This wedding season, are you searching for the right dress? You’ve come to the right place as we give some vintage Bollywood looks you can recreate to look and feel like the diva you are!
Be it a dreamy pastel anarkali, a regal sari, or a dazzling lehenga choli, Bollywood divas like Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherjee, and Rekha have set the gold standard for traditional and contemporary fashion. Let’s take a walk through some of their most iconic looks that continue to inspire us, offering tips to adapt these timeless styles for our own wardrobes.
You might be thinking ‘Bollywood dresses aren’t for us, they seem to… open.’ Fret not as we give you some tips and tricks to keep them aunty friendly!
1. Aishwarya in Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan
First off, we have the forever stunner Aishwarya Rai, all dolled up in this pastel pink anarkali adorned with intricate embroidery and embellishments. The gold zari work gives it the ultimate royal feels. The dupatta is draped beautifully, perfectly tying the whole outfit together.
The jewelry, no doubt, complements the outfit perfectly. The heavy choker, paired with matching earrings and the maang tikka, completes the look flawlessly.
2. Madhuri’s Look In Didi Tera Devar Deewana
Madhuri rocked the purple satin sari with a jaded hue in the iconic song Didi Tera Devar Deewana. The gota embroidery elevates its regal appearance. The jewelry—which includes a choker necklace, dangling earrings, and a heavy maang tikka—adds the perfect finishing touch. Her subtle yet striking makeup perfectly complements the outfit.
As the blouse is a khirki blouse, you can easily avoid the cutout or add a motif at the back for modesty. Plus, if you’re not in the mood for a saree, you can take the dupatta and pin it as a drape—simple and easy.
3. Rani Mukherjee Slaying It In K3G
Rani is the queen of serving iconic looks; from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G), it’s been nothing but perfection! In K3G, she absolutely nailed the look, giving everyone serious lehenga choli goals. The shimmery pastel-colored lehenga with heavy sequins, paired with the embellished blouse, creates the perfect dazzling effect. The choker necklace is a bold statement piece, and we love it! The dupatta is styled minimally and loosely, giving the whole look the perfect contemporary vibe. The look was truly ahead of its time.
You might be wondering how to adapt the look to suit your needs. The choli can be customized by adjusting the length or adding sleeves in the same fabric. As for the slits on the sides of the lehenga, you can ask your designer to keep them closed for a more traditional touch.
4. Rekha – The Forever Green!
One thing’s for sure—Rekha is an icon and an inspiration for many, so leaving her out would be criminal! Although she has countless iconic looks, we’ve chosen the anarkali from Umrao Jaan, specifically the one from the song Aankhon Ki Masti.
The anarkali, made of what appears to be silk satin with minimal embellishments, screams elegance. The flowy organza or georgette dupatta is the cherry on top. Rekha is adorned with a mala, choker, jhoomar, maang tikka, bangles, and the stunning haath phool.
Brides-to-be, take note: this is THE inspiration for your bridal look! The sultry makeup look perfectly complements it all.
5. Preity Zinta’s ‘Lemon Green’ Look In Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega
The dimpled girl, Preity Zinta, has given us many memorable characters and songs. From Maahi Ve (our forever favorite song) to Bol Na Halke Halke, to Piya Piya O Piya Piya, where this look is from. Her style in the song is top notch.
The short hair is a total slay. This shirt is a normal, but slightly fitted kurta with embroidery and these gorgeous cut-work sleeves. Although she wears a churidaar pyjama with it, you can style the shirt with tulip pants or simple A-line trousers, for that modern look. The dupatta and the heavy earrings, along with the seemingly natural makeup brings it all together.
These outfits remind us of the rich heritage and endless possibilities of South Asian fashion. With a few tweaks here and there, these iconic styles can be personalized to suit any occasion, ensuring that you channel the same diva energy for your special moments. After all, fashion is about making the classics your own!
Credits: Bollywood Classics, Saregama Music, Pinterest, Sony Music India VEVO
