The perfect trousseau

Getting married is no easy task. You are expected to look your best at every moment, before, during and after the wedding. Plus, getting married gives you social license to indulge your every whim and buy a whole lot of gorgeous outfits. What more does a girl need or want?

But it can get confusing. After all, there is only so much a girl can buy. Here's a quick guide through trousseau never never land.

• Plan plan plan. Nothing comes about without a proper plan. Sit down and make a list of what you actually need.
  
  

• Divide your trousseau list into three sections - Indian formal, Western formal and semi- casual. The casual wear we leave to you to be practical and carry over from your existing wardrobe.
  
  

• In the Indian formal section, you need a judicious mix of sarees, salwar kameezes, lehenga cholis and lachas. Plan your saree purchase judiciously - we have some must haves in the trousseau variety of sarees, the Banarasi, the Paithani, Tissue, Kanjeevaram and the Bandhni sarees in silk. The good sarees in these traditional weaves all come at the price tag upwards of Rs 4000, so plan the colours you need, don’t go shopping blind. Go to three or four good saree shops and get a look at the spread available in terms of colours, patterns and prices and only then make your purchase. Your best option is to buy traditional weaves in traditionally classic shades, they'll never go out of style. You could supplement these with a couple of tailored saris with embroidered cholis which are immensely chic. Alternatively, you could get embroidered chiffon saris which look both understated and elegant.
  
  

• Salwar kameezes and lehenga cholis can be either sourced from renowned designers, who will plan your entire trousseau look for you, or you could be adventurous and do your own sourcing and work with a tailor you trust to give you the look you want, within the deadline you want. The rule of thumb is to start planning your tailored outfits within two to three months of the wedding. Make sure you don’t lose or put on any weight after you give your measurements to the tailor.
  
  

• Do make sure you have some outfits with traditional embroidery. But what is really 'in' right now is crystal accentuated outfits.
  
  

• You will be expected to do a lot of visiting after the wedding -- your outfits for these weddings should be a combination of the ornate and the chic depending on the visiting you need to do.
  
  

• Do buy a couple of heavily embroidered blouses. You can team these with elegant crepes and chiffons for an understated yet elegant look.
  
  

• For your wedding, you will need three to four outfits for the functions -- mehndi, sangeet, cocktail and reception. Do make sure the colours you chose are different, you don’t want to look the same through all the functions. Check out your colour family from a colour consultant -- certain colours might be beautiful on someone else, but make your skin look sallow and drained of colour. A quick rule of thumb is, anything that makes your skin glow is good for you. Fairer skins have pink undertones and can carry off reds, purples, wines, blues and greens. While wheatish skins have yellow undertones and look best in earth colours, ochres, oranges, brick and rust shades.
  
  

• Antique lace is a good bet for a cocktail function. Gold lace as a sheath dress is immediately sexy, attractive and timeless.
  
  

• For your sangeet ceremony, you could go with a lacha in tissue and zardozi in a pastel shade. Sorbet colours like mango, peach, pista are great options for an elegant, subdued look.
  
  

• A mehndi ceremony requires a bright bride-like sari, in a wine or an ochre shade. Choose a banarasi or a kanjeevaram, with traditional motifs.
  
  

• For the wedding reception, your best bet is a ghagra choli in traditional colours of maroon, burgundy, pink, red or wine shades, with intricate zardosi work. Team this with traditional jadau jewellery and you've got your look made. This is if you want to be the traditional bride. If you want an alternative look, try a gold lame blouse and a gold embroidered tissue sari. Or maybe you could play different with a non-traditional colour like blue or green.
  
  

• As part of your western formal collection in your trousseau, do include a jacket and trouser set, which you could team with a silk camisole for a formal evening look. Also, a floorlength straight sheath in a fabric with a soft sheen could take you through many cocktails and dinner parties. A kneelength dress in a figure flattering fabric is ideal for evenings out with friends. Do make sure that this dress has a good fit, and is a colour that goes well for the evening.
  
  

• Other essentials for a trousseau are your lingerie and night wear. You need one knock- him-dead nightdress, with lace and all the silky satiny feel that makes honeymoons great. One set of satin pyjamas are must haves, add a couple of white cotton nightdresses and a couple of quilted wraps and you're set. You could also go for the beautiful hand embroidered, handmade lace numbers if you feel in the mood to be a demure girl. For your lingerie, you definitely need a satin teddy. A bright red satin bikini bra with a bikini brief is a must have. And a black set, and a beige set. If white is more your scene, you need to get a lovely handcrocheted set which is both unusual and very enticing.
  
  

• Trousseau accessories are as essential as your trousseau itself. Divide accessories into shoes and bags. Your basic footwear should comprise a pair of dressy sandals with medium heels for sarees and salwar kameezes, a pair of dressy evening shoes for western wear, a pair of mojris, some bathroom slippers and a pair of killer stilettoes for instant vavavoom. Your bag collection should include a embroidered batwa in tissue or gold, a sling bag, a cocktail clutch and a proper handbag.
  
  Of course, you can always add onto your own list and come up with your own must haves to be included in your trousseau. The best part about building up your trousseau is shopping for it. Have fun - you get to be this self-indulgent only once in your life, if you're lucky.