Inside Ananya Panday’s Wardrobe: The Standout Looks That Made Her a Gen-Z Style Icon

Ananya Panday has been quietly stealing hearts ever since her Bollywood debut in 2019. And we don’t only mean on screen. Thanks to her girl-next-door candour, breezy confidence and that infectious energy (oh how we love it!), Ananya has built a style persona that feels refreshingly real in a world of red-carpet drama and couture overload.

At just 26, she’s fearless with fashion. One day, she’s rocking cool-girl streetwear; the next, she’s slipping into dreamy ethnic looks. From mixing and matching urban labels to becoming the first Indian global brand ambassador for Chanel, her style journey proves one thing: she is never hesitant about experimenting

What truly sets her apart? Her sense of fun woven into everything she wears. Whether it’s Gen-Z coded western wear or classic Indian ensembles, she brings a light-hearted charm that makes every outfit feel alive. And honestly, she could make even a slogan tee and denim shorts headline-worthy, just as effortlessly as she turns a heavily embellished bridal lehenga into a moment.

In short? If fashion had a personality, hers would be equal parts playful, polished and impossible to ignore.

From Girl Next Door to Fashion Favorite

It is fair to say that Ananya’s style grew with her is a full-blown glow-up story. She took it slow by kickstarting her sartorial journey with cropped tees, slogan shirts, mini skirts and jeans of every type imaginable.

Thereafter, she turned up the heat in a striking nude dress at the Vogue Women of the Year Awards in 2020 and her bubblegum-pink latex mini dress moment. Both of these head-turning fashion moments were proof that she was everything but shy when it comes to keeping her style game strong. Her wardrobe is a mixed bag of creations from designers such as Manish Malhotra, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, Amit Aggarwal, amongst others.

Let’s scroll through all the top designer moments she’s aced.

Ananya Panday’s Best Looks Through the Years That Cemented Her as a Style Star

Ananya Panday’s style evolution is a masterclass in balancing trendy, youthful pieces with timeless elegance. From red-carpet showstoppers to effortless off-duty outfits, she has consistently set fashion goals for Gen-Z and beyond.

Modern-Day Fairytale Bride in Rimple and Harpreet Narula Lehenga

Six years into her journey, Ananya continues to serve major fashion moments, especially in bridal wear. For a royal bridal look, only a creation by Rimple and Harpreet would do, and she wore it to perfection for a bridal editorial with a leading lifestyle magazine. Dressed in a red silk lehenga adorned with zardozi peacocks, floral motifs and vintage brocade patches, she looked every bit like a modern-day fairytale bride.

Ananya Panday Goes Galactic in Gaurav Gupta

Charming, exquisite and oh-so-pretty, Ananya’s sculpted Gaurav Gupta couture in silver hues is a visual delight. It reimagines party-wear with metallic strips, statement neckline and one-of-a-kind silhouette relaying the designer’s love for precision-led textile innovation.

Unlocking Mirror-Work Goals with Abhinav Mishra

You can always take cues from her when it comes to nailing a wedding guest look. At a celebrity wedding in 2020, she turned heads in a mirror-work lehenga by Abhinav Mishra, proving her love for timeless styles with a modern edge. Featuring an ivory organza base with a soft metallic sheen, a fully embellished blouse and a scalloped chiffon dupatta, the look was equal parts elegant and statement-making.

An Artistic Take on Tradition by Torani

Ahead of Kesari Chapter 2, Ananya Panday struck the perfect balance between tradition and trend in a Firoza Raasika saree by Torani. Crafted in fluid georgette, the nine-yard featured bold ochre florals, resham embroidery along the hem, and a striped orange-and-blue border—mirrored on her bralette straps. The sweetheart-neck top, dotted with mixed botanical prints, added a playful burst of colour to the look.

A Tarun Tahiliani Lehenga That Did All the Talking

Lehengas are a clear favorite with the young star; whether she is attending weddings or Diwali bash. Panday never leaves a stone unturned in making her appearance in statement-making numbers. Case in point: her black Tarun Tahiliani creation featuring multi-colored thread work.

Modern Warrior Glam in Anamika Khanna

At Lakme Fashion Week 2025, Panday stole the spotlight as Anamika Khanna’s showstopper in a striking blue-and-silver look. She paired a chain-detailed silver bralette, evocative of warrior armour. Panday elevated it with high-waisted flared blue pants rich in zari and embellishments, an effortless take on modern power dressing with a traditional edge.

Couture Craft Perfected in Organza by Ritu Kumar

At the NBT Utsav Awards 2024 in Mumbai, the actor stepped out in a drape from the designer’s then-unreleased Couture 2024 collection. The Pitch Patch sari by Ritu Kumar in featherlight organza showcased archival floral and architectural prints from the house’s archives, finished with a soft vintage tint and delicate aari–zardozi gold embroidery.

All Eyes on This Black and Red Rohit Bal Masterpiece

At the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI grand finale, Ananya Panday closed Rohit Bal’s comeback show as the showstopper in a signature black lehenga with bold red rose motifs. The velvet skirt was paired with a bralette and a cape-style jacket, finished with hand-embroidered borders and grid-pattern florals—an elegant nod to the couturier’s iconic noir romance, perfect for the festive season.

This Pearl Box Mini Dress by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Was Everything

Ananya Panday’s Instagram may oscillate between effortless off-duty style and high-glam moments, but her look at the GQ Style Awards firmly belonged to the latter. Styled by Priyanka Kapadia Badani, she turned the red carpet into a jewel box in an Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla pearl-encrusted mini. From the designer’s Pearl collection, the sculpted silhouette featured sharp shoulders Furthermore, it features cascading beaded tassels, every inch shimmering with hand-embroidered pearls.

Festive Gold, The Manish Malhotra Way

Embracing a fresh take on Indian festive glamour, Ananya stepped out in a gold, heavily embellished fishtail skirt and blouse by Manish Malhotra for the Diwali celebration at the designer’s residence. Styled by Priyanka Kapadia, her ensemble felt like the ultimate sangeet-day inspiration—bold, luminous, and perfectly in tune with the modern Gen-Z bride’s love for statement style.

Modern Maharani in Punit Balana

Embodying a modern maharani, Ananya Panday took centre stage as Punit Balana’s muse for his 10-year milestone showcase. She dazzled in a ‘gulabi gulal’ silk lehenga, detailed with the designer’s signature Chaandi Tille Ka Kaam, inspired by Sheesh Mahal and Rajasthani mirror work. Lightweight yet opulent, the look perfectly blended royal craft with contemporary ease.

Saree, But Make It Sculptural ft. Amit Aggarwal

Never one to play it safe with fashion, Panday is known for pushing the boundaries of traditional style with a contemporary lens. Though she gravitates towards ethnic wear, she loves giving it a fresh spin—evident in her custom Amit Aggarwal Banarasi pre-draped saree. With its fluid draped skirt, precise pleating, and a show-stealing pallu detailed with sculpted folds and an artistic knot, the ensemble perfectly captured modern Indian elegance with a couture edge.

Scarlet Served to Perfection in An Embellished Arpita Mehta Saree

Just like pink, red clearly has a special place in her wardrobe. In 2023, she was on a roll serving one stunning red look after another — making festive dressing look effortless and chic. One standout was a hand-embroidered red sari by Arpita Mehta, detailed with mirror, kasab and cutdana work, paired with a full-sleeve embellished blouse and a stone-studded choker for the perfect finishing touch.

A Case for Pink Done Right in Anita Dongre Bandhani Lehenga

Ananya has always had a soft spot for pink. Nonetheless, her wardrobe proves it. From powdery pastels to bold bubblegum tones, the colour keeps making repeat appearances in her style diary. One such standout moment was her stunning bandhani lehenga by Anita Dongre, kept refreshingly minimal and free of heavy embellishments.

Steal Ananya Panday’s Style: Best Picks to Buy at Aza

Ritika Mirchandani Net Crystal-Embroidered Lehenga Saree Set

This crystal-detailed lehenga saree set delivers effortless glamour with its fluid drape and all-over shimmer, making it ideal for weddings, sangeets, and festive soirées.