Do you feel that some sarees make you look thin and others add on kilos? Jainee Gandhi explains how to choose the best saree for your body.
Sarees have been around for a very long time and yet they get invented, reinvented, recreated and redefined. What makes the saree so popular and appealing?
The saree is a wonderful creation. It gives that sensuous touch, feminine appeal and gives the wearer an absolute ladylike feel. A special spark and charm. Almost every Indian bride, no matter how modern she thinks she is, has a saree as a part of her trousseau.
Do you wonder why some sarees make you look thin, and some make you look as if you have put on a couple of kilos? If you choose the fabric wisely, it will drape well on your body and compliment your curves.
Just follow the basic guidelines below on how to choose the best saree for your body.
Sarees for social & informal occasions
- If you are slim and below your weight range then wear a cotton saree, tissue saree, cotton silk or brocade saree. Basically, the fabric of the saree should be a little heavy so that it makes you look healthy.
- Choose a well-fitted petticoat. If you have broad shoulders, make very simple blouses.
- If you are on the healthier side or have a bit of thickness at the waist, then you should wear georgette, chignon or chiffon sarees. This will make you look attractive and appear slimmer.
- Choose your sari blouse wisely. If your bust is also heavy, don’t opt for halter blouses or very deep necklines. Women with a thick waist should avoid net sarees. Choose medium motifs or designs for your saree.
- Net and lace sarees are very delicate in appearance. But, if teamed up with inappropriate blouse styles, they can look very messy.
- Sarees fit with ease since it is not cut nor tailored for any particular size. So it is important to drape the saree well. The border draping should be in line. The Gujarati draping makes the lower body look heavy, so people with a heavy waistline should avoid it.
- The kind of blouse style you choose is very important. Halter’s, noodle straps, backless are best used for a party kind of scenario while for a traditional occasion use a more conservative style. For example, if you like halter necks, get a deep shoulder set stitched.
- Like blouses, petticoats also play an important role. For a net saree, you cannot use a cotton petticoat. Here are the types of petticoats that go with each type of saree.
- Net Saree: Satin, Brocade or shimmery material petticoat
- Brocade Saree: Satin / Pliable material
- Cotton Saree: Cotton Petticoat
- Silk Saree: Cotton Petticoat
Sarees for professional wear
- For professionals who prefer a saree to work, there are excellent choices in cotton and silks. Choose geometric or abstract borders, and keep the length of the borders from 1 inch to a maximum of 3 inches.
- In professional wear, always keep the saree and blouse simple. Have collars on your blouse to amp up your authority level or at least have 1/2 to 3/4th sleeves. Keep the net and chiffon sarees for informal occasions.
- Drape your saree well. The kind of drapes used by flight attendants and hotel industry is the best example. Always pin the saree at the proper places. When you are at work, you don’t want people to gawk inappropriately and get a wrong impression.
Reinvent your old sarees
Redesign your old sarees in a couple of different ways, but get a good tailor to do it, and have a proper vision of what exactly you want to do.
- Use your old saris and lehengas with Kalis or panels and transform them into beautiful Anarkali gowns. The sari borders can be used as a beautiful border on the bottom of the Anarkali gown and used to detail the dupatta.
- Get an old silk saree and stitch it into a jacket style suit, with contrasting silk cigarette pants or straight pants. If it’s a printed saree, put some Swarovski stones on the neckline and sleeves.
- For a dressy or party look, team it up with matching stone studded sandals and a gorgeous clutch bag.
- If your saree fabric is too fancy for you to use as a salwar kameez, then use it as cover-ups for bed or make fancy throw pillows.
By the way, did you know, in the early days, people of both sexes wore the saree? It became more refined, adjustable and in tune with the gender needs of men and women.
With the passage of time, the garment came to be known as a dhoti and worn in tune with the physical appearance of menfolk. And the same for women, for whom the garment’s name remained the saree.
When you buy Indian sarees and products from the SHOPonSHEROES marketplace, you help a budding Indian woman entrepreneur achieve her dreams of financial independence.
For more Indian women’s clothing and fashion accessories check out these SHOPonSHEROES collections that include beautiful wedding gifts, jewellery and fashion accessories, and beautiful handcrafted gifts by Indian women artists and crafters.
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About the author:
Jainee Gandhi is a Certified Image Consultant from Image Consulting Business Institute – the pioneer in India in the field. She works on Lifestyle Evaluation, Personal Style Evaluation, Body Shape Analysis, Wardrobe Clustering, Etiquette, Body Language & Grooming Sessions that will help people create a smart impression – thereby increasing their self-confidence. She also conducts corporate workshops, Individual Consulting and coaching Educations institutions on similar lines.
