South Asian outfits: lehengas and sarees
If you've been invited to an Indian wedding or South Asian event in Australia, you've probably wondered what to wear. The two outfits you'll see most often are lehengas and sarees. They look completely different, they feel different to wear, and they suit different occasions. Here's what you need to know.
What is a lehenga?
A lehenga is a three-piece outfit made up of a long skirt, a fitted blouse called a choli, and a dupatta (a scarf draped over the shoulder). It's the standard choice for weddings, engagements, and formal celebrations.
Most lehengas are made from silk, satin, or chiffon, and they're usually decorated with embroidery, beadwork, or sequins. They tend to be heavier than sarees because of all that detail. The trade-off is that they're much easier to put on. You step into the skirt, put on the blouse, and drape the dupatta. No complicated wrapping involved.
What is a saree?
A saree is a single length of unstitched fabric, usually about six yards, that gets draped and tucked around the body. People wear sarees to everything from weddings and religious festivals to casual family dinners.
Common fabrics include silk, cotton, and georgette. The way you drape a saree changes depending on the region and the formality of the event. Sarees are generally lighter and more breathable than lehengas, but they take practice to put on properly. Keeping the drape neat through a long event can be tricky if you're not used to it.
Lehenga or saree: which should you wear?
Both work for most South Asian events, whether it's an Indian, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, or Pakistani celebration. This quick comparison should help you decide:
| Lehenga | Saree | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of wearing | Simple. Put on the skirt and blouse, drape the dupatta. | Takes practice. The fabric needs to be pleated and pinned. |
| Comfort | Heavier on the body, but everything stays put | Lighter and more breathable, though the drape can shift |
| Best for | Weddings and formal events | Almost anything, from formal functions to relaxed gatherings |
| Popularity in Australia | Growing quickly, especially for weddings | The traditional go-to for most occasions |
Still deciding?
Start a chat with us. We help customers pick outfits based on the event type, how comfortable they are with draping, and what looks good on them. We rent both lehengas and sarees with delivery across Australia.
- Browse lehengas
- Browse sarees
- See what others wore on our customer images page