India celebrates weddings like its biggest festival, and there isn’t a doubt about it. From the decor to the bride’s lehenga, everything needs to be pitch-perfect for the special moment. Unlike the west, Indians enjoy adding more special ceremonies prior to the actual wedding. Starting from engagement, haldi, mehendi to reception, every pre-wedding festivity is just another term for a party. And while traditional functions change names and rituals in every next cultural background, a cocktail party is a common thread in each one of them. A stylish soirée hosted by the bride and groom, wedding cocktails in India often run a specific theme or serve as an occasion for guests to bring out their best designer outfits.
And while Indian ateliers are known for the best bridal collections, some homegrown brands deliver to the customer’s needs with respect to an occasion. Having said that, Indian designer labels like–Gaurav Gupta, Amit Aggarwal, Rimzim Dadu, Manish Malhotra and many names join the list. As picked by even guests and family members at many celebrity weddings, designers like these, are consciously bridging the gap between classic and contemporary, in an attempt to dish out delightful fusion wear. Hence, to help you dress up for the next cocktail party at an upcoming wedding, we bring to you some of our favourite celebrity-loved designs.
The Royal Affair
The perfect pick for a wedding cocktail party would be a slim-fit gown. A forever favourite in this category, celebrities often choose to style this silhouette for red-carpet appearances. For shoppers looking to style one, allow actresses Nora Fatehi, Anushka Sharma and Bhumi Pednekar’s Shantnu And Nikhil, Gaurav Gupta and Dolly J Studios designs, to inspire your look. Embellished with crystal details, you can also experiment with necklines, waist cuts and furry sleeves that add a modern touch to your traditional wedding closet.
A Minimalist’s Dream
A festive cocktail gown can not stay away from monumental details, but with designers exploring a soft rendition of the silhouette, minimalists can choose from a variety of designs by Rahul Mishra, Rohit Gandhi Rahul Khanna, Itrh and a glamorous version of a classic black dress by Deme. The idea of investing in these easy-on-the-eyes silhouettes will welcome more versatile outfits in your occasion wear closet, that can be re-styled more often. A simpler, less chaotic design language will also allow jewellery hoarders to define their look with more statement accessories, with your minimal gown serving as the perfect backdrop.
Reimagining Saree
No Indian wedding is complete without a spectacular moment in a saree. Besides styling one on the main day of the wedding, you can choose to dress in a modern-day version of a slit saree, which also pays homage to 70s’ disco trend, and opens you to more colour variety and experiments with fabrics. As presented by designers like–Amit Aggarwal and more, you can select a moody orange, or risk it in a slit saree like celebrities Janhvi Kapoor, Patralekhaa and Shilpa Shetty. In other versions of cord-fabric sarees and lehengas, crafted by designer–Rimzim Dadu, such sculptural, moulded designs will make you the fashionable guest at any wedding.
Powerplay With Sets
Fusion wear is pacing ahead to win the race on trend charts. A delightful new technique of re-shaping India’s history in colours and embroideries, you can bring more handcrafted finesse and mix it with cocktail couture, through a statement festive set. From a hero blazer to traditional mirror work or even a modern-day dhoti design, festive sets will easily bridge that gap for you between Indian traditional and modern-day contemporary. Owing to their versatile nature, festive sets are a profitable investment and can be re-styled in a hundred new ways for a variety of occasions.
Also Read: Disha Patani’s Stand-Out Party Dresses Are Perfect For Club Hopping!
Snazzy Dresses
While attending weddings, guests who fall in that awkward age group that is too old to wear a tutu and too young to sport a saree, can pin their fingers on these chic designs. New-age dresses that cater to your love for couture, but are equally playful and appropriate to attend a cocktail party in. Some of our favourite pieces come from the wardrobes of Ananya Panday and Alaya F. The hemlines and opulence of the embroidery find that sweet spot between a high-octane gown and a childish tulle, making a statement. Feminine, upbeat and youthful, these designs in twinkling shades will be an interesting choice for a cocktail party.
So, what are you picking?
Image Credits: Instagram