Pakistani bridal lehenga and gharara: a house guide

Pakistani bridal is not one silhouette. A lehenga is a skirt and blouse with a dupatta for rukhsati light. A gharara is wide-legged trousers and a short kameez — Lucknow by way of Lahore, heavy at the hem. A sharara is softer flare, often chosen for mehndi when the woman still wants movement.

At Aneela & Sons we work in ivory for nikah, maroon for barat, champagne for receptions that photograph warm. Zardozi is coiled gilt on a frame. Gotta is ribbon arches for mehndi mornings. Mukesh is hammered dew on net. We name them separately so you are not sold foil as heritage.

If you are ordering from abroad, measure against our size guide and take the larger if you are between sizes — embroidery does not stretch. Bridal and heavily embroidered formals are made to be kept; read the returns page before you cut unstitched cloth.

Browse the bridal collection for current frames, or write with your date. Some karigars cannot be hurried.