This is definitely the toughest part. What should I buy? How much should I spend? Is this the right look? Do I really need this?
Well, you certainly do not need the stress and trouble associated with planning the wedding trousseau.
Relax, take a deep breath - You are a bride, a very special bride. You will look beautiful and special anyway. But if you do manage to pull off a well-planned and elegant wedding trousseau, things would be extra special.
Walking the tight rope between traditional and trendy
First things first, are you the adventurous type or the play-it-safe type? Even if you are adventurous with your clothes, you might want to go the traditional way when it's time to take the "pheras". After all, a bride wants to look like a bride. As for the unadventurous, you will not only want to look beautiful but also different.
Though not much has been subtracted from the traditional, there have been additions to the bride's traditional trousseau. Brides want colours that suit their complexion and fabrics that flatter the form. The silhouettes are changing too. Now, you can go for a fish-dart lehanga with a short choli, or one of those exciting new saree drapes. These might not be dramatic departures from the past, but then, in wedding wear, even the slightest change is a significant move away from tradition. The trick is to stick to tradition but with your own individual style.
The perfect trousseau
Essentially, a trousseau is a collection of clothes, jewellery, accessories, makeup, household items like towels, bed sheets and tablecloths, which the bride takes with her to her new home. A perfect trousseau can be cherished for a lifetime. You need to remember that all these are not just meant to grace your closet. Each of the items is sent with you to fulfil a purpose and as they don't come cheap, make sure you buy what you would really like to have.
You will need to purchase clothes that are suited to a number of occasions and social events. You can wear a ghagra-choli, lehanga or saree for your sangeet and mehendi ceremonies, while a trendy saree would be wonderful for your cocktail party. Playing with fabric and accessories can give you an exquisite look.
The look of the day is classic, fitted and almost seamless. Fluid lines with the right touch of embroidery can look really intriguing. Choose your duppattas with care. This is one area you could really experiment with. Make sure that the fabrics complement each other. A dupatta chosen with care can effortlessly impart an exclusive edge to the ensemble.
Think about your comfort level when it comes to western clothes. Buy trendy clothes, but avoid going overboard buying labels. Invest in good quality classics like a pair of well-cut trousers or skirts. In case you are going the good old darzi way for Western or Indian, spend time with the tailor so he or she knows exactly what you want.
Jewellery now needs to be a little beyond the traditional. The wedding jewellery designs remain essentially traditional. Turquoise, pearls, emeralds, crystals are all waiting out there for the rest of the occasions.
Quick Trousseau Tips
Drapes, Drapes and more Drapes - Nothing is more charming than the traditional six yards in a not-so-traditional format.
Experiment with colours - Though a bride wants to look like a bride, it's no more of the traditional red and pink for her. Rich colours work well for a bride. Also make sure that what you select looks good in artificial light for the evening occasions.
Odd is good - Odd numbers are considered auspicious traditionally. Eleven sarees, eleven salwar kameezes, nine trendy outfits, will form a total number of thirty-one. For the small packages - The petite ones need to avoid extremely heavy embroidery and fabrics.
It's now, not never - If you have never really tried to create a special look for yourself, this is the right time to start - Find out what suits your personality best, what makes you feel good and then build on it. For the Mrs. - As you work on your trousseau, make sure you include clothes that would be suitable for the social life you would have as a married woman.
And last but not the least, carry yourself gracefully and confidently and you will look beautiful always.
