“Dhoti sarees” Tradition with a tint of modernity

The Dhoti saree, also known as the Nauvari, is a nine-yard drape also known as Nau Vaar in Marathi and this has been highly inspired by how a Maharashtrian dhoti is worn. The Maharashtrian community is where the Dhoti saree, also known as Kasta saree, originated. As time passed there were several changes that were later introduced in it which made this garment really easy to wear and carry all along. The traditional Dhoti sarees worn in the traditional Marathi style can be difficult for one, can be time-consuming, and will be difficult to master without a lot of practice. Taking into consideration these drawbacks of this beautiful attire, pre-stitched or ready-to-wear dhoti sarees have emerged not only because they are highly stylish and beautiful but also full of ease. This costume provides an ease to its wearer as it does not require any petticoat also it does not require any underskirt beneath it. Due to the fact that it does not require any additional clothes for any support it is also known as Akanda Vastra. 

There are a lot of traditional values attached to this piece of garment such as wearing the Dhoti saree is said to be ethical and dharma following as the Nauvari saree has always been considered as one of the Sattvik garments. It is said by the ancestors that whoever wears this beautiful piece of clothing their disturbing energy linked with the energy body is released which results in lowering restlessness and ego thus one can say that wearing Dhoti sarees can have a revitalizing impact on the body, mind, ego, and intellectual abilities. Not only this, wearing this Nauvari saree or its derivative which is a Dhoti sarees might help one to maintain mental stability and alert one’s conscience.  

This beautiful garment comes in a wide range of varieties and textures such as cotton, silk, satin, and more as well as a variety of brilliant colors which is one of the best options available to wear on several occasions. 

There are several varieties of styles and lengths available for this attire and can be worn in various styles but it all depends on one’s particular taste and fashion choice.  It can be worn in a variety of ways, and the length of the saree varies from ankle length to knee length depending on the taste of one’s fashion sense or the occasion one is wearing it for. The picture below is of Jalpa Mehta who is wearing a white Dhoti saree. 

Here she has inculcated silver shaded sneakers, a metallic belt to accentuate her waistline, and accessorized it with a nose pin. Needless, she is looking so elegant and sensational as she fused the traditional Dhoti saree with her modern touch. There are several pictures on her Instagram handle @Sareeostani where she has posted a lot of her looks draped in Dhoti sarees and can be an inspiration for others. Such as one of her pictures which were shot in Dubai.  

This ethereal look of hers contains a dark blue Satin saree draped in Dhoti style and she has paired it up with a cap organza blouse and accessorized it with a jute belt. She completed her look by including a few rings, a watch, a necklace, and silver footwear. She is donning her look with a graceful pose. 

On the occasion of the republic day of India, she shot a few photos in Blue waters present in Dubai one of them being shown below that shows how flawlessly one can flaunt one’s traditions without having a fear of being left out current fashion trends.

She also shot a few pictures in the Mall of Emirates located in Dubai, where we can see her wearing a Mul cotton saree draped in Dhoti style.

She accessorized it with a black leather belt flaunting her waistline and giving it a shape, a bright red handbag, silver shaded sneakers, green bangles, a watch, and a choker complimenting her look. Finally, she completed her look with a cool pair of shades.  Jalpa Mehta is a perfect example and an inspiration to everyone that no one should shy away from flaunting their traditions. All you need is to revamp your look with the help of a little bit of experimentation. She is a true fashionista by experimenting with her looks by giving them a tint of tradition.

Her graceful appearance is the perfect example of respecting traditions while also considering your love for keeping up with trends. 

The picture below is of Pooja Ghosh who is wearing a Nauvari saree or one can say Dhoti saree. 

This is the Peshwai style of wearing a Dhoti saree and is more inclined to its traditional roots. Wearing a Kasta saree without a petticoat tucked at the back can be tricky, but can be done with practice. The way she is wearing it makes her look so lovely and elegant. She has been successful in showing old is gold her traditional look paired up the Mangalsutra, green bangles, and pearl jewelry is making her look like a Maharashtrian bride would look. With her contagious smile, she is looking like an ethereal beauty and shows the gracefulness of the Dhoti sarees. 

The picture above is of Akshita Wadhwa who is also wearing a Dhoti saree but with her own tint of modernity. She accessorized it with a watch, metal bangles, and a beaded necklace that is contrasting with the red-colored saree. Lastly completing her look with similar colored Juttis not only does she look graceful but her confidence with which she is carrying this outfit is making her look stand apart from the crowd. She truly captured what would be the perfect presentation of trends with the tradition. 

It is particularly designed to be lightweight and one of its advantages is it can be pre-stitched clothing that makes it really easy to wear and easily can be transported. There are several pros of this clothing such as these drapes are ideal for any body type and anyone can wear them in their own style and it would definitely look elegant and virtuous. There are several ways to wear it such as putting them on a pair of trousers and pin-up the end to get ready in a flash. This is not only a time-saving outfit but also comfortable and stylish to wear. It mainly depends on the colors and designs as to how one can accessorize it or drape it. Some prefer to accessorize this drape with a color contrasting blue and a richly embroidered belt or jewelry. 

Preeti Bhinge donned a pink saree with exquisite designs in the photo above. To balance the equation of pattern and plain, she teamed this saree with a plain golden blouse. To emphasize her curves, she added an embroidered belt to her ensemble. She completed her look by wearing silver-tinted sandals, and a ring and leaving her curly locks open. She certainly enhanced the beauty of this timeless classic. Her elegance is shining through in this attire.

There are several benefits of wearing this saree, one of them being that the one who is wearing it is protected from both sides front and back by the two ends of the pallu of the Dhoti saree.

Shweta Singh wore an excellent highly embroidered saree in a Dhoti style in the photo above to complete her look. She appears ethereal with a Gajra wrapped around her hair and bangles that match the tone of her dress. She wore a blouse that went well with her saree. Heavy earrings, a nose pin, a ring, and a lavishly designed anklet have been added to her overall look to give it a touch of tradition. Her presence is irresistible and her look is otherworldly.

 

There were several times when celebrities carried this Dhoti saree in an unconventional way which captured a lot of attention of the audiences and people got really hyped up by this trend.

Be it Sonam Kapoor who wore a pink tulle Dhoti saree to a Cannes red carpet event fulfilling the proof that she truly is a fashionista of Bollywood. With her impeccable looks, she really elevated her looks and looked stunning. 

Shilpa Shetty too has helped in setting this trend with her impeccable sense of fashion. 

These divas have flaunted Dhoti sarees on many occasions and get appraised by critics for their choice of outfit and for bringing this attire back into the fashion arena. 

They fused traditional attire with modern waves by carrying it with a crop top or an edgy blouse. Not just this they completed their look with tight leggings or fitted pants or trousers.  

Dhoti sarees are now entirely made up of silk instead of cotton. They are also pre-stitched which makes them convenient, and elegant and the absence of a petticoat can make them look thinner as there is no extra bulk around the waist.

So style it this time by choosing the appropriate sassy blouse to complement your look. Accessorize your look for that glitz and glam for your appearance. Most of the wearer prefers a plain saree rather than a printed one to drape as the Dhoti style draping will be obscured. Try to choose a Dhoti saree with contrasting borders so that the saree graphics are visible. Lastly, to give your Dhoti saree a classic flair, pair it up with a waistline and wear a pair of high heels to compliment your gleam and you are all good to go and attend your event be it casual or formal.

 

The traditional manner of wearing this saree is to wear it, drape it all across the body, and let it hang from your shoulders but we all can see that modern times brought along a lot of new fashion trends, new ways are merging also people are experimenting and discovering ways to wear this conventional Dhoti saree. And why wouldn’t it be when we all know the fact that a saree might be the most attractive attire on a graceful lady but giving her a fresh look by using fascinating methods to wear traditional attires can give anyone an extra edge and help one in winning their fashion game.

 

Aditi..!!!




Give them a reason to Stare…? Wear Saree….!!

Wanna give them a reason to stare? Wear Saree.
I am not good at clothes type, but yes… this saree fascinated me to enquire more about it. I am a person who loves to wear what catches my eye. I will not go into detail about the material, history, culture, quality and so. Because I don’t know much. If I like it, I buy it.

And nowadays we can see a new trend happening. Women are not preferring to repeat the same outfit for any next occasion. Of course, I am neither that type.
There are two colors in the world, which are always the show stoppers, No matter what you wear. Be it western or traditional.
Red and Black.
It’s a handloom linen Jamdani Saree with a Ganga Jamuna border.

Usually, Linen Sarees are best known for their light, soft comfort, convenience, style, and fashion. They are easy to wear, that’s why most newcomers to the Saree world prefer them. The fabric makes it a favorite during hot summers. It’s perfect for the summer season as it is sweat-absorbent and also skin-friendly. It’s one of the most superior types of fabric in comparison to other types of fabric.
Coming to the blouse, is so colorful that it matches almost any other saree.

I paired the saree with an Afghani Choker, Vintage Afghani Tribal jewelry, inspired by the crafts of the Kuch tribes of Afghanistan.

You can visit my IG for more of my fashion content.

Love,
Mouni Siri

https://www.instagram.com/thegirlwithstarsforeyes19/

Also check:

Anjali Stunning Georgette Black Saree & Collar Neck Blouse

Ethereal in Florals | Keerthy Suresh Linen Prints Saree

 

 

 

Red Saree – Leather Boots – Red Bag – Huqqa – Hathkada… Ever Tried?

Confused with the title?
Well, let me start.
Being an advocate by profession, we have that obvious talent of giving our statement in the most effective and powerful way.
And these pictures of me captured in the beautiful desert, too have a statement.
In a world full of trends, sometimes a girl wants to wear something traditional. And Saree comes in the first place when we talk about tradition.
India is a vibrant country. We have different languages, cultures, festivals and different sarees too.
I am a person who not only ‘never misses opportunity to wear sarees, but also ‘creates an opportunity’ to wear it.
Handlooms always have a special place in my wardrobe.
Wearing a handloom is not just wearing a costume.
Handloom forms a part of the heritage of India and exemplifies the richness and diversity of our country and the artistry of the weavers.
My thoughts on wearing Hand-loom:
The new love for hand-loom among young women has become corporate wear today. Wasn’t handloom an Indian way of life! We have a very rich heritage in terms of handicrafts and hand-looms. Handlooms are never uncool and old-fashioned; it is a fabric that connects us to our history and politics.


West Bengal holds a special place in the heart of a handloom lover.
Baluchari, Dhakai Jamdani, Garad Silk, Banarasi, Tant and Begampuri aka Begumpuri.
Yes, I am wearing Beautiful Red Begampuri cotton Saree. Begampuri sarees are known for being easy and comfortable and are ready to wear. If you have less time to get ready. These are the sarees I recommend.
People ask me isn’t it difficult to wear a saree and stay all day long in it, I wonder that our mothers have done it, so why such kind of questions arise.
It is just the matter of practice to drape a saree.
The color Red used to define different Emotions, Courage, Anger, and Love are the most common.
The Begampuri cluster named after the eponymous Begampur in the Hoogly district of west bengal, it is well known for its bright and colorful combinations, intricate strips, the serrated extra weft border designs.
I would definitely suggest these sarees if you are looking to be a show stopper in a party.

Have you ever tried Saree with Boots? Celebrities and fashion icons tried Sarees with Sneakers.
I wanted to wear Boots. Yes, leather boots you can see in the picture.
I used them to mix with my styling and fashion.
This shoot has actually become “cult”, when I added Hookah/Huqqa.
The Middle East is famous for Hookah, so thought of posing it. Not really expected that it will take the entire shoot to next level.
I can not complete this without adding jewelry, the Neckpiece and Hathkada from an Indian Store.

And did I miss to say about the occasion?
Red…!!! Yes, It is for Valentine’s Day. and I call it Valentine Saree.
If you have tried any such a “Statement”, or if you want to try this statement of mine… please do tag me on my Insta. Would love to see or give it a try.
Through this Sareeing of mine, I wanted to give the Statement of “Confidence” with “Love”.

Love,
Supriya Ghosh

https://www.instagram.com/shimmerwithsiya/




This hack already grabbed attention of 1 Million I’grammers

Easy Hack to MEASURE bangle size.

Here’s is one of the most useful and interesting post from Sandhya Ayyar

Sharing as it posted by her :

Nothing like perfect fitting bangles. The ones that glide in your hands smoothly are my favorite. This only happens when you know your correct bangle size. Many of us still wonder if our bangle sizes are 2.4 or 2.6. Well, here’s an easy hack to tackle that issue. Also, if you have growing kids that you need to boy bangles for, this hack may be helpful. It’s effortless and simple.

Follow these steps next time you put on/remove tight bangles🥻

What you will need.
A Marker/ Pen or sketch pen and a ruler. That’s it !

Follow the simple instructions in the video to figure out bangle size.

Note :
Be sure rest your hand on a flat surface. Fingers shouldn’t be stretched out, just placed normally. Be sure to mark the center of the knuckles of your pinkie finger and the index finger. If your hand is a bit contoured, when measuring with ruler be sure to start at the first point and gently bend ruler at center to reach other point ( as shown in video). Bangle sizes are usually even numbers like 2.2, 2.4 etc. if your ruler measurement is between 2.2 and 2.4 – go for the bigger number. This is basically the inner diameter of your bangle.

I hope you try this. If you found this useful, SAVE & SHARE them with your friends or TAG someone you know that can benefit from this.




Saree: My first love – Jyotsna Rajiv

Saree: My first love

My earliest memory of saree is my mom wearing a bright red kota saree with yellow flowers and adorned with jasmine flowers.  I was mesmerized by the sheer elegance of the way the saree draped her, the pleats falling beautifully and grazing the floor and from there grew my never-ending saga of love for sarees.

I still remember how exhilarated I used to feel whenever I used to open my mom’s wardrobe and scanned through her sarees, The thrills of scanning through my chikamma’s sarees(aunty) are still etched green in my memory. These lovely ladies had an amazing collection of sungudi cotton, Pochampalli, madurai cotton, Kanchivaram and Dharmavaram silk sarees in myriad colors.

First crush, first love and first saree have a special place in one’s heart, I was thirteen, when I was first given a saree, it was a green chiffon with big white flowers, and I beamed with pride whenever I looked at it on my shelf as a child. My grandma got it for me. I still have this saree in my wardrobe, and whenever I take it out to drape, I can still feel the smile on my granny’s face when she held out the saree for me.

When I had the opportunity to attend family function, I used to observe all my aunts wearing different material of saree, one of my aunties always wore chiffon single pleated in pastel colour and her pallu used to fly like in typical Bollywood movie, another aunty always made it a point to wear Kanchivaram saree and knotted her hair at the nape of the neck and adorned jasmine flower, and another aunt used to always tuck her pallu on her waist and display those grand pallu designs.  These ladies were my style icons and my inspiration.

Personally, I wear saree for any occasion, be it for lunch with friends, birthday parties or office.  In fact, I am known in my friends and relatives circle for my saree draping and they would be expecting me to wear saree and make a grand entry.

Sarees can be draped in several styles, I love the Nivi drape, I feel comfortable in this drape, and I can spend a whole day in the office or anywhere in a saree without any discomfort.  When I need to attend business meetings, I style a sober or dark colored saree with simple block-colored blouses and pair with shoes and here I go, looking like a boss lady and making strong statements. When I feel adventurous, like while going on saree marathon runs or riding a bike, I love the kacche or the dhoti style of drape.

Saree is the most versatile attire; this piece of clothing can be draped modestly or conservatively for a religious function or make a bold statement for office meetings and can be draped naughtily or seductively too. Saree is the only multi facet piece of clothing where a poor woman can pick up for just Rupees hundred and an elite can pick for tens of lacs of rupees. That is the acceptance that saree has across various socio-economic segments.  This wonderful piece of cloth has found its acceptance in the various religions too across the length and breadth of this country.

Most of south Indian celebrations are not complete without sarees be it Gowri pooja, Deepavali or sumangali prarthane.  In every south Indian wedding, saree plays the prominent part, In Kannadiga and telugu speaking family weddings, the bride wears white saree which symbolizes purity, in the Tamil brahmin weddings, the bride wears dark brown saree called koora podavai.  In the entire south India, whenever a young bride visits any house be it relatives or friends, she is blessed with a new saree. For a long time, it has been prestigious to own sarees, every woman had their own unique collection of sarees, which was their signature style, the collection of sarees empowered them, it was their world, their fort, and their treasure.

Sarees have been mentioned in various historical documents like Rig Veda, a Hindu book of hymns dating to 3,000 B.C. Poetic references were made to saree in Silapadikaram indicate that during the sangam period, women were wearing this exquisite drapery. Even in Gandhi’s anecdote, he mentions that while journeying across this country saw from his train window a woman washing half her saree while half draping it. This wonderful garment has made sure to have caught its place in many such epics and biographies.

Saree had stood the test of time. Westernization has been seeing a downfall in the saree draping. It is often considered wearing saree is akin to a humongous task, but ask the earlier generation of women who wore saree day in and day out, they would  rally that it is as simple as walking in the garden.  Sashi Tharoor has correctly pointed out in his article “Save the sari from a sorry fate” that today’s younger women associate saree with a more traditional time when women did not compete with men on equal terms and that saree restricts them.

For a long time business dress for women never included saree and we the women of this generation should take responsibility to change it. Modern women need to embrace this 6-yard drape and it’s time for the saree to get off that cupboard and claim its place in board room meetings, to the times square, on top of Burj and I am here to make that happen. 

It’s time we pay our dues and respect the saree that it truly deserves.

 

 – Jyotsna Rajiv

https://instagram.com/silver_sarista_jyotsna

https://sareeing.com/shiva-jyothi-savitri-half-saree-sankranti/

 

This six yard long single piece of un-stitched fabric – Akshita

Traditionally draped in more than a hundred ways in different regions of India and other South Asian countries, this six-yard-long single piece of unstitched fabric needs no introduction.

There is no denying that we all love wearing ethnic wear when it comes to any family gatherings or festivities and the sari style stays at the top! Not limited to wearing saris only on such occasions, we have now already witnessed fashionistas rocking it in style from streets to runways across the world getting around to exploration of a sari in different innovative styles with contemporary twists.

Though the basic way of draping a sari will always remain a classic, it’s so much fun to style this beautiful piece of fabric with a Western touch to create a fun and innovative version of it.

Styling a sari with a twist not only gives a chance to recreate or re-wear the old one into a fun new outfit but also looks modern yet traditional making a strong fashion statement.

 

Now I am already a big fan of fusion fits and experimenting with sari to create one on my own excites me even more. As there are endless options when it comes to creating a sari fusion, it is always best to pick the ones that you like, get inspired, and create with a hint of your own self or another way is to let your creative juices flow and make a whole new look of your own. Be it a cool oversized tee, crop top, or spaghetti too, you can experiment with styling your sari with almost anything in place of a regular sari blouse for a super cool sari fusion.

Here I will be sharing a few subtly fused sari looks with just a few Western tweaks here and there to keep the overall look simple yet interesting.

  • Spaghetti Top with Cotton Sari

Wearing a spaghetti-style top with a cotton sari is a perfect way to balance out the whole silhouette while adding a bit of sultry-ness to your regular cotton sari look.

For the first look, styled Kasavu sari with a leopard print spaghetti top gives this traditional look a very fresh and bold update! A round wooden clutch, layered-up necklaces, and bright makeup finished out this look perfectly.

Also if you feel fascinated by such fusion looks, the simple trick is to fuse two contrary elements together in one look to create a unique outfit.

Talking about the second look, this big polkas cotton sari was bought long before I actually styled it for this shoot simply because I couldn’t find anything that fits in as perfect as this simple knit spaghetti to pair it with. Finished off with key silver jewelry pieces, intense smoky eyes, and messy half-tied hair, this contemporary sari look speaks both fun yet edgy, and cool yet traditional.

  • Dhoti Style

The moment we think of fusing a sari in Western style, the first thing that comes to the mind is dhoti draped sari, and here is the one. This look is about draping a very lightweight bagru print cotton sari in dhoti style over jeans with a Kalamkari print crop top. Silver jewelry, a few beads around the neck, and jutties finish out the look perfectly. I went a little bit overboard with the styling in this one as it was for the shoot only. However if I wore it in real, I had styled it with either too much jewelry or gone with mixing prints only.

 

  • Sari with White Shirt

Now the white shirt is something that can be paired up with almost anything if styled right. With just a couple of pearl strings around the neck, statement sunglasses, and a shirt half tucked in, this sari look is kept minimal, and elegant yet so stylish. 

Sometimes it’s just a good move to avoid too much jewelry with the sari and still look chic!

  • Sari with Statement Sleeves Top

Teaming this soft and light mul sari with printed puff sleeves cropped blouse, this sari look is trendy yet traditional, colorful yet so subtle. Adding a little more quirk to the look, the yellow clutch popping against all those pastels makes for a perfect touch. 

And I just love how a statement sleeves blouse adds an extra oomph factor, uplifting the whole vibe of a sari look. 

Hope you loved these sari styles, feel inspired and create your own!!

Thank you so much for reading.

Akshita

Instagram- styleon.mom

Also, read:


Indian Wedding Saga – Shiva Mishra

Haldi Ceremony Look in Yellow Banarsi Saree paired with my most Versatile Embroidered Jacket Blouse. Haldi Ceremony is the onset of First Loud Celebratory Dance and Party Ceremony , apart from all other continuing Poojas . Haldi Ceremony just gets the Ball Rolling for the youngsters and then theirs NO Looking Back from all the Fun and Masti times ….. Themed Yellow because of the Haldi Uptan ( Turmeric face and body Pack) use to give a Bright Glow .

Mehandi Ceremony Really sets the Mood for the Wedding . It’s an Elaborate Affair , high on Emotion Quotent . No matter How Hard you promise to make it Fun, Super Energetic, Dance, Dresses, DJ Party. You can’t deny the undercurrent Emotions. They come rolling Down your Eyes, the Moment DJ hits one emotional Mehndi song for the Bride to be ……… And there Goes your Eye Makeup with it. Thank God I got my Clicks before That. Fully Charged, no matter however my Legs were killing me , i sat only so as to give others a chance ……… That’s ME!! You know Me by Now.

Paired my All time Favourite Mysore Crepe with golden Dabka Work, with a Golden Boistrous Corset . Don’t miss my Jewelry

One of the reasons we love weddings so much is that they’re typically full of rituals. In fact, cultural elements are often what make them so special and meaningful. That’s because they’re passed down through history, connecting couples to their ancestors.
Many traditions have to do with fashion, and that’s no exception Indian wedding outfits are elaborate and stunning.
Red is considered auspicious and, not surprisingly, it is the most prominent color at Indian weddings—usually with gold accents.

The Last of All the functions at any wedding has different names : Reception , Cocktail , At Home.
Well Call it what you like but it has the feel of a Herculean Task Completed and that’s what gives this Hour an extra Boost of Letting your Hair Down. Have you also noticed that at this function its usually the Bride’s Side creating the most ruckus. I wonder Why ??
We are done with the Responsibility of setting the boat Sailing. Now it’s Yours to Steer. All the Best.
Well nobody is ever Done with their loved ones , Ever. But it’s Certainly the Time to discard your Heels and Dance till you Drop …..apart from all the Memories Created and moments to be Cherished.

In My Sparkly Best , literally the Badan pe Sitare Saree. converted from a net Fabric i loved .

Thank you
Ms. Shiva Mishra Singh
https://Instagram.com/sareeloveaffair