailored in just a couple days. Even after tailoring, this will also be cheaper than ordering online from America.

The only difficulty with this option is that you will need to be strong-willed when entering a shop because the sales people are fairly pushy. Also, the expectation would be to haggle on price.

Some shops that Shubhro's family recommends are:

We ask that you not wear red nor white on Day 2.