Saree

Elegant Sarees for the Quintessential Indian Woman

Sarees are the epitome of grace and glamour, allowing every woman draping the six yards of stunning fabric to have a red carpet moment of her own every single time. Each square inch of a saree is woven by skilled craftsmen drawing inspiration from regional landscapes, flora, fauna, and art. A sari is typically six metres long but could extend to nine metres for certain traditional drapes such as the South Indian madisar style or Maharashtrian kasta style.

The Long History of Sarees 

The Indian saree has been around for over 5,000 years and finds mention in several ancient texts of the Indus Valley Civilization (2800 to 1800 BC). Back in the day, women wore a three-piece garment called ‘sattika’ from where the sari is said to have evolved. The three-piece ensemble included a dhoti-like garment, a chest band, and a veil worn over the shoulder.

Several centuries later, the Indian sari is entrenched in our culture and has evolved over time with each region producing a unique design and draping style of its own. Today, there are more than 80 draping styles, not including myriad indo-western styles that are a rage on social media.

Types of Sarees Crafted Across the Country

There is no dearth for creativity and diversity in India, both of which are showcased in plenty of regional saris that do not fail to charm every saree fanatic. Each regional design has a history and has evolved over centuries to bring forth a mesmerising collection of sarees online.

Here are descriptions about a handful of sari types that you could lay your hands on, on the Nalli online shopping website.

• Kanchipuram

A rich traditional saree woven purely from mulberry silk thread, Kanchipuram saris are crafted in the Kanchipuram region of Tamil Nadu. The borders and pallus are beautifully intertwined with authentic zari sourced from Gujarat.

• Banarasi 

The Indian bride’s trousseau is incomplete without a Banarasi sari. These are pure silk saris designed by weavers in Varanasi with eloquent gold or silver brocade. The fine silk is adorned with intricate designs inspired by Mughal art and architecture.

• Chanderi

You will come by gorgeous Chanderi sarees in a town of the same name within Madhya Pradesh that is known for its handloom industry. These saris are woven with a blend of silk and cotton with geometric motifs made of zari woven close together.

• Pochampally

Pochampally is a saree style from Telangana that follows the Ikat form of weaving that comprises geometric designs in heavenly colour combinations. The Pochampally saris of today showcase bright modern colours while keeping the style rooted in its originality.

• Paithani

Paithani sarees originate from a town named Paithan in Maharashtra. These handmade saris were initially made in cotton and are now woven in silk. Oblique square designs and peacock designs for the pallu are the characteristics of this much-loved sari category.

• Georgette

Georgette as a fabric has evolved from being made previously from thin silk yarns to a blend of several fibres such as polyester, nylon, viscose, satin, etc. It has grown to become a treasured material for sarees owing to its lightweight, flowy nature that wraps around the body perfectly.

• Soft Silk

Soft silk is the perfect fusion of conventional and modern style. The use of minimal zari makes the fabric light and soft while maintaining its natural radiance. All in all, these saris drape gracefully and look classy.

How to Style Sarees?

The most common of the 80-odd saree drape styles is the Nivi style that has its origins in the Deccan region. This draping style is simple, comfortable, and traces a lean silhouette that women love to don. This particular drape was born out of the need for Indian women to fit into a British-dominated society of the time while maintaining an Indian identity.

Cut to several hundred years later; the drape is worn in style at fashion shows, movies, international red carpet events, weddings, parties, and college events.

Besides the drape style, here are a few things to keep in mind while styling a saree:

• Early Morning Events

Pastel or light shades work best for early morning meetings or family events. Linen, silk cotton, chiffon and the like would add a dressy appeal to your look. Team your saree up with elegant pearls or kundan earrings to add that extra dazzle to your outfit.

The pastel shade look does justice to family events, but an early morning wedding would call for rich Kanchipuram or Banarasi sarees, especially for the bride and her mother. The wedding saree can be punctuated with a statement choker and earrings, and an elegant long chain.

• Mid-Day Meetings

You can take your saree game up a notch with mid-day events and choose a silk number on the slightly dark side of the colour spectrum. An orange, red, green or blue saree in silk, cotton silk, or any silk blend would look classy at any mid-day event or meeting. For an outdoor event, sarees with complementary embroidery, lacework or sequined borders would add magic to an otherwise simple saree vibe. Complete the look with modest studs and a neckpiece of your choice. 

• Evening Parties

At evening parties, do not hesitate to go all out and pick bold dark hues with heavy embroidery and embellishments, prominent yet elegant motifs, and regal borders. Modesty is no option when it comes to a party wear saree. What suits best at a cocktail party is a black saree in silk, or even georgette, paired with a trendy blouse, layered neckpiece, and dark red lip colour.

Buy Sarees Only on Nalli

Nalli boasts of an exquisite collection of silk, cotton silk, georgette, chiffon, crepe, linen, and jute saris in prints, embroidery, zari, kanta work, dual-tone and so on. From everyday wear to festive wear, Nalli has everything you need to build a wardrobe that suits your taste and lifestyle. 

The many decades of experience in the industry give this brand an edge - offering original designs in sarees. Buy sarees online on the Nalli shopping website, and we promise you, you will seek out reasons to wear your latest buy.