Much like her silver and smart screen trajectory, Aditi Rao Hydari has stellar sartorial track record—part of the reason she can pull off anything is that sylphlike frame and a preternatural poise. She juggles between local and international labels, often flaunting looks that are understated-yet-impactful. For the actor who takes pride in playing vulnerable roles in movies, she has cultivated a personal style that is fierce, flirty and feminine. Her off-duty closet is filled with effortless dresses and comfy co-ord sets, but it is her Indian wear that continues to take up a place of prominence in her wardrobe. From lehengas to saris, her ethnic collection emphasises on timeless and tasteful silhouettes that have fuelled several iconic sartorial moments on and off the red carpet. I got in touch with the actor to talk about her favourites and tips to sail through weddings.
The love of lehengas
Being herself is a recurring theme in the actor’s personal and professional life. And her lehenga choices are proof too. “Lehenga is one of my favourite silhouettes. They are graceful and playful at once,” Aditi tells me. From tissue lehengas to Benarasi silks, her picks reflect her singular classic style.
But that is not to say she doesn’t have fun with her lehengas. She hasn’t shied away from wearing bold animal printed lehengas and even skirts with shirts.
The sari loyalist
One look at her appearances and it’s clear she’s a fan of classic saris, whether weaves or drapes with artisanal crafts. “My mother and grandmother only wear handlooms, so I grew up with a lot of appreciation for textiles. One of my most favourite handloom fabrics is Chanderi—it’s so delicate and sheer, and it boasts that gorgeous sheen. I am also very partial to Benarasi and Kanjeevaram saris—they are just timeless.”
While she’s a stickler for classics, old-school at heart with a modern outlook sums up her sari mantra. She never misses a mark even when she experiments with concept saris and sensual blouses.
The wedding diaries
“The destination and the occasion often dictate what I choose. Then, my mood. I love to dance at weddings and lehengas allow that movement. For their comfort, shararas and ghararas are my go-to for pre-wedding mehndi ceremonies.”
“But at any given point, a sari would be my pick for a day wedding. As a wedding guest, I would be very happy to wear a plain chiffon sari and not feel underdressed. I like to be fuss-free when wearing couture. I need to look it and feel it too, whether I am wearing five kilos of outfit or jewellery,” Aditi shares.
The Sabyasachi story
From being an ideal muse to an ardent admirer, Aditi’s penchant for Sabyasachi is conspicuous. She has often worn a wide array of pieces from the veteran couturier at personal and professional outings. “If I could do that 24/7, 365 days a year, I would wear his outfits. I really respect artists. There’s so much beauty and sensitivity in everything that Sabyasachi does—I love that about him. He has been instrumental in creating a movement and so much awareness about textiles, crafts and craftsmen. And it stems from his genuine love for it. I get really excited when I get to dress in his beautiful clothes,” she confesses to me.
So, when it came to her big day, Aditi wore not one but two Sabyasachi outfits. First, an ivory handwoven Maheshwari tissue lehenga for the temple ceremony that stood out for its palpable simplicity in September 2024. Her look was paired with a Benarasi tissue dupatta from the archives of the Sabyasachi Heritage Textile collection.
For the destination celebrations in Rajasthan, she wore a handcrafted silk textured lehenga in the classic sindoori red. It was complemented with a billowing soft organza scalloped dupatta accentuated with zardozi detailing.
The bijoux box
The actor always ups the ante of her conventional ensembles with temple jewellery or vintage jadau pieces. “But I don’t like being overladen with accessories. The wearer should really shine through, and not just the jewellery.” If she has to edit her bijoux box down to three jewels? “My favourite is a matha patti. I like to call it a halo, it can make you glow. I also rely on classic jhumkas and chokers on several occasions.”
