by Have you ever wondered how to reuse wedding lehenga that’s been sitting in your closet since the big day?
Over the years I have done hundreds if not thousands of weddings and I always keep in touch with the couple for whom I do a shoot and trust me, one of the biggest concerns of all the brides is “How can I reuse my wedding lehenga?”
Wedding lehengas are not just pieces of clothing; they are laden with memories, emotions, and, let’s be honest, a significant investment (sometimes even in 6 or 7 figures, obviously we are talking about Indian Rupees and not US Dollar). It feels almost wasteful to let such a beautiful garment collect dust after just one wear.
But don’t worry, in this article, I’ll share with you some creative and practical ways to repurpose your wedding lehenga.
Whether you are curious about learning how to reuse your bridal lehenga for another special occasion or how to transform it into something entirely new, I’ve got you covered.
How to Reuse Wedding Lehenga: Mix and Match
Once I was having a casual chat with one of the brides, Priya, who also happens to be a fashion designer graduate from NIFT, Bengaluru.
We met after a year of her wedding at her brother’s wedding and I was surprised to see how she had mixed and matched her wedding day lehenga skirt and paired it with a simple blouse.
Upon asking Priya about how she came up with this idea, she said “As you know, Mihir, I am a fashion designer and I just could not let my wedding day lehenga go to waste – It would have been a shame”.
She further added, “I was thinking about how to reuse my wedding lehenga and it was then that I came up with some ideas like styling the lehenga skirt, blouse and dupatta with different pieces of clothing since they are so versatile.”
It was really an eye opener for me and here’s a gist of what Priya had shared with me:
- Lehenga Skirt: You can easily pair your Lehenga skirt with a simpler blouse like Priya did or you can even try pairing your lehenga with a crop top for less formal events. A plain white shirt tucked into a heavily embroidered lehenga can look chic and modern.
- Blouse: The blouse can go with a saree, contrasting skirt or even high-waisted pants. This will allow the intricate design of your blouse to stand out without being overpowered by the rest of the outfit.
- Dupatta: Use the dupatta with other traditional outfits like salwar kameez or anarkali suits. It can also be draped over a plain dress to add a touch of elegance.
Mixing and matching not only extends the life of your wedding lehenga but also allows you to express your personal style. Every time you re-wear these pieces, you’ll be reminded of the special day while creating new memories.
Photography Tip
Here’s a photography tip to capture the versatility of your mix-and-match outfits – try taking photos from different angles.
Close-up shots of your mix-and-match outfits can help you highlight the details of your dress. This is a great way to document and share your fashion and creative style on social media, leaving your friends and family in awe.
How to Repurpose a Wedding Lehenga: Altering the Design
Don’t limit yourself to just mixing and matching there are more ways of reusing your wedding lehenga and a fantastic way to breathe new life into your wedding attire is by altering the design.
By altering your wedding lehenga you can completely repurpose it and with a few changes you can transform it from a traditional lehenga into something that fits more into contemporary fashion trends or if you are someone with high sense of creativity then maybe into an entirely new garment,
Customisation
Customising your lehenga does not have to be complicated, it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. From shortening the skirt to restyling the blouse, there are many ways to make your lehenga more versatile and suitable for different occasions
Although I don’t know any such bride personally but I have done my due research and read a lot of reddit stories to learn about repurposing a wedding lehenga and here are some most popular customisations:
- Shortening the Skirt: Transforming the lehenga into a chi midi or maxi skirt makes for a perfect dress to wear on casual or semi-formal events. A shorter length is easier to move in and can be paired with a variety of tops.
- Blouse Restyling: A simple way of making the blouse more wearable is to alter it by changing the sleeves, neckline, or adding trendy elements like a cape or jacket. By making these changes you can keep it from looking too bridal.
- Dupatta as a Cape: You can add embellishments and clasps to your dupatta and convert it into a stylish cape. This can be a unique statement piece and is sure to make you the centre of attraction.
Altering the design not only allows you to keep up with current fashion trends but also lets you enjoy your lehenga in a completely new way.
Photography Tip
When showcasing your altered lehenga, document the transformation process with before-and-after photos.
This highlights the creativity involved and the beauty of the final product. Share these on social media and help others to take inspiration from your design. (Don’t forget to tag me in the caption @offbeatmihir)
How to Convert Lehenga into Dress: Layering
Till now, we have discussed two methods of reusing a wedding lehenga. Now we are on to the third and last method – Layering.
It is another great technique that can transform the look of your lehenga and make it suitable for different occasions.
By adding different layers you are not only adding depth to your outfit but also bringing out a fresh and modern twist to a traditional dress.
Adding Layers
I learned about the art of layering dress from one of my friends who also happens to be a NIFTIAN, Sonal Bartwal, she is a graduate from NIFT, Shillong. I used to layer up a white t-shirt with a black denim and think I am a fashion model (I know I was living in delusion).
Sonal showed me what truly is possible with layering. She said “Layering just does not mean wearing denim over a white t-shirt”.
This made me realise that the same principles can be applied to wedding lehenga as well and I suggested some of the brides I have worked for to layer their lehenga.
Some very simple layering with lehenga that I can think of are:
- Plain Jacket or Shrug: Wearing a plain jacket or a long shrug over your lehenga skirt can create a more contemporary and stylish appearance. Make sure that you choose a colour that complements the lehenga to maintain a cohesive look.
- Kurti or Tunic: Layering a kurti or tunic over your lehenga skirt can transform it into a more casual or semi-formal outfit. This is perfect for family gatherings or festive events.
Adding these layers not only make your lehenga more versatile but they also allow you to dress it up or down depending on the occasion.
Key Layering Tips
- Choose Complementary Colours: Ensure that the colours of your layers complement the original lehenga to avoid clashing.
- Balance the Look: If the lehenga is heavily embroidered then you must opt for simpler layers to balance the overall look.
- Experiment with Lengths: Play around with different lengths of jackets, shrugs, and kurtis to see what works best with your lehenga skirt.
Photography Tip
To capture the layered look you must focus on interplay between the different garments and highlight how the layers add depth and texture to the outfit. Be comfortable and be yourself, this will allow you to showcase the fluidity and elegance of the layered lehenga to its fullest.
Conclusion
Reusing your wedding lehenga is not only a practical choice but also a wonderful way to keep the memories of your special day alive. Whether you’re mixing and matching, altering the design, or layering, there are countless ways to give your lehenga a second life.
By exploring how to reuse a wedding lehenga, you can create new and stylish outfits for various occasions while celebrating the sentimental value of your bridal attire. I believe that by now you have got a fair understanding of what to do with your wedding lehenga.
Now if you know someone who needs a photographer who can capture their big day, the way they have imagined it then feel free to give them my WhatsApp (+91 6393168551). I will be more than happy to discuss their vision and come up with a plan to give life to the vision.
In the meantime, you can read my article on “trash the dress” style of photography. This is another way of using your lehenga but as the name suggests, you’ll be trashing it and most probably won’t be able to use it again.
This is your host for the day signing off.
Peace out
Mihir
FAQs
How can I wear my wedding lehenga again?
Mix and match different pieces like the lehenga skirt with a simple blouse or the blouse with a saree. You can also alter the design, such as converting the skirt into a dress or using the dupatta as a cape.
How can I reuse my wedding saree?
Convert it into a lehenga or anarkali suit. Use the saree fabric to create kurtis, dresses, or home decor items like cushion covers and table runners.
How to recycle a bridal lehenga?
Alter its design by shortening the skirt or restyling the blouse. Repurpose the fabric for new garments or accessories while preserving the embroidery and craftsmanship.
How to reuse mom’s wedding lehenga?
Consider altering the design to fit your style or repurpose the fabric for new outfits that honor the sentimental value of the lehenga.