Clothing trends are funny. When early humans used animal hides to cover their body, there came a new generation of loom-spun fabrics that boasted of more refinement. Then the refinement went on to such an extent that animal hides were replicated on fabric and people flaunted leopard prints and zebra prints. Then it became a sign of class to wear actual animal fur instead of artificial prints. Later, the animal activists rose to the occasion (thank god) and started a revolution that made it uncool to wear fur. And now humans are back to looking for plant-based fabrics that actually looks like fabric and not like animal skin or anything else. I read all this from the research that the lady who wears me is doing for her latest article.
It was fun knowing how clothing has such an intimate relationship with human beings. It kind of made me reminiscence about my personal relationship with human beings and what I understand about them. After many centuries of being second-skin to human beings in the form of my ancestors, I can say that the human spirit is something that always amazes me. I mean, it is incredible how brain won over brawn and humans fought their way to the top of the food chain. But then, somewhere along the line, I think it all became too much of humans versus nature. Humans seem to have created a bubble around them and forgotten that they are a part of nature too. Even crops that are grown for commercial use are facing dire effects of this imbalance so it is easy to imagine how the wildlife must be affected. Another unfortunate development that comes out of this whole thing is climate change. Although us Linen folks have it easy as flax is a resilient crop, certain crops like cotton are affected negatively due to climate change and thus the clothing industry is also indirectly affected by all this. This again affects the humans in a cyclical way and the only answer to all this seems to be sustainable living practise.
When I look at people around me, I can’t help but admire the kind of intelligence that humans have. It looks like stuff that can make impossible things possible. Sadly, their greed seems to be blinding them and taking them off-track. Consumption has to be reduced to a sensible amount in order to bring back balance. To reduce consumption of clothes, I suggest buying sustainable clothes that can be styled in multiple ways like the saree and the blouse that can be paired in multiple permutations. Also, long lasting fabrics such as the Linen itself should be embraced and more creative ways of wearing old clothes should be thought of. There is no meaning in following trends blindly. Instead, I feel that people should define their own styles based on their own intelligence. Trends are just imaginary anyway. Cycling is back in fashion after the craze for speed-beasts so how far can recycling be? Recycled clothes are always so much more fun than boring clothes, right? Maybe, people can find more meaning in going back to simple fabrics like Linen that have stood the test of times.
I mean, Linen sure was used to cover mummies in Egypt but that shouldn’t deter people from wearing Linen more often. Maybe the Egyptians used Linen not just to preserve their physical bodies but also because they took only the most precious things with them to their tombs!
The sari is Draupadi’s unending fabric of time. It is the past with a possibility for the future. What was there? What is happening? What will be? Eternal questions play on the senses as the sari unwinds…
Today, most of us women stand here – incorrigibly pro-comfort who yearns to be fashionable but only so much. We do admire style though. While we are constantly struggling between donning a new identity and retaining our old one, a sari is a statement of being home with yourself in a new place. So when someone says, ‘Holy cow! You’re wearing a sari’, I tell them that I’m most comfortable in a sari, which is no guarantee by the way that I will not trip while walking or that I will not constantly pull at my drawstring or that I will not fumble with my pallu. We all have our own ways of dealing with change, sari is my way of making a new place, a new city or a new country, my new home. A sari is my way of saying that I will navigate and adopt a new culture at a pace that I feel comfortable about.
In a judgmental society of ours, we like our clothing non-judgmental and a sari totally understands! Even when we fail to drape it perfectly or don’t follow the “rules” about the right way to drape it, it is accommodating and forgiving in nature and just lets us be. There are distinct points of anchorage and free play in each wearing style which provide comfort, functionality and a basic flowing grace. Its great beauty lies in its concept of a simple outward form lending itself to a completely personalized interpretation. Unlike our social structures, the sari has never been held back by rigid controls. Phew!
Fair. Dark. Tall. Short. Skinny. Chubby. The list of labels is endless, but the endurance of a sari timeless. Let’s come together, hold hands and break down walls of these labels and instead build up walls of self-confidence, acceptance and loving grace. Here we shall present to you some of our wonderful women (Sutaqueens) who have portrayed some classy, sassy and fun ways of doing so. I’m drooling…!!!
The pallu wrapped around the neck and tied with a belt at the waist not only allows ease and comfort of movement but also gives out a very stylish look! The second image though differently worn is more of a traditional way of draping a saree which I’m pretty sure some regions do follow. Overall, I’m amazed by the beautifully arranged pleats in the mirror reflection. I mean, who wouldn’t be?
A plain simple mulcotton saree draped in a purely conventional way and accessorized with a ubercool and funky jacket instantly renders a sporty casual look to the attire. To add to the zing is a traditional maangtika worn with a rockstar attitude – I’m floored!
A puffed full-sleeved crop top paired with black boots – this image screams elegance paired with hidden fun quotient of the wearer! One of the many flavours of wearing a saree is the unlimited possibilities of exploring every style that you’d want to… Super pretty
Aaaah the twists and twirls are finally here! Introducing an utterly sexy way of draping a saree, revealing a part of your waist while keeping most of it for the beholder’s imagination!! Bold and beautiful – a deadly combination indeed J
Who doesn’t love denims?! I know I do! On a cold Winter evening or a bright Summer afternoon, it’s an all-time favourite. With a saree? Who says you can’t! It shows I’m cool and fun to be with but also conveys an underlying message of subdued fieriness. Totally rocking the style!
This off-shoulder bell-sleeved polka dots top is pure love, enhanced the beauty of the white saree. I love monochrome – Black & White brings out the intensity of the subject best. The lack of colour and the mix of all colours seems to be more alluring than a plethora of rainbow colours, thereby creating a strange dreamscape that no colour ever can! It shows strength and confidence with a slight bit of drama J The contrasting bow pin is a nice touch!
Once again, a cool belt never goes out of style! And the sari becomes instantly more manageable for those of us who love to or have to run around at work in a comfortable saree
Our quirky engineer girl sure brings a lot of innovative ideas to the plain mulcottons. Cannot get over this vibrant look. Worn like a skirt and accessorized with minimal jewellery. What a stunner!
Gone are the days when we would fuss over stitching a matching blouse or buying a readymade one that looks like a piece of the saree itself. Even crop tops have become too common. So why not dress with a normal top or perhaps a short kurti. Fully clad from top to toe and yet so subtly and magically sexy.
Who knew the exact same coloured sweater like knitted top would still bring out the beauty of the saree so vividly? Well, now you know how tasteful it appears when styled appropriately J The pallu has been beautifully arranged in front instead of the back. Sheer beauty, isn’t it?
Wrapped the pallu to the front by twisting it around the neck. The age-old handloom just kicked up a notch among the more modern generation of women. Looks gorgeous as ever!
For mothers of newly born babies convenience of their attire matters the most. But that definitely doesn’t mean you’ve to give up on the perfect amount of style ladies! How cool does the saree look worn like a shrug along with trousers? It’s hassle-free and extremely convenient
While I was obsessing over white shirt and saree combo I stumbled upon this one! Beautifully spiralled over the neck, worn with a simple tee and a nice pair of shoes. Love the Indo-western look.
While some of us fuss about the pleats being right, this wonder-woman gives no damn, as she goes on to pull the pallu straight up from the waist, paired with a pure white t-shirt. A yogini in the true sense, might I say! Confidence is a must-have to carry this look.
From afar this looks like a perfectly mixed and matched ghagra choli, doesn’t it? Once again, the pallu has been draped beautifully from backwards to the front.
Sometimes when it’s too hot outside we used to tie the dupatta around the neck and preferred keeping the length short instead of letting it flow casually all over our arms. So why not apply the same with a saree but not just when it’s hot but to make you look hotter as well?
Oh boy, isn’t this the most new-fangled and unique style that you’ve come across in a while? Twinning and winning just became ultra fashionable as these girls don these sarees in shorts.
Lal paar shada shari of Bengal in USA! I’ll be a little biased here and say this boldly – Bengali girls are quite known for their intellectual and witty charm and this picture is proof. So is the traditional Bengali style of saree draping. Whatta lovely image… I am nostalgia-struck!! JJ
‘Seedha Palla’ like the wearer herself describes it – ruched the shoulder and got one corner of the pallu forward so that the tasselled border falls in an asymmetric manner, feels like a Greek drape with an Obi belted cue to Japan and earthily desi block-printed top! We couldn’t agree more J
A bonus is well-deserved if you’ve read through all our styles! And what could be a better surprise than our very own SuTa queens aka Su (Sujata) and Ta (Taniya) in their very authentic, very classy avatars? Creativity is contagious, it’s true, but staying true to traditional old-fashioned ways in a world of ever-changing trends with a twist of your own, now that’s courageous. Here’s our evergreen conventional saree draping style, lest the world forgets!!!
Any time women come together with a collective intention, it’s a powerful feeling. Whether it’s sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens! When countless threads combined to be weaved into one piece of clothing, a sari (or saree) came into existence. When countless women started weaving them, a movement a #100sareepact began. I’ve always been a believer. I believe in dreams and those who dare to dream.
~When you dream alone, it’s just a dream. When you dream together, it becomes a reality.~
Fortuitously, the past 2-3 years has seen a revival of saris. Saris are being celebrated again as part and parcel of even the new, globalized India that is not embarrassed anymore about its traditions while embracing modernity. Couldn’t have been prouder and happier being a part of this transformation. Our goal is to become a part of the phenomenon of reintroducing handloom to this new and changing nation, making the women of India – no wait, of the world – fall in love with saris and seeing their own reflection in new light, breaking the stereotyped notion of where when how to wear saris. All you beautiful, wonderful, powerful, strong, courageous and amazing women who relentlessly dream and work hard towards achieving this goal, in every small or big way, have my heart and respect! 🙂
Suta 