Anarkali dress, a traditional women’s dress, has a rich history and cultural significance in India, and other South Asian countries, like Pakistan. It is known for its unique design and shape, which typically features a long & flowing top and a fitted bottom. The dress is often paired with a dupatta which adds an elegant touch to the overall appearance.
The Anarkali dress was named after the slave dancer ‘Anarkali’, who wore long, flowing dresses while performing the dance in the Mughal court. The Anarkali dress has a majestic shape that has its origins in Mughal and Persian cultures. It is also linked to the traditional Indian dance style called Kathak. The word “Anarkali” means “Pomegranate Blossom,” signifying the vulnerability, softness, purity, and beauty associated with the women who wore Anarkali dresses. And wearing a custom-made Anarkali dress could enhance your beauty as it is stitched to fit your body perfectly.
Today, Anarkali dresses come in a variety of styles, patterns, and materials, each with its own distinct features that set them apart. In this article, we will explore various types of Anarkali dress designs and their unique characteristics. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this beautiful dress.
Different Designs of Anarkali Suit in 2025
Here are the major 16 designs of anarkali dresses that are popular in the market today, each with its unique style and elegance.
1 – Traditional Anarkali Dress Design
The traditional anarkali dress is the original style that has been around for centuries. It is often created from pricy materials like silk or velvet and has a flowing frock-style top with a narrow fitting bottom or churidar. The dress may come with a long matching scarf or dupatta that can be draped over the head or worn around the neck.
For example, the above traditional anarkali suit is solid royal blue which is a stunning ensemble, made from gorgeous georgette. Its low-cut neckline and full sleeves are expertly crafted, making it a great option for both everyday wear and modest parties.
2 – Jacket Anarkali Dress Design
Jacket-style Anarkali suits are a popular modern twist on the classic design, featuring a jacket or coat worn over the dress. The jacket can be short or long, or it can be heavily or lightly embroidered. It adds a unique and fashionable touch to the classic anarkali design. This trend is especially loved by younger women.
For example, the above suit is a beautiful Yellow Jacket-Style Anarkali Suit with attractive embroidery work on the jacket using stone, thread, and zari embellishments. The anarkali is heavily embellished and made from georgette fabric. The suit comes with santoon bottom, a santoon inner, and a georgette dupatta with patch embellishments. It’s perfect for bridesmaid wear, party wear, and sangeet wear. To get a custom made Jacket Anarkali Dress, you can go with Silailor’s ladies tailoring.
3 – Gown Style Anarkali Suit Design
The gown style anarkali dress is a modern version of the traditional dress, with western-style elements. It has a long, flowy shape that looks more like a gown than the classic Anarkali.
The Blue Gown Style Anarkali Suit is made of faux georgette, santoon, embroidery, and sequins, with lovely embroidery work on the top, adding an elegant touch to Indian attire.
4 – Embroidered Style Anarkali Dress Design
The embroidered style anarkali dress is a popular variation of the traditional anarkali dress that features intricate embroidery work on the dress. The embroidery work can be done using a variety of materials such as sequins, thread, and stones, and showcases fine craftsmanship, with endless design options to choose from.
This Mint-Green Heavy Embroidered Style Anarkali Suit is a premium-net outfit with heavy Mughlai embroidery and thread, stone, and sequin decoration. It comes with a georgette inner, silk bottom, and the finest net dupatta.
5 – High Slit Style Anarkali Dress Design
The high-slit style anarkali dress differs from conventional Anarkali dresses with its distinct look. The dress has a high slit that runs from the waist all the way to the bottom, giving it a trendy and cutting look. The high slit is a great way to show off some leg while still maintaining the elegance of the dress.
This maroon high slit style Anarkali dress features intricate floral embroidery and is made with comfortable santoon inner and bottom. It comes with a beautiful georgette dupatta. Embellishments include thread, sequins, and zari embroidery work.
6 – Front Slit Anarkali Dress Design
Unlike the high-slit style, which has a higher slit, this anarkali version has a slit located at the front of the dress, making it a versatile option to wear on multiple occasions. This design allows for ease of movement while also showing off the beautiful embroidery work and fabric of the dress.
The dress shown in the image is the perfect example of a front-slit anarkali dress. The top is made of high-quality real georgette fabric and features heavy embroidery, sequence, zari, and stonework. The bottom and inner are made of dull santoon fabric, and the dupatta is made of real georgette fabric.
7 – Lehenga Style Anarkali Dress Design
Lehenga-style anarkali dresses have long, flowing tops that are combined with skirts or bottoms that resemble lehengas. This results in a distinctive outfit that combines the beauty of a lehenga with the elegance of an anarkali suit. While the skirt has several pleats that flow to the floor, the top of the dress is normally fitted around the bust and waist.
This Anarkali Lehenga Suit features beautiful embroidery with sequence work and includes a top, bottom, and dupatta. It’s perfect for parties, weddings, and festivals, and can be worn in any season.
8 – Cape Style Anarkali Dress Design
The unique feature of the cape-style anarkali dress is the addition of a cape or a flowy layer attached to the dress. The cape can be attached to the dress at the shoulders, or it can be attached at the waist and flow freely. This style adds a magnificent and sophisticated touch to the dress.
This beautiful cape-style anarkali suit features a heavy Australian silk material with a digital print and net cape, completed by intricate zari, embroidery, and handwork. It comes along with a chiffon dupatta.
9 – Floor-Length Anarkali Dress Design
A floor-length anarkali suit is a traditional Indian ethnic wear consisting of a long kurti that touches the floor and is commonly paired with a churidar bottom. It’s also called Floor Sweeping Anarkali, perfect for royal wedding functions.
This is a floor-length anarkali suit made from opada silk fabric in a pale blue colour. Made of high-quality opada silk in a beautiful pale blue colour, the suit features beautiful peach and blue resham thread embroidery with touches of beads, decorating the sleeves and potli buttons. The net dupatta is equally beautiful, with sophisticated resham thread and bead embroidery detailing on all four sides.
10 – Sharara Style Anarkali Dress Design
A Sharara Style Anarkali Dress is a type of traditional Indian cultural attire that features a long Anarkali-style kurti paired with flared, loose-fitting pants called Sharara. The dress usually contains heavy embellishments, and often includes a dupatta to complete the look.
The anarkali style top is made of georgette material in a beautiful mustard yellow color and features intricate resham work, sequins, and thread work. The set also includes georgette sharara pants and a matching dupatta, both adorned with resham thread and stone work. The full-sleeve suit features a round neck, making you stand out with its unique design.Top of Form
11 – Angrakha Style Anarkali Dress Design
Two classic Indian clothing styles are combined to create an Angrakha-style anarkali suit. It combines the wide shape of an Anarkali with the distinctive zigzag design of an angrakha. Elegant embroidered work, bright colours, and lavish materials like silk and chiffon are frequently used in the design.
This angrakha-style anarkali dress set is made from pure voile fabric with a heavy patra embroidery work and comes with a churidar & organza dupatta. The suit features intricate detailing such as heavy tassels, laces, and piping. The flared suit is finished with a heavy border organza dupatta and is perfect for any occasion.
12 – Layered Anarkali Dress Design
Layered anarkali dress is a stunning style that features a two or more-layered design, with a lightweight inner layer that offers comfort to the wearer, and a heavily designed upper layer with unique patterns, designs, and embroidery.
This is a light green layered Anarkali suit that comes with a churidar and mesh dupatta. The anarkali is made of georgette fabric and features floral foil print, sequin, and zari embroidery work. It has a round neck, full sleeves, and a concealed zip closure. The churidar is made of lycra fabric and has a slip-on elasticated closure.
13 – Asymmetrical Anarkali Dress Design
An asymmetrical anarkali dress features an uneven hemline, with the front being shorter than the back. It can be sleeveless, have short sleeves, or have long sleeves, and the neckline can vary from round to V-neck. The asymmetrical design adds an interesting and unique element to the dress.
This Light Pink Asymmetrical Anarkali Suit is made of art silk and santoon, making it a comfortable option for events like parties, festivals, and receptions. The anarkali suit features resham embroidery work, as well as patch borders and touch-up patterns on the yoke, sleeves, and lower part of the kameez. It comes with matching bottoms and an embroidered dupatta with border, completing the overall look of the outfit.
14 – Shrug Style Anarkali Dress Design
A distinctive and modern touch on the traditional anarkali dress is the shrug-style anarkali. It features a short, waist-length shrug that is worn over the Anarkali kameez. The shrug is typically embellished with embroidery or other decorative elements and can be made from a variety of fabrics.
This shrug-style anarkali dress features beautiful embroidery work, zari, and sequins, which add a touch of elegance to the overall look. The dress is semi-stitched and made with high-quality silk fabric, providing a comfortable feel. The inner fabric is made of soft and durable santoon, while the dupatta is made of lightweight chinon. The dress comes in a lovely beige color, which is beautifully contrasted with a maroon bottom.
15 – A-line Anarkali Dress Design
An A-line Anarkali Dress features a fitted bodice and a wide skirt that resembles the letter “A”. This design is flattering for all body types, as it highlights the waist and hides any problem areas in the lower body. The dress typically has a round neckline and full sleeves.
This Calming Cream A-Line Anarkali Suit is perfect for a reception, made of georgette fabric and art silk. The A-line style, full sleeves, scoop neck, and stone & floral embroidery make this suit stylish and sophisticated.
16 – Pakistani Anarkali Dress Design
Pakistani anarkali dresses are similar to Indian Anarkali dresses in terms of their shape, which is flared and flowing. However, Pakistani Anarkali dresses often have more intricate embroidery and embellishments, such as zardozi and mirror work. The neckline of Pakistani anarkali dresses is often higher and more conservative than Indian anarkali dresses, and the sleeves may be full or three-quarters in length.
This pink Anarkali Pakistani suit is a beautiful outfit for party wear and festive occasions. Made from georgette fabric, the suit features intricate embroidery, zari work, and diamond detailing, adding a touch of elegance. The bottom and inner fabric are made of shantoon, providing comfort and a good fit. The suit comes with a matching pink shantoon fabric bottom and a chiffon dupatta, completing the look.
Conclusion
Anarkali suits have undoubtedly become a popular trend in the world of fashion these days. From Bollywood actresses to everyday women, these elegant and royal garments are now an essential part of their wardrobes. They are easy to wear, comfortable, and can be worn on any occasion, making them a versatile outfit. Anarkali suits come in a variety of designs suitable for all body types and age groups, making them an instant choice for many women.
From the traditional Indian Anarkali to the trendy shrug style Anarkali, these dresses have evolved over the years to cater to different occasions and fashion tastes. With so many different designs and styles to choose from, there is an Anarkali dress to suit every woman’s taste and preference.
So, if you haven’t already bought a beautiful Anarkali dress for yourself or for your loved ones, it’s time to add this timeless piece to your wardrobe by clicking here.
