Once upon a time dressing for an Indian wedding felt like signing up for a fashion endurance test. Heavy lehengas, ornate embroideries and sky-high heels. Glamorous, yes. But comfortable? Not so much. Enter the wedding guest paradox: do you sparkle for the ’Gram or survive the sangeet dance floor? Luckily, those days are officially over. Designer Reeti Arneja’s new collection, Rangat, is basically the cheat code to festive dressing. Think breezy silhouettes that still pack a punch, colours that scream vibrancy, and outfits that let you dance, pose, and party till the pheras are long over without breaking a sweat (or a seam).
Reeti Arneja’s latest collection, Rangat, wasn’t born in a boardroom or sketch pad, it emerged from the very heart of Indian celebrations. “Rangat is an ode to the vibrant spirit of Indian weddings and festivals. Think those moments where people come together, dressed in colour and joy, to celebrate,” explains Arneja. “The inspiration came from the haldi and mehndi ceremonies in particular, where there’s a natural play of exuberance, intimacy, and festivity.”
But what sets Rangat apart isn’t just its inspiration. It’s the designer’s commitment to creating pieces that honour the grandeur of Indian traditions and address modern needs. The collection features handwoven Khadi Banarasi silks and Makmal velvets, elevated with traditional zardozi embroidery that’s been reimagined with colourful threads and metallic highlights, giving each piece what Arneja describes as “a festive glow without feeling heavy.”
Beyond the Lehenga
If you think Indian festive wear begins and ends with lehengas and saris, think again. Reeti is part of a movement that’s expanding the vocabulary of celebration dressing. “Today, women are looking beyond the expected. They want silhouettes that feel rooted in tradition but allow freedom and individuality,” she notes. In Rangat, this philosophy translates into unexpected combinations: “You’ll see shararas paired with structured jackets, lehenga skirts with corsets, fluid dhotis styled with embellished capes, kaftans reimagined for evening wear, and even playful co-ord sets.” These aren’t just fashion experiments—they’re practical solutions. As Arneja puts it, “These silhouettes create versatility—they can move from a sunlit mehndi brunch to an evening sangeet while retaining impact.”
The Art of Comfort Meets Glamour
So how does one actually achieve the seemingly impossible balance of comfort and grandeur? For Reeti, it’s all about smart design choices. “The key has been to use rich but breathable fabrics and place embroideries thoughtfully,” she reveals. “Khadi Banarasi silks and velvets carry natural weight and sheen, so the grandeur is inherent.” The magic lies in restraint and strategy. Rather than overwhelming garments with heavy embellishments, Reeti keeps “the embroideries bold but strategic, allowing the pieces to remain light enough to wear all day.” The cuts are equally thoughtful, with “attention to drape and ease of movement, so a lehenga twirls beautifully but doesn’t weigh you down, and a dhoti or sharara can be danced in comfortably.”
Reinventing Indian Classics for Today’s Bride
Reeti’s vision extends beyond mere comfort. It’s about creating a new language for Indian festive wear. “For me, it’s about honouring the grammar of Indian classics while rewriting them for today’s woman,” she explains. This means reimagining traditional elements in contemporary ways: “A lehenga may be styled with a short jacket instead of a dupatta, a dhoti may be crafted in a Banarasi weave with zardozi accents, and a kaftan may take on the richness of evening couture.” The result? “The essence remains Indian, but the form feels contemporary and relevant. Rangat is about celebrating that balance, where classics are reinterpreted, not replaced.”
Making Every Piece Work Harder
Perhaps most practically, Reeti champions the art of versatile dressing. “Investing in separates is a way to extend the life of your festive wardrobe,” she advises. Her approach to mix-and-match styling is refreshingly practical: “An embroidered blouse from Rangat can be styled with a sari one day and high-waist trousers the next. A cape can layer over a lehenga for a wedding and over a jumpsuit for a cocktail.” This philosophy transforms how we think about occasion wear. As Reeti puts it, “The key is to see each piece as versatile, not just occasion wear, but as part of a wedding wardrobe that can transform with styling.” With Rangat, the designer isn’t just creating beautiful clothes, she’s solving the age-old problem of looking fabulous while feeling fantastic.
