Indian brides often wear a dupatta as their primary Headgear at the wedding while western brides wear a veil accessorized with a tiara. So far the funky headgear trend has been relegated to costume parties and outlandish outfits at festivals like Coachella. But the trend of wearing bridal headgear is not as far fetched in many other cultures around the world. Certain tribal communities of Africans, Native Americans, Latinas and South East Asians still wear ostentatious bridal headgears as part of their wedding rituals.

It might seem a bit odd to suddenly wear statement headgear with an otherwise conventional outfit but it’s a trend that’s picking up steam. Emerging Indian fashion label Papa Don’t Preach recently launched their advertising campaign in collaboration with PARAMSahib and it featured a potent concoction of kitschy ensembles complete with quirky headgear. The trend is certainly not for lovers of straight-laced elegant dressing. But for those who love their Manish Arora levels of Indo-cheesiness, it’s a rare and phenomenal treat for the senses.

There is little doubt that the campaign was aimed to cater to a niche audience of non-conformists who value standing out over just looking textbook pretty. They’re all about expressing their personality through the way they dress and if that involves exuberant marching band hats, embellished modified ushanka hats and even clannish feather inspirations, then so be it. Their goal with their ensembles is to start a dialogue and create acceptance for experimental dressing. In many ways it’s these renegade revolutionaries who pave the way for what becomes mainstream fashion many decades later.

Papa Don’t Preach In Collaboration With PARAMSahib

Papa Don’t Preach In Collaboration With PARAMSahib

As a bride-to-be you might be wondering if you’re gutsy enough to pull off this extremely editorial and daring headgear trend. Let’s face it, you will need a certain kind of wedding with a very bohemian vibe to dress in outrageous OTT headgear and still look totally on point. Maybe it’s an idea worth toying with for the festivities leading up to the wedding like the cocktail, mehendi or sangeet. Heck, it could also be a totally kickass theme party so all of your guests can turn up in goofy headgear. It’s a great way to secretly fulfil your headgear fantasies and also garner major points for being a trendsetter.

If you’re look for inspiration then look no further than the internet breaking #Kabaang wedding that just took place in Vietnam. The bride Kaabia Grewal is the designer and owner of designer jewellery brand Outhouse and she was determined to add her own personal magic to her wedding. Everything from the guest arrival to the décor to the party props had the signature Outhouse touch. Kicking off with the Mad House party cocktail that had a totally psychedelic vibe, Kaabia wore a self-designed headgear with gems and chains that was entwined into her updo hairstyle. Her guests were also treated to some Outhouse baubles that they could rock all night in addition to their own headgear.

Real Bride Kaabia At Her Cocktail Party

This was followed up by a tribal style mehendi featuring some Vietnamese décor and customs. The couple Kaabia and Rushang were dressed in hippie meets world traveller inspired outfits but the piece de resistance was Kaabia’s regal headgear and jewellery.

Real Bride Kaabia Grewal & Groom Rushang At The Tribal Mehendi

As most brides do, Kaabia took the more orthodox approach at her wedding but added her own twist to the ensemble. She wore a white lehenga choli but mixed it up with a veil and floral tiara. Needless to say this look is going to be giving Indian brides abroad endless #goals! when it comes to planning their own wedding outfits. The headgear might not have been the focus of this bridal look but it definitely was the defining factor in setting it apart from other white on white bridal outfits. Proving that while the headgear trend is still too new and too innovative for some, for those who want to creatively express themselves, it can provide endless possibilities. And who knows? It might also become a new age wedding norm, so don’t knock it till you try it. Atleast once.

Real Bride Kaabia At Her Wedding

Sources: Wedmegood.com