The Indian Saree: Fashioning the Female Form

Ever wondered what makes the traditional Indian sarees so special? They are after all a simple nine-yard garment. Well, let’s first look at the history, from where it began, in real. Legend has it that when the beauteous Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, was lost to the Kauravas in a gambling duel. Later, as a benefit of winning, the lecherous victors, intent on humiliating and harassing Draupadi. In the process of the same, they caught one end of the sheer material that draped her modestly, yet seductively and started pulling it. They continued to pull and unravel, but could not reach the end, and thus were unsuccessful in undraping her. This happened in the 5,000-year-old Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Call it legend, fantasy, history or fact, or anything; it is the first recorded reference to the eternally attractive Saree – the longest running ‘in fashion’ item of feminine apparel in the country and the world.

Indian saree online

A delightful folktale explains the origin of the Sari as follows:

“The Sari, it is said, was born on the loom of a fanciful weaver. He dreamt of Woman. The shimmer of her tears. The drape of her tumbling hair. The colors of her many moods. The softness of her touch. All these he wove together. He couldn’t stop. He wove for many yards. And when he was done, the story goes, he sat back and smiled and smiled and smiled”.

traditional indian saree

Indian civilization has always placed a tremendous importance on unstitched fabrics like the sari and dhoti, which are given sacred overtones. Slowly and gradually it all combined and formed more than just ensembles for deities in temples or the royal class. Today, with such tremendous fashion development, sarees not only have become one of the most preferred ethnic wear by the women, but also a fashion statement.

Indian saree online

Sarees today, come in different styles, patterns, colors, motifs, embroidery, works, and fabrics that make them the most suitable option to be worn at different occasions that we witness throughout the year. The most popular fabrics that are worn in every corner of the country includes, cotton, net, georgette, silk, etc.

Online Saree India

These traditional Indian sarees are important and a must have in the wardrobes of every Indian woman not just because they have a huge variety that could be worn everywhere from office to weddings, but because it has a historic origination and background.

A quick tour of women sarees from various regions in India

India is the land of diversity. At every few kilometers, you would find a change in food, a change in language, and a change in clothes. Talking about apparels, there’s one that is worn throughout the country by women, a saree. Sarees are an integral part of Indian culture and traditions and have its roots as back as the Indus valley civilization. Though it was originated as a long garment to be draped around a woman’s body, in the present times, it has many modified forms.

Online Saree India

From Kashmir to Kerala, from Rajasthan to Assam, a saree is worn in every corner of the country, though in different draping styles and fabrics. Some sarees are more popular than other. Sarees are one of the most favorite apparel for every woman, not just because of the huge variety in them, but also because they are enormously comfortable to wear and can be worn for any occasion, event, office, college, for daily chores at home, whatsoever. Today, let us know some of the most popular traditional Indian sarees:

Sarees Online

From South India: South India is among the leading producers of fine quality silk. South Indian sarees are popularly known for reflecting the ages old tradition of the region through its typical motifs, styles and patterns. Among the most popular south Indian sarees, we have Kanjivaram sarees, Konard sarees, Puttapaka sarees and Gadwal sarees. They come in different styles and colors but are considered one of the most expensive sarees of all. The reason is because they are generally hand woven, using some old woven techniques. They are made of silver threads dipped in gold.

South Indian Sarees Online

From North and West India: Some of the famous sarees from North India include the Banarasi sarees, Kota Doria Sarees, Jamavar sarees, tissue sarees, Bandhej Sarees, Sikargarh brocade sarees, etc. Out of these Banarasi sarees are considered as one of the best suitable options for brides in North India. They have exquisite zari work in gold and silver and the quality of silk and the embroidery makes them highly sought after. Kota sarees, as the name suggests, are manufactured in the Kota district of Rajasthan. They are one of the lightest sarees, most comfortable for daily wear and are known for their checkered patterns.

North Indian Sarees Online

From East India: Each region of India has its own uniqueness in the saree patterns and draping style. Among the most popular east India sarees, we have, Sambalpuri Ikar from Orissa, Kantha Silk from West Bengal, Tant sarees from Bengal, and Chiffon sarees from Cooch Behar. These sarees contain symbolic motifs like the shell, the flower, the wheel, etc. Besides, these are especially well known for being tie-dyed.

Kantha Silk Saree Online

There are many more east Indian sarees that are worn by the women there as per their traditions on special occasions.

Different types of salwar that are a must have for every woman!

Besides immense fashion revolution, and trendy indo-western ensembles, Indian traditional salwar kameez remains the hot favorite of all the Indian women. Different styles of salwar paired with different kurtis give every woman, from a homemaker to a working woman, their choice of outfits on the go! Women find this outfit great not just because they have a huge variety of designs, styles and patterns in them but because they provide free movement with grace.

different types of salwar bottoms

Salwars are of different types and can be paired with different types of Indian tunics and kurtis on several occasions that an Indian woman witnesses throughout the year. Look no further to explore latest types of salwar types for women, which we have cheery-picked after a thorough search. We come up with different types of salwar that are a must have for every woman.

  • Chudidar Salwar- Tight and body hugging: As the name suggests, this is a type of salwar that is body hugging and looks like a skinny fit jean, only more colorful and comfortable. This type of Churidar salwar can be worn under short or long kurtas and is available in many different colors, sizes, patterns and fabrics. They have been one of the longest trend that have stayed in the market. This is a definite must-have.

churidar salwar

  • Patiala Salwar- Free flowing and easy breezy: They were once only popular in Punjab and Haryana, but with time, slowly and gradually they have spread across the country marking their territory in the markets. These are one of the most comfortable ones among all. They are loose and have a flare. They go perfect with a short kurti and give you a classic look for the festivals.

Patiala Salwar

  • Parallel Salwar- Graceful and gorgeous: They are straight loose pants that look gorgeous when paired with long kurtas, both with and without slits. They give more of a formal look and therefore could be worn daily at office, college, or on occasions like office get-togethers, and other such formal and semi-formal events.

Parallel Salwar

  • Dhoti Salwar- Style it like the boys: Dhoti is an Indian garment that men usually wear in South India. Thanks to the fashion technology and the development in this field that there are now dhoti salwars for women to wear.

Dhoti Salwar

The only difference between the men and the women dhoti is that women have more color and design options and do not have to drape it around the body as they are pre-stitched like that.