How to build the perfect bridal trousseau with Sureena Chowdhri 

“The bridal trousseau is more than a wardrobe—it’s an archive of a bride’s journey,” says Sureena Chowdhri, Co-founder and Creative Director of her eponymous label. “Brides today are no longer building a trousseau just for the wedding week. They’re curating wardrobes that carry them into the life that follows—pieces that adapt to travel, work, family celebrations, and everything in between.”

CEO and Co-founder, Govind Chowdhri, sees a similar shift: “The modern bride is value-driven, but not in the traditional sense of price. Value today is measured in longevity—how many ways a piece can be worn, how long it stays relevant, and whether it feels timeless.” 

A bridal trousseau today is less about volume and more about versatility—clothes that feel rooted in memory, but fluid enough to move with her changing life. 

The saree 

The saree stands as the soul of the trousseau. "Whether envisioned as a pre-draped silhouette like our signature sharara saree or in its classic form, the saree carries ease while preserving the gravity of the occasion," notes Sureena. 

Velvet, a winter ritual 

For winter weddings, Sureena calls velvet “non-negotiable.” She explains, “It’s become a requirement for trousseaus, especially as winter is the prime wedding season in India. A velvet outfit moves effortlessly from grand ceremonies to intimate evenings while keeping you cosy all the way through” 

The signature kurta 

“Brides are increasingly buying classic kurta sets not just for themselves but also for their bridesmaids,” Sureena shares. “They want to give them something that can be worn on the day of the ceremony but also cherished long after.” 

The kaftan 

After the frenzy of rituals, comfort takes centre stage. “A kaftan is truly a bride’s best friend,” says Sureena. “It’s light, effortless, and still makes you look put-together when all you want is ease.” 

The anarkali 

A silhouette that has long signified celebration, the anarkali is, in Sureena’s words, “a piece no trousseau feels complete without. Once reserved for grandeur, it now adapts to quieter moments too, moving easily between ceremony and after.” 

The gharara 

“What I love about the gharara,” she adds, “is how it brings movement and festivity to the wardrobe. It carries the memory of tradition but allows for reinvention through fabric, embroidery, and styling.” 

In the end, the modern trousseau isn’t a checklist of garments but a living archive. “It’s about balance,” says Sureena. “You hold on to heritage, but you also create space for the life you’re about to step into.”

Ready to curate pieces that carry you beyond the wedding? Discover Sureena Chowdhri

All images: Sureena Chowdhri

Also read: The ultimate guide to planning bridesmaid outfits for an Indian wedding

Also read: Farshi salwar kameez sets for brides who love minimal elegance