Long flowy Anarkali suits can make any woman look regal, royal and beautiful. An Anarkali suit is a combination of a long flowing kurta and tight fitted churidaar (leggings) with sheer chunni or stole completing the look. The kurta is fitted on the bust and normally features large pleats flowing around the legs like an umbrella.
The origin of Anarkali suits dates back to the Mughal Era. These suits are named after Anarkali (which means pomegranate blossom), a famous courtesan of the Great Emperor Akbar’s court. She was known for her great beauty and pomegranate like complexion.
According to the legend, Anarkali was very beautiful and everybody was dazzled by her beauty. The crown prince Salim (Jahangir) fell in love with her at the first sight. But their love incurred the wrath of the King Akbar and their love story ended in a tragedy. She was buried alive by the order of the Emperor Akbar for having an affair with his son. Not only her love story but also her time less costume got immortalized by epic movies like Mughal-e-Azam. Nobody can forget how beautiful and graceful Madhubala looked in the movie. She started the trend of anarkali suits. This style went out of the fashion for some time but came back with a bang last year and is here to stay with most of the leading Bollywood divas making their red carpet presence and looking gorgeous in these suits.
The positive side of an Anarkali outfit is that it flatters every body type. It accentuates at the top and cover up any flaws in the waist and hips making them disappear in their long pleats. These dresses are now made of variety of materials like satin, net, silk or pure cotton and are embellished with heavy embroidery, glittering gota patti or intricate zari or stone work and are available in different styles and cuts.
Long floor or ankle length anarkali suits with beautiful work on the neck, sleeves and border of the kurta are going to be very popular this year.
Tips to wear Anarkali Suits
Neck:
The ‘V’ neck Anarkali suits are good for short and medium height women as V neck lengthens the neck and avoids making short or medium height women look shabby. Tall women can go for any type of neck designs.
Flair:
Tall and women with hourglass figure can go for heavy flare but short and petite women should go for less flare, plump women should go for kalis starting from the top instead of waist as it gives them illusion of height and hides all the flaws.
Length:
Tall women should avoid wearing knee length anarkali suits and short and petite women look graceful with high heels.
Accessories:
If your anarkali is heavily embellished, it’s a statement piece by itself and you don’t have to worry about accessorizing it. If there is a heavy work on the neck of your outfit than you can go for a nice pair of long ethnic earrings like jhumkas.
The type of work on the anarkali dress varies making it an immensely versatile garment. Anarkali outfits with some elaborate neck cut and heavy brocade or gota patti work are perfect for a wedding party and contemporary anarkalis in pleasant colours with light embroidery look elegant at any dinner party or formal function.
FASHION TRENDS AND TIPS 