A backlace with your pre-wedding gown and waist strings with D-day lehenga-choli… Handpick some of the most unique accessories to get your bridal silhouette right in all its completeness.
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” — American fashion designer Rachel Zoe.
So very true! How magically our sharmilee dulahaniyas spell volumes of style not with their words but with their meaningful expressions, charming gestures and that quintessentially graceful gait! Yes, there’s something so elegant about the bridal gait – whether it’s her frontal posture or the back. Today’s Instagram-smart bride knows all the style mantras to bring out the sensual silhouette that can earn her loads of likes online and umpteen compliments in real time. She intelligently handpicks the right jewellery to accentuate her feminine charm in all its completeness. And she is willing to experiment. No wonder, the jewellery bazaar is replete with some of the most unique accessories. The traditional solah shringar isnowmaking a comeback in modern avtaars.
“The back of the attire plays a vital role in completing the look, right from the hairstyle to the head gears to the dori of the necklace, design of the blouse, tattoo on the back or neck as well as the kamarbandh and the backnecklaces that are also in trend now,” observes Tanya Rastogi, Director Lala Jugal Kishore Jewellers.
So women, get started! Pick and pack all the essential blings into your bijou box to curate the stunning silhouette you were always in awe of.
Ditch that Necklace for Backlace
Having originated in the western culture, the back jewellery trend in India is now a new-found love with women who are opting for heavy gowns for their pre-wedding celebrations. Chandelier back necklaces, backdrop necklace with a crystal or white pearl and multi-layered necklaces with pearls or silver strings go well with both medium and deep-cut back designs.
“Back necklaces widely known as ‘backlaces’ came into trend in 2013. Mostly to accentuate the back; the bridesmaids are vouching on this trend which is elegant and an offbeat option to make a statement. Tassels, layered and backdrapes are some of the favourites with jewellery connoisseurs,” informs Mira Gulati, Founder and Principal Designer, Mirari.
Anne Hathaway, Alica Witt, Jennifer Lawrence and Marilyn Monroe in the retro years from Hollywood and Kangana Ranaut from Bollywood have been spotted wearing backlace with grace and panache on various occasions.
Shimmering Braid with Trinkets
Hair accessories have always been a big time favourite in bridal and festive wear primarily because of the way Indian women braid their hair. From chains and pins to traditional head gears, hair trinkets have always fascinated women. In southern India, it’s the billai or nine circular hair clips to decorate the braid and Chandrasuryan (2 pieces depicting sun and moon worn on either side of the head). In north, it’s the tikkas and chapkas. Remember the wedding photos of Bollywood sweethearts Diya Mirza, Shilpa Shetty and Aishwarya Rai circulated in media? If you do, you would invariably recollect the imagery of their attention-grabbing hair accessories.
“For long hair worn loose, one can opt for diamond encrusted blingy headpieces, either with a side parting or a diamond or pearl studded wave crown style. There are various options for those who prefer updos like the shiny button clips in different sizes and styles,” suggests Kapil Hetamsaria, CEO and Co-Founder, VelvetCase.com.
Drape your Waistline with Band & Strings
Waist accessories beautifully team up with traditional outfits to accentuate the waistline of women. While the kamarbandh or the gold belt is the most common form of waist ornament, traditionally adorned by Indian women, the layered one is more like a shoulder drape which has strings attached to the golden belt. “Waist ornaments are considered to be one of the most propitious add-ons that complete the Indian feminine look,” says Kapil.
Tanya suggests tassels for kamarbandhs to glorify the bridal appearance and also for the tinkling sound. Adding drama with kardhani to the normal chain is her idea of making it a little more playful.
Dazzling Wraps for Your Arms
Getting the bridal look right is all about detailing. Armlets add their own charm to the silhouette whether it’s your sideway look or the back. Arm cuffs are available in a variety of designs ranging from the traditional U-shaped bauble and snake-shaped ones to the more contemporary looking feather and leaf motifs. While arm chains with pearls and crystals are preferred especially in summers, gold with kundan and polki are all-time favourites for weddings.
“Women these days opt for quirky jewel pieces. Dainty armcuffs with leaf and snake motifs really go well with sleeveless short kurtis. Also, multilayer arm chains studded with coloured stones or pearls is gaining wide popularity,” informs Swati Singh, CEO and Founder, CrunchyFashion.com.
Finally, for those of you looking for budget options, here are some smart ideas from Tanya, who believes ‘versatile’ is the keyword: Make a hairband or tiara of your waistband or braid the pearl necklace around your choti and throw in tassels to add loads of charm.
| Your Kind of Back Do Chandelier back necklace crafted in pearls or silver plating go well with gown or maxi dress with minimal work and deep cut back.Glittering and glossy button clips in different sizes and styles are great options for buns. For long open hair, check out white stones encrusted elegant headpiece with side parting. Multi-string comb hair pin or hair chain is best for puffs. Multilayer head chain with gold or silver plating is a suitable option for middle parting.Silver multi-layer waist chains are a versatile option with both sarees and lehengas. Sleek waist chains crafted with kundan and polki are up for grabs with young women.Multilayer arm chains with gold or silver; quirky arm chain bracelets; arm cuffs with tieup detail. Armlets crafted in gold with kundan and polki are best suited for brides. |
The article was originally published in Plan Your Wedding magazine.
