Sara Ali Khan is at her comfortable best in classic pieces like few Gen Z-ers are. Perhaps it is her Pataudi pedigree that makes elegance second nature. The actor has made the humble kurta her off-duty uniform, whether she’s running errands, attending Pilates or travelling. But when she decides to dial up the drama with her occasion wear, lehengas are her staple. Star-studded sangeet parties to wedding ceremonies, lightweight pieces to high-octane sets, the star has served up several versions of lehengas over the years. The one common thread? Sara invariably cuts the extra weight, and inches towards ensembles that prioritize effortlessness.
Read on to see nine of the actor’s best lehenga looks over the past years, and you’re bound to find some major sartorial inspo for your own wedding wardrobe.
Sara Ali Khan’s love for pastel lehengas
A candy-coloured piece of clothing instantly evokes joy, and Sara has harnessed the mood-boosting effects of pastel palettes with her roster of lehengas. Among one of her initial public appearances was Sara’s pistachio green lehenga by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, worn at Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s wedding reception in December 2017. The lehenga came with an embellished blouse, while the voluminous skirt illustrated delicate white floral embroidery. In July 2021, she was spotted in a pink look from Manish Malhotra’s Mijwan collection. According to the designer, her look was “embellished in a vertical panelled look in dual tones of pink holographic sequins”, making it apt for evening events like sangeet or cocktail. Another stunning lehenga from the same couturier was the sunshine-hued creation that featured intricate gota patti work.
Sara Ali Khan’s bookmark-worthy jewel-tone lehengas
Sara has found a way to keep her lehenga looks regal by picking rich jewel tones, timeless crafts and risqué blouses, and we suggest that anyone who wants to cop her stately style take note. Ruby reds, in particular, have won her vote. While we often associate reds for the wedding ceremony, Sara has showcased several looks that would make winning choices for pre- and post-wedding celebrations. Remember her crimson Seema Gujral lehenga with lavish tone-on-tone sequin embroidery? Then, there was the gorgeous gold and red concoction by Anita Dongre, crafted using rich Benarasi weave and highlighted with gota patti work. During for ‘Atrangi Re’ promotions, Sara paid homage to Indian textiles and crafts by picking an absolutely stunning embroidered Mayyur Girotra lehenga featured a mirror work scoop neck blouse with gota piping, a vibrant maroon embroidered skirt and a navy dupatta.
Sara Ali Khan’s best black and white lehengas
With every lehenga, Sara channels a new ethnic avatar, and we must admit her affinity for monochrome looks have been some of our favourites. Cases in point: Her ebony Sabyasachi lehenga that was meticulously hand-embroidered on black tulle with multi-hued velvet appliqués and highlighted with zardosi, crystals and pearls over a hand-painted organza underskirt. She upped the game with her Manish Malhotra black and gold look, with a heavily embroidered lehenga and a simple yet sexy black crop top style blouse. A worthwhile investment for bridesmaids was her Anita Dongre white lehenga with floral threadwork in pastel shades of pink, lilac, mint and ice blue.