A man in a turban – a headgear essentially made up of cloth – is a common sight in India! But did it ever strike you that the turban is an integral part of the Indian culture and heritage? It is much more than just fashion! The turban of an Indian man is all about tradition, culture, legacy and history! Thus, it is a very important part of the groom’s attire in Indian marriages.
The groom’s turban is commonly called the pagdi or the safa! Depending on the community, culture and regional heritage of the groom’s family, the shape, size and style of his turban differs. It has become a quintessential with Indian Groom Outfits. For example, Sikh grooms wear the dastaar, Rajasthani grooms use leheriya or bandhani fabrics for their pagadis.
The Bihari paag, the Maharashtrian pheta, the Mysore turban having a legacy connected to the Wodeyar kings or the Ladakhi tibi – the list of the variety of grooms’ turbans in India is endless! It would not be an exaggeration to say that turbans also show how diverse and complex Indian ethnic fashion is, even in case of men!
25 Groom Turbans that Scream Royalty and Class
The turban is an important piece of accessory for the groom’s ensemble! If a turban does not complement the outfit, it can ruin the look! On the other hand, if chosen wisely and tied with perfection, it can make even a simple sherwani look really royal! So here are 25 turbans that are ideal for grooms of the big fat Indian weddings!
1. Gold It Is! – Golden Groom’s Turban
A gold turban is a mark of prosperity! In fact, it is the second most common color when it comes to grooms’ turbans. This is also because, it goes really well with all kinds of sherwanis. For example, this groom wears an ivory tone, minimally embellished sherwani and teams it with the gold turban with an ornate brooch and white feather attachment.
2. Pastels With Gold Undertones
This groom wears a pastel peach traditional pheta turban! The fabric has gold undertones too! A simple kalgi glams up the traditional turban. The pheta is complete with multiple wraps and the shemala – the loose piece of fabric hanging like a tail. Pastel tone turbans also go really well with neutral tone sherwanis.
3. To Match Turban with The Stole
If you are wondering what kind of turban to wear on your wedding day, take inspiration from the stole or shawl of your sherwani. This groom holds a maroon velvet turban with gold zari and lace borders and a kundan kalgi. The tail of the turban has tiny bootas, just like those on his velvet sherwani stole.
4. The Quintessential Velvet Safa
Almost completely unembellished, this dark maroon velvet safa is all about the richness of the fabric. It has a stunning sun-shaped stone studded brooch in the centre and another on one side.
5. The Peshwa Style Pheta Turban
This Maharashtrian couple looks stunning in total traditional attire! The groom wears the traditional Maratha groom attire that consists of a kurta and a long open jacket. He pairs that with a pink Nauvari stole and the same fabric is used for his pheta. The Nauvari zari border and the vibrant pink shade look stunning!
6. The Leheriya Groom Turban
This groom in Punjabi wedding wears a vibrantly colored, tie and dye leheriya turban! Though such a colorful headgear is sometimes difficult to carry, it looks great with neutral sherwanis and kurtas. Moreover, such a turban looks utterly traditional and ‘oh so ethnic’!
7. Velvets and Feathers Turban
This groom has perfectly complemented his gold and ivory sherwani with a rich velvet maroon and gold turban! It matches his stole and has a white feather attachment giving it a regal appeal.
8. The Simplistic Red Groom Turban
The white and red groom attire is in vogue since last year! A simplistic ivory or white sherwani with silver embellishments looks stunning when paired with a bright red safa. The turban has no embellishment except for an ornate brooch in white and red stones. Such looks are classic!
9. The Pink Brocade Safa
The groom teams a peach and gold brocade safa with his blush pink floral embroidered sherwani and Kashmiri shawl. The kalgi and the feather attachment on the turban befits the brocade fabric.
10. Gold Brocades – Groom Turban
The safest choice when it comes to wedding turbans is one in a gold woven design! This safa is simplistic yet totally glam. You can team up such a gold brocade safa with a sherwani of any type and shade. Also, accessories of all colors look good on a golden base.
11. Go Contrast – Groom Turban
This eternal color combination which is integral to Indian wedding fashion is featured in this simple yet gorgeous turban! The turban is in a gold tone fabric. It features an ornate kalgi with red and white stones studded in it! The central ruby toned stone is large and glams up the look! A vintage touch is received with the addition of the white feather.
12. Peach Turban with Ornate Border
Though this peach turban matches the color of the groom’s sherwani, it is not particularly conventional! The way in which it is tied gives it a horizontally spread out shape rather than a vertically towering one! The use of ornate lace glams up the look.
13. Red and Gold Never Goes Wrong
The combination of these two colors simply goes well with sherwanis of every kind! This turban is clearly inspired from the Marathi pheta. The stone studded sarpech has feather attachments as well as three gold malas that span one side of the turban!
14. The Dramatic Pheta Turban
Simple groom looks can be transformed by the addition of a dramatic turban. This groom sports one such pheta style turban featuring a larger-than-life pleated top. All phetas have this but in a much smaller size.
Checkout GetEthnic Groom’s Turban
15. The Banarasi Groom Turban
If you want to go for a similar combination of red and gold yet want to keep it simple, go for a safa of this type. Made out of a luscious Banarasi brocade fabric in vermillion red and gold, it has an old world charm, a heritage vibe! The style is of classic simplicity. You can buy it here.
16. The Safa in Dusky Peach
If you want a pastel tone safa without a metallic undertone, go for such a turban in a dusky peach shade. The subtle color is perfectly complemented by the paisley kalgi featuring the elegant rose quartz stones and golden beads. The addition of the whimsical white feathers gives a vintage feel. You can buy it here.
Turban Trivia #1
Did you know that the earliest reference of the turban can be found in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Sumeria and Babylonia? There is a strong indication that the turban may have originated in the Middle East. A particular type of turban called the phakeolis was worn by the Byzantine soldiers in as early as 400-600.
17. Of Pearls and Resham
The border of embroidered pearls and resham thread work steals the show! The safa is made of a beige and gold block printed fabric which contrasts well with the bright pink border. The ornate kalgi with stone and gold bead work looks stunning. You can get it here.
18. The Phulkari Motif Turban
The fabric used for this turban is in a beige tone with multi-color phulkari motifs and a gold border. The unconventional look goes well with the kundan kalgi with gold moti mala attachments. The addition of the white feathers give a Mughal era look.
Turban Trivia #2
In the Sikh culture, the turban is much more than an accessory! Generally the turban symbolizes valour, sacrifice, power, respectability, position etc but even colors signify specific sentiments. For example, the blue or the yellow turban are considered auspicious and worn on occasions like Vaisakhi. A pure white turban means that the person has chosen the exemplary life of a saint! An off-white tone means someone is learning the religion. The black turban is a reminder of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that took place in 1919. A turban in the color basanti, a shade of yellow, is associated with revolutionary movement. Orange signifies courage! A green turban is worn mostly by farmers.
19. Mint and Rose – Groomsmen Turban
If you are wearing a sherwani in floral pastels or in neutral tones like ivory or cream, such a mint green safa would look really classy. The paisley kalgi features rose quartz stones and is attached to golden bead malas. The addition of the white feather brings out the beauty and uniqueness of the mint green shade. Buy it here.
20. For Neutral Looks
The groom in neutrals – this is a raging trend of the year! Oftentimes, white or off-white turbans look pretty stereotypical or even boring with neutral tone sherwanis. Instead go for unconventional neutral tones like khaki! The fabric here has a golden-beige undertone. It is studded with a kundan kalgi with gold bead strings. Get it here.
Turban Trivia #3
Tying a turban is a difficult job! Sometimes, the turban cloth can be up to 82 feet long! If you want to test your turban tying skills do visit the famous Camel fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Apart from other activities, it is also known for its turban tying competition!
21. Dusky Chartreuse Safa
Safas of unconventional pastel shades not only complement all kinds of sherwanis but also never fail to make a statement! This dusky chartreuse color is so unique, it is sure to inspire! With a peach or pink floral sherwani it will look gorgeous. The droplet kalgi, stone and gold bead work, the feather – make it look even more stunning! Buy it here.
22. The Cream Tone Pheta Style Safa
This is a cult classic – a cream tone pheta style turban with absolutely zero embellishment and just a dainty ornament! The paisley kalgi features amber colored stones that contrast and complement the neutral cream color of the fabric. This would go well with any outfit. Get it here.
Turban Trivia #4
The Maharashtrian pheta is said to have originated in Kolhapur – Maharashtra’s historical capital – at the time of the Chhatrapati Shivaji himself. The pheta bears a strong resemblance to the Peshwa crown of that era.
23. Peals and Pinks Turban
Nude pink is one of the most sophisticated colors ever! It goes with every shade and especially with colors that comprise the ethnic wedding wear palette – gold, red, maroon etc. This safa is in such a beautiful shade. The color is complemented by the elegant pearl strings attached to the kundan kalgi. Get it here.
24. Contrast of Greens
If you are looking for an unconventionally toned or slightly bright toned safa, you can go for this one! In a bright lime green shade, it is truly different from traditional turbans! Such a color goes really well with shades like yellow, pink, peach or white! Such a turban will look good in any day time function! Moreover, the emerald stones studded in the paisley kalgi beautifully contrast the lime green color. Get it here.
25. Salmon Pink Ombre Safa
Pastel pinks like salmon are totally in vogue! This unique shade of pink is being complemented by the amber toned stones studded on the paisley kalgi and the blush blink pearls that form strings with golden beads. Buy it here.
Turban Trivia#5
The Mysore turban or Mysuru Petas were first worn by the Wodeyar kings. The kings wore petas made from rich silk fabric and embellished with precious stones, real pearls and zari made from real gold.
What a Turban Stands for?
Turbans, traditionally symbolize a man’s standing and position in the society! It’s a mark of respectability, prosperity and a powerful personality. Some say that in ancient times, the turban of an individual was an identification of his caste, creed, religion and sect. In those times, turbans, sometimes, also indicated the individual’s village or town. In some regions experiencing extreme climatic conditions, like Rajasthan, the turban was also used as a protection from the scorching sun and unbearable heat.
Accessories and Embellishments on the Groom’s Turban
A turban for the wedding ceremony, or other wedding related occasions, is not the same as a turban for everyday use! A wedding turban is more royal in its look! It comes in rich silk or brocade weaves with zari borders running all around. It may be embellished! It may also come with separate accessories. The sarpech is a very common turban ornament. It is like an ornate brooch in a specific shape and is said to have Mughal origins. The sarpech may be accompanied by feathers. It is usually worn on the front of the turban, right at the centre.
The kalgi or kalangi is another turban ornament. It has a specific shape and is studded with precious and semi-precious stones most of the time. These may be placed at one side of the turban and also in the centre. Sometimes, these brooch-like ornaments are accompanied by moti malas or gold chains that extend from the centre or side of the turban to the other sides. The pheta style turbans have a pleated, half-umbrella shaped piece of stiff fabric attached at the top, which stands at almost right angles on the turban!
Why Opt for a Pre-stitched Turban?
Tying a turban is not cake walk! Depending on the draping style and type of the turban the length of the cloth varies. Nowadays, not everyone is not well acquainted with the correct way of draping a turban. A clumsy drape surely will destroy the whole look of the groom. Plus, opting for the hassle of tying a turban during the rush just before the wedding, is not a clever thing to do. It is always wiser to opt for pre-stitched and pre-tied turbans that can be easily worn and taken off, just like a hat.
At GetEthnic, we have pre-draped groom’s turbans of every possible style, shade, design or embellishment. Some of those you have already seen in this blog. Moreover, if you want a customized turban to match your sherwani or if you have a particular preference or design in mind, just let us know! We can easily get it made and customized for you!
