The Modern Maharani: A Guide to Your Bridal Trousseau
The Borrowed breaks down how to build a bridal trousseau that is timeless, thoughtful, and entirely your own.
Remember The Princess Diaries, when Mia discovers she’s royalty and her life transforms overnight? New look, new clothes, new home—new everything. Getting married as a South Asian can feel remarkably similar. It’s a grandiose affair, not for the faint of heart. What starts as a three-day affair often unfolds into a week of celebration: multiple events, choreographed dances, and a wardrobe to match. It’s maximalism at its finest. Yes, it’s a celebration of love—but also of heritage, identity, and becoming. Our weddings feel regal. Opulent. Like stepping into a new life, wrapped in silk, sequins, and something sacred.
And a small slice of that shine is the bridal trousseau they take with them for the ride. A symbol of tradition and a new life. A curation of rich and colourful clothes, makeup and jewellery to mark your very own Princess Diaries era as a newlywed.
But nobody talks about the stress of getting there! Actually, having to build a trousseau on top of wedding planning can be stressful, as can making the list of what to pack.
Fear not, Princess! This article is your guide on the individual items and our picks to build the dream South Asian bridal trousseau.
Finding your sandook (box/trousseau):
The Louis Vuitton SS26 Men’s collection was an ode to India, and watching the runway got us thinking – what trousseau could possibly be more iconic than the signature Louis Vuitton trunk?
Pharrell Williams, (creative director of menswear and all round fashion legend) revisited archival Louis Vuitton suitcases created in 2007 for Wes Anderson’s movie, The Darjeeling Limited. These trunks had tropical and animal motifs, whilst others were bejewelled with crystals emulating Maharaja opulence.
The play on tradition, while also giving it a fresh take for the modern South Asian bride makes these ideal for a sandook and can even be reused for chic travel and storage. Extravagant? Yes. Iconic? Of course. Princess approved? Absolutely!
But we also love the Pataaree trousseaus which can be customised entirely to your needs! (Slightly easier to get your hands on too!)
Picking your outfits (the most exciting part!)
As fashion lovers, the outfits for the trousseau are what excite us the most...and are no doubt the star of the show. The goal of curating would have to be versatility and range – so you are never caught out by an impromptu post-wedding event that will inevitably be sprung on you at the last minute.
Start with some sleek and simple kurtas, salwar kameez’, and light ready-to-wear co-ords for casual events like prayers, visiting family homes and intimate dinners. It would be ideal to find kurtas that can be westernised with linens and silk trousers just in case you have to mix-and-match.
Pro tip: keep an eye out to ensure there are matching dupatta’s, just so you are not caught out without one! If you don’t get much luck with finding those, try adding a few shawls that can be weaved into the looks.
The next collection of items would be sarees, a traditional yet chic staple for any Indian wardrobe. A combination of lighter chiffon sarees and silkier sarees are ideal – block colours for contemporary cool and printed motifs for playful elegance. For a dressier event, opt for an embroidered saree for the ultimate showstopper.
Confession: If you don’t know how to drape a saree, be on the lookout for pre-draped ones to make your life a whole lot easier!
Secondly, a combination of lehengas is always a must, wearing one automatically feels like you have made a real effort. It is good to maintain a mix of brighter and printed lehengas for summer and destination weddings, as well as darker and embroidered outfits for black-tie and more formal affairs.
Another tip: Consider getting a block coloured lehenga in your favourite colour and fabric – and to play around with fun dupattas so you can rewear without the feeling of wearing the same thing again and again. A very sustainable option too!
Jewellery, makeup, and other subtle pops
When it comes to picking your jewellery, the best option would be to get classics that you can rewear and style in different ways. The obvious choice would be a staple gold and silver set, which you can opt for depending on the embroidery on your outfit (also a solid long term investment *girl math*). But brides are also thinking about their personal style, picking more dainty, everyday luxury pieces that are personalised to them which they can rotate with ethnic and western-wear. Matching birthstones, diamond initial pendants and personalised fine jewellery charms are some of our favourite ways to get creative. It's always fun to look for pieces that are similar to western jewellery but finding an elevated Asian twist.
Other accessories to consider include bags—a classic gold clutch is a timeless investment, endlessly versatile and perfect for pulling together a polished look. For a touch of tradition, embroidered potlis are always a fun pick. You could also explore luxury Indian designer bags from the likes of Sabyasachi or Tarun Tahiliani, which add playful elegance to simpler outfits but work alongside western looks too. Another standout piece to add to your curation is a statement belt—think the iconic Sabya belt—which works just as beautifully with lehengas and sarees as it does styled casually with jeans.
For shoes, stick to the classic heels - whichever heel you like, block and kittens for comfort, and stilettos for a bit of fun. Both a nude and gold would be the best colours for a heel if you are looking for versatility. You can also keep it casual with flat juttis and mules for more laid-back occasions. They add a touch of charm, even when styled with jeans and a kurta for a fusion twist. Our favourites are the Needle Dust x Abhinav Mishra collab, super chic and comfortable and a perfect way to dress up any outfit.
Building your trousseau also makes for a convenient time to top up some of your all-time favourites and go-to products. Investing in eye palettes will help tak your makeup game to the next level. We love the Makeup by Mario palettes to cover all bases whether you’re going understated and demure or sexy and glam. We suggest investing in a new a vanity makeup case to have some organisation for high-pressured getting ready sessions.
A bridal trousseau is so much more than a checklist, it’s the beginning of a new chapter, written entirely on your own terms. Each piece you choose, from the cherished heirlooms to the thoughtfully curated new finds, becomes a part of the story you're about to unfold.
However you choose to build it, the story is yours to tell.