Lehenga Hire Melbourne
Need a lehenga for a Melbourne event? Skip the Dandenong shops. Chari Clothing delivers straight to your door, usually in 1-2 business days.
We're based in Sydney, but a huge number of our rentals go to Melbourne. Makes sense — Melbourne has one of the largest South Asian communities in Australia. Plenty of weddings, engagements, festivals. Not so many affordable rental options.
Why Rent Instead of Buy?
A good lehenga costs $300 to $800+ to buy in Australia. Before accessories.
Renting from Chari starts at $50 for 3 days. You wear it, send it back, we dry clean it. That's included in the rental price.
For most people, the math is obvious. You wear something beautiful without the guilt of an outfit gathering dust afterwards.
Lehenga Styles
Our collection covers the styles you'd actually search for when getting ready for an event.
A-Line
Clean, structured, works for most body types. Good for engagement ceremonies, Diwali parties, sangeet nights where you want to look put-together without going full bridal.
Flared
Full skirts that move when you walk. Popular for wedding guests and mehndi functions.
Mermaid
Fitted through the hips, flares from the knee down. More modern. Good for formal receptions and cocktail-style events.
Layered
Multiple tiers add volume. Good for statement looks, especially for the bride's side at a wedding.
Fabrics
We're selective about what goes into our collection:
- Silk — Rich, heavy, traditional. Good for winter events and formal ceremonies
- Georgette — Lightweight, flowy, comfortable for long events, especially warmer months
- Chiffon — Soft drape, easy to move in. Works for outdoor events and festivals
- Velvet — Warm. Good for winter weddings and evening functions
Every piece photographs well, feels comfortable for hours, and holds up to multiple rentals without losing shape.
Adjustable Sizing
One of the biggest headaches with renting is fit. Lehengas aren't like Western dresses where you pick a size 10 and hope.
Our lehengas have adjustable hooks and drawstring waists. They work across a range of body shapes without alterations. When you book, we'll chat about your measurements to make sure we're sending something that'll actually fit on the day.
Accessories
A lehenga on its own is only part of the outfit. We have dupattas and jewellery sets available to hire too. Put together a complete look without running to three different shops.
Already have jewellery or a dupatta you love? That's fine. We'll help you figure out what works together.
Delivering to Melbourne
We ship to every Melbourne suburb. Dandenong, Craigieburn, Truganina, Tarneit, Casey, Monash — we've sent rentals to all of them.
Here's how it works:
- Browse and book your outfit on our website
- We ship via Australia Post express — delivery takes 1-2 business days to Melbourne
- Wear it for your 3-day rental period
- Send it back using the prepaid return label we include in the box
We ask for a $100 refundable bond at booking. You get it back once the outfit's returned in good condition. Dry cleaning is on us — just send it back as-is.
Melbourne Events
Melbourne's calendar is packed with South Asian cultural events. We see booking spikes around all of them:
- FIAI Diwali at Federation Square — one of the biggest Diwali celebrations in Australia
- Holi in the City — people dress up for evening events and after-parties
- Dandenong Festival of Lights
- Navratri events — garba nights run for nine evenings, renting means you can wear something different without buying nine lehengas
Then there are the weddings. Melbourne's wedding season keeps us busy from October through March.
The Online Alternative
If you live near Dandenong or Melbourne's Little India, you know the local shops. They carry beautiful stock, but buying outright adds up fast — especially if you're attending multiple events in a season.
Renting from Chari gives you a different option. Curated collection that's regularly updated, with delivery and returns handled through the post. No parking hassles, no weekend crowds, no pressure to buy on the spot.
And if you're in the outer suburbs — places like Truganina, Tarneit, or Craigieburn where there aren't many South Asian fashion shops nearby — online rental means you're not limited by geography.
FAQ
How far in advance should I book?
At least 2 weeks before your event. This gives us time to confirm availability, sort sizing, and ship with a buffer for any postal delays. For peak wedding season (October to March) or major festivals like Diwali, 3-4 weeks ahead is better.
What if it doesn't fit?
Our lehengas have adjustable hooks and drawstring waists. We also confirm your measurements before shipping. If something genuinely doesn't work, get in touch as soon as it arrives and we'll sort an alternative where possible.
Do I dry clean before returning?
No. Dry cleaning is included. Just send the outfit back in the packaging it arrived in using the prepaid return label. We take care of cleaning and inspection.
How does the $100 bond work?
The bond is charged at booking and refunded once we receive the outfit back in good condition. Normal wear — a small mark here or there — is expected and won't affect your refund. We only hold it if there's significant damage.
Can I rent jewellery and a dupatta?
Yes. We have jewellery sets and dupattas available. You can add them during booking or ask us and we'll recommend pieces that match your outfit.
Do you deliver to all Melbourne suburbs?
We do. We ship via Australia Post express to every address in Melbourne and across Australia. Metro Melbourne deliveries typically arrive within 1-2 business days from dispatch.
Browse at chariclothing.com or book a trial.