Introduction
Saree is a traditional Indian attire that is adored by many women. Now wearing a saree is not limited to daily wear or casual wear. Women love to dress up in a saree for various occasions right from weddings, and festivities to casual and even formal wear. But can you wear a formal saree for a festive occasion? The answer is NO. This is because every occasion calls for a specific look that you can style according to your personal preference. This is a complete guide to choosing the perfect saree for every occasion.
There are various types of sarees available, some of which reflect Indo-Western style while others give you a traditional look. So how will you select a perfect saree? You need to focus on a few points like the type of saree you want and the occasion to wear the saree. Additionally, your body type, the saree fabric, and the color complexion of the saree are also important points to consider.
Why is it Important to choose the right saree?
You need to dress up to stand out in the crowd. Well, it is important to choose the right saree that suits your body and your personal preference. Not to forget that your saree choice should also fit well for the occasion. This will elevate your natural beauty and act as a style statement to make all eyes turn towards you.
Your personal preference matters while selecting the saree as it ensures you are comfortable and confident to carry the entire look gracefully. Your saree choice should blend effortlessly with the mood of the occasion. Now it is also recommended by many to try and experiment with new styles. But I would say that do this only if you are a pro at coming up with a perfect stylish look. For those who are new and do not know much about styling, this guide can be a great help.
Different types of sarees
Talking about different types of sarees, there are options available in both Indo-western styles as well as traditional styles. Some prefer a royal and elegant look with a traditional saree while others want a modern touch to their traditional outfit. Let's take a look at some popular types of saree:
Pre-draped saree
Not everyone is a pro when it comes to perfectly draping a saree. Women can easily drape a saree if it is a part of their daily outfit. But for those who pick a saree only for specific occasions, a pre-draped saree is your fuss-free option. Now, a pre-draped saree will have the drapes stitched into the skirt itself. A pre-draped saree will -
- Consume less time and allow you to get ready within minutes as you do not need to put time and effort into the pleats.
- Relieves you from the entire process of adjusting the height and proper tucking of the pleats.
- Enhance the natural curves of your figure as the pre-stitched drapes are in perfect order and shape that drapes well around your body.
Ruffle saree
So what is a ruffle saree? When you tightly gather and sew a lace, ribbon, or matching piece of fabric along the edges of a saree, it gives a ruffled look. This added embellishment to the saree makes it a ruffle saree. For women who prefer a modern touch to the traditional saree, the ruffle saree is the best blend of contemporary style in a traditional silhouette. Now the ruffles can be either at the pallu, at the flow of the saree, or at all the edges. Other than these, you can also opt for a half-saree ruffle saree or a pre-stitched ruffle saree that is ready to wear.
Chanderi saree
Chanderi saree is a traditional Indian saree originating from Madhya Pradesh. The speciality of chanderi saree lies within the fabric which is a blend of silk-cotton, making the saree appear sheer and glossy. These sarees have a slightly rough texture due to the zari work and motif work that are handwoven. Now the zari and motif work woven within the fabric elevates the level of the saree. But, you can further add glamour to your chanderi saree by embellishing it with beads, sequins, and stones.
Banarsi saree
The name Banarsi saree itself hints at the connection of the saree with the city of Benares. It is an important part of India's traditional sarees. The Banarsi saree is mainly made of silk but is also made with cotton, organza, and georgette fabrics. The mesmerizing saree is embellished with floral and foliate motifs with both gold and silver zari work. At times, real gold and silver threads are replaced with zari threads as per the customer’s preference. This makes it weigh and look heavier. You can add intricate embroidery and handwork on the borders of the saree for a rich look.
What type of saree to choose for different occasions
Different occasions call for a saree that can blend with the overall atmosphere. Let’s take a look at what type of saree to choose for different occasions -
Weddings
It can be a day, night, or evening wedding, where the vibes can either be romantic or energetic. Summer-day weddings call for a saree with light colours and minimalist work due to the sunny atmosphere. A chanderi saree with soft shades and minimalist bead and sequins work is perfect for a traditional look. Similarly, opt for a ruffle saree made of chiffon or georgette which is a lightweight fabric and best for summer. Floral patterns with beads or stonework will give you a contemporary look.
For a night wedding, the atmosphere is slightly cool and romantic. Opt for a saree with sheer fabrics like net or organza with intricate embroidery and sequins. A Banarsi saree with heavy work and dark shades such as royal blue and emerald green suits well for an energetic wedding atmosphere.
Festive occasions
If it is a festive occasion, choose bright colours like shades of red, orange, yellow, blue, or green. So either select a Banarsi silk saree, a bandhani saree with tie-dye pattern and mirror work, or a bright cotton saree with intricate embroidery. You can also go for a ruffle saree for a glamorous and chic look. It will allow you to roam around comfortably and enjoy the entire festive atmosphere.
Casual wear
A casual wear saree should be lightweight and comfortable. So fabric such as cotton, georgette, or chiffon works well here. Try to select floral or foliate patterns or striped sarees with simple thread work, or no work at all. The minimalist saree will allow you to carry out your daily chores effortlessly.
Formal wear
Getting late for your office event but cannot get the drapes of your saree into proper shape? Well, a pre-draped saree is what you need to get ready within minutes. You can effortlessly get into a saree with perfect drapes and pleats to enhance your beauty. A pre-draped chanderi saree or a Banarsi saree with intricate motifs will suit well. However, a ruffle saree is also good to go if the event is a bit more energetic. But if you are a pro with saree, get ready to set proper pleats with a 6-yard saree.
Importance of fabric when selecting a saree type
The fabric of your saree can make or break your entire look. You can choose from fabrics like velvet, silk, or brocade if you want a structured look. Fabrics like net or organza are best for a romantic look for receptions and weddings. whereas satin is glossy and smooth and drapes around your body effortlessly enhancing your natural curves. Similarly, chiffon and georgette are also great fabrics if you want a perfect flow and light look.
Consider the occasion whether it is for lighter or casual events or weddings and festivities. This is because of the difference in fabric. Some of them can carry a lot of heavy work as the fabric is strong enough. Whereas some fabrics are lighter and more delicate and cannot hold heavy work. Other than occasion, the right fabric choice is also important to prioritize your comfort as you need to confidently carry the look.
Saree for different body types
Every body type is different so the choice of saree will also differ. This makes it important to select a saree that will enhance your body features and drape effortlessly. For those who are skinny or have a slim figure, it is better to choose a saree that can add volume. In this case, select a saree that can add structure like a silk saree, Banarsi saree, cotton or linen saree, and net or organza saree. For women with a curvy or round figure, always opt for lightweight and flowy fabrics that can drape effortlessly around your body. A saree with such a fabric can create a mesmerizing silhouette even for chubby girls.
Colour complexion in saree
Paying attention to your skin tone while choosing a saree will add to your beauty. With so many colours available for a saree, select only those which can blend well with your skin colour.
- Fair skin tone can carry pastel shades effortlessly, but even bright colours like vibrant red and royal blue will add to your beauty.
- Medium skin tone can go for earthy colours like beige, olive green, and mustard yellow, or warm colours like coral, teal, deep red, and burnt orange.
- A dusky skin tone can blend effortlessly with colours like maroon, plum, forest green, and sapphire blue. You can also choose colours like magenta, dark pink, and turquoise to create a good contrast with your skin tone.
- Wheatish skin tone should prefer colours like peach, coral, rust, mustard yellow, and olive green.
To conclude
If you love to wear a saree and show off your glamorous and elegant saree look, you must be careful with the saree you select. In this guide on choosing the perfect saree for every occasion, you can make an informed decision on selecting a saree. Right from different types of sarees to selecting sarees for everyone we are here for your help. You will also know about the importance of selecting the right fabric and saree selection as per different body types and colour complexion.
FAQs
Which type of saree is most attractive?
A Banarsi saree is the most attractive of the sarees due to its intricate motifs and handwoven gold and silver zari work.
Which saree is good for daily wear?
Cotton, linen, chiffon, and georgette sarees are good for daily wear as they are lightweight, breezy, and comfy to carry around the entire day.
How to know which saree colours suit me?
Pay attention to your skin tone and try to understand which colours blend with your skin tone and which colours create a good contrast. Experimenting with different colours will help you pick your suitable colour. You can also take a look at the colour complexion in the saree provided in this blog.
Which saree style is best for a fat body?
A lightweight and flowy saree with a free-flow draping, i.e. not pleating the drapes is best for people with chubby and round figures.
