Which is that one Indian garment that exudes elegance and grace in spite of having endured the fickle ways of fashion? The answer ought to be the sensuous, saree. While fashion designers have experimented with and continue their innovations with the six-yard ensemble in a variety of ways, the saree still remains one of the oldest surviving outfits in the world. Uncountable variations for draping sarees already exist; from the traditional Maharashtrian ‘annauvari’ style to the ‘kodagu’ style with pallu tucked neatly in the front over the shoulder and saree pleats pushed backwards or the ‘kunbi’ drape from Goa, where the saree is wrapped around the waist and knotted over the right shoulder.
Decades ago, the saree was amongst the staple wardrobe choices of Indian women. Indian women, draped in this exquisite six yards, performed all the household chores, went shopping and attended all the functions and festivals. But, today, the saree is reserved only for certain occasions. Times have changed as well as fashions. Several fashion designers such as Masaba Gupta, Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi, Nida Mahmood, etc. are constantly reinventing the innovative drape with unusual blouses, built-in cholis, and other such striking designs.
If you too want to flaunt the six-yard wonder, there are tonnes of ways to give it a modern avatar. Given below are a few interesting ways to rock the saree by draping it like a true style pro:
- Ditch the traditional blouse for a crop top: Amp up your fashion quotient by pairing a funky crop top with your saree. Choose from polka dotted prints or monochrome colours and Aztec prints and flaunt your midriff in these hot picks. You can also switch to peplums and embrace the saree to make heads turn.
- Top it with jackets or shirts: Spark off the fashionista in you by sporting an embroidered, velvet, denim, or collared jacket with saree. Also try coverall jackets and sheer printed shirts to look trendy in a saree. Pick a heavily embroidered jacket and team it with a plain saree or a collared jacket like the Victorian ruffled high collar style to dazzle in this traditional attire.
- Belt your saree: Using the right belt can make you look classy in a saree. Look for a metal waist belt or an embellished one in leather or fabric that can be worn a little above your waistline. Belts can give the saree a perfect structure and hold your pleats in place. The belt can act as a good friend and save the pallu from sliding off as well.
- Ditch the saree petticoat: Team your saree with a pair of palazzos, dhoti pants or jeans to sport a modern look. Traditionally, a saree is draped over a petticoat, but play it up with these combinations to make a magical statement.
- Give away kancheepuram silk or georgette and go denim: Recently, actress Sonam Kapoor pulled off an unconventional look with élan in a denim saree with a belt. Instead of going for the regular saree fabrics like georgette and kancheepuram silk, try different fabrics and make a style statement of your own.