20 Spectacular Salwar Kameez Designs That Will Leave You Wanting For More
Let’s ring in the New Year with retrospection into some of the best designs that topped the charts in 2016. The summer, fall and winter collections screamed out dynamic, eccentric and exquisite designs, like never before. From Indie fusions to off-shoulders, capes, crop-tops, palazzos and strapless designs—it’s an endless list of all the good things (plus the gorgeous color palette) that happened to the fashion world. It is definitely not easy to sift through countless fashion musings and list out a handful, but we do it anyway, because why not?
Are you a fashionista, constantly on the lookout for latest trends or like to be updated with everything that’s happening right now. Then, you’ve got to go over this list and shoo away the fear of missing out:
20 Latest Salwar Kameez Suit Design patterns
- Peek-A-Boo Pants
- Jacketed Charm
- Muted Yellow And Garden Design Palazzo
- Kutch And Khadi Off-white
- Hot Pink Embellished Blouse
- Black Backless Tunic
- Sea Blue Crop Top And Pants
- Blush And Teal Patiala
- Power Blue Palazzo
- Floral Thread Work In Chanderi
- Embellished Royal Blue Pant Set
- Black Off-Shoulder Top And Dhoti Pants
- Flared Palazzo With Floral Jacket
- Teal Anarkali And Deep Red Banarasi Work
- Raw Silk Floral Anarkali
- Oyster Organza Short Jacket Anarkali
- Honey Hued Floral Jacket And Trousers
- Beige Blue Tulle Set
- Embroidered Sharara With Motifs
- White Zardozi Embellished Palazzo Dress
1. Peek-A-Boo Pants
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Pakistani straight cut pants with a peek-a-boo embroidery is catching up, and like wildfire. The variants in this design are myriad. With both, Indian ethos and a bohemian chic vibe, this ready-to-wear design by Anita Dongre will definitely make heads turn.
Floor-length designs have been around for some time now, and let’s be honest—there definitely has been an overdose of this, that it sometimes left a bad aftertaste with designers not treating it well. But, hey, look what we have got—combining the long sleeves, floor length, and Pakistani trouser style, marinated into this masterpiece that we cannot stop drooling. That’s Anita Dongre for you.
2. Jacketed Charm
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Let’s talk about royalty for a minute, and while at it—I don’t think it can get better than this. With this opulent deep royal blue design by Anita Dongre (Yes, we agree—she has to be the best) opened up a whole new regal real estate for floor length dresses. She masterfully played with the silver embellishments on the trousers and the lower part of the dress in just the right proportions.
The shade card of her latest “Fall and Winter Collection 2016” essentially included many rich tones of pink, some deep indigo, a handful of mellowed down yellow and mustards, a few beige and ivory, but primarily a cheerful collection drenched in glamor, style and grace.
3. Muted Yellow And Garden Design Palazzo
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If you’re like me—you love every hue and shade of yellow; love summers plus you’ve already fallen in love with this dress. Yet another piece of art from Anita Dongre’s Summer 2016 Collection which like every other dress, had a tale to tell while redefining romance.
Unlike the loud yellow colors we imagine, when we think of summer dresses—this anomalous muted yellow that is both poignant and polished is a hot favorite for obvious reasons. The kurta and dupatta in quaint floral and self-design, oh-so-comfortable dove-white palazzo pant, is something we hate for you to miss.
4. Kutch And Khadi Off-white
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The one thing that is unique and pertinent to Purvi Doshi’s designs is her Indie fusion take on the traditional salwar kameez patterns. She clearly loves working with Kutch, African and Khadi designs that are from best of both the worlds, (Indo-Western) and is the revival Indie fashion niche needs right now. You can’t help but drool over her subtle and warm color palettes, soulful silhouettes and poignant details.
This whey-colored cotton Anarkali with sepia and forest green patchwork adds enough detailing to maintain grace. The fine drawn mirror and thread embroidered yoke pops out the other details. The front slit and flouncy flair adds definition and is totally fitting.
5. Hot Pink Embellished Blouse
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Nikasha is known for her flamboyant and progressive approach in transforming Indian suits into eccentric designs. She does a commendable job with her balancing act while working with gaily colors and yet, none of them are on your face. This is one designer that can make you feel like you’re runway ready; if you’re a fashionista who loves making statements, here is your best bet.
This luxurious silk blouse in fuchsia pink; with satin bringing the sheen, modest gold embellishments, and a V-neck is a stunner. The lycra satin dhoti-like bottom in a consistent carnation pink and a net sari skirt complements the look perfectly.
6. Black Backless Tunic
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No prizes for guessing—here is another lustrous pick from Nikasha 2016 collections that made its way into this list.
I look at this and want to jump right out of what I’m doing and dance to this foot-tapping hit from the recent times “kala chasma”. To begin with, I love the song; anything in the color black, so it’s only fair to say that with this look you’re bound to slay it in style. Everything about this designer salwar kameez is vogue and lives up to the repute of the designer tag. We have not even gotten to the best part about this yet, we will get there in a bit, it is the pleated minute. It is the dhoti with subtle patches of embroidery that is sprucing up the chic element further. The backless khadi embroidered tunic with distinguished pink tussles is a show stopper. Period.
7. Sea Blue Crop Top And Pants
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Payal Singhal’s collections be it bridal or not, are sartorial masterpieces. Her knack for combining traditional Indian wear and appropriately transcending them into a modern outlook proves that she is at the top of her game. The ‘Pakizah’ theme, for the Lakme Fashion Week Winter Collection 2016 was a feast to our eyes. It was all about chic, glamur and style—exactly what it should be like.
If you didn’t get the memo yet, crop tops are the fad right now and we want you to join the bandwagon. In sheer illusion cap-like sleeves that train down into an overlay with a tinge of shimmer and gorgeous gold embroidery, this dupioni silk dress in powder blue dress is oozing oomph. This spectacularly stylish piece comes in matching silk trousers, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The veritable transparent backless design makes this top notch.
8. Blush And Teal Patiala Suit
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Another everyday style that most women resort to is the Patiala pants and short kurta. With expertise and creativity, designers like Payal Singhal have the ability to ornate pragmatic styles into a fashion paragon. We included more than a couple of her salwar designs in this catalog because of the realistic and simplicity element that took the front seat this time, most of which were ready-to-wear garb.
This blush kurta with silver embroidery and long sleeves is just comfortable to look at and is soothing to the eye. The teal Patiala bottom in brocade gold work and fishtail design complements the subtleness with a burst of rustic and festive vibe. The effacing tulle dupatta with teal border silently stands out.
9. Power Blue Palazzo
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The thought before finalizing this catalog was to envelop it with designs that are both prêt-à-porter, yet uniquely redefining simplicity. And, hence we bring you most of them that are eccentric but not OTP. Getting right back to business—we have observed a trend in the fashion and realized that they have been partying a lot with teals, indigos, royal blues and inky colors lately. Payal Singhal generously inched towards subtle pastels, powdered blue and blush colored palette this time around and we can’t help but drool over every single one of them from her.
The best part about this powdered blue palazzo ensemble is—the kurta and the pants can be worn separately and still look just as good. I love how she used rustic gold embroidery for adding definition to the yoke and distinctive buttons. The silk palazzo pants with just enough flare that goes with the hemline of the dress is a class apart.
10. Floral Thread Work In Chanderi
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While skimming through the runway designs this year, we realized that it is not easy to cull through the plethora of designs to arrive at a choicest few. Designers are steering towards ready-to-wear, fusion and Indie patterns that are poised, sophisticated without the dearth for making statements. One such collection was by Pratima Pandey who predominantly used soft and muted shades of white, ivory, pastels and sets the summer mood right.
If you swear by designs that are low-key but sophisticated, then this salwar suit design like most of her others will sweep you off your feet. The chanderi long sleeves top that perfectly wraps the underlying Lenin Anarkali, borrowing burst of freshness from the orange and blue thread work seems like a well-oiled machine.
11. Embellished Royal Blue Pant Set
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If you have been following the fashion news lately, you would have noticed celebrities very frequently flashing around Ridhi Mehra’s outfits. The essence of her colors are deep, rich and gracefully render grandeur. Her love for working with intricate embroidered motifs, appliques reflects her craftsmanship. But, most of the elegance has definitely to do with the fabrics and the finesse in bringing it all together.
The royal blue georgette shirt looking kurta with a high neckline and golden floral embroidery and motifs lifts the royal blue further. The cowl pants perfectly match the style and sports elegance.
12. Black Off-Shoulder Top And Dhoti Pants
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Prathyusha Garimella is a self-taught designer who is steadfastly making her way up to the fashion ladder. She took everyone by storm with her stunning designs at the Lakme India Fashion Week 2016.
Prathyusha Garimella has taken the off-shoulder and dhoti pants style to a whole new level. This funky dress succinctly merges contemporary with traditional, and can easily be cloaked as separates. The flaring golden patches are a bold addition and that’s exactly why this dress needs no or minimal accessories. The ebony colored silk dhoti pants are equally promising.
13. Flared Palazzo With Floral Jacket
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Varun Bahl has been a couturier and a fashion guru to most of the upcoming designers. His prodigal designs don’t just remain as prototypes on the runway, but a definitive addition to almost every trousseau’s collection. His expertise and craftsmanship while working with applique work, motifs, scallop necklines or other regal fabrics do not weigh down the actual dress but rather make a platonic addition.
The wide legged palazzos in satin flawlessly train around with an ideal flounce. The inky pants are rightfully paired with an intricate lace embroidered exterior and peek-a-boo red satin crop top is totally screaming fervor.
14. Teal Anarkali And Deep Red Banarasi Work
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Neeta Lulla is known for conceiving edgy designs for over two decades now and even since been transforming the way people perceive Indian dresses, not just here but also the Western part of the world. Her flagship stores abroad are a major hit.
Anarkali dresses have been all over the place for quite some time to the extent that we thought we were done with it; except opulent designs like these by couturiers perceive and present them in combinations that we can’t help fall for, all over again. Details like the sheer net sleeves followed up with kundan work; the nude embellished dupatta that creates a majestic silhouette; the deep red brasso and brocade bodice that opens into an ornate teal dress, makes for a great choice for weddings. I cannot wait to style this with huge jhumkas and a bare neck. I think you should do it too.
15. Raw Silk Floral Anarkali
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Varun Bahl returned to Lakme India Fashion Week in 2016 after a ten-year hiatus, and we must say that he’s back with a bang. He wears his heart out with his designs and it’s out for everyone to see in his creations. He also has a wonderful message for women who wear his dresses—“for someone who is keen to celebrate her traditions, but does not want to be defined by them.” What a beautiful thing to say and It is sensibilities like these; that bring out the best in people.
His latest collection brings in hints of his western silhouettes and blends them to create contemporary Indian designs. This ivory flared jacketed floral Anarkali dress in raw silk does just that. The floral Anarkali georgette dress craftily sports with the embellished jacket, can only be managed by couturiers like him.
16. Oyster Organza Short Jacket Anarkali
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Neeta Lulla’s collection this year was full of cherry blossom innuendos. The colors, silhouettes, flow and flare of her dresses have been dealt in a refreshing fashion and stays true to her inspiration.
We love how she combines the flimsy organza fabric and designed this ethereal beauty. The short oyster short jacket also in organza with 3/4th sleeves, embroidered in sequin, the crocheted yoke and cherry blossom flared skirt is a lively addition to this catalog.
17. Honey Hued Floral Jacket And Trousers
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The Delhi-based designer duo are known for their exquisite and intricate work drenched in sun kissed hues of honey, pastels and affluent embroidery. In 2016, their collection was all about sheer tulle, chiffon, shiny flashes of pearl and metal, but a royal and gracious knock-out.
A honey hued kurta in supple georgette fabric and the center slit with floral embroidery at the hemline and bodice jacket, wavy trousers are simple, stylish and elegant.
18. Beige Blue Tulle Set
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Mandira Wirk is known for winning hearts with the way she expresses her love for fashion, consistently, with her opulent detailing and sensuous cuts, not to forget the commendable quality. Thirteen years from its inception, her brand and work only gets better.
This beige straight cut kurta in tulle, intricate red and blue floral accents enhances the hemline, dupatta, and the skirt. The plain georgette skirted bottom, and net dupatta is a great welcome break.
19. Embroidered Sharara With Motifs
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Another stunner from Mandira Wirk. The strapless blue silk kurta is nothing like you, or any of us would have seen before. She combines the contemporary straight strapless design element into this traditional ensemble. The enhanced embroidery and motifs richly decorate the dress, and the beige georgette shimmer sharara pants that come with it is only fitting.
20. White Zardozi Embellished Palazzo Dress
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Pratima Pandey with her 2016 collection proves that you don’t have to be gaudy or over the top to be fashionable. Most of her designs revolve around whites and ivories while arriving at luxurious ensembles.
The zardozi and dabka threadwork ornates this white chanderi silk kurta and accentuates the floral Anarkali interior. The simple white palazzo pants is an ideal canvas to enhance all the intricate elements.
Now I’m sure you would agree that it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Besides, all the designers validated that beauty is in skewing those little details. Isn’t it? Also, did we miss any Salwar Kameez designs? Let us know – Happy Shopping and a very happy new year!
