How to Take Care of Your Sarees?

Every Indian women love saris, the traditional Indian wear of women in India! In fact, these sarees are kept for daily wear to special occasions. Some of these expensive sarees require maintenance on your part.

So much so that these sarees even are handed down from one generation to another. They can survive long decades once you know how to take care of them properly!

There are lots of varieties of sarees pertaining to their specific regions, designs types, embroidery, fabrics and various other things. Here we are giving tips to maintain some of the most popular Indian sarees!

Let us start with some of the more heavy and delicate sarees

Silk Saris
These saris which are made up of heavy expensive natural silk require a lot of maintenance on your part.

•Try keeping them in a dark spot in your cupboard after wrapping them up in a muslin cloth. This muslin cloth allows the air to pass through the fabric but keeps away the moisture which is quite damaging to the saree.

•A dark corner also prevents the discoloration of the saree.

•Even while ironing the saree special care must be taken as different fabrics of sarees require different temperatures. Also, there are certain silk saris like satin which shouldn’t be sprayed with water as it leaves stains on them.

•The best way is to get them dry cleaned from a laundry rather than at home!

Tissue & Organza Sarees

•These types of sarees are quite delicate in nature and prone of getting torn easily.

•One shouldn’t leave them hanging for a long time as they lose their shape.

•Keep them wrapped in a muslin cloth or mul mul cloth for storage.

•Make sure the saree is refolded at regular times as it prevents any tear in the delicate saree.

Chiffon and Georgette Saris

•Chiffon and georgette saris require delicate handling with special care.

•Make sure you don’t wrap them too tightly or use any safety pins on them as they are very delicate and can tear easily.

•These saris have heavy zari and embroidered work on borders so they must not be left hanging too long. This is to avoid from getting it torn.

Cotton Sarees

Cotton sarees are a favorite of women for daily wear. They require special attention and maintenance.

•When these cotton sarees are washed then it should be done separately as colors of black, turquoise, navy blue bleed out of cotton sarees.

•Don’t leave them immersed in water too much.

•Dry them in shade.

•Cotton sarees look best when they are starched!

Indian Wedding Sarees-Distinctive Style from All over India

While deciding for your wedding trousseau one must keep certain things in mind like the type of ceremony you are having, type of jewellery, color preferences, embroidery etc.

Many women like to wear traditional Indian sari on their wedding day. Since India is a land of diverse cultures who come with their own sets of traditions. Thus, one gets a vast choice of saris for wedding purpose from all over India!

Here are some of the examples of five of the most famous Indian bridal saris from various parts of India

Kanjeevaram sari [South India]
These traditional saris which are made of heavy pure silk are known for their border designs adorned with gold thread and motifs like elephants, flowers, paisleys, peacocks, parrots in vibrant color combinations. These beautiful bridal saris remain untouched from the modern designs and follow the same pattern as 150 years ago.

Embroidered Zardozi Sari
This sari glorifies the ancient Parisian art known as Zardozi. Believed to be the sari of monarchs and royal artisan, these types of saris were made popular by the Mughals. Today, Zardozi saris are a favorite amongst top dress designers. The3 body of the sari is heavily decorated with pearls, sequins and jewels embroidery designs either on silk, velvet or brocade.

Bridal Zardozi sari on silk or brocade takes 4-56 months in preparation and when worn makes a bride look immensely beautiful!

Banarasi Brocade Saris
These saris are made by weaving silk with gold or silver threads which is known as the zari work. The artisans from Banaras are famous for their zari work all over the world. Influenced strongly by the Mughals, these Banarasi brocade bridal saris consist of motifs drawing images form nature, poetry, legends etc. These saris are available in various fabrics and patterns. The most famous one is the Tanchoi sari.

One can opt for a Banarasi brocade sari in colours of red, maroon and green as these are the Indian wedding colours also considered quite auspicious.

Baluchari Saris [Bengal]
Adorned with small patterns on butis, floral borders with pictorial Pallus are the trademark of Baluchari saris from Bengal. These saris are known for their narrative Pallus depicting scenes from epics like Mahabharata or Ramayana. One can find them mostly in colours of bright red, cream, yellow, white, purple, green, blue etc. The most common color combination on Baluchari bridal saris is the red and white or cream combination.

Bandhani saris [Gujarat]
These saris are made of cotton or silk with real gold thread work. It is quite suitable for brides. It boasts of bandhej or tie and dye designs which are nothing but checks woven out of gold bands of zari. It features motifs like peacocks, elephants, winter flowers etc. The golden border of the sari which makes it quite pretty is made up of Kundan and sequins work!

Choose any of the above mentioned saris for your bridal wear!

Bridal Tissue Brocade Saris- Popular Choice of Brides across Nation!

A wedding is the most important event in anyone’s life. Women especially like to deck up for their big day which they will remember for the rest of their lives. Brides are treated on that day like princesses and thus one must wear an outfit befitted for a princess.

The traditional Indian sari is quite popular amongst Indian brides all over the country. As a matter of fact, a sari brings out the elegance and charm in a women’s personality.

Indian bridal saris are available in many designs and patterns. Choosing it is a difficult task. But one of the most famous Indian bridal saris are the tissue brocade Banarasi saris. As a matter of fact, Banarasi brocade and tissue silk sarees are available in various designs and combinations which are made especially for wedding purposes!

Bridal Banarasi brocade sari
A Banarasi brocade sari is preferred by brides in large numbers as they are quite easy to carry and look much sophisticated. It adds the much needed character to your persona on your wedding day. One can opt for a Banarasi brocade sari in colours of red, maroon and green as these are the Indian wedding colours also considered quite auspicious.

These saris are made by weaving silk with gold or silver threads which is known as the zari work. The artisans from Banaras are famous for their zari work all over the world. Influenced strongly by the Mughals, these Banarasi brocade bridal saris consist of motifs drawing images form nature, poetry, legends etc. these saris are available in various fabrics and patterns. The most famous one is the Tanchoi sari.

Tissue Silk Saris
Banarasi silk saris which are famous worldwide for their golden sheen add oomph to your wedding trousseau. These saris resemble a golden cloth woven with the help of gold and silver threads. These types of saris are made by running the zari in weft, another combination of zari and silk in an extra weft and silk in warp. It gives the sari a golden sheen which is quite attractive it looks at and give you the princess like look on your big day!

A tissue Banarasi saree boasts of densely patterned golden lotuses floating in a gleaming pattern. The glazed sheen which is a trademark of bridal tissue saris is created with real gold or silver zari weft in silk warps.


Bridal tissue brocade sarees

These types of brocade sarees in embellished designs have a tissue border which makes the bridal sari look elegant!

Is Your Kanjeevaram Sari A Fake?

How can you tell the difference between a fake Kanjeevaram sari and a genuine Kanjeevaram sari? After all these saris don’t come cheap. A normal Kanjeevaram sari can cost anywhere round between 1,000-50,000 depending upon the type!

Indian sari is a traditional wear for Indian women since many centuries. Over the years the sari has evolved and changed styles but its basic pattern remains the same. Kanjeevaram saris which are a specialty of South India originated from the town of Kanchipuram some 150 years ago.

Kanchipuram Silk SarisThe town which is untouched by the modern world still produces the best Kanjeevaram saris in the country. These saris which have a heavier silk base as compared to the other saris make use of gold dipped threads for creating patterns like peacocks and parrots on them.

Normally, it is believed that the heavier the silk of your Kanjeevaram sari, the better is quality. But how can one check the quality of the silk?

Here are few ways in which you can identify your Kanjeevaram sari from an imitation or fake sari

Kanjeevaram Saris•To check for quality of silk of your Kanjeevaram sari is very important. One can find the silk initially thick and glossy upon the Pallu on inspection. But once you feel inside you might notice that it is only half the thickness and not full fledged which is a trademark of a Kanjeevaram sari!

•A low quality Kanjeevaram sari will have just two ply silk as compared to the original three ply silk used in weaving.

Kanjeevaram Silk Sarees•One can also check for zari. The original Kanjeevaram sari makes use of gold dipped thread where as fake gold zari is used in an imitation sari. See if the zari used in the sari has thread covered with flattened silver in centre and gold on the outer surface or not.

•How to test zari for fakeness- just scratch or scrape the zari and check if a red silk emerges from the core of the sari. If not, ten it is not a real Kanjeevaram sari!

•Besides one can also see through the border, body and even the Pallu of the Kanjeevaram sari.

Just remember a genuine Kanjeevaram silk sari is woven separately and then interlocked together to produce the exquisite designs!

Patola Sarees-Specially From Gujarat!

Some women like to get sarees from every region of India to add to their collection. For such women, if you miss out on Patola sarees from Gujarat then you are surely missing out on something! These are very famous sarees known for their intricate designs and color patterns!

They are indeed the most time consuming sarees made in the whole western region of India! They consist of intricately mixed five color designs with resist dye in both the warp and weft before the weaving starts. It gives a look of reversible fabric to the Patola saree.

History of Patola sarees
These sarees can be dated back to 13th century. Their presence have been registered for the time when Hindu Salve community created these sarees and Muslim Vohra community traded them to South East Asia!

Inspirations for these sarees came from the South Indian temples like Maatansheri in Kerala and Padbhapunam in South Tamil Nadu. During that era, these Patola sarees were favored by the elite aristocratic class of the region. Mostly Vohras, Jains and Hindus [Brahmins] could afford to wear Patola sarees on various occasions like weddings!

The fall of Solanki dynasty and take over by Gujarati merchants later sealed the fate of the sarees in the hands of this state. Patola sarees have since then became a trademark of Gujarat state in India!

The three famous designs of Patola sarees are

Geometric patterns in repetitive designs which derive inspiration from Muslim architectural designs and ajrk which is complex geometric designs of Sind. For example- Navratna Bhat.

Floral and Vegetal designs

These designs were created specially keeping in mind the choices of Muslim Vohra community who didn’t prefer animals and people prints on their sarees. Instead floral and vegetal designs were introduced which were favored by communities like paan bhat, vohra, chaabdi bhat.

One can witness designs like a dancing woman [nari], Kinijan [elephant] and popat [parrot] on the Patola sarees. As a matter of fact, Muslims and Maharashtrians have their own special versions of these sarees meant for special occasions. For instance Mahrashtians prefer Nari Kunj sarees with plain dark colors and border containing women and border motifs!

Georgette Banarasi Saree-Stylish Wear of Indian Women!

Georgette Banarasi Sarees are one of the most popularly used sarees in India. As a matter of fact, these sarees have managed to find a firm place in the wardrobe of every Indian woman. They are made up of thin light fabric which makes it quite easy to carry.

Whether it is a party wear or festive wear, georgette sarees always manage to create an impact! Some of its most attractive designs include use of material and embroidery designs done up in zari, beads and bright colours!

Georgette Banarasi sarees have always managed to look stylish and chic! They add elegance to your attire which enhances your appearance by manifolds! Many of the designs for sarees are created exclusively using the georgette base.

Banarasi Saree is coveted by woman of all ages. In fact, these sarees are popular all over the world. A Georgette Banarasi saree is thus quite a piece of art. The beautiful motifs which are a trend mark of Banarasi sari when created on a georgette base make for a very elegant combination.

So what is the trademark of a georgette saree? Well, one can usually recognize it through the traditional motifs it’s carrying on its body or borders. Most of the time fusion dresses are made out of the georgette sarees in combination with Banarasi sari designs.

In fact, a georgette Banarasi saree complete with exquisite motifs and designs in vibrant colours is quite preferred by brides and newlyweds. One can even rate georgette Banarasi sari as a perfect bridal or wedding wear!

How to drape a georgette saree?

The georgette saree is draped in the same traditional way like a normal saree. However, once it gets draped, it brings out the graced and elegance hidden underneath your personality! It looks stylish yet traditional when worn.

Nowadays, a georgette saree has become quite expensive given the changes it has gone through under the scissors of various Indian designers and labels. One can find a variety of new designer georgette Banarasi sarees and others created through mix and match of various designs through patch work!

There are sequences, bead work, zari work; embroidery designs of various kinds all embedded in our favorite piece of exclusive georgette Banarasi sarees!

Baluchari Sarees-Pride of East India!

Baluchari Sarees are a trademark of East India. One can recognize a Baluchari sari from the other sarees by the pictorial designs depicting mythological scenes on its border. Baluchari sarees have a royal touch to them which makes them quite unique in nature.

The main attraction of the saree lies in its borders wherein one can see repeated patterns like sun, moon, stars, and mythological scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, motifs of natural objects etc.

Baluchari saree is inspired from the Jamdani Sarees of Dhaka in Bangladesh. Although, one can find these sarees in other parts of India, but Bengal in East India remains its largest maker. Murshidabad in west Bengal serves as the epicenter of the Baluchari sarees all over India. Baluchari sarees derived its name from a small village in Murshidabad known as Baluchara.

One can trace back its history to the times of Mughal given the court scenes and royal designs depicted on the border of the sarees. It was worn only by the elite class at that time.

But in 18th century, east India sarees revived royal patronage thus making east India the full time makers of Baluchari sarees. It came into fashion some 200 years ago and has since then became a favorite of Indian women all over India!

Field of the saree mostly consists small bootis with edges containing floral designs while the border of the saree depicts mythical scenes like horse with a ride, women with hookah etc.

Baluchari saree have a silk base with silk brocaded designs. The sari usually showcases a light contrast with the base and the yarn used in the patterns of the border.

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The colors used in yarn are red, blue, scarlet, green and yellow. What is most interesting is the fact the contrast yarns are in harmony with the base fabric. One can find Baluchari sarees in colors of deep red, chocolate, yellow, purple, white, blue etc. which makes is suitable for women of all ages!

Specialty of Baluchari saris- The specialty of these sarees lies in their fabric, weaving patterns and traditional designs. Some examples of Baluchari sarees are Bankura, Bundwar and Murshidabad!

Time to dress up with make up in your best Benarasi Wedding Sari

The right kind of makeup on you will ensure that you look your best and the Benarasi Wedding Sari looks just perfect. Also, keep in mind that a Benarasi Wedding Sari is a heavy made for special occasions kind of sari and therefore needs the right kind of makeup for it.

The perfect make up can be either done by a makeup professional. They will be able to get you the right color hues based on the color and design, style of the Benarasi Wedding Sari you are going to wear along with the other accessories. Moreover, the makeup artist will also go on to decide whether the makeup needs to be light or heavy as this will depend on the kind of skin tone and skin that you have.

If you don’t want a make up professional doing your make up then you can take the help of your friends or do it yourself. Keep in mind the right colors that you choose for the make up and the way they are able to complement the colors in the Benarasi Wedding Sari.

Choose color tones that suit your complexion, the color of your eyes and hair and the overall image and personality that you want to portray. Once you are done with that you will certainly find the right color for Benarasi Wedding Sari and match that color with the shoes, handbag, jewelry and embellishments.

Keep in mind this one important thumb rule for makeup. The color of your lipstick should be the exact color of the Benarasi Wedding Sari that you have on. It might take you time to hunt the right shade out, but it is certainly going to be worth the effort.

The perfect Benarasi Wedding Sari and the perfect shoes with it

Shoes are one accessory that you would certainly not want to go wrong with. You will find that the moment you have the right pair of shoes on your feet, you will be able to get the entire look of the Benarasi Wedding Sari together in a jiffy.

The Benarasi Wedding Sari is a wonderful sari that adds on the right kind of chic and elegance to your attire. With the right heeled shoes it will give you a fantastic gait. The kind of gait that is sensual and attention getting for sure! The right pair of shoes will go on to bring out the very best in your Benarasi Wedding Sari and get you tons of compliments. At the same time keep in mind that you are going to be wearing those shoes the whole day long and be on your feet. Also, all the embroidery on the Benarasi Wedding Sari can make it heavy and a wee bit difficult to manage if you aren’t used to wearing a sari. Therefore, when you select your wedding shoes keep in mind that they should not only match perfectly with the Benarasi Wedding Sari that you are going to wear but should also be able to offer you great trendy style and the right kind of comfort as well.

Your aim as the bride should be to get in stylish comfort to your feet and in the Benarasi Wedding Sari that you choose. This will allow you to be able to wear them for a long time to come and still not feel tired and worn out at the end of the wedding. Ensure that the coloring on the shoes is the perfect match for the colors on your Benarasi Wedding Sari.

The right Benarasi Wedding Sari to complement what the groom wears

When you are putting your wedding trousseau together and deciding on the kind of Benarasi Wedding Sari with the right kind of material and color to it, you also need to keep in mind the groom and what is he going to wear on that all important day. This is the day that you forget the you, and remember, that you both are now we. Both of you are going to appear on the stage together as one and therefore the colors that you both wear should be complementary and not clashing.

A good idea is to either go trousseau shopping together wherein you pick your Benarasi Wedding Sari and he chooses his sherwani. Or else, find out the color that he is going to wear and then choose a Benarasi Wedding Sari of the right matching color for it. You might also want to decide before hand of the colors that you would like to have on that particular day. Keep in mind that there are traditionally some colors that are considered to be auspicious and you have a wide range of Benarasi Wedding Sari in these colors.

The right kind of colors in the Benarasi Wedding Sari and the grooms outfit can be further matched and complemented with the overall décor used in the wedding hall. You can go ahead and order flowers of the same monochromatic color theme and dress up the entire place so.
Most Indian brides prefer to wear really vibrant and dark colors that will enable them to stand out in their Benarasi Wedding Sari. The bridegroom can offset that to perfection by dressing in off white, cream, beige, or golden hues of sherwani. This will work perfectly and be captured really well in pictures as well.