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Outfit glossaryLehenga, saree, anarkali, sharara, gharara, salwar kameez: a plain-English glossary of the main South Asian outfits, what makes each one different, and when to wear it.
Quick answer
A lehenga is a flared skirt worn with a blouse and dupatta. A saree is a single unstitched length of fabric draped around the body. An anarkali is a long flared frock-style suit. A sharara has wide trousers that flare from the waist; a gharara flares from the knee. A salwar kameez is a tunic worn with trousers and a dupatta.
A lehenga is a three-piece stitched outfit: a flared skirt, a fitted blouse called a choli, and a dupatta (a long scarf). The skirt is the highlight and can range from soft and flowy to heavily voluminous. Lehengas are the festive favourite for weddings, the sangeet and big occasions. Browse preloved lehengas.
A saree (or sari) is India’s most iconic garment: a single unstitched length of fabric, typically 5.5 to 9 metres, draped around the body in one of many regional styles, over a fitted blouse and a petticoat. Where a lehenga is stitched and structured, a saree is all in the drape. Browse preloved sarees.
An anarkali is a long, frock-style suit fitted at the top and flaring out from the waist, usually worn with churidar trousers. It can be floor-length like a gown or shorter. Graceful and comfortable, it is a favourite for guests who want elegance without draping.
A gharara also has wide flared trousers, but the key difference is where the flare begins: a gharara fits to the knee and then flares out sharply, often with a decorative join at the knee. It has roots in Lucknowi and Mughal dress. In short, the sharara flares from the waist, the gharara flares from the knee.
A salwar kameez is the everyday-to-festive staple: a tunic (kameez) worn with trousers (salwar) and a dupatta. It is really a family of styles, including the straight-cut suit, the anarkali, the sharara and palazzo sets. Comfortable and versatile, it suits daytime functions especially well. Browse preloved suits.
Lehengas, anarkalis, shararas, ghararas and salwar suits are stitched. A saree is a single unstitched drape.
Lehengas and heavily worked sarees read as the most formal, ideal for the ceremony and sangeet.
Anarkalis and ready-to-wear sarees need the least skill to wear well.
Both have wide flared trousers. Sharara flares from the waist; gharara flares from the knee.
From the PurvX marketplace
A lehenga, a saree, a sharara suit and an anarkali listed by PurvX sellers.
These are real listings from PurvX sellers, live when this guide was published. If one has sold, see more on PurvX.
Good to know
The questions guests and search assistants ask most.
A lehenga is a stitched three-piece outfit with a flared skirt, blouse and dupatta. A saree is a single unstitched length of fabric draped around the body over a blouse and petticoat.
Both are wide flared trousers worn with a short top and dupatta. A sharara flares out from the waist, while a gharara fits to the knee and then flares, often with a decorative join at the knee.
An anarkali is a long, frock-style suit that is fitted at the top and flares from the waist, worn with churidar trousers. It is inspired by Mughal-era dress and ranges from knee-length to floor-length.
A salwar kameez is a tunic (kameez) worn with trousers (salwar) and a dupatta. It is a versatile outfit family that includes straight-cut suits, anarkalis, shararas and palazzo sets.
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