Bollywood has never lagged behind as a fashion trendsetter. Throughout the decades, the industry has taught us in some of the most iconic fashion moments ever. From classy gowns to stunning sarees, Bollywood actresses have been colouring fashion moments that continue to remain unbeatable even after future generations.
In this blog, we will talk about 15 of the most female iconic Bollywood outfit moments that defied fashion rules and initiated trends all over the world.
1. Madhubala’s Anarkali in Mughal-E-Azam (1960)
Madhubala’s ravishing Anarkali in Mughal-E-Azam is the best all-time female iconic Bollywood costume. The lavish embroidery, imperial silhouettes, and stunning drape of the clothing sent the viewers back to the pomp of the Mughal empire. Not only did this regal fashion become the yardstick of style for history, but it turned into a cultural icon for Indian wedding and party fashion.
Style Tip: Match an Anarkali with jhumkas and mojris and indulge in an eternally elegant, royal look that is perfect for wedding and celebration functions. Glamorize your ethnic wear with richly embellished floor-length Anarkali suits in silk or velvet. Pair them with intricately designed accessories, traditional shoes, and dramatic eye makeup for a royal look at wedding receptions or celebration events.
2. Mumtaz’s Orange Saree in Brahmachari (1968)
The orange saree in new, close-pleated style in Brahmachari made Mumtaz a fashion icon. The fashionista but risqué style redefined saree wear and is now coveted even. The trendy orange saree Mumtaz had on, pleated differently, was an overnight fashion sensation. Sleeveless blouse and tight draping provided styling sarees with a different spin, and it was a retro fashion statement. The outfit was a mix of sensuality and class and revolutionized the fashion of styling sarees for the screen and in real life.
Style Tip: For retro Bollywood looks, don skin-fitting drape in bright color with less accessories. Retro glamour fashion with big studs and tidy bun and match with colored chiffon sarees with teeny prints. Perfect for a retro party and old Bollywood-themed photo shoot.
3. Zeenat Aman’s Hippie Look in Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
Zeenat Aman’s hippie style in this film, from flared pants to chunk jewelry and oversized glasses, made the hippie style trendy among Bollywood. Her look in this movie revolutionized the fashion narrative of Bollywood. Her bohemian casualness, with oversized sunshades, loud prints, and beaded jewelry, screamed volumes of rebellion and unapologetic attitude. It was a change that surprised fashionistas and city youth with its boldness and unapologetic nature.
Style suggestions:Focus on beaded accessories, layering of garments, and a relaxed aura to achieve that ultimate boho-chic. Go for flared denims, patchwork blazers, and fringed bags to get the hippie style. Over-layer bangles and necklaces, and complete with middle-parted hair. Perfect for concert nights, night out with friends, and vintage photo shoots.
4. Rekha’s Kanjeevaram Sarees
Rekha’s long-lasting style in fashion designer Kanjeevaram sarees and timeless temple jewelry has made her a decades-long style icon of poise and sophistication. She extended romance with Kanjeevaram sarees and their majestic beauty led her to the peak of the last definition of beauty and retro style.
Trend tips: To recreate Rekha’s iconic look, choose pure silk Kanjeevaram sarees in rich hues like maroon, green, or mustard. Pair them with antique gold chokers, bold red lipstick, and a bun adorned with jasmine flowers. Ideal for weddings or grand poojas.
5. Sridevi’s Blue Saree in Mr. India (1987)
Sridevi’s sensual blue chiffon saree in Kaate Nahi Kat Te remains one of the most memorable Bollywood fashion moments, defining timeless romance and elegance. The fall wrapped around her figure so lovingly and the color against the backdrop of drizzle that the look was one of Bollywood’s hottest and visual style moments.
Style suggestions: A flowy chiffon saree in a bold color, paired with minimal jewelry, makes for an elegant evening look. Coordinate them with understated accessories and loose curls and let the saree be the center of attraction. Perfect for cocktail evenings or date nights.
6. Madhuri Dixit’s Purple Saree in Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994)
Madhuri’s lilac saree with a backless blouse in Didi Tera Devar Deewana set wedding fashion trends for years. The ancient day song number lilac saree turned wedding wear royalty. It transformed bridal wear in the ’90s, with backless blouse and elegant drape turning into a rage among brides and bridesmaids of the new age. The trend was just right with a dash of playfulness and timelessness to it.
Trend tips: Choose pastel sarees with delicate embroidery for a sophisticated, feminine look perfect for receptions. Try pastel-colored sarees and net or sheer blouses and heavy embroidery. With shimmery, sleek make-up and chandbalis, it is a young and youthful wedding ceremony appearance.
7. Madhuri Dixit’s White Suit in Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)
Madhuri Dixit’s all-white churidar suit became a fashion staple in the late ’90s, symbolising elegance and simplicity. The suit was the ultimate pinnacle of unmixed, extraterrestrial loveliness. With demure lace embellishments and flowing flow, this was the pinnacle of the manner in which simplicity came first. The suit flew high with modern Indian women who were hungry for comfort clothing with no compromise to glamour and gained international acceptance.
Fashion tricks: A monochrome white suit with lace detailing is perfect for daytime events and festive gatherings. Choose a flowy white anarkali or churidar with chikankari or mirror work for a dreamy appeal. Add pearl accessories and soft makeup for a radiant look ideal for day weddings, pujas, or festive brunches.
8. Rani Mukerji’s Indo-Western Look in Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
Rani’s corset tops, Patiala salwars, and oxidized jewelry introduced an Indo-western fusion trend that continues to be a favorite. Rani’s vibrant mix-and-match outfits made ethnic fusion fashionable again. Corset tops with Patiala pants and oxidized jewelry spoke to a new wave of contemporary dressing. This trend influenced streetwear, wedding fashion, and even designer runways due to its experimental yet wearable nature.
Fashion advice: Mix printed palazzos with crop tops or short kurtis for an effortlessly stylish fusion look. Play with printed dupattas, jacket kurtis made of denim, or salwars and waistcoats. Pair a jutti and heavy oxidized bangles for the laid-back fusion style. Perfect for college nights or Haldi ceremonies.
9. Preity Zinta’s Lehenga in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
Preity Zinta’s Magenta Pink lehenga in Kal Ho Naa Ho was the epitome of simplicity and elegance, becoming a popular bridal and bridesmaid choice. Preity Zinta’s magenta lehenga bestowed modest bridal elegance on style-conscious Bollywood. Her lean silhouette and subtle embellishment retained her own natural good looks, initiating the trend of light-weight lehengas in jewel and pastel hues, deeply loved by brides and wedding guests today.
Fashion tricks: Opt for pastel lehengas with minimal embellishments for a modern, sophisticated bridal look. Look for solid-colored lehengas with detailed borders or light sequin work. Pair with contemporary blouses and sleek hairstyles for understated elegance. Ideal for bridesmaids or light traditional functions.
10. Aishwarya Rai’s Peacock Lehenga in Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Aishwarya’s royal red colored lehenga with intricate gold embroidery revived the love for Mughal-era fashion. The ancient stitching and magnificent ornaments of the royal red lehenga was a change around to old times fashion and back into the light. With every fold of clothing, it unleashed royal artistry and magnificence, ushering in a fashion trend of costume designing and inviting an outburst of older fashion motifs back into wedding attire.
Styling secrets: Rich jewel tones with antique gold jewelry create a regal appearance. Wear unstitched raw silk lehengas or brocade with traditional prints and pair with antique-inspired jewelry. Complete the royal look with kohl-lined eyes and middle-parted hair. Perfect for bridal wear and royal-themed parties.
11. Deepika Padukone’s Chennai Express Red Saree (2013)
Deepika Padukone’s appearance in the classic red saree with golden border in Chennai Express provided the South Indian bride look with an ageless classic silhouette. Her golden border red-stitched saree brought South Indian bridal style to the nation’s forefront. Temple jewelry, jasmine-style hair, and rich silk glow nod towards ancient roots but present that fresh-off-the-screen appearance that has inspired destination and ethnic weddings.
Fashion advice: Wear a red saree for the classic wedding look and complement it with temple jewelry and a neat bun with flowers at the crown. Pairit with delicate gold zari work embroidered design, gold bangles, and stud earrings in ethnic style. Match it up with a bun and jasmine flowers for the best all-time classic, wedding-perfect look.
12. Sonam Kapoor’s Cannes Saree (2014)
Sonam revolutionised contemporary ethnic wear with her chic pre-draped saree at Cannes, blending contemporary and traditional looks neatly. Sonam’s draped saree in edgy style was a fashion-forward commentary on the global scene. The elegant but cutting-edge silhouette defied convention between tradition and high fashion, proving that Indian wear can be red carpet-perfect, chic, and dramatic without ever losing its ethnic charm.
Styling secrets: Make use of concept or pre-draped sarees in order to obtain a high-fashion appearance. Choose ruffled, pre-stitched, or belt sarees and off-shoulder or cape-blouses. Choose metallic colors or flat colors and pair with chic hair with stilettos to get the Indo-western glamorous look absolutely perfect for high-fashion parties.
13. Alia Bhatt’s Yellow Lehenga in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014)
Alia’s sun-kissed yellow lehenga with floral embroidery was the bridesmaids’ and party folks’ favorite. Alia’s sunflower yellow lehenga with floral embroidery offered playfulness and youthfulness to celebratory fashion. It was the most preferred choice of attire for day wedding ceremonies like mehndi and haldi, praised for brightness, lightness, and ‘grammability.
Fashion tricks: Light shades with floral motifs and light embroidery make a great idea for pre-wedding events. Pair bold colors like sunflower yellow or lime green with thread or mirror embroidery. Pair lesser jewellery, loose waves, and flowers in the hair for a bright, playful bridesmaid look.
14. Priyanka Chopra’s Gold Saree from Dostana (2008)
Priyanka’s gold saree was oozing confidence and glamour and is a widely preferred cocktail party wear and formal event look. Priyanka’s gold metallic saree consisted of refined and stylish glamour. The saree was dramatic and sultry, giving just the right dose of tradition and brawn that was precisely suitable for cocktail parties and high-end functions. The saree craze became the style meter of fashion for trend-hunters.
Fashion guidance: Team a metallic or gold saree with dramatic earrings for a sophisticated, glamorous look. Go for metallic colors or sequined sarees in champagne, bronze, or gold. Combine with sleek hair, smokey eyes, and chunky earrings for an eye-catching party-perfect appearance. Ideal for party nights or fashion galas.
15. Anushka Sharma’s Pastel Wedding Lehenga (2017)
Anushka Sharma’s rose pink Sabyasachi wedding lehenga set new trends in bridal wear by moving away from the traditional red to pastel bridal lehengas. Anushka’s hot pink Sabyasachi lehenga was a bridal trendsetter. Dainty pastels in floral patterns overwhelmed the traditional red and represented millennial poise. The trend paved the way for most brides to opt for serenity instead of swagger, and pastel wedding wear became a permanent fashion statement.
Fashion tricks: Pastel delicate and dainty embroidery and pale pastel floral prints are so subtle bridal gown perfect for contemporary weddings. Go for pale pink, peach, or lilac lehengas with detailed thread work and a splash of glitter. With light makeup, detailed jewelry, and a flower bun. Ideal for garden weddings or formal receptions.
Personal insight
Grew up stuck to the screen watching Bollywood films, never knowing that one was being taught fashion. From dupattas draped like Madhuri to fantasizing over Anushka’s pastel lehenga, every look was a style memory. Such ageless looks were not merely costumes,they’re emotional signposts in our lives, influencing the manner in which we dress for weddings, parties, and everything between. Timeless certainly has a Bollywood connotation!
Conclusion
The above mentioned 15 vintage Bollywood style trends have given rise to style trends and given their lasting impression on fashion followers across generations. Bollywood has given us out of the box sources of inspiration to upgrade our wardrobe. From style-iconic lehengas to ancient sarees, these style trends are a source of inspiration for style followers all over the globe.
Bollywood fashion is not trends; it’s style, art, and heritage. With every new Bollywood transformation, there will be new trends, but these timeless costumes will be immortalized in the Indian fashion history books forever.
What’s your favorite Bollywood fashion? Let us know in the comments!
Anjali Gupta is a passionate advocate for Indian ethnic wear, specializing in sarees and blouses. With deep knowledge of traditional Indian fabrics and contemporary styles, she bridges the gap between heritage and modern fashion. Through her writing, Anjali provides practical tips on draping sarees, styling blouses, and embracing timeless elegance with confidence. Her work inspires women to celebrate cultural traditions while experimenting with fresh, stylish ideas.
