Saree- a garment that is synonymous to Indian wear has earned the attention of women worldwide. An elaborate piece of fabric- a traditional sari needs meticulous draping which practically does not go well with hectic lifestyles and present-day wardrobe preferences of women. To keep the legacy of the Indian saree alive and bring it to the young generation, the convenience-seekers and style-innovators, it has been given plenty of make-overs which are an on-going attempt that has totally changed the look of the garment.
The Trend of Contemporary Sarees
What was traditionally a single piece of fabric, paired with a matching inner skirt (ghaghra) and blouse and draped with neatly made pleats and pallu- saree has become one of the most sought-after garments today. The innovativeness shown by designers is commendable but above that is the plethora of celebrity endorsements that has actually brought about this revolution in Indian ethnic wear. A lot of trend-setters in Bollywood ace the list in experimentation when it comes to contemporary sarees– creating a stir among their fans that inspire to emulate their looks.
Every diva in Bollywood these days is often seen flaunting sarees at public events and private parties, for movie promotions and even at the airport! Out of all the gorgeous ladies, here are our favorites- these fashion empresses have not just glamorized the Indian saree, but have actually re-defined the vibe surrounding this ethnic garment-
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Shilpa Shetty
She can undoubtedly be called as the ‘saree queen’ of the decade. Highly experimental with her clothing, Shilpa always rocks the Indian saree, taking its style quotient a notch higher each time. Pastel georgette sarees with ruffled edges, dhoti-style fusion saree ensembles and mermaid-like saree drapes– this lady carries every variant so effortlessly! We really ought to take detailed saree styling lessons from her!
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Shamita Shetty
Quite matching up with her sister’s wardrobe style, Shamita Shetty is also a patron of fusion saris. Giving the classic floral sari a ruffled edge, Shamita’s modern drape looks perfect for an opulent day party.
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Deepika Padukone
Her ethnic style can be defined as- traditional, modest and regal. Talking about her sari looks, Deepika has usually been spotted in classics- like the cream floral saree which she wore for an event in Delhi. But at a recently held celebrity wedding, her retro red saree look was simply outstanding and absolutely stole our hearts! The plain red saree had a soft ruffled panel and was complemented by a sizzling red halter neck blouse. Her backed-combed hair and chunky jewellery radiated the glam-vibe of 1960s.
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Sara Ali Khan
Sara’s performance in her debut movie Kedarnath has already earned her millions of new fans. Adding scores to her growing popularity is her quickly scaling up style-game. With a shimmer- skinny bottom and a back cut-out blouse, her recent saree swag displayed during her upcoming movie promotions, is absolutely drool-worthy! Pant-sarees are not new, we’ve seen Sonam Kapoor and even Rekhaji sporting them, but we loved Sara’s cute version of this bold sari variant.
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Kareena Kapoor Khan
Kareena is well-known for two things: her Bebo pout and her appealing way of carrying every outfit- an unmatched charm that makes us go ‘wow’ each time. She seems to be in love with printed details like polka dots and sensual designer blouses. She keeps experimenting with different blouse styles- deep necks, corsets, tubes, sheers- intricacies of a little top that has the power to uplift her entire look and steal the show!
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Sushmita Sen
Breaking the component squad of the saree-blouse-ghaghra ensemble, Sushmita Sen walked the Lakme Fashion Week ramp in a Kanchipuram silk handloom saree which was dramatically draped over a jumpsuit. Complemented with minimal make-up and a sleek hair-do, Sushmita had every bit of charming boldness, setting a saree-draping trend for individualistic and confident women.
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Kajol
A yellow jacket-layered saree! Now that’s some spunky ensemble that levels Kajol’s adorable fierceness, confidence and free-spirited vibe. We usually don’t see her wearing such out-of-the-box styled outfits, so it was delight to see Kajol joining the tribe of saree innovators.
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Social media influencers/ Bloggers
While Bollywood has been playing its fair share in re-defining the Indian saree, the contribution of fashion bloggers and social media influencers has been commendable. Masoom Minawala, a well-known fashion influencer styled her monochrome striped sari with a black peplum blouse.
Luxury blogger Shereen Contractor paired an earthy palette striped saree with a corset belt and skinny T-shirt- giving the sari an appealing funky twist. The growing number of bloggers who style saris differently has created an avalanche effect- slowly turning contemporary saris into a regular-wear garment for young women.
Well, by now – we are all over the Internet – looking at these lovely ladies, who love to experiment with their sari drapes and style – giving us umpteen lessons and oodles of inspiration. And, must we say – we can’t stop! This is truly an amazing time for fashion – when looking good and sensuous is getting combined with doing your own thing – thanks to the new found feminine consciousness and confidence – coupled with the awe-inspiring design innovation in our country.
Let’s look at two more gorgeous divas – before we wind up our unusual saree draping journey. kalki Koechlin, known for her radical approach towards fashion – looks dazzling in this futuristic drape. And, how can we forget the mesmerizing B-town beauty – who is also an avid saree wearer – Katrina Kaif – as she looks splendid at the recently held Nickyanka wedding reception – literally radiating gorgeousness in a cape paired taupe saree.
Apart from these ladies, other style icons like Malaika Arora, Diana Penty, Jacqueline Fernandez and many more have contributed to changing the face of the Indian sari and taking it deeper into the happening zone of fusion-wear. While traditional sarees continue to hold their invulnerable position, contemporary sarees have made their place as an endearing garment- a breather for the free-spirited ones.