Sarees are said to have made their glorious debut in northwestern India. This occurred during the golden age of the Indus Valley Civilisation from 2800 and 1800 BCE.

Katan Silk sarees are the most well-renowned saree in Banaras. They are made from finely-woven silk yarn, giving them a magnificent sheen. Their body is permeated by intricate brocade and Mughal-inspired floral and foliate motifs. This extensive ornamentation makes them a widely sought-after desire for women.

– Check for pin marks on the edge of the saree. Pins are usually used by weavers to attach the saree to the handloom.

– Check for handmade Persian designs of amru, ambi and domak. A pure Banarsi saree usually contains these Mughal-inspired motifs.

– An authentic Banarasi saree will have floating threads in between the warp and weft grids on the reverse side of the saree instead of having a smooth finish given by power looms.

There are 12 types of Banarasi sarees:

Katan Banarasi sarees
Shattir Banarsi sarees
Georgette Banarsi sarees
Organza Banarasi sarees
Tanchoi Banarsi sarees
Jangla Banarasi sarees
Cutwork Banarasi sarees
Butidar Banarasi sarees
Jamdani Banarasi sarees
Silk Shalu Banarasi sarees

A saree usually varies from 3 metres to 8 metres in length. The length you require depends on what style of drape you are going for.

India houses an array of diverse cultures from various states. You can find twelve different traditional sarees across the country: Kanjeevaram sarees, Chanderi sarees, Nauvari sarees, Bandhani sarees, Tant sarees, Chikankari sarees, Bomkai sarees, Kasavu sarees, Muga sarees, Phulkari, and Pochampally sarees.

A saree is worn by gently draping it over the body. Traditionally, you first have to wear the petticoat and blouse, wrap it around your waist, make pleats on the front side of the saree, tuck them at the centre of your waist and then let the pallu rest over one of your shoulders like a stole.

You can drape a saree in a myriad of creative styles. Some popular ones that crest the fashion trends are the belt style, in which you wear a golden or embroidered belt with a plain weave saree that clinches your pallu at the waist; the dhoti style, in which you wear leggings instead of a petticoat; the neck drape style in which you drape the pallu around your neck like a shawl; and the mermaid style in which you drape the last of the pleats like a mermaid’s tail.

It is a light and loose underskirt that is worn under a saree. It runs from the waist to the feet.

It is a tightly-fitted upper garment. Its manner of wearing resembles that of a cropped shirt. It is usually hooked to the pallu.

There is a wide range of materials that may be used to create sarees, each with its own distinct look, feel, and texture. In India, sarees are often made from the following fabrics:

Silk: It is a high-end fabric prized for its softness, suppleness, and shimmering sheen. Banarasi silk, Kanchipuram silk, and Chanderi silk are just a few examples of the many varieties of silk used to make sarees.
Cotton: It is a soft, breathable fabric that is ideal for casual, daily clothing. Handloom cotton, Chikankari cotton, and block-printed cotton are just a few examples of the many different types of cotton sarees available.
Chiffon: Lightweight and translucent, chiffon is prized for its luxurious drape. Embroidery, sequins, and other embellishments are commonplace on chiffon sarees.
Georgette: It is a lightweight, semi-sheer fabric ideal for making feminine, voluminous sarees. Often, georgette sarees include elaborate decorations or embroidery.
Net: It is a sheer cloth widely used to make sarees that have a light, airy appearance. Embroidery and lacework are popular ways to decorate net sarees.
Linen: It is a great summer fabric since it is lightweight and airy. Linen sarees are available in a wide range of colours and patterns, and are known for their subtle, understated elegance.
Organza: It is a translucent, crisp fabric that is ideal for making voluminous, structured sarees. Sarees made of organza typically feature elaborate embroidery or beadwork.

Yes, sarees are exquisite garments that require a lot of care and attention:

You must avoid washing them frequently as it can roughen or shrink the saree and strip them of their stunning embroidery.
Steam iron the saree or put a layer of newspaper between the saree and the traditional iron. The saree must not be exposed to direct heat.
Spot-clean all non-silk sarees immediately; otherwise, they might leave a dirty stain.
Wait to hand them for a long as it may lead to shape deformation.

Dry clean them or gently rinse them using the traditional hand wash technique.
Wash the saree with water and mild detergents or baby shampoo.
Avoid immersing the colours in water for prolonged periods as it may lead to fading these colours.
Wash the sarees separately as the dark colours may bleed and stain the other sarees.
Do not squeeze or twist them tightly but ensure all the water seeps out.

Store the sarees on wooden hangers or wrap them in a muslin cloth. Moreover, it would be best to refold the sarees occasionally to avoid wrinkles on the creases.

The first step to finding the right saree is embracing and accepting your body the way it is. For those looking to accentuate their natural curves, georgette, chiffon, and net sarees is an incredible choice. They give a slim look. For those wanting to highlight the saree, silk sarees with rich embroidery should be your final destination. Whether your body is pear-shaped, apple-shaped or an hourglass, the saree that makes you feel empowered and comfortable in your skin is undoubtedly the right one.

Sarees are fit for all occasions but look unmistakably gorgeous at special events such as weddings, family dinners, college and work parties, and festivals!

A saree can be accessorised using red and ivory-plated bangles that tinkle with the reminiscing music of your laughter; diamond-studded rings; heavily- sequined, neck-hugging necklaces; traditional bell-ringing ‘jhumkas’, shiny anklets that ring with your every step; and golden or embroidered belts can also pair potlibags which are in trend.

Although sarees are more commonly associated with ladies than males, there is technically no law prohibiting guys from wearing them in India. These days, more and more men are donning sarees as a means of challenging traditional gender roles and expressing their individuality.

Wearing a saree, however, involves more than just donning an article of clothing; it also necessitates familiarity with the saree’s historical and cultural significance. Sarees have a long and storied history in India, and several cultures and areas have developed their own distinct fashions and methods of draping them.

It’s crucial for a man who wears a saree to be respectful and sensitive to the cultural traditions and practises that go along with it. Seeking the advice of a stylist or a member of the culture from which the saree was originally worn can be helpful as well.

A modern, contemporary look can be achieved through an elegant and well-curated drape in the mermaid style, belt style, pant style, butterfly style or mumtaz style. Add the pallu in the front, or wear a denim jacket with the saree to jazz it up.

Different draping styles exist in different parts of India due to each state’s long-standing cultural and historical differences. Each draping style portrays each region’s diverse values, festivals, fashion and cultural nuances.

For formal and extravagant occasions such as weddings, important work meetings and festivals, the glorious silk and georgette sarees usually uplift your look. However, the beautifully simple cotton and muslin sarees are your best companion for casual occasions such as regular office meetings with colleagues, a friend reunion, or just lounging at home.