Mirror, Mirror: Vintage Style for a Quintessential Sikh Bride - The How-to

Hi Asiya,

Love your blog …I think the website gives a in-depth knowledge for fashionistas, brides like me alike. I am due to be married in November 2012. Would love for you to suggest some wedding outfits for a gurudwara wedding.

Please let me know how I could get in touch.

Regards,

P

---------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hi P,

Do you have any preferences or ideas of what you might like so far?

Asiya

----------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hi Asiya,
I like the look and feel of a vintage bridal garment. Would like to present myself as a typical sardarni bride with a big volume ghagra and a kurti or a beautiful salwar kameez to go with it.
Like one of the lehengas in pink with gold work on bottom and kalis.
Would like you to suggest if I could get something like this custom made.

Regards,
P

------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hi P,

whereabouts in India will you be shopping?

 

Asiya

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hi Asiya,
Would be mostly in mumbai or I have people living in Chandigarh as well.

 

P

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hi P,

 

Soooo this is what I came up with.  I like pink, especially a tea rose color, or rani pink for a vintage bride.  I would stay away from bubblegum pink or shocking pink, since these tend to be more retro eighties than vintage classy.  Both are great, but one is not the other. 

 

Some other details that I think make a classic Sardarni bride so stylish and quintessential:

 

For the hairstyle, the high, tight form in the bun at the back of the head is a great style because it sits well during the ceremony, and looks beautiful from a seated position, where you will most likely be photographed quite a bit.

 

Also, liking the zari beads on the border of her dupatta. via South Asian Bride

The design of this bride's lehenga, while very beautiful and intrictate, isn't to my mind vintage. But I do like the high bun on her head for a sardarni bride. via Rok Choi Photography

Another great hairstyle for the sardarni bride is the long plait coming down one shoulder, or even the piraandha (I never spell that clearly)

 

This bride has gone for a slightly looser quiff at the top, with a side part, for a more contemporary look, but for a vintage look, keep it tight, with a middle part, or no part at all. via Maharani Weddings

 

 

Beaded details on the border of the dupatta and in the jewellery. Zari beads have become a bit of a trend lately, and they are cross-cultural in that lots of pakistani brides are wearing them lately, and they are appearing more and more on dresses everywhere, but I think they are very vintage, and worth considering, since I see them on quite a few sikh brides. 

 

Also, the armband, great vintage detail! via Maharani Weddings

via Maharani Weddings

 

via AAINA Bridal

 

via AAINA Bridal

 

As for embroidery, I like your idea of not overwhelming the whole dress with embroidery.  I would also recommend requesting less stonework and avoid swarovski entirely, these are very contemporary.  I would say, go for more mirrorwork, resham embroidery, gota kinari, zari and zardozi embroidery and aim for a less is more philosophy when working with the designer. 

 

By the way, this is the same dress the first picture under "beaded details." via Maharani Weddings

Notice the gold ribbon embroidery on the navy blue border? That's gota kaam, and it's quite traditional.  Also, note the mirrorwork. via Maharani Weddings

Another photograph of the bride above. via Maharani Weddings



Something else I like about this bride, the mix of colours including orange and red keep the pink of her dress from overwhelming her. via South Asian Bride

 

Makeup wise, the current vintage trend is definitely still the 50's pin-up look, with bold cat eyes, neutral, matte eyeshadow and dark, wine-red lips and flushed cheeks.

 

notice the silver circles on her dupatta?  I cannot remember what that embroidery style is called, but it's great for a vintage look. Also, beading on the chain of the nath! via Rubies and Ribbon

 For an alternative to the traditional lehenga, here are a two alternatives:
Although you didn't include it in your ideas, I will suggest you consider an anarkali like the one below, it's classic, and very pretty for a sikh bride for the ceremony, Also, they are definitely in at the moment, so you are bound to get no end of choice.  Or, as you like, the short kurti with wide shalwar in any cut or style is very traditional and completely punjabi.  I love the bride below's rendition of the look.

 

via Rubies and Ribbon

As for where to shop, unfortunately I don't have any experience with Mumbai or Chandigarh shopping, since I get most of my clothes made in Delhi or Surat.  I will put the call out for recommendations, however, and keep you up-to-date.  Good luck!