Lehengas
How to Increase Lehenga Length [Complete Guide]
Indian bridal wear as well as casual wear in Lehenga has come a long way from the days of the drape. In order to look elegant and proper, you need to know how to wear a lehenga correctly.
Lehenga Length Matters.
Many Indian women choose a lehenga to wear for a traditional wedding. This is a long dress featuring a skirt layered over another skirt with a complimentary blouse. There are many different styles and lengths of lehengas, but the length of the dress varies from ankle-length to floor-length.
The length of your lehenga is essential due to society’s expectations; however, there are often issues with how it fits on your body, especially if you are tall and lehenga is small. Similarly, if your lehenga is floor-length and a little too long for you, then it becomes an issue.
This article is about showing how you can increase your Lehenga length when it falls short.
The most efficient ways to increase the length of Lehenga are to add knife pleats, add beadwork to the bottom, heel or top of the dress, add elastic strap at the waist, and apply a wide hem. You can also add ruffles, brims or more layering to increase the lehenga length.
Check out below video on general techniques to increase the length of lehenga.
Here are some techniques and processes for adjusting the length of a lehenga. This will help you feel comfortable and also look great for your special day.
Technique 1: Add Knife Pleats
This is a popular lehenga style the world over, and for a good reason; it is versatile, elegant, and difficult to mess up.
The knife-pleated style lehenga can be worn differently, depending on how tight the pleats are pulled. This technique gives you an additional 1 to 2 inches in length without making your lehenga look bulky or untidy.
The Process:
Start by measuring the length of your lehenga. Once you have your exact measurement, add 1 to 2 inches to this number and cut it off in a straight line.
First, use a needle and thread to sew the pleats evenly spaced out to ensure you get the desired look. Sew the pleats onto your lehenga; make sure that each pleat is about 3-4 inches apart from the other.
Afterward, bring down all sides into a single point where the folds meet at one end of your lehenga. This will finish off the knife pleats nicely and also add additional length to your lehenga.
Technique 2: Add Beadwork Towards The Bottom/Heel
This technique should be worked on with a professional who can insert the beads strategically to avoid ruining your favorite outfit. When done correctly, this technique gives an illusion of more space at the bottom of your dress.
This also ensures that your lehenga doesn’t look too bulky on top. Another benefit of this technique is that it creates the illusion of having longer legs and a smaller waist than you actually have.
Process:
Choose two beads of your choice. Make a hole for the beads at the bottom of your lehenga, but make sure that it is not too big as this would look oversized. Afterward, put the beads through the hole and lay them on either side of your lehenga. The beads should be approximately 4 to 5 inches from each other.
Do this all around the waist of your lehenga, and voila! This technique gives you an extra 2-5 inches in length.
Technique 3: Add Elastic Strap At The Waist
This is a great way to add length without taking up extra space in your lehenga. It can be done at the waist or the neckline and gives an illusion of more space when worn. This technique can help you choose the right size for your skirt and dress, allowing you to feel confident about your choices for the first time.
Process:
- Start off by making a small cut where you want the elastic to be, and let it extend out of the lehenga.
- Take a piece of elastic and put it in between the two pieces of fabric.
- Make sure that it goes completely through the other side.
Use this method for cutting off any extra length that may have been added during alterations.
If you are planning to wear this technique at the waist, just make a small slit and tie up your lehenga at the end to get an extra inch; if you are doing this at the neckline, then use a thread or pin to tack it down on either side.
Technique 4: Add Wide Hem
This technique is similar to the one above but is done at the hem of your dress. It does this by applying a wide hem to give the illusion of having longer legs when you are wearing it.
This is a great way to add length and make a lehenga fit better on your body. This technique is also great for evening wear; it makes you look longer and slimmer while adding more volume. It also ensures that your lehenga doesn’t look bulky on top.
Process:
Make a slit at the bottom of your lehenga.
The slit should be about 1 inch from the edge of your dress. Ensure that you do this on all sides.
Once you have done this, measure the length of the hem, and cut off any excess fabric until you get the desired measurement.
Now sew the slit shut, and use a needle and thread to sew on the hem until it is secure. This technique makes you look longer and sleeker while giving an illusion of having longer legs when worn.
Technique 5: Add Beadwork To The Top Of The Dress
This is different from the method mentioned previously; in this case, the beadwork is added to the top of your dress. You can choose either a strapless or off-the-shoulder blouse with this technique.
This is another excellent way to get an extra 1 to 2 inches in length while adding volume where it’s needed most; on top of your dress. This ensures that your lehenga doesn’t look too bulky on top and makes you look like you have rolls of fat at the bottom. It also gives you an illusion of having longer legs and an hourglass figure when worn.
Process:
Choose a contrasting color you love, and make a small incision at the top. The incision should be about 1 inch from the top of your dress.
Take the needle and thread, and go through both sides of half of your dress to stitch it down.
Do all of this on one side of your lehenga; repeat for the other side.
Technique 6: Add Ruffles & Frills
This technique is done by adding more fabric to your dress; the fabric is then added to create more volume, which provides a great look and feel.
Without this technique, you could end up with a baggy lehenga. This long dress can be worn in different ways, depending on how tight the pleats are pulled. This technique gives you an additional 1 to 2 inches in length without making your lehenga look bulky or untidy.
Process:
Measure the length of your lehenga. Add 6 to 7 inches to your final number, and cut it off in a straight line.
Your lehenga should now be slightly longer than the length of the first cut made.
Choose an appropriate fabric for this; lace, embroidery, or satin work nicely with lehengas.
You can bind on a long string of beads and tuck them into your stitches, or you can sew on some buttons to give it more definition. You can also add fringe or ruffles along the bottom for extra detail and added drama.
Technique 7: Add Layering to your lehenga to extend the length
This is an effortless technique to do; it only requires you to add fabric to your lehenga via layering. This creates more volume and makes your lehenga look more elegant.
This technique is simple, but it requires an understanding of how a lehenga is structured and an eye for detail. If you want to learn this healthy and fashionable way of adding inches to your lehenga, you can use a professional sewist or tailor to help you choose the suitable fabrics for this process.
Process:
The process involves adding more fabric at the bottom of the lehenga and then working your way up until everything fits properly.
Choose a slippery fabric, and pin it to the edge of your lehenga at the bottom. Ensure that it matches the previously chosen fabric and is of a different color.
After this, layer some long strips of fabric over each other as you go up until your lehenga is appropriately fitted. Depending on how much length you desire, you can go from side to side or in between the pleats.
This step is completely optional; however, it makes your lehenga look lighter and more elegant. You can add small beaded tassels starting from the hemline to hang down alongside the front slit of your dress.
Technique 8: Adding feathers to the bottom of your lehenga
This is a great technique that can make your lehenga look more elegant, especially if you are going to a wedding or any formal occasion.
This technique adds length to your lehenga without adding bulk to the upper part. It gives you an illusion of having longer legs and an hourglass figure when worn.
The Process:
First, get the right feathers that fit your dress perfectly, and then create a border around the bottom of your lehenga by making pleats at intervals according to how much length you want to add. Then attach these feathers properly along the border you have created, not coming off while walking or dancing in your lehenga.
So there you have it – our take on how to lengthen your lehenga the right way. No matter what type of lehenga you decide to wear for your wedding, simply remember that the key is to accentuate the length rather than hide it. We hope this will help you along the way!
Which one of these ideas do you think works best? Whether you’re looking to go for a traditional look or want to create a modern cut, just remember these techniques, and your lehenga will be ready to wear any day of the week!
Which techniques are your favorite? Do you have a tip that we missed? Share your thoughts!
