The bridal lehenga you wear is probably the most costly and gorgeous piece of clothing you have in your wardrobe. It's full of memories of your day, with intricate embroidery, luxurious fabrics and hours of work. Many brides realize that once the wedding has ended, this gorgeous dress gets tucked away in a storage box for many years. Because bridal dresses is very heavy, it might be too formal for a bride to wear at a wedding of a different bride.

The great thing is that you don't need to allow your lehenga to collect dust. With a little imagination you can tear the garment in two and dress it in fresh ways. Here are ten stylish and practical ideas to use for your wedding lehenga, so that you can wear the look for many years to come.

10 Ways to Reuse Your Bridal Lehenga

1. Wear The Blouse In A Heavy Tone With A Simple Saree

The bridal lehenga is typically decorated with beads, stones or threadwork. Instead of putting it on with a full skirt, wear it with a plain solid-colored saree. A simple chiffon, a georgette, or silk saree with the same or different shade makes the blouse the center of the event. It creates a balanced style which is great for an event with a friend or formal dinner party, without appearing like a bride.

2. You can wear this Lehenga Skirt with a Crisp White shirt

If you want to create a modern, "city chic" look Try pairing your stylish lehenga skirt with a simple white button-down t-shirt. This trend is often seen on runways. A structured shirt that is tucked in and slapping the sleeves creates an amazing contrast between the classic, high-end embroidery on its skirt as well as the simple design of the shirt. Put on a statement necklace and you'll have the perfect outfit for a luxurious party or cocktail celebration.

3. Make your Lehenga in to an Anarkali Suit

If you think your skirt's weight is excessive to wear as a lehenga, think about going to a tailor to transform it into an Anarkali. By simply tying the blouse to the skirt, and taking the extra weight from the waistline, you can make an elegant floor-length dress. This makes the outfit more comfortable to wear and creates a totally new look. It is possible to dress in the "new" Anarkali to festivals and family gatherings without difficulty.

4. Wear The Dupatta To Wear With An Plain Salwar Kameez

Wedding dupattas are usually masterpieces by themselves. They're usually the first thing people look at. It is possible to reuse your heavy dupatta with a simple salwar kameez that is plain, or a solid colored silk suit. The dupatta should be the main focus of your ensemble. This is a fantastic method to carry a part of your wedding with you to smaller occasions without feeling too sexy.

5. Style the Skirt by Wearing An Oversized Peplum Top

If you'd like to conceal the hefty waistline of the lehenga and make it more modern style, wear it with a peplum top or silk tunic. A dress that is to the mid-thigh will cover the entire skirt creating the illusion of a fresh, layered look. This type of style is extremely appealing and helps to diminish your "bridal" feel of the skirt which makes it more appropriate to wear as a guest at other weddings.

6. Create a Lightened Version by Removing the Can-Can

The majority of bridal lehengas acquire their "royal" look from layers of stiff netting called can-can. This makes the skirt heavy and difficult to wear, unlike the comfort of a kurta shalwar. If you ask an expert tailor to remove the can-can, the skirt will fall flat and lose much of its weight. A flat-falling skirt looks more like an elegant maxi skirt and is much more comfortable for attending parties as a guest.

7. Mix And Match With Different Colors

Most of the time, we think of our bridal lehenga in an all-in-one set. But, you can alter the entire look by adding an entirely new color. If the lehenga you are wearing is red, consider pairing your skirt with cream or gold blouse. If it's pastel, wear the skirt with a darker and striking dupatta. The change of one piece in the outfit creates a "bridal" image and makes the dress appear fresh that you purchased.

8. Make the Fabric into a Jacket or Cape

If you're willing to tear the material, then a hefty lehenga skirt can be turned to make a gorgeous formal jacket or cape. A long, open-fronted jacket made of wedding silk is a great option to wear with a simple pair trousers or a simple dress. It transforms your traditional wedding attire into a chic piece that is suitable for every city setting including openings of art galleries or formal events.

9. Be Loved by Family

The best method to reuse the same Lehenga, is for it to let a different person shine in the dress. The blouse can be modified so that a cousin or sister could wear it. Alternatively, you could keep the dress to a family member who will be a part of the future who will wear it as "something old." Because bridal lehengas are created from high-end materials that endure for decades if kept well, and eventually become a stunning family heritage.

10. Frame the Embroidery as Art

If the lehenga you have is too heavy to be worn again or is damaged from time to time, it is possible to keep the memories. A lot of people are using the most intricate pieces of the embroidery -- perhaps a specific motif in the dupatta, or even the sleeves and framing them to hang on the wall. This allows you to view the exquisite work of art every day in your own home, rather than hiding it away in a box under the mattress.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding lehenga is much more than a dress it's part of your personal history, much like the timeless appeal of Pakistani dresses in Chicago. By breaking it up and mixing it with modern items like white shirts or changing its silhouette, you give the outfit a chance to live another day. Reusing your wedding dress is not just a smart financial choice; it’s also a great way to make eco-friendly fashion decisions.

When you next go through your wedding boxes don't look at dresses that aren't able to be worn in the future.