Any conversation about Indian ethnic wear is incomplete without sarees. Worn by women in the Indian subcontinent for decades, the humble garment needs no introduction. With gender-fluid fashion gaining traction in mainstream media, many men are also embracing sarees and styling it their own way.
Sneaking into our mother’s wardrobe and trying on sarees has been a right of passage for many kids. The garment is an emotion and will always be attached to fun memories of festivals and weddings of loved ones. Heirloom sarees that have been passed on through generations are also some of the most cherished garments for many people. If you also love sarees and wish to recreate the same graceful looks you saw on your mother or aunts (or favourite celebrities), this wedding season will be the perfect occasion to do so.
1. Elegant and easy
Take inspiration from Bollywood divas like Sushmita Sen, Rekha, Priyanka Chopra, and Alia Bhatt. These actors have proved time and again (on and off screen!) that sarees can add a touch of elegance and grace like no other outfit. They create a classic silhouette, flatter your curves, and highlight all the right parts of your body. A big plus is that it can be styled in numerous ways. – keep it modest or turn up the heat. Sarees can adapt to your needs and you can customise them to your personal style. Wearing a saree also automatically gives you an elegant and refined posture.
2. The rich diversity of India
The rich cultural diversity of India adds a vast variation in regional outfits. This also means that there are countless ways to drape sarees. The most common is the Nivi drape, in which the saree is pleated and tucked at the waist and then draped over the shoulder. You can leave it open instead of pleating it at the top or bring the pallu in the front, showing off the intricate designs. There are several modern ways to drape sarees. From the pants-style saree draping to styling it with a jacket or a shirt, you can get several uses from a single saree and never get bored.
3. For the minimal fashionista
Weddings are a lavish affair and you must dress for the occasion without a doubt. Heavy outfits and adding bling to your outfit might seem like a compulsion but you can still choose to be minimal. Unless, of course, maximalism is your style. To keep it simple, go for light fabrics. Ideal fabric options include cotton, chiffon, crepe, and georgette. Attending a wedding that is being held outdoors during the summer can prove to be difficult and these fabrics will help you stay cool in even the most crowded rooms as they are breathable. We know what you’re thinking – these sarees look too simple! But trust us, a good quality saree in light fabrics will still give you an ethereal look. Pair them with your best jewellery set and some bangles and you are set to turn heads.
4. To Lehenga or not…
While there is an obvious argument to be made for wearing a lehenga to weddings, there are many cons as well. The first one is dealing with hot weather. Lehengas can get heavy and are mostly difficult to handle after a point. Imagine carrying 5 to 10 kg with you for the entire length of a wedding! You don’t want to sit in a corner all night just because you are too tired to move. Further, sarees are much easier to store. Even the most embellished sarees will not take up much space as compared to a lehenga. Sarees also tend to flatter a wide range of body types and can be draped to fit your curves. If you just can’t give up on the idea of wearing a lehenga to the wedding, sarees can actually be draped to give you the look of a lehenga while offering you the same comfort.
5. Wear it again – and again
You can get several uses out of a single saree. Wear it with different blouse combinations to get a completely different look each time. Not just blouses, you can style blazers, corsets, shirts, and even bralettes with your saree. You can also drape it to look like a lehenga and pair it with a dupatta. Further, there are multiple ways to drape the latest sarees. Take the pallu forward, put it back over the shoulder, leave it open, or pleat it up. There are many options out there for you to try out before you get bored of the garment. If you want to be creative, you can also change up the border and embroidery on your sarees to upgrade them once they have been worn a few times.
6. It does not end there…
There are a plethora of saree types, like Banarsi, Chanderi, Patola, Silk, Bandhani, and more. However, to oversimplify, sarees are just 6 or 9 yards of fabric. Once you are done wearing sarees the traditional way, you can consider repurposing them. Team up with your local tailor and convert it into an anarkali suit – use the different patterns on the pallu for the bodice and use the rest of the fabric for the rest. You can also get a blazer and matching bottoms, co-ord sets, kurtas, or tops made out of a saree. Indo-western dresses for kids are yet another option. Finally, simple cotton sarees can be turned into pillowcases, and add an ethnic edge to your bedding.
Elegance, grace, confidence, sustainability, and comfort – what more can one ask for? Sarees can be your best friend that you can rely on. Consider this a friendly reminder to ensure that your saree is draped snugly and all your safety pins are in place. Do a sitting test at home to make sure it’s comfortable. Also, remember to find out how to take care of your precious sarees as each will come with a set of instructions for washing and storage.
If you were on the fence about wearing sarees this wedding season, we hope this blog changes your mind!