How 3 brides re-styled their wedding looks

For decades, bridalwear has been seen as sacred—but also strangely untouchable. Once worn, they’re packed away in preservation boxes, stored in wardrobes, and rarely, if ever, seen again. But a growing number of brides are challenging that idea, giving their wedding wardrobe a longer, more joyful afterlife. Whether it’s a lehenga skirt paired with a crop top for a friend’s sangeet or a bridal blouse reimagined with a chiffon sari, rewearing has become both a style statement and a practical choice.

It’s not just about sustainability (though that’s a big part of it); it’s also about sentiment, versatility, and getting the most out of those once-in-a-lifetime pieces. We spoke to three style-forward women who gave their bridal looks a second—and third spin. Below, see how they made them feel fresh all over again.

Anissa Malhotra Jain, stylist

Styled by sentiment

The piece: Jain rewore her wedding day jewellery—a breathtaking uncut polki and emerald set handcrafted in 18k gold with meenakari detailing by Ghanasingh Fine Jewels, the same jewellers who also designed her mother’s bridal jewellery.

The rewear moment: At her brother-in-law’s wedding, “the most special occasion” she could think of to bring out her heirloom-worthy pieces again. “It’s always very handpicked occasions that you wear such a special piece. And there’s nothing more special than a family wedding.”

The twist: For her wedding, it was all about the classic red lehenga. But this time, she paired the jewellery with a pastel pink lehenga by Anushree Reddy, soft glam makeup, and a tucked-back hairstyle. “I wanted a dramatically different look,” she says. “At the same time, I hoped to create the perfect sister-in-law-of-the-groom look.”

Why she rewore it: “When we designed this set with the Ghanasingh team, it was always designed to be reworn—split or in full,” Jain says. “But for such a meaningful event, there was no question that I’d wear my most special and treasured pieces in their entirety.”

On rewearing more: “I’m a huge advocate of sustainable fashion. I hope to rewear everything from my wedding wardrobe again in some way or form again as well as all the items from my trousseau. This is where investing in timeless fashion comes into play.”

Isha Sutaria, lifestyle content creator

Florals that keep on giving

The piece: A floral embroidered Shyamal & Bhumika lehenga, originally worn for her sangeet.

The rewear moment(s): Twice and counting—once at a close friend’s sangeet (can-can removed for comfort), and again at a daytime wedding.

The twist: Sutaria has even taken just the blouse and worn it with a satin sage green ruffle sari. “The reason I picked it was the stunning floral embroidery on the blouse. I love how simple yet elegant it looked,” she says.

Why she rewore it: “The pastel green and pink tones are timeless. It has that balance of intricate Indian detailing with a modern feel. Even though it’s a heavy piece, it doesn’t feel overwhelming—which makes it so easy to wear again.”

On rewearing more: Already in rotation is her Sabyasachi mehendi lehenga. “I took the can-can out and to give it a lighter, more fluid feel, and styled the organza dupatta loosely around my arms—no pins or structured drape, just a softer, more effortless vibe.”

Tarini Manchanda, fashion content creator

One lehenga, many lives

The piece: An Aisha Rao lehenga worn for her pre-wedding sundowner at a friend’s house. “I didn’t have a mehendi function or a proper sangeet since it was a Covid wedding, so we had a sundowner instead. I spotted it off the rack at Ensemble and Ogaan—it was light, colourful, and it also had a bit of shiny thread work which made it transition perfectly from day to night. I also instantly knew I would be able to rewear it which was a huge consideration for me (and still is).”

The rewear moment(s): First rewear? A big Delhi sangeet. Second rewear? Just the blouse with an orange chiffon saree for a destination wedding. “It works with almost any solid colour because it has so many in it!”

The twist: The first time she restyled it, she simply skipped the jewellery. The second time, she reworked the blouse with a sari—proving versatility can be just about mixing and matching what you already own.

Why she rewore it: “I always knew I’d rewear it—that was part of the reason I chose it. I’ve never cared much for the trousseau concept. I know it’s a time usually when brides have the opportunity to shop their hearts out and check off their wishlist, but my wishlist is unending and the goal post keeps moving! Instead, I’ve focused on investing in watches and jewellery slowly.”