Fashion

Happy Birthday to our forever Desi Girl, Priyanka Chopra! From becoming Miss World in 2000 and ruling Bollywood with her unforgettable performances to making a successful mark in Hollywood, Priyanka’s journey in the entertainment industry is for the history books. Over the past two decades, a 2-time National Film Award-winning actress has carried her Indian roots with pride and unmatched elegance on some of the world’s biggest stages. No matter how stunning she looks in Western outfits, her true beauty always seems to shine brightest in Indian ethnic wear. In November 2025, when Priyanka attended the Globetrotter launch event in Hyderabad alongside SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu, her custom ivory lehenga-style saree by Anamika Khanna stole the spotlight and garnered immense praise across social media. Now, as she celebrates her 44th birthday on June 18 this year, we thought there couldn’t be a better occasion to revisit iconic Priyanka Chopra looks in Indian ethnic wear that continue to inspire fashion lovers. 

So, let’s start this!

1. Custom Banarasi Brocade Sari by Amit Aggarwal at NMACC Opening in 2023

On April 2, 2023, Priyanka Chopra and her husband, Nick Jonas, attended the grand opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. For the second day of the fashion gala, Priyanka wore Amit Aggarwal’s custom couture dress that celebrates Indian textiles and craftsmanship with a modern twist. Amit Aggarwal is renowned for his unconventional Indian designs, often reimagining the iconic saree silhouette with a high-fashion, boho-chic aesthetic. This look, too, beautifully reflects his signature design philosophy.

 

The ensemble features the 60-year-old vintage Banarasi Brocade Saree (crafted with silver threads and a gold electroplating on Khali Silk) and a signature holographic bustier (reflecting the nine traditional colors of the ikat weave). The concept behind the custom dress was the amalgamation of East and West. As you may know, Priyanka hails from Uttar Pradesh and is now a well-established actress in Hollywood. In many ways, this outfit beautifully represents the current phase of her life (a seamless fusion of India and the United States). Ami Patel styled the entire look, while Daniel Bauer handled the makeup and hair.

Our 'Desi Girl' looked absolutely spectacular in this ensemble, which is why it undoubtedly ranks among the most iconic Priyanka Chopra looks in Indian ethnic wear.

2. Slinky Metallic Saree From Karan Johar’s 2008 Rom-Com Movie ‘Dostana’

Do you know how Priyanka got her nickname ‘Desi Girl’? Well, it came from Karan Johar’s 2008 rom-com movie ‘Dostana’. In the movie, Priyanka starred alongside Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham and lit up the screen with the chartbuster song ‘Desi Girl '. The peppy track, with its infectious beats and memorable lyrics ‘Desi Girl, my desi girl ’, became an instant sensation and synonymous with Priyanka’s identity. The track perfectly captures her ability to stay rooted in her Indian identity while achieving global stardom. In the music video for this song, PeeCee wore the gold and beige shimmery, slinky metallic saree by Manish Malhotra. This whole look is regarded as one of the most iconic fashion moments in Indian entertainment of this century.

This outfit, single-handedly, revolutionized modern Indian ethnic wear, changing the trend of traditional heavy-embroidered wedding attires to glamorous, metallic, minimal party sarees. Anaita Shroff Adajania styled this look with a classic diamond tennis bracelet, starting the trend of minimal accessories in mainstream Bollywood movies.

3. Magenta Chiffon Saree by Manish Malhotra at Brother Siddharth’s Wedding Festivities in 2024

On August 23, 2024, Priyanka took to Instagram to share stunning photos from her brother Siddharth's wedding festivities in Mumbai. She attended the family celebrations in a glamorous Manish Malhotra magenta-coloured chiffon saree, adorned with intricate crystal flowers. What stood out the most from this look was her vintage Bulgari peak necklace (crafted using diamonds, rubies, & pearls). And guess what? It was reportedly valued at Rs. 8 crore. This retro-inspired ensemble was further complemented by the Serpenti Viper Bracelet (made from 18K white gold and pavé diamonds) and valued at approx. 30 lakh rupees. These exquisite luxury accessories were perfectly balanced with minimal makeup (vibrant pink lips and pink eye shadow). While her million-dollar smile worked as a cherry on top.

Honestly, props to Ami Patel for doing this wonderful styling. The Baywatch actress was looking ravishing in this berry-hued saree.

4. Nauvari Saree by Anju Modi in 2015-Released Blockbuster Movie ‘Bajirao Mastani’

Ke baje dhun jham-jham-jhamak-jha

To naache mann cham-cham-chamak-chaa

Remember these lines? They are from the iconic song 'Pinga' from the film 'Bajirao Mastani'. The entire nation seemed to pause when two Bollywood queens, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, delivered a mesmerizing performance featuring traditional choreography in this song. Beyond its infectious melody, audiences particularly fell in love with Priyanka's stunning look. She wore a rich maroon and deep pink/magenta coloured nine-yard Nauvari saree designed by famous fashion designer, Anju Modi. The acclaimed designer specifically used lighter fine silk to create the whole ensemble, allowing Priyanka to perform complex choreography comfortably. The makeup was executed by industry veteran Uday Shirali, who perfectly captured the authentic look of a 1700s Maharashtrian queen.

Traditional Maharashtra gold jewelry like classic nath (nose ring), green glass bangles, and thushi (choker necklace) made this whole complete.

Since the release of the film, Priyanka's look as a Maharashtrian queen has served as an inspiration for numerous projects. Female characters in historical dramas such as 'Chhaava' (2025), 'Panipat' (2019), and 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' (2026) appear to draw inspiration from Priyanka's portrayal of Kashibai in 'Bajirao Mastani'. This is why we’ve ranked this look among the most iconic Priyanka Chopra looks in Indian ethnic wear.

5. Pastel Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Lehenga at Priyanka-Nick’s Mumbai Wedding Reception in 2018

Priyanka and Nick's wedding in December 2018 became a major cultural event in India. This grand Indian-American celebration was a week-long affair, filled with lavish ceremonies, vibrant traditions, and star-studded festivities. Priyanka wore several beautiful outfits on multiple occasions, including her red wedding lehenga by Sabyasachi, vibrant yellow haldi outfit by Anita Dongre, Navy-blue corset-style Benarasi gown by Sabyasachi for the 2nd reception, and more. But one outfit that we still love is her pastel Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Lehenga for her final wedding reception at Bandra’s Taj Land, Mumbai.

This custom ensemble comprises a spring blossom skirt (featuring tiny organza and chiffon flowers in ivory and pastel tones), a full-sleeved lace blouse (encrusted with beads and crystals like the skirt), and a matching stole. Her minimal jewelry, which included a stunning diamond neckpiece, perfectly balanced the look. For her hairstyle, she opted for softly curled, open hair. Meanwhile, a touch of eyeliner and picture-perfect brick-red lips completed the entire ensemble beautifully.

Celebrity stylist Mimi Cuttrell styled this look.

6. Indo-Western White Ensemble by Zuhair Murad at “All That Glitters” Diwali Bash in New York City in 2025

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas attended the lavish Diwali bash by her longtime manager, Anjula Acharia, on October 13, 2025. The event “All That Glitters Diwali Bash” was a star-studded event organized at The Lotte New York Palace hotel in Midtown Manhattan. PeeCee entered the party in a custom Indo-Western white ensemble by Zuhair Murad. This outfit featured a sheer jacket (adorned with intricate mirror work and shimmering crystal embellishments) and matching flared pants that added a modern, flowy silhouette to the look. Perhaps the most unique element of the ensemble was the unconventional choli.

Instead of a traditional blouse, Priyanka wore a creatively draped criss-cross halter top paired with a tied sarong-style detail. This custom white ensemble perfectly blended traditional craftsmanship with modern couture, making it among the finest Priyanka Chopra looks in Indian ethnic wear.

We know this outfit didn’t go viral on social media, but we believe it is one of Priyanka Chopra’s best Indo-Western looks. The whole outfit is stylish, high-fashion, and perfectly captures the essence of traditional Indian craftsmanship with a contemporary twist.

7. Custom Arpita Mehta Ensemble on “The Kapil Sharma Show” in December 2025

On December 12, 2025, Priyanka Chopra made a surprise landing in Mumbai to shoot a New Year Celebration Episode for “The Kapil Sharma Show”. The episode premiered on December 20, 2025, and immediately went viral for the impromptu track ‘Baby Dance Slowly Slowly’, performed by Priyanka and Sunil Gover on the show. This silly yet fun song became a massive internet sensation. Besides this, Priyanka's custom ensemble by Arpita Mehta caught the attention of the entire internet. Everyone simply went gaga over it!

This outfit was a perfect amalgamation of modern elegance and traditional Indian craftsmanship. The custom ensemble featured a structured strapless corset (adorned with blue botanical motifs on an ivory base), a pre-stitched sharp, sculpted saree, and a matching scarf. Many fusion-wear outfits may come across as messy, but this elegant creation by Arpita Mehta set a new trend for unique and sophisticated clothing in the Indian fashion market. The silhouette, styling, Bvlgari Serpenti Viper earrings & bracelet, a voluminous blowout hairstyle, and light makeup. Everything about this look was a perfect ten on ten!

8. Bright Orange Dhakai Jamdani by Subarna Ray Chaudhuri in the Song ‘Tune Maari Entriyaan’ from the 2014 Movie ‘Gunday’

Gunday’s superhit track ‘Tune Maari Entriyaan’ was the song of the summer in India in 2014. Filmed on Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, and Priyanka Chopra, this high-energy dance number remains one of the ultimate Bollywood anthems of the 2010s. For the music video, Priyanka donned several vintage-inspired outfits to perfectly capture the authentic 1970s Calcutta vibe of her character, Nandita. But one outfit that really captured the audience's attention was a bright orange Dhakai Jamdani, worn by PeeCee in the final verse and chorus of the song. Designed by a famous costume designer, Subarna Ray Chaudhuri, this vibrant outfit celebrated the timeless artistry of Bengal’s handwoven textile tradition.

Contrary to what many assume, it was not a chiffon saree. A Dhakai Jamdani is a finely woven textile known for its intricate craftsmanship and rich cultural heritage. Although the art form originated in Dhaka (present-day Bangladesh), Jamdani weaving remains deeply rooted in India, particularly in West Bengal. Since the movie was set in the 1970s, this ensemble perfectly complemented the retro 1970s Calcutta setting.

Priyanka Chopra, as Nandita Sengupta, looked absolutely divine in this outfit (or rather, throughout the entire film). The styling perfectly complemented her character and remains one of her most memorable on-screen fashion moments. In our opinion, it was some of the finest styling ever seen on Priyanka in a mainstream Indian film, making it one of the most iconic Priyanka Chopra looks in Indian ethnic wear.

9. Gaurav Gupta’s Sculptural Blush Pink Saree at Bulgari’s India Event in Mumbai in 2024

Priyanka’s fashion game in 2024 was on peak! She was serving look after look, on every occasion. On May 15, 2024, Priyanka attended the much-awaited Bulgari India event titled “A Roman Holi” at Antilia in Mumbai. This lavish gala was a collaboration between Bulgari and Isha Ambani to pave the way for the seamless blend of the Italian luxury brand’s aesthetic and traditional Indian artistry. In this event, Bulgari exhibited 9 high-jewelry necklaces from its Heritage Collection (inspired by the traditional Indian Navratna). Priyanka was headlining this event as brand ambassador alongside Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin and Creative Director Lucia Silvestri. At this event, Priyanka wore a Gaurav Gupta’s sculptural blush pink saree with a signature bustier blouse (crafted using the wave pattern). Since the debut of Gaurav Gupta’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection, Arunodaya, at the annual fashion event, India Couture Week, fashion enthusiasts had been eagerly waiting to see Priyanka Chopra step out in one of the designer’s creations. At the 2024 Bvlgari event, that anticipation finally came to an end. In this blush pink sculptural saree, the global icon looked like a ‘Goddess’. She perfectly accessorized the whole look with a stunning Jaipur-gemstone Bulgari Necklace, which Priyanka claimed as her favorite piece from the collection in the interview later.

Uday Shirali executed the makeup and hair flawlessly. Her soft, loose, wavy blowout with face-framing layers, paired with metallic smoky-eye makeup, completed the look perfectly.

Reet Lifestyle: A Premier Source of Indian Ethnic Wear in the US & Canada!

Priyanka Chopra has consistently showcased the beauty of Indian ethnic fashion on the global stage. From time to time, she has proven that traditional Indian attire can be both timeless and contemporary. Her fashion choices continue to inspire women to embrace their cultural roots with confidence and elegance.

For Indian communities in North America, Reet Lifestyle makes it easier to recreate such iconic looks. With years of experience, Reet Lifestyle is recognized as a premier source of Indian ethnic wear in the US and Canada. Our platform offers an exquisite collection of sarees, salwar suits, lehengas, and Indo-western outfits. Explore our website and place your order today! Enjoy free delivery on orders over $99.