Budget Indian wedding outfit - BFing friendly

[Fortuny]

Looking for ideas or advice on what to wear to my first Hindu wedding, it will be a very fancy full day event. I would love to wear a Lehenga but I just can't justify the cost for something I'll wear once, budget is ideally around £100. I'll also need to breastfeed my 7 month old.

I'm tall, size 14-ish, pale and pretty low maintenance. I know it'll be super glamorous, and I'd love to not feel like a postpartum flump.

I wonder if there is a rental service - I would search for that.

Are you based near any Asian areas? Worth a trek to the shops to see something. I appreciate you don’t want to waste any money. Another alternative is something from Monsoon, which has some Indian-inspired outfits?

I’m sure there’s lots of stuff on eBay, but I don’t recommend buying without trying.

Would any of the family linked to the couple lend something? I did this for my BF for my wedding.

@Fortuny join preloved desi group on Facebook. It's a page for people selling used lengha as anything from £10 upwards you will find something probably have to cover postage if not near you. Failing that Shein actually has lengha outfits they come up as two piece skirt outfits. EBay is also a good one good luck x

Thanks, all good suggestions. I have looked at rental but I've only found fairly dubious websites, similarly Amazon has options but I think theyll probably look like bin bags in comparison to other guests.

I can get to Manchester fairly easily but I do think it'll be a waste of time due to the budget. I'm not super close to the bridal party so I wouldn't want to impose by asking to borrow, also quite a large size difference between us.

There is a dress I like at monsoon but it's £130 even in the sale! And it'd need altering to allow for feeding which just seems like a faff. Honestly shocked at how BFing party wear is non existent!

Hi OP how about a gorgeous lengha style skirt eg ASOS and then a short top /fitted right T-shirt crop top blouse. And a pretty scarf let me look for you!

This one wouldn’t be BF freindly it’s like you need the plain top on top and sparkly long skirt

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-mesh-maxi-lehenga-skirt-in-blue/prd/201876758

ASOS actually do lovely looking Lehengas but I just can't justify £150 on one. At least with a £100ish regular dress I can get more wear out of it.

What about a skirt like this with a short black crop top

https://uk.chicwish.com/golden-bouquet-jacquard-embossed-maxi-skirt.html

Ooh didn't know about this thanks. I am also looking on Vinted but it's a massive gamble with my height and I don't really know what I'm looking for e.g. stitched, semi-stiched... Saree Vs Lehenga.

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-fitted-crop-t-shirt-in-black/prd/200304061

crop top

Saree is one big long cloth that needs tying and hard with a baby.

lengha is a two piece.

have a look at Diya online usually very reasonable roo.

Diya looks promising, thank you

I’m not sure how you’re supposed to breastfeed in those tops? I had a look on Etsy and they had a lot of things around the £70 mark but again not sure about breastfeeding. These items I quickly found have buttons or a wrap top I think. The navy one is floor length and super glamourous. The third one is a jumpsuit. I’d have a good hunt around Etsy.

I bought a second hand lengha and choli on eBay a few years ago for about £30, it also came with a tikka. Have you browsed places like that/Facebook marketplace/Vinted etc?

Lots on eBay. Some second hand that look nice.

Try vinted? Or FB market place if you live near manc there should be a decent amount of second hand on there local to you.

Or get a choli (blouse for saree) on Amazon, the stretch fabric means that you can lift it up/down for a feed. Traditional choli are often front fastening which would help with a nursing bra.

If going for a saree you can pre-pleat and safety pin the pleats in place for ease of re-tying.

You could easily get something on your budget in rusholme ime. Xx

@Fortuny you went stitched not semi stiched. There's hundreds on preloved end if you post with your height people may show you what they have: lengha ((the skirt bit) has a elastic tie so it's one size and standard length usually unless been altered so u can wear it high low on your hips depending on height. The choli (top) usually have buttons front or back so you could breast feed with a scarf covering you as long as not sheer (could always use a blanket breast feeding cover) x

Thanks all, are there any colours I should avoid?

Im looking at second hand but it's hard to judge the quality and I'm worried about the skirt length in particular.

Just found this blog on how to make a lehenga outfit from standard clothes. Might give it a go as the result looks lovely:

www.thedesidossier.com/2015/09/wedding-diaries-diy-lehenga-from-maxi.html?m=1

I’d say avoid Red as it’s the bridal colour. Although brides have recently been going for pastels! Even blues so it’s hard. But I’d avoid red.

I have been told to avoid black and white as well as red for a Sikh wedding this Spring.

Yes avoid white as it’s a mourning colour for Hindus too. And black is generally not worn at weddings only like evening parties etc

Whatever you choose, match with wraps to make sure you can feed easier - if you can't open the outfit discreetly that is, then you have cover so to speak. Lots of second hand options in the areas with larger Asian populations, most cities do.

I bought mine from eBay. Perfect! Under £50.

Also accessories can really make the outfit - earrings and bangles. I bought some Mendhi from Amazon and DH did my hands. I absolutely love an Indian wedding. I hope you have a wonderful time!

Was this from an ebay retail seller? Do you have an ebay shop link?

ASOS DESIGN mesh maxi lehenga skirt in blue https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-mesh-maxi-lehenga-skirt-in-blue/prd/201876758?ctaref=productsharee_native