How to Choose a Banarasi Saree-Different Sarees for Different Body Types

The traditional Indian Banarasi saree is a favorite amongst women of all ages throughout the world. Now if you are planning to wear or buy Banarasi sarees for a first time how will you judge which saree is best suited to your personality. After all, sarees don’t come in various sizes. It is a standard six yards long cloth material cut and embroidered in exquisite designs.

A woman can thus choose a saree which would compliment her body type. You can choose on the basis of print, fabric, embroidery, color, style etc.

Given here are some recommendations of Banarasi sarees for different body types

First and foremost thing that comes even before you enter a saree store is always to choose a saree either Banarasi or any other make that compliments your body type. It wouldn’t do you any good if you sport a heavily embroidered Banarasi Tanchoi saree if you have a broad frame.

So always keep this in mind that you want to enhance your features through saree and not just blindingly following the fashion trends.

For broad body frame

You should always go for Banarasi sarees made of light textiles like georgette or chiffon or even a chignon saree. It would do you best if you avoid wearing crepe, silk or any other heavy fabric saree.

For Slim or thin body frame

If you have a slim figure then you can carry Banarasi organza sarees quite well. The style would be more becoming for your frame. It will enhance your personality by manifolds and you can try out different saree draping styles in it. Also try buying tissue or tussar Banarasi sarees. They also go very well with a lean body frame and make you look very elegant and feminine. They should avoid sarees with big prints or too flashy sarees.

For dark skinned women

Women who are tanned or wheatish or darker in complexion can very avoid the soft pastel colors. It will only amount to paleness. In comparison, if you go for colors like maroon, bottle green, and various other darker shades of pink they would make you stand out!

For short women

Choose Banarasi sarees with narrow borders. A Baluchari saree would be wasted on short heighted women. On the other hand, a narrow border butterfly Banarasi saree would surely grant you a taller impression.

While visiting a saree store, you are better prepared to deal with the saree selection. But what about choosing the right Banarasi saree store for exclusive designs? Try the Rajan Silk Store located in the heart of Varanasi, the capital of Banarasi sarees. You can surely find a beautiful Banarasi saree suitable to your body type at an affordable range from this established shop!

Watch Out For Fake Banarasi Saris-How To Ensure Your Banarasi Sari Is Original?

Banarasi saris have been a pride and part of rich Indian traditional culture since the era of Mughals. But lately this market has been deprived of its fair share! There have been cheap imitations of Banarasi sarees imports from China in Indian market these days which eat into the share of Indian artisans of Varanasi [the hub of Banarasi saree weaving].

Normally, people are not able to distinguish between an original Banarasi sari and a fake one. Often people fall prey to the low cost fake Chinese made Banarasi saree for a real deal. A normal original Banarasi Saree costs anywhere near 4,000 rupees whereas as a fake Chinese import is about 2,500 rupees almost half the price. This has had an adverse effect on the living standards of the Indian Banarasi saree weavers. According to t a survey conducted in 2007, it was reported that almost 60% of the weaving community in Varanasi have taken a downfall.

As a matter of fact, many of the Banarasi sari weavers have now resorted to other means of livelihood such as tea stalls, rickshaw pulling, vegetable sellers etc. it is really unfair to the whole weaving community of India. They are suffering due to the cheap fake Banarasi sarees in the Indian market.

To save yourself from being duped next time you venture out to buy a Banarasi saree, here are the tips to identify an original Banarasi sari from a fake one!

•When you go to buy a Banarasi saree just pull its other side up i.e. reverse the saree to check for floats between the grids of warps and wefts on the saree. Only a hand-woven Banarasi saree will boats of such warp and weft technique. The machine fails to replicate that.

•Another way to identify a real Banarasi saree is to check for a six to eight inches long patch of plain silk on the Pallu of the Banarasi saree. A plus is that portion of the saree that goes over the shoulder.

•If you have ever seen a Banarasi saree before, you will notice that it mostly carries the Mughals patterns like amru, ambi and domak. A fake Banarasi saree wouldn’t have these Indian handmade Persian designs on it.

Recently, Banarasi sarees have got their own GI [geographical indication] protection against all the Chinese and Surat made saris. This an IPR i.e. intellectual property right to help people identify the original Banarasi sarees made from the six districts of Uttar Pradesh state in India [Varanasi, Azamgarh, Chandauli, Jaunpur, Mirzapur and Sant Ravi Dass Nagar – Bhadohi].

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!

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!

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 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.

The Right Kind of Accessories with a Benarasi Wedding Sari

For a bride it is so very imperative that she look delightfully lovely on the day of her wedding. There can be nothing more special than your wedding day and the right kind of Benarasi Wedding Sari and the accessories with it can make your day and evening sparkle.

Choose your accessories for the Benarasi Wedding Sari keeping in mind the kind of material that you have on your sari. There are the best of jewelry that you can use as accessories to heighten the overall look of your Benarasi Wedding Sari. You can go ahead and choose one chunky signature piece and draw attention to it. For instance, you an select a pair of long earrings and a delicate necklace with tons of bangles on your hands. Benarasi Wedding Sari will look wonderful with an antique neckpiece that might have been passed down from one generation to another.
You can look at other accessories to match perfectly with the Benarasi Wedding Sari besides jewelry. This could be the kind of bag that you are going to carry on that day. It could be a dainty one made from similar fabric as your sari. Indian purses with a whole lot of embellishments on them go really well with Benarasi Wedding Sari. Ensure that you go ahead and choose the right color as that can make all the difference.

Do not forget that the right kind of accessories can make or mar the beautiful way in which your Benarasi Wedding Sari gives that ultimate look. Check out accessories and ensure that they suit your personality as well. Choose the kind of accessories that you will be able to wear later on as well and not only on your wedding day.

Sari Shops in Varanasi-Trip Down Memory Lane!

If you visit Varanasi and don’t get a Banarasi sari, then it’s a worth less trip! The place is famous for its holy river bank temples and Banarasi saris, a luxury traditional Indian clothing item which has become a necessity for every woman these days.

Since time immemorial, Indian women have been intrigued by the aura of beautifully woven Banarasi Sarees. These sarees which takes atleast a fortnight to a month in preparation really manage to present the Indian beauty in its true form! This it is not at all surprising to see so many sari shops in Varanasi selling these beautiful man made yards of clothing!

Walks down the lanes of Banaras will you a glimpse into the rich cultural past of the city. One can in fact find many sari shops here which are established since many decades now. The Banarasi sari weaving art has been brought into this place by the Mughals 800 years ago. The Muslim craftsmen who built their abode in Varanasi still have their present generations residing in the same place carrying forward the art of intricate sari weaving!

The artisans selling these Banarasi saris made up in tissue, gold brocade and many more such patterns have been marketing these saris for many generations now. They are well aware about the trend of the market and have even updated themselves according to the changing times. However, one thing that remains unchanged is the high quality of expensive Banarasi saris which have charmed women since many decades now.

As a matter of fact, the fame of these saris has reached foreign shores as well. Thousands of tourists come every year to the holy city of Varanasi to enjoy the rich Indian heritage. They like to take back the famous Indian sari with them.

Luckily, sari shops of Varanasi like Rajan Silk store which are the epicenter of the supply of Banarasi saris round the country are here for service. Choose from georgette, meenakari, zardozi, opaque, tarbana, jamvar, butidar, tanchoi, consol, organza, amna, pure silk [kati], shatter, georgette Banarasi saris available in all the price ranges at the famous sari shops of Varanasi!

How should a bride choose the Benarasi Silk Sari

The bride has several options in front of her when she goes on to choose her bridal attire. However, one attire that will make her look and feel regal and like a true blood Indian princess is the Benarasi Sari.

The best of the Benarasi Sari will ensure that the bride looks out of this world. But, for that she has to choose right. Here are the factors that she should keep in mind when she chooses her Benarasi Sari for the wedding:

  • The color

The color that the bride chooses should be the kind that suits her complexion. Although traditionally an Indian bride does need to wear red but times are changing and so are the brides. They tend to opt for either their favorite colors or those colors that go on to complement their complexions in the most wonderful of ways.

  • The amount of zari

The amount of zari that the bride wants in her sari depends on the bling factor. She can also opt for the golden or silver zari thread depending on the kind of jewelry that she opts to wear. Another thing is that the zari and the color of the Benarasi Sari should be able to match perfectly with her overall attire and accessories.

  • Traditional or modern

This is the kind of decision that the bride needs to make for the Benarasi Sari that she will wear. The image that she wants to portray to the world at large can make her decide on this.

  • The design and weave

The design and weave play a major role in making sure that the Benarasi Sari that the bride has worn stands out and all other saris pale in front of it.

You are a bride only once in your life, so go ahead and make the most of it.

A Red Tanchoi Banarasi Sari – A Perfect Bridal Sari

Red Tanchoi Banarasi SareeIn the Indian tradition it is a custom that the bride always wears red. Just like in the western part of the world, the bride always wears white.

There can be nothing more wonderful than to see the bride decked up in a Banarasi silk sari in the traditional tanchoi weave. The red bridal Banarasi sari in pure silk is so very famous and popular that you will find quite a few brides sporting it.

There can be nothing really more elegant than a bride in a blazing red tanchoi silk Banarasi sari. There are a range of different designs and styles that one can choose from the exotic collection of Banarasi sari that you will find on display. There can be hardly any bride who can resist the pull of the Banarasi sari and not want to wear it either for the actual wedding ceremony or the reception.

The tanchoi Banarasi sari is a unique weave in silk that makes for the perfect bridal wear. It has the right amounts of style and design to it. The complex weaves that go into the sari of this magnitude make it all the more special and just perfect for the bride to wear on her big day.

Tanchoi Banarasi SariPreviously the borders of these saris were only embroidered using silken threads of different colors but by the 1940s this trend had changed. What was now seen was the weaving of the borders as well and to spike them up zari threads were used in gold and silver.

The next time that you attend a wedding check what the bride has worn and invariably you will find that what she has is the most gorgeous of red tanchoi silk Banarasi sari.