In this article
Quick answer
A bandhani Anarkali gown is one of the easiest outfits to wear as a wedding guest. The full flared skirt looks festive, the bandhani dots feel traditional, and a floor-length gown needs no dupatta to look complete. It works best for the sangeet, mehndi, cocktail and reception. For the main ceremony at a traditional wedding, add a dupatta or choose a richer fabric. Pair it with silver or oxidised jewellery, block heels and a small potli bag, and you are ready.
This guide is for guests at Indian weddings in India, the USA, the UK, Canada, the UAE and Australia.
By the Bahe Kurtiz styling team, Jaipur. Every piece is stitched in our own Jaipur unit.
What is bandhani?
Bandhani (also called bandhej) is a tie-dye craft from Rajasthan and Gujarat. Artisans pinch tiny points of fabric, tie them tightly with thread and dye the cloth. When the threads are opened, each tied point leaves a small undyed dot. Thousands of these dots form waves, diamonds and circles.
Today you will find two kinds of bandhani clothing:
| | Hand-tied bandhani | Bandhani print | |---|---|---| | How it is made | Tied and dyed by hand | The bandhani pattern is printed on the fabric | | Look | Dots are slightly raised and uneven | Dots are flat and even | | Fabrics | Usually silk, georgette, cotton | Any fabric, including chiffon | | Price | Higher | More affordable | | Best for | Heirloom pieces | Flowy gowns and party wear |
Both are correct to call bandhani, but a good seller will tell you which one you are buying. Our teal Anarkali gown uses a bandhani print on chiffon, which lets the skirt stay light and flowy.
Which wedding events suit a bandhani gown?
| Event | Does a bandhani gown work? | Styling tip | |---|---|---| | Mehndi | Yes, very well | Choose bright colours and comfortable shoes; you will sit on the floor | | Sangeet | Yes, the best choice | A full flare looks beautiful when you dance | | Cocktail / reception | Yes | Add statement earrings and a metallic clutch | | Haldi | Yes, if it is yellow or a light colour | Avoid expensive pieces; haldi stains | | Main ceremony (pheras, nikah, anand karaj) | Sometimes | Add a dupatta to cover your head if the ceremony needs it |
For more on each event, see our guides on what to wear to an Indian wedding in the USA and what to wear to a Punjabi wedding.
Best colours for a bandhani gown
Bandhani looks richest in deep, saturated colours with white dots:
- Teal and peacock blue: elegant, works for day and night, flatters most skin tones
- Red and maroon: very traditional, but check the bride is not wearing red
- Mustard and yellow: perfect for haldi and mehndi
- Pink and rani: joyful, great for sangeet
- Green: a lucky colour at many weddings, ideal for mehndi
Avoid all black and all white at most Hindu and Sikh weddings, as some families see them as unlucky.
How to style it
Jewellery
Bandhani is already busy, so keep jewellery simple and bold. Silver or oxidised jhumkas, chandbalis or big round statement earrings look best. Skip a heavy necklace with a square or high neckline.
Shoes
Choose block heels, wedges or embellished flats. Stilettos sink into lawns and sit badly on floor seating at a mehndi. Make sure the gown just skims the floor with your shoes on.
Bag
A silver or gold potli bag matches the festive look better than a modern clutch.
Hair and makeup
Soft waves or a low bun show off the neckline and earrings. A small bindi completes the look.
Belt
If your gown comes with a belt, wear it. It defines the waist and makes the flare look even fuller in photos.
Winter weddings abroad: how to stay warm
Many Indian weddings in the USA, UK and Canada happen between November and February. To stay warm in a chiffon gown:
- Wear a long coat in camel, white or black over the gown between venues
- Add a pashmina or velvet shawl for outdoor photos
- Wear thin skin-colour thermal leggings under the gown; the flare hides them
- Choose sheer full sleeves rather than sleeveless
Bandhani gown for tall and plus-size women
A floor-length gown is one of the best shapes for tall women, as there is no short hem to worry about. Check the gown length against your height before ordering. Read more in our guide for tall women.
For plus-size guests, an Anarkali with a defined waist or belt and a full skirt is very flattering. See our plus-size wedding guest guide.
How to care for a chiffon bandhani gown
- Dry clean for the first wash
- Never wring chiffon; it loses its shape
- Store it on a padded hanger or folded with tissue paper
- Steam rather than iron directly
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear a bandhani gown to an Indian wedding as a non-Indian guest? Yes. A bandhani Anarkali gown is a respectful and popular choice for guests of any background. Avoid all black and all white, and carry a scarf in case the ceremony needs covered heads.
Is a bandhani gown too casual for a wedding? No. In a flowy fabric with a full flare and a belt, it looks festive enough for the sangeet, mehndi and reception. For a very formal main ceremony, add a dupatta or choose silk.
What is the difference between bandhani and leheriya? Both are tie-dye crafts from Rajasthan. Bandhani makes small dots, while leheriya makes diagonal wave-like stripes.
Which colour bandhani gown suits brown skin? Teal, emerald, mustard, maroon and rani pink all look beautiful on brown and wheatish skin tones.
What should I wear under a sheer chiffon gown? A good chiffon gown has an inner lining, so you do not need anything extra. In winter, thin thermal leggings work well under a floor-length flare.
Shop the look
Our teal bandhani chiffon Anarkali gown has a full flared skirt, sheer puff sleeves, a square neckline and a matching shimmer belt. It is made in our own Jaipur unit and ships free to the USA, UK, Canada, UAE and Australia with duties prepaid, so there are no customs fees on delivery.
