saree trends Archives - FashionForRoyals

“Out of the Box Festive Styling” – Modern Style Traditional Values

The time for celebration has begun with the onset of Navratri. Navratri stands for ‘nine nights’ which are filled with the rhythm and hues of dandiya, Raas Garba, pooja and festive fashion. The festival is about more than just worshipping of the deities. It’s about celebrating as a community and dancing away until the wee hours of the morning to some traditional folk songs. The nine days of Navratri have different cultural connotations and are often represented with 9 hues, one for each day. This is a perfect fashion week for any fashionista who leaves no stone unturned to look pretty and stylish for all the 9 days with different colours, style and outfits.

I enjoy dressing up for any festive season and love to get creative with my traditional outfits. I prefer to wear western outfits on a daily basis, but when it comes to festivities I prefer to go back to my roots and take some cultural inspiration from my traditional outfits. But the inner diva in me loves to experiment with my traditional look by giving it a quirky twist. Navratri has been synonymous to Chaniya Cholis or Lehengas. But for the beauty queen, it’s more than just following the traditional ethnic wear. Add some glamour to your conventional traditional attire with this quirky ethnic outfit for a trendy Navratri this year!

Navratri is not just about Lehengas, so this year I chose to style a gorgeous crimson and black tusser silk saree from Amota for the festivities. Amota is a brand that strives to bring back the hues of India’s traditional textiles. They aim to create contemporary designs by merging modern with traditional while keeping sustainability in mind. Their silks made with authentic handwoven fabrics such as tusser silk, gichha silk, mulberry silk, and pure cotton.

I chose a tusser silk saree because I personally love the elegant and sophisticated finish the cloth gives you. It’s a classic pick for a traditional look. The saree has a black border with silver piping which enhances its subtlety. I gave this gorgeous traditional silk a contemporary twist by ditching the conventional blouse and pairing it with an off-shoulder crop top instead. Indo-western outfits have always been in vogue and this is a perfect outfit for you this festive season. Add a trendy crop top to your traditional outfit and watch the crowd taking style lessons from you this season. The crop top gives the saree enough oomph to give it a modern twist while keeping its elegance intact. It’s a very stylish option and also very convenient. Just think of how easily you can wear any saree without having to worry about getting a blouse stitched the next time. I love wearing contrasting shades. I love to incorporate the colours of the festival in my outfit so I paired my crimson saree with a yellow off-shoulder crop top instead of a boring black one. I wanted to flaunt my off-shoulder crop top style so I pleated the pallu of my saree to show-off the statement sleeves of my crop top.

Every outfit is incomplete with some jewellery. Traditional Navratri jewellery has a lot of silver bohemian pieces. I paired a chunky silver necklace with a statement cocktail ring. When talking about accessories for Navratri we need some gorgeous jhumkas to complete our look. I decided to go bold with my entire look by finishing it with a bold lip colour matching my saree.

You can play around with multiple pieces in your wardrobe to create our own personalized outfit. You can pair this saree with an ethnic jacket or wrap the pallu around your neck as a scarf. You can also experiment with footwear by wearing jhootis or Kholapuris. Just remember, to stay comfortable as you won’t be able to enjoy the raas-garba in high heels.

Have you picked out your outfits for Navratri yet? Do let me know if you guys come up with some interesting styles in the comments below.

Warp n Weft – An Ode to Benarasi Heritage in London

A sari is one of the most versatile Indian attire. A typical 6 yard sari has been a part of the traditional Indian wardrobe since decades. It’s a go-to item for any occasion be it formal or casual. It is a drape which flatters every body type and makes you look gorgeous instantly.

There are many fabrics, materials and styles that one can choose from when draping a sari. A Benarasi is a classic and iconic sari and has been an all-time favourite for many Indian women.

A Benarasi sari is a traditional sari which comes from Benaras or Varanasi, a city in India. The saris are inspired by the mystical personality of the holy city known for its beautiful temples and ghats. The 6-yard silk sari is woven with gold or silver zari or silken threads and is decorated with intricate patterns and designs. There are various patterns and designs in Benarasi including the Jungla, Chouka, Aada, Khinkhab and so on. From geometrical designs to metallic floral designs, a traditional benarasi sari always looks regal and elegant.
These saris have been part of the of the Benaras household since centuries. This tradition has been passed through generations when Indian women used to wear these hand woven silk beauties for special occasions like weddings. A typical piece takes months to finish based on the intricacies involved, which makes it riskier for the weavers, since by the time they finish a piece it may be out of fashion. That’s where Warp ‘n Weft comes in play by working from the grass-root level.

Warp ‘n Weft is an institution from Mumbai which brings the voice and soul of Benares in the exhibition of traditional hand-woven benarasi textiles at the flagship store in Mumbai for last two decades. The founder and creative director, Ms. Sagrika Rai, is born and brought up in Benaras which makes this project close to her heart.

Warp ‘n Weft hosted a week-long exhibition at the Nehru Centre in London till the 30th of September 2016. Warp ‘n Weft presented the secrets from the sacred Ganges and the opulent traditions of the Indian culture to London through the gorgeous textiles and handlooms. The curated collection had a perfect blend of traditional Benarasi handlooms with modern sensibilities which made the silks look stunning along with ethnic style of jadau jewellery from Jaipur Gems.
A special evening was organised on Wednesday 28th of September in London. The event was held at the Nehru Centre in London which promotes cultural exchange between India and UK. The centre has hosted several musical, dance and cultural events in the past. This was an exclusive invite only event promoting Benarasi culture, ethos and handicrafts by Warp ‘n Weft.

The attendees included buyers, press, bloggers and members of the Indian fraternity and the collection showcased traditional apparels in Benarasi Fabric and style like saris, scarves, along with a traditional twist on western outfits like jackets and shorts. The evening and the curated collection was a romantic combination of the east and the west. The event enjoyed real sounds of temples and ghats, handloom and powerloom and various moods of the Benaras life captured and composed by Grammy award winner Dr.Prakash Sontakke, a Hindustani vocalist from the Benaras Music School. Warp ‘n Weft will soon be releasing this music album Benaras A Future From The Past across the digital music arena.

It was an enjoyable evening spent in the depth of Benarasi culture with some soft music, delicious Benarasi food, wonderful people coming together to enjoy a beautiful collection of curated fashion.

Warp ’n Weft also at the event, announced the launch of ‘Benaras Pashm’, an inimitable expression of a functional blend of pure cashmere with the beautiful Benarasi silks in colours and hues apt for classic as well as modern tastes. The gossamer and delicate complexion of these shawls captured the interest of British Reality TV artist Jasmin Walia to wear one in Pure Burgundy over her sequined lavender dress for the evening.

Saree Styles for Festive Season 2013

The style of saree has evolved over the years. Fashion Trends rise and end with time but saree is a timeless classic in any indian women’s wardrobe. Here are some of the latest saree styles for you to experiment with this festive season, and bring about a fresh perspective to your style.

1. Double Pallu Sarees –

A double pallu has been in existence for long, but probably not as popular and is only seen in bridal trousseaus sometime, but you can turn any single colour saree into a sensation with classic double pallu style. All you have to do is stitch another pallu in a contrast shade to the saree and voila you have converted your saree into a unique saree.

I personally love to try this style when I want to turn a lighter saree into a heavy one for more traditional occasions.

2. Pre Pleated Saree –

Pre-pleated sarees came into existence to reduce the hassle of tying all those pleats and neat pallu. The emergence of pre-pleated sarees has made draping easier and simpler for everyone. These sarees are almost as easy as doning a skirt as they come with pleats stitched at strategic places. Just tuck it at one place and you are ready in a jiffy to sizzle.

Now a days you even get a panelled or well draped stitched dupatta with the skirt which acts like a pallu hanging free from the shoulder, which for me this is like a seamless blend of the contemporary with the traditional past.

3. Half and Half Saree –

Another trend which has been there for many years is a half and half saree you either go for bright contrast this season or remodel your old saree into a true beauty by attaching a different color pallu to the saree. Or go for neon color combinations which are so much in trend this season

4. Dhoti Saree –

Showcased in the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week Summer/Spring ’13, pop-art inspired designer Nida Mahmood brought to the ramp a lungi/dhoti-style saree with wide slits.

You can drape your saree over leggings or slim-fit denims, instead of a petticoat, and go for tees or spaghetti tops in place of a blouse. For ease of movement chose sheer and lighter fabrics like crepes, georgettes etc and for more festive look you can always go for sequin saree borders.

5. Saree Draped like Gown –

From Paris hilton to Sania Mirza many celebrities have tried their hands at this trend, as it gives one dress a gown like look, with ethnicity of saree. Easy to wear and makes your saree cross functional in both formal and traditional occasions.