Mastering Ethnic Style with Sarees

The saree is six yards of elegance, grace and tradition that is a staple in an Indian woman’s wardrobe. It is the traditional dress of India with variations in draping style across the length and width of the country. Each region is famous for different kinds of traditional sarees. A saree can vary between from 5 to 9 yards but one thing remains constant, a classic saree never goes out of style. It is pleated and wrapped around the waist with one end, ‘the pallu’ draped beautifully over the shoulder. There is no other garment that works so effortlessly for any occasion. A saree is so easy to dress up or down, make it look traditional or modern, street-style or red-carpet worthy.

There are as many sarees as there are occasions to wear them. Here are a few tips on how to pick the right saree for the occasion.

1. To look like a boss

For a professional look, choose classic sarees in natural fabrics, solid colors, stripes, and geometric prints. Stay away from anything delicate like florals, drapey fabrics, sheer fabrics, and anything with too much embellishment, embroidery, or bling.

My personal favorites for office wear are traditional weaves in handloom cotton, linen, raw silk, cotton silk, and tussar in block prints, stripes & self weaves in an earthy color palette of rust, tans, mustard, maroons, navy blue, deep greens besides white, grey and black.

BONUS TIP – Style your saree with a collared shirt style blouse or a coordinated jacket to climb up on the visual authority scale. Depending on the occasion, you can choose to wear minimal gold or platinum jewellery or create a statement with some traditional antique silver designs. Just remember that in the office, it is you that needs to shine, not your outfit.

2. To look and feel romantic

Choose sarees in light colors that remind you of the beauty of nature. Floral and leaf prints, hand painted designs and delicate embroidery on flowing fabrics like chiffon, georgettes, and organza work wonders to create the feminine mood. This look is perfect when you want to look pretty and feminine for a dinner date or perhaps day function.

My top choices would be floral organza, lace, embroidered net, Chikankari, chiffon Leheriya or sequinned georgette sarees in baby blue, pink, pistachio green, blush nude, ethereal whites, buttercup yellow.

BONUS TIP - Style the saree with an off shoulder or strappy crop top, a blouse with a sheer back and delicate pearl or precious stone chandelier earrings.

3. For Indian Ethereal Beauty

Occasions such as Karwachauth, Diwali, weddings and poojas call for traditional grace in heirloom weaves like Banarasi, Kanjeevaram, Jamdani, Kasavu, Patola, Nauvari and Baluchari sarees.

My go-to choice for traditional looks are rich Banarasi brocades, Jamdani sarees or sarees with traditional embroidery like Zardozi, Gota Patti or Phulkari in vibrant shades of pink, red, peacock blue, deep yellow and violet. Opt for classic styling with time-honored gold jewellery.

BONUS TIP - Style up a traditional saree with a contrast blouse in embroidered fabric. Add accessories like a Maangtika, ornate bangles, Paayal and toe rings to complete the look.

4. Red Carpet Ready

A woman in a saree can undoubtedly make heads turn. However, to create additional dramatic flair, turn to the red carpet for inspiration. Indian divas have created thoughtful statements in every version of the saree from floral georgettes, traditional silks to contemporary drapes. This fluid drape lends itself beautifully to your own personal interpretation, from classical culture to globally modern.

Choose bold statements in colour, bling or accessories. Take a cue from the likes of Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone or Kangana Ranaut who have worn their sarees with capes, corsets, belts and jewelled collars. The ruffle saree, the saree with feathers and the tuxedo saree, all add the right drama to your look. Gold, ivory and black have a special place in dramatic style. Drape a dupatta with your saree for a double pallu, wear it with opera gloves or take inspiration from the ever stylish Rekha Ji and go full traditional.

BONUS TIP - My current favourite red carpet worthy saree looks are Falguni & Shane’s interpretation feathered, sequinned interpretation of the saree in nude colors, the golden draped saree gowns by Tarun Tahiliani and the Sabyasachi saree with veil worn by Katrina at her wedding.

5. For the saree newbie

If you’re a saree novice, don’t despair. You can start on your saree journey with the many options of pre-draped sarees, trouser sarees and saree skirts which are all on-trend right now. However, if you do want to go down the conventional route, here are a few tips. First, choose a light-weight saree made of a material that isn’t too slippery. Medium-weight georgette, organza, Chanderi and lightweight silks are all great options. Second, learn how to drape a saree or get a professional to drape it for you. And third, don’t be scared! A saree, once draped properly and secured with a couple of safety pins is a very comfortable garment to wear.

BONUS TIP: Get some practice walking around in a saree and learn to manage your pallu before you wear a saree to an important occasion so you feel confident on D-day. A slight heel is always a good idea while wearing a saree.

So you see, whatever your personal style, whatever the occasion, the right Saree will always ensure you are looking and feeling your best.

To round up, here’s a quick look at some of the options available to choose from