Table of Content

• Introduction

• The ancient times

• Newer Era

• Modern Trends

• New ways of styling the traditional saree

• Saree + Pants = style statement

• Add a belt

• Add a jacket

Traditional Indian fashion is one of the most interesting and colorful reminders of how it all started. Since the earliest days, Indian fashion has dominated and stood out with its uniqueness, originality, and eye-catching designs. The abundance of prints and colors were all perfectly combined to deliver pieces that will make every woman beautiful in its own way, and additionally, convey a message that could hold a religious and cultural meaning. As such, the sari has become the ultimate and must-have Indian fashion garment that is still very popular today. 

What makes the sari stand out from other clothes and fashion garments is the color options it comes in, combined with the long history of India, and with the addition of modern trends. As such, the sari today is the true representation of the beauty and the significance of how one traditional garment can survive the test of time.

The ancient times

The first mention of the Indian Saree goes all the way back to ancient times. That is particularly true in the Hindu texts and the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics. However, historians believe that this is not when the history of the sari starts, but it is even before that. These claims are founded by the evidence of sari-looking garments that were worn for thousands of years in ancient civilizations. One such example is the Valley civilization, where this sari-looking garment was a cloth, draped around the body. Although a bit different than it is today, or was back then, the resemblance leads to the point that it can be suggested that the sari is truly old fashion garment.

Royal-Lilac Banarasi Handloom Sari with Heavily Brocaded Patterns All-over and Floral Pallu

What makes the sari so an interesting fashion garment, that holds so many details, is the influence it carries from many different cultures. What is known is that with the arrival of Aryans to the establishment of the Mughal Empire, they have put their influence into the sari. After that, every big dynasty has influenced the evolution and the history of the Indian sari.

The traditional Indian sari consists of six to nine-yard cloth drapes around the waist, across the torso, and over the shoulder. This particular design that is still popular today is believed to have developed in the post-Mughal era. It combined the traditional aspects, such as the stitching, that make the sari truly stand out.

Newer Era

As the fashion industry developed and evolved, so did the transformation of the sari. There appeared a lot of new methods of weaving, dyeing, and printing the fabric. All of that contributes to the designs of the fabulous woven Indian silks, bright prints, colors, and hand-painted details that made the sari a highly prized and expensive fashion garment and piece around the world. As such, the new saris were immediately demanded and required by the rich. They would represent aristocracy and class. The rich fabrics, the intricate designs, and the embellishments were more than enchanting, as well as the nature and religion-inspired details.

Modern Trends

Sari’s today are seen as more popular than they have been before. The traditional ethnic Indian fashion is very demanded and praised today so that modern Indian women are enjoying what the new modern fashion brings to their sari looks. All the traditional ethnic Indian fashion styles are being redesigned and reinvented with the touch of modern fashion trends. So, how to wear the traditional sari in a modern and fashionable way today?

New ways of styling the traditional saree

As mentioned above, the traditional sari today is experiencing a reinvention, especially referring to the fabrics and the ways that it can be worn and styled by contemporary and stylish women. It is the appropriate fashion garment for events and celebrations like festivals and weddings. The Silk saree is one of the most demanded ones, which can easily be styled in many modern and fashionable ways, especially if you consider adding some jewelry to it. At Exotic India, you will find an abundance of modern sari and each of them can be styled according to your taste.

Spicy-Mustard Hand Woven Pure Silk Banarasi Sari from the House of Kasim

Saree + pants = style statement

Young and modern women are especially fond of this styling way of the traditional sari. There are also different styles of pants including flare pants churidar or dhoti pants. These types are the ideal and the most appropriate choice if you are looking for a wedding outfit. The blouse here should be perfectly matched with the pants, so, the latest trends suggest going with a one in a cropped version.

Add a belt

Adding a belt over a silk sari is another modern trend that can easily be incorporated into the styling of Indian ethnic fashion outfits. The belt gives a feminine and stylish look, and the styling is pretty easy. The belt should come over the sari, just on the waistline, making it accent the silhouette. Any traditional sari would do the work.

Add a jacket

Another pretty modern way to flaunt the traditional sari is to add a jacket over it. It is best to choose the sari and the jacket in contrasting colors which will deliver a sophisticated look. The jacket can easily be switched with a coat for winter. You can also add a belt to make the look even trendier.

There are many options to flaunt the traditional sari in a modern way. However, it carries a great dose of symbolism and culture, that serves as a great inspiration for many fashion brands today.

Be sure to check out the colorful collection of saris at Exotic India.

References: 

How to wear traditional saree in a modern way – G3+ Fashion

Sari’s in modern fashion : creativesplash (reddit.com)