Why Bridal Lehengas are Islamic (And How to Cover Your Belly in One)
- Hijabi Bridal
- Dec 17, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 23
So you’ve found the perfect outfit, but the belly isn't covered! Haha. Even if yours is beautifully toned, we stay away from showing certain areas of the body. A lehenga with a covered stomach is an idea, but they aren't easily found.
But wait. Why do we even have Indian wear on an Islamic site? Well, that’s a great question! Lehengas are actually Muslim attire, but they have been altered.
Can Muslims Wear Lehenga?
Muslims can wear lehenga as long as the blouse or shirt is long. It should at least come to hip length, but it can actually fall under the knee. At Hijabi Bridal, we consider the bridal lehengas to be Islamic when they come with an option to make the blouse hip length, at least, or when the blouse fabric is an unstitched meter so you can make it yourself.
If you're going to have your Islamic bridal lehenga tailored, we recommend purchasing two so that you have enough fabric for sleeves and a shirt as long as you like. The skirts for these are semi-stitched, so you can pair two skirts as one for a super full bridal look. We've curated all our Muslim bridal lehengas online from Amazon to make sure they meet the requirements mentioned here. Browse our selection of wedding lehengas for Muslim brides, and don't forget to search by color!
Is the Lehenga Indian or Pakistani? Islamic Influences in Indian Dress Style
Back to the history. Islamic influences have been profoundly impactful in India, particularly following the arrival of Islamic rulers and traders in the Indian subcontinent around the 12th century. Then because India was ruled by Muslims for centuries, Hindus adopted Muslim dressing styles. Pakistan later separated from India, so the lehenga can be said to be Indian and Pakistani, both.
However, because most modern options are not lehengas with a covered stomach, we have to scour search results for Muslim bridal lehengas online. One of the reasons Hijabi Bridal exists is so that you can find your Islamic bridal lehenga easily and have it shipped to your door from Amazon. The subcontinent is still the primary source of cotton and silk fabrics, embroidered gowns and Islamic wear. Luckly all this has made it's way to the West.
What Culture is the Lehenga From? A Fusion of Styles
One of the most prominent periods of Islamic influence on Indian dress styles began with the establishment of the Mughal Empire in the early 16th century. The Mughal rulers, originally from Central Asia, brought with them a unique cultural heritage that left a lasting imprint on Indian clothing. The lehenga originated under these Muslim rulers. Other Indian fashion did too.
Mughal fashion blended Persian, Central Asian, and indigenous Indian elements, resulting in a distinct and opulent style. The most notable attire from this era is the Angrakha, a traditional upper garment worn by both men and women. This tunic, characterized by its asymmetric opening and flowing fabric, became a staple in Mughal dress and continues to influence Indian fashion.
The Salwar Kameez, a combination of a long tunic (kameez) and trousers (salwar), also gained popularity during this period. The attire was not only practical and comfortable but also carried a sense of modesty, aligning with Islamic principles of dress. The dupatta, a long scarf or shawl worn with the salwar kameez, further added to the elegance and modesty of the ensemble.
Textiles and Embellishments
Islamic influence also permeated the textiles and embellishment techniques used in Indian clothing. The Mughals introduced new materials, such as luxurious silks and fine muslins, as well as intricate embroidery styles, including zardozi and chikankari for Islamic bridal lehengas.
Zardozi Embroidery involves intricate metallic thread work, often incorporating gold and silver threads to create elaborate patterns. This technique became synonymous with Mughal regalia and has since been integral to Indian bridal wear and wedding lehengas for Muslim brides alike.
Chikankari is another embroidery technique that flourished under Islamic influence. Originating in Lucknow, this art form involves delicate and intricate white-on-white embroidery, that's perfectly used for modern Islamic bridal lehengas. Chikankari creates subtle yet elegant patterns on fine fabrics like muslin and silk.
Jewelry and Accessories
Islamic aesthetics also shaped Indian jewelry and accessories. The jhoomar or passa, a fan-shaped headpiece worn on one side of the head, is a traditional accessory that became popular during the Mughal period and remains a cherished part of bridal attire in many parts of India. These accessories, when matched with an Islamic lehenga and with the use of precious gemstones and intricate metalwork, reflect the opulence and sophistication of Mughal artistry.
Continued Influence
The influence of Islamic culture on Indian dress styles did not wane with the fall of the Mughal Empire. Instead, these influences have been seamlessly woven into the fabric of Indian fashion. Contemporary Indian designers often draw inspiration from Mughal and Islamic motifs, incorporating them into modern attire while preserving their traditional essence.
The enduring popularity of garments like the bridal lehenga, salwar kameez and anarkali suits, all of which bear Islamic influences, highlights the lasting impact of this cultural exchange. So although the lehenga, in particular, has been altered to show more skin than is allowed under Islamic traditions, the concept is originally Islamic. These were wedding lehengas for Muslim brides.
How Do I Make Adjustments to Create an Islamic Bridal Lehenga?
This will depend on how your blouse and full skirt arrive.
Lehenga Blouse (Choli)
Most bridal lehengas come as a short blouse that displays the back and midriff, or it may simply include a meter of decorated fabric for you to sew yourself. If your dupatta isn’t see-through and you wear it to the back, you might be able to get away with just lengthening the blouse for a belly covered lehenga and not worrying about the way the back is cut.
To lengthen the blouse for a lehenga with a covered stomach, consider purchasing two lehengas and use part of the extra blouse or dupatta material to lengthen your blouse. You can use exta dupatta or blouse material to construct sleeves for your Islamic bridal lehenga, but of course, you need a tailor to do this.
If you’re using the meter of cloth, plus extras, to construct your blouse, use your exact measurements and a fitted woven blouse pattern to make it. Use a fitted pattern because wedding sets are generally fitted in the bust area and then flow over your curves. This makes an assumption that a dupatta will be used to cover your chest curves.
Lehenga Skirt
If your skirt comes semi-stitched, you’re in luck. You can sew two skirts together easily by the seams that are already there. Attach the draw strings in the middle and put them through the upper area. This works particularly well if you’re plus sized or just want a fuller bridal skirt for your Islamic bridal lehenga.
If your skirt comes already sewn, you’ll have to pick apart the seam or seams to add another skirt to it. Don’t forget the zipper!
Before You Buy
Consider the measurements of the bridal lehenga set before you buy it, so that you can see if you'll need one or two. Don't forget your full length petticoat. It will help your Islamic bridal lehenga puff and flow. Also consider matching up accessories for your lehenga -- including jutti, double dupatta and jewelry -- before you buy. This way you know for sure you can get the complete look you want. We've matched everything by color to make this step easy!
Enjoy your wedding preparation.
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