Rolling back from the Victorian Era, corsets have paved their way not only in western royalty’s fashion but are also believed to dominate the Indian bridal couture this year in 2023. This stern piece of clothing works wonders at enhancing all the right places. After B-town celebs like Kiara Advani and Shibani Dandekar made dazzling appearances in exquisite corset blouses, brides couldn’t help but wonder if this piece of clothing is what your bridal ensemble needs to elevate it to another level.
Corsets are no longer an understated garment to be worn but not seen. Designed and presented in magnificent fabrics, embroidery, and chic hues, they have given a new meaning to ethnic ensembles altogether. They can be styled in myriad ways, making for the perfect cherry on top of your dream couture.
Bachelorette
Go all-out in a classy pantsuit with a beautifully embroidered corset, exuding magnificence and regality while providing the necessary comfort for bachelorette party dance moves. You can go with a metallic open suit for a discotheque vibe and a monochromatic corset to go with it. To achieve a balance between a traditional and contemporary look, the entire ensemble can be taken up a notch with traditional prints in silk silhouettes. If you’re looking for a subtle and minimalistic aesthetic, do not shy away from choosing a sequin corset with an ivory pantsuit, statement earrings, and even a heavy choker. Better yet, put on a delicate tiara to accompany the corset and bring out your inner queen for your special day.
Sangeet
The dance, music, and ultimate fun reach their epitome on this one night of sangeet ceremony. Whether the ceremony is set against a lush greenery backdrop or illuminated by the lighting of a grand ballroom, a corset can make you a sight to behold on your sangeet. For the former, you can opt for charming pastel hues with miniature floral embroidery and pair them up with a flared skirt. To make it even better, drape your dupatta as a cape for a dreamy look. If you’re drawn to the recent sharara ensemble trends, try pairing a pearl-embroidered corset with lighter hues for a fairy-tale effect. For an indoor ceremony, opt for darker shades, like maroon or jade, and pair it up with an eggshell-hued corset. Also, if you’re someone who likes a longer length for the blouse, select a peplum corset that will not only enhance your look but add a little uniqueness to your sangeet ensemble.
Mehendi
As soon as the olive henna imprints itself on your hands, the festivities begin, and the ecstasy of the events sync in—every bride wants to look her absolute best for the mehendi ceremony. Since you’ve got to sit for an enormous amount of time to apply henna and soak up the abundance of excitement around you, your mehendi ensemble should reflect that. A corset anarkali is an utter delight and the perfect balance between charming and comfortable while you put on your dancing shoes. You can opt for a charismatic chiffon silhouette with floral prints— a top favourite of brides for quite some time now—or take the chic route with a silk or banarsi silhouette. Even better, go for a deeper ‘U’ neckline, as most star celebrities do, for an added magnifique.
Haldi
Haldi is one ceremony where you want to look serene and subtle, making corset blouses with a beautifully draped saree your perfect choice. You don’t have to stick with shades of mustard, and you can add a little pop of colour with a magenta-hued corset embellished with mirror work. Although green is usually associated with mehendi ceremonies, it’s not stopping the upcoming brides from experimenting with shades of mint and pastel pink for their haldi ceremony ensemble. You can even look for similar shades in corset-style pre-draped sarees that make for an enviable haldi outfit. If your heart is set on a traditional dhoti ensemble, you can always look for corset blouses to complement along pair beautifully. To top it, you can use a contrasting georgette or chiffon dupatta as an over-the-shoulder cape drape for an elegant look.
Wedding
We’ve all been in awe since Shibani Dandekar made her bridal entry in a French Chantilly lace corset blouse and lehenga, establishing a new standard for modern brides. The separate veil, minimalistic jewellery, and charm of the corset design pointed to the fact that this garment can very well be a top choice for bridal wear. If you’re afraid of the stereotype that corsets are suffocating and challenging to wear for long periods, you should reconsider because corsets nowadays come in a comfortable silhouette with plenty of room for you to breathe. So you can show off your style on your wedding day without worrying about your attire.
You can opt for a sensual tube corset or one with an embroidered sleeve — perfect for winter weddings. The best thing is that this garment will accentuate all your curves and make you look delightful in all your wedding photographs.
Reception
A reception gives you plenty of room to experiment with different ensembles, so you don’t have to stick to a saree or lehenga. There are many brides who opt for beautiful ballroom gowns with corset blouses to bring back the Renaissance era. If you’re not a fan of western ensembles, you can still find a lot of options for ethnic ball gowns as well.
Another ensemble we can’t stop gushing about is a full-sized net corset blouse with flower detailing on top and a saree draped like a skirt. You can pair another dupatta over the shoulder and complete the look with a simple, sleek bun and some heavy jewellery.
