The most iconic Bollywood costumes and ensembles: From Meena Kumari to Madhuri Top Ten Looks: Sridevi to Kareena

 

Sridevi in and as Chandni (1989)
Outfit by Neeta Lulla

 

Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994)
Outfit by Anna Singh

 

Juhi Chawla in Hum Hain Rahi Pyare Ke (1993) 
Outfit by Neeta Lulla 

Rekha in Utsav (1984) 
Costume by Leena Daru

Mumtaz in the film Brahmachari (1968)
Outfit by Academy Award winning designer Bhanu Athiya 

Aishwarya Rai in Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam (1999)
All outfits and jewellery by Neeta Lulla 

Parveen Babi in Namak Halaal (1982) 
Outfit by Xerxes Bhathena

Meena Kumari in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)
Outfits by Bhanu Athiya

When it comes to Bollywood fashion, people tend to throw around the word "iconic" a little too loosely. Not everything is iconic. It has become the laziest go-to term for social media hacks - a habit that has now spilled over into print media as well. Sloppy writing at its finest.Well, at its worst really. 

These outfits, however, are genuinely memorable. One glance and you instantly know exactly which actress wore it, in which film, and often during which song. Here are just a handful of truly unforgettable looks as the leading ladies of Indian cinema. 

Manish Malhotra's Bollywood clothes... needs its own separate list. Neeta Lulla in the 90s, Bhanu's classics and the underrated Xerxes... who dazzled - literally. He was a bit too keen on the glitter and sequins. But it worked - embellishments and over the top outfits were the rage of the 70s and 80s... 

Now there are too many fashion and style awards - but for decades, heck perhaps a century, the designer and tailor was not appreciated. Many left uncredited. When you think of a Nargis gown, Rekha sari, Sadhana's embroidered sari - does the name of the maker come to mind immediately?! No. Manish - with Rangeela - led the way when his role in the movie - behind the seams - just HAD to be acknowledged.

There are certain films that you can watch just for the visuals  

Urmila in Rangeela (1995)
All outfits by Manish Malhotra

Kareena Kapoor in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum (2001)
All outfits by Manish Malhotra