11 Best Shopping Places In Gujarat

In India, Gujarat is considered to be one of the best places for shopping, as you get to choose from arrays of crafts and textiles. Even the most reluctant of shoppers will find it impossible to resist picking up beautiful handmade fabrics, woven shawls and rugs, intricately patterned beadwork and mirror work, tie and dye scarves, shawls, clothes and unusual tribal silver jewelry. Gujarat is a place that has got worldwide recognition for its traditional handicraft items. The exuberant shopping places of Gujarat are simply irresistible. You will be bound to pick something or the other, as a memory of your trip. You will surely be spoilt for choice in Gujarat.

Some of Gujarat’s specialties are:

• Patola Silk Sarees
• Bandhnis and traditional Gagra-Cholis
• Embroidered, Appliquéd Quilts
• Bangles
• Khadi
• Jewelry
• Handlooms and Handicrafts

1. Law Garden Market, Ahmedabad: one of the best places to buy Gujarati traditional wear. The market sells a wide variety of the famous mirror work clothing and textiles that Gujarat is famous for. Most of the clothes are made in Rann of Kutch area. The Bead & mirror-work is all done by hand, and is quite exquisite.

2. Lal Darwaja, Ahmedabad: Lal Darwaza is the much crowded place with lots of hawkers selling various items, such as from clothes to electronics. It is the most popular and busiest shopping hub in the city. One can buy sarees, gents and children garments, shoes, Chaniya choli, books, wallets and many more.

3. Dhalgarward /Teen Darwaja, Ahemdabad: Dhalgarwad is famous for its traditional garments, sarees, dress material, Chaniya choli and others at very reasonable rates. One must be aware of the low quality materials. One can find a diverse variety of clothing at Dhalgarwad. Woodcraft of Surat, Kutch and Saurashtra is quite popular and easily available at Teen Darwaza.

 4. Sindhi Market, Ahemedabad: Sindhi Market is another very famous place for shopping sarees, bed sheets, dresses, dress materials and traditional items. Revdi Bazaar is a famous textile market place nearby for shopping lovers.

5. Rander Road, Surat: Rander Road is known for its clothes in Surat. The market is always found bustling with both tourists and locals day in and day out.

6. Ring Road, Surat: Ring Road Market is frequently visited by not only the locals, but also visitors and tourists. You can get fashionable clothes, along with the traditional ones here

7. New Textiles, Surat: The textile market in Surat exports its beautifully ornamented saris to the Middle East countries. The international market demands more improvisations in the designs of the saris. New trends in the design of Zari embroidered, kinari work, gold or silver brocade. Saris are being introduced to capture the increasing demand of the saris in the international markets.

8. Rajkot: Rajkot is the 4th largest urban city of Gujarat. It is the fastest growing cities of the world with its impending industries and trade sector. The city is famous for its embellishing mirror and bead work, patch work, silk embroidery, Meenakari furniture, jewelry, bangles and watch parts. Traditional community gold and silver smiths displaying their wares can be seen here in Bangadi bazaar.

9. Bangadi Bazaar, Rajkot: Bangadi Bazaar a unique experience to shop in here taking you in narrow lanes, hundreds of tiny shops which are indistinguishable from each other. You will find glass bangles of every color and price range here in Komal Handicraft on main road. Beautiful peacock, lotuses and fish head enameled with Moti designed at super cheap rate.

10. Jamnagar: Apart from the tie and dyes saris, shopping in Jamnagar will divert your attention towards manufactured articles such as paperweights made from agate, bangles decked out in brass, beetle nut crackers, Kajal, Kumkum, Surma, and brass enclosed wooden torsos whose prettiness will blow your mind. In short, shopping in Jamnagar is an out of the world experience in itself and the hurly-burly enclosing the studded shops augments the spirit of buying.

Shopping in Gujarat is an enchanting experience within itself. Shopping from the roadside vendor is also a fun experience, as you often find fantastic items at a good bargain. One of the best gifts that can be bought from Ahmedabad to take home is the superb variety of sweets. Gujarat’s popular sweets like monthal, Boondi, Ladoo, Maghaz, Masoor, sukhdi, Rajkot and Bhavnagari Pedas and Surat’s ghari stay for longer and can be carried through longer journeys. List of things on what to buy in Gujarat is endless. But, people certainly have a memorable time here.

Where to buy Bridal Lehengas in Ahmedabad : With Photos & Info !

Our readers are kind of like our "Local Genies". They scout for the hottest stores in their city, that unheard of makeup artist who is doing a great job or that photographer who only the locals know and then send in their little tips to us. Our local genie for Ahmedabad is Mily - who put together this FANTASTIC article about where to buy bridal lehengas in that city ! I had NO idea Ahmedabad has so much to offer- some of these pieces look absolutely gorgeous !

Mily :  "Ahmedabad is a city of craft. It is a city where you will find stunning Sabysasachi creations, right alongside Sabyasachi inspired creations. And while most of the WMG readers might be from Mumbai, Delhi and the like, I am sure there must be a few hapless girls from Ahmedabad who come to WMG looking for something which they can find in their own city. So here is presenting the ultimate bridal guide for Ahmedabad!

1)    Élan Couture: - it stocks Sabyasachi: D When I came across this piece of info, I just couldn’t believe my ears. It is a multi-designer store stocking Sabyasachi, Nikasha, and other designers. They also get you any design from the designer which is not available at their store. This store is listed in the official stores on Sabyasachi website! Address: Élan The Fashion Store, Hill Plaza, Opposite Sears Tower Gulbai Tekra, Ellisbridge , Ahmedabad - 380015.

2)    The Wardrobe Theorem: - Another Multi designer store stocking Anamika Khanna, Rohit Bal, Nidhi Tholia, Babita Malkani, Vivek Kuma, Anupama Dayal, Kashvi Shah, Kiran-Meghna, Dolly J and Hemant -Nandita. Address: Shree Balaji Paragon, Nr. Hotel Rock Regency, Chimanlal Girdharlal Rd, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad.

3)    Avakasa:- Multi- designer collective store featuring Manish Arora, Jaya Misra, Soumitra Mondal , Sougat Paul ,Rimi Nayak, Myra lucknow, Zari Gotta Jaipur ,Risso , Garo , and many more. Avakasa also houses exclusive designer jewellery from Outhouse, luxury couture bags by Meera Mahadevia and handcrafted designer footwear . Address-18, Samkeet Bunglows, BH The Grand Bhagwati, Athithi Restaurant Lane ,Opp. Jupiter Tower, Off S.G. Highway, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad.

4)    Shyamal & Bhumika:- If you are looking out for some stunning Maharaja and maharani Kind Bridal Wear, this Duo is hands down the best bridal designers. They are very famous and have an exclusive store just in Ahmedabad. Address: 1, Aashkha (ground floor), Next to H.C.G (Medisurge) hospital, Mithakali, Ahmedabad.

1)    Darshi Shah & Bhavin Trivedi: - Another Designer duo from Ahmedabad. They make stunning Wedding lehengas and sarees. Their Lehengas start from 30000 and go up. Address:- 12B, Judges Bungalows Road, Mahavir Nagar society, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

2)    Asopalav: This store has really beautiful anarkalis, Lehengas and Sarees in all ranges possible. It can be called a “as good as designer” store but without labels. The Lehengas start form 5000 and go up to 100000. They have gorgeous bridal wear in almost every range from 15000 to 100000. Address:- Asopalav House, 132 Ft, Ring Road, Satellite, Ahmedabad.

3.) Anoli Shah: A local Ahmedabad designer who has managed to make her name on the global scene, Anoli Shah's studio is full of yum colors, and beautiful, interesting silhouettes. A definite must visit on your trip to Ahmedabad

3)    Shakuntal Haat:- A bride should feel like a maharani on her wedding day and this store makes you feel just that! They are famous for their rajwadi Jacket Lehengas and other Rajwadi era bridal lehengas. Shop No : 24, Shangrilla Arcade, Near Shyamal Cross Road, 100 Feet Rd, Satellite, Shyamal, Ahmedabad,

4)    Aishwarya design studios- This is a store with pan India presence and has lehengas starting from 9000 to 150000. They have beautiful sarees, lehengas and other bridal collections and price wise has a wide range to suit everybody. Address: - Aishwarya House, Iskcon Circle, S.G.Highway, Ahmedabad.

5)    Vasansi Jaipur Saree Kendra: - this shop is like a candy land for brides. You will the most colorful and stunning sarees, lehengas and skirts here. The sarees are utterly gorgeous with the most stunning work. Address:- Platinum plaza, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad.

6)    Paras:- It is a store with a pretty good collection of lehengas, anarkalis and sarees. The good thing about these stores is that they have all types and ranges of bridal wear. Address: Paras Saree Sadan, Platinum Plaza, Judges Bungalow Road, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad.

7)    Deepkala silk Heritage: - A must visit store for silk sarees and the traditional Gujarati red & white panetar sarees. Address : Deepkala House, Near Municipal Market, Chimanlal Girdharlal Rd, Mithakali, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad,

8)    Nalli: - It is the very famous south Indian chain of silk sarees and other chanderi cotton and chiffon sarees. A permanent destination in the itinerary of south Indian brides. Address: Abhinav Arcade (Next to Kothawala Flats), Ashram Road, Pritam Nagar, Ellis Bridge.

9)    Bandhej: - Being in Gujarat and not buying bandhani sarees is a crime. For the finest and the most gorgeous bandhani sarees, head over to Bandhej. Address:-  Shreekrishna Centre, Navrangpura.

10)    Shibori: - For readymade blouses for every occasion, head over to shibori. In case of an emergency where blouses don’t fit properly or give way, this is the best solution. They have gorgeous maharani blouses which are half sewn. Address: - Alpha one mall, Ahmedabad.

This finishes our readymade section. What about those brides who liked a stunning designer bridal piece but it is too expensive for their budget?? These two shops will give you every single thing you will need to DIY those lehengas or anarkalis.  You have to get the exact materials and borders and latkans and everything and just find a right tailor for it.

Anurag: It is the Mecca for fabrics. Everything from embroidered nets to organza to silks to zari, this shop will make you dizzy. I have even seen the exact material out of which Deepika’s blouses were made in Ram leela. It is situated at CG road.

Anuroop: - While that is the Mecca, this is the 4 dhaam for you. Apart from all the fabrics, this store has the most gorgeous borders you will ever find. It is also at CG road. All the designers and NIFT & NID students shop for their fabrics and borders from here.

For the street market lovers, there is old city. An area called kalupur which has a chunni market. Every material, every border, every work and every button and latkans, you will find here in pennies. If I have to give you an example, I bought a fuchsia raw silk in new city for 650 a meter and I found the same fuchsia raw silk for 120 a meter in kalupur so you can get the idea! It is a chaotic place and there are a 1000 shops crammed into a small area. So please don’t go there if you are expecting AC shops and personal salesmen. You yourself have to ask for specific fabrics and they will give you. And don’t go there alone if you are new to the city. Take someone with you who is a local! Once you are there with a local, it is a whole khazana of bridal goodness!

I hope these sums up Ahmadabad in terms of all things bridal!

WEDDING SHOPPING? 10 STORES IN MUMBAI YOU NEED TO HIT RIGHT NOW

It’s that time of the year again. A time when everyone you know is getting married, it’s the wedding season. If you’re a bride or the sister or friend of the bride and are looking for places to shop for your wedding outfits then we’ve got you covered. Here are the top 10 places where you’ve got to stop by on your wedding shopping spree.

1. Bawree: This chain of stores has three branches all over Mumbai. You can find the most amazing lehengas and dresses for the bride or the bridal party here. The prices start from Rs.3000 and can go up to Rs.50,000.

2. Nalli: If traditional sarees is what you’re looking for then this is the place to be. You can find a range of sarees from all over the country here. The prices range from Rs.18,000 and can go upto Rs.30,000 and more.

3. Kalki: If you’re looking for designer wear, then Kalki is the best place to be. This place has the most unique lehengas and gowns for both the bride and the whole bridal party. Prices start at Rs.10,000 and can go up to Rs.50,000 and more.

4. The Little Black Bow: This is THE place for you if you’re going for a vintage designer look for your wedding. With only one store in Mumbai you can rest assured that you will have the most unique lehenga in town. Prices start from Rs. 30,000 and can go up to Rs.60,000 and above.

5. Preeti’s Designer Studio: This little studio in Malad has the a collection of lehengas, gowns and dresses that are truly one of a kind. They even customize designs to fit your taste. Prices start from Rs.10,000 and up depending on your choice of dress.

6. Crawford Market: If you want to get your dress made from scratch, then this place has you covered. You can find the best fabrics in town here. You can even find costume jewellery and accessories like clutches and wedding footwear in the market at amazing whole sale prices.

7. Lokhandwala Market: This place is well-known throughout the city for being a star studded area, but you can also find amazing deals on fabrics for lehengas here. You can even find some of the best designer studios in this area.

8. Santacruz Market: The area just outside Santacruz railway station is a hub for wedding shoppers. This place does not only have clothes, accessories and jewellery for the bride, you can also find outfits for the groom here.

9. Natraj Market: This little market in Malad will take care of all your wedding outfit needs. From the best costume jewellery to the some of the best sarees and lehengas you can find it all here at a quite reasonable price.

10. Zaveri Bazaar: If jewellery is what you’re looking for then you need to visit this place. This is the biggest jewellery and diamond market in Mumbai and you can find the best deals here.

If you’re shopping for your wedding or your sister or friends wedding, you should definitely give all of these places a visit before you choose your final outfits for the big day.