Thursday, December 31, 2015

Sarees for different occasions

Indian woman looks most beautiful in a saree. It makes her look graceful and elegant, enhancing her beauty to the fullest. Saree is one outfit which can be worn on any kind of occasion. You can wear saree for a party, wedding, puja, office, formal meetings, an evening out with friends and even in your daily routine.

Here are a few sarees fit for different occasions

Weddings

For weddings, the sarees that you choose must have rich look and work on them. Silk sarees are best for weddings. South Indian silk sarees like Mysore silk sarees and Kanchipuram silk sarees, Banarasi silk sarees, Chanderi silk sarees, Sambhalpuri silk sarees etc are a perfect choice for this occasion. Choose bright colors for weddings like blue, red, green etc. If you do not prefer to wear silk sarees, you can go for more stylish sarees like designer sarees, fish cut sarees, lehenga sarees and so on.

Festivals

Sarees for festivals must neither be too heavy nor too simple. The saree can have some work and embellishment but only in moderate amounts. Silk cotton sarees, Bhagalpuri silk sarees, Mysore silk sarees etc, which are light and elegant, are best for wearing on festivals. Kanchipuram and Bengal tant sarees are also excellent for festival occasions, making you look traditional.

Parties

Parties do not mean that you have to wear western outfits. Why not look traditional as well as glamorous with a good designer saree? You can wear transparent designer sarees or light weight net sarees for parties. Net sarees with some stone work on the border will be perfect for parties. You can also wear georgette sarees, sarees with digital prints, jacquard sarees, art silk sarees, chiffon sarees and so on.

Corporate meetings

For corporate meeting, women must look stylish and sophisticated. Since it is a formal occasion, cotton sarees are the best. Go for the pure cotton sarees, Bengal cotton sarees, raw silk sarees and so on.  Crepe sarees can also work well for formal occasions. Avoid dark colors and heavy works. It should be simple with minimum designs. This will make you look confident and smart.

Daily wear

Everyday wear sarees must be simple and light weight. You must feel very comfortable in this saree as you have to wear it daily. Choose chiffon sarees or light colored cotton sarees for daily wear like a Kota saree or a bandhani saree. They are easy to wash and maintain. So you will have no trouble wearing them on a daily basis.

Travelling and outing purpose

For travelling, you can choose synthetic light weight sarees. These are comfortable and easy to manage. You can choose sarees that are light colored with light embroidery, small prints etc. Avoid sarees with heavy embroidery, zari works, dark colors and large prints. Heavy sarees make it difficult for you to manage when travelling.



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10 Gorgeous Lehengas that your friends did not tell you about

Who doesn’t want to look good for a wedding? And when it comes to that perfect outfit, why not go for something which makes you look traditional and stylish at the same time. Wear a bright color lehenga choli, match it with beautiful accessories (don’t forget the big jhumkas) and you are good to go.  Still worried? Then check out some magnificent lehengas that you can wear on the D-day and look absolutely stunning!  

Sonam Kapoor Prem Ratan Dhan Payo Lehenga

This bollywood lehenga is perfect for wearing to a wedding and makes you the center of attraction. It is made with pink georgette material and includes a pink blouse that is made attractive with embroidery.

Sophie Choudry Maroon Velvet Bollywood Lehenga Choli 

This maroon colored lehenga choli in velvet makes you look simply elegant and stunning. The prints on it enhance its beauty. This is very comfortable to wear and very eye-catching.

Chitrangada Red Designer Lehenga Choli

This set consists of red lehenga, black choli and matching dupatta. The choli is made with velvet while the lehenga and dupatta are made from georgette. The bright color and the embroidery work on them will make you the centre of attraction on any wedding or get-together.

Karishma Kapoor Net Bollywood Lehenga Choli

If you like something subtle, yet elegant, then go for this one. This lehenga is sky blue in color. There are embellishments on the lehenga, blouse and dupatta.

Divyanka Tripathi Black Georgette Lehenga Choli

If you like black, then this is the outfit for you. This set is made with black georgette and comes with leghenga, choli and a 2.25 m dupatta. The zardozi embroidery and resham thread work makes it look fabulous. You can wear to night parties and get togethers as well.

Kareena Kapoor Pink Net Brasso Lehenga Choli

This is made from Net-Brasso fabric. It includes lehenga, choli and dupatta with beautiful embroidery works. You will look like a diva in this pink colored outfit.

Alia Bhatt Net Bollywood Lehenga Choli

This is a white colored lehenga choli set that is made from Net blend fabric. It consists of semi stitched lehenga, fabric for choli and an attractive dupatta. Look bold and beautiful!

Shraddha Kapoor Blue Lehenga Choli

This is blue colored and consists of lehenga and fabric for blouse, along with a matching dupatta. It is made from Net blend fabric. Stitch it according to your requirements and amaze everyone with your gorgeous look.

Sonakshi Sinha Beige & Red Lehenga Choli

Red and beige colors are perfect for wearing on weddings. This set consists of solid beige colored choli that is stylish in look and made from raw silk, lehenga made from net and containing beautiful motifs on them, and a simple dupatta.

Malaika Arora Beige & Peach Lehenga Choli

Steal the limelight in this beautiThis set is made from Net fabric and consists of lehenga, fabric for choli and a matching dupatta. The beautiful embroidery works on them make them all the more attractive.

So what are you waiting for? Get set go…..

 

 



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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

5 political leaders who influenced the way you dress

Many political leaders have come and gone but there are some who hold a special place in people’s hearts. Sardar Patel is a greatly admired figure even today for his administrative abilities and strong personality. Vajpayee ji is remembered fondly for his oratory skills and statesmanship. Then there are also political leaders who not only influenced people by what they said and did but also by the way they carried themselves in the public sphere. The way they dressed became a norm for many people and influenced them tremendously.

Let us have a look at 5 political leaders who have influenced the way you dress

Mahatma Gandhi

The way Gandhi ji, father of our nation, dressed conveyed his ideals and principles. As part of his Swadeshi movement, he greatly propagated the use of Khadi as opposed to the use of foreign based goods and he led by example. He influenced common people by spinning his own cloth on a spinning wheel and wearing dhoti made of khadi. The simplicity and values of this world renowned political leader left a great imprint in the hearts of the people even after years of his demise. Even today, many political leaders wear kurtas and dhotis made of khadi and women wear khadi sarees to show respect to him.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Nehru Ji, a great reformer, is also held with a lot of respect. Our very first Prime Minister of India was known as Chacha Nehru because of his love for children. He had a distinct style of dressing and he always wore a jacket with a rose flower in the pocket. This jacket was close fitting and single breasted, with a row of buttons down the front. It also had a stand-up collar with no lapels. Soon this became popular as the Nehru jacket. Nehru cap is also widely popular.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, a bold leader and the founder of Pakistan, was very popular for the sherwani he wore, which is still associated with him. This style of sherwani was made the national dress of Pakistan after him and even now the Governments officials, including the Prime minister and the President, wear black sherwanis over salwar kameez on important national occasions. The karakul hat that he wore in his later years came to be known as ‘Jinnah cap’.

Indira Gandhi

This iron lady of India had a style of her own which is now followed by many women politicians in India, including her own daughter-in-law and grand daughter. A neatly pressed and starched hand woven Khadi saree, a rudraksh beaded necklace around the neck and a simple HMT ‘Janata’ wristwatch were a part of her trademark style. The pallu used to be draped casually over her left shoulder and over her head. On grand occasions, she would go for pure silk sarees. On her foreign visits, she used to look absolutely elegant wearing a trench coat on top of her saree. She also had a peculiar hair style.

Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi, our present Prime minister, is well known as a great orator and he is also noted for the kurtas he wears. These kurtas are unique and have attracted a lot of attention from the time he became the prime minister. Modi Kurta, as it is called, is half sleeved and is said to be his own design. Usually he wears white and saffron kurtas. Other than his kurta and pyjama, he also has a collection of stoles and scarves that he wears over the kurta.



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5 Indian TV actresses who influence your style this season

From Ekta’s K series to Ye hai mohabbatein, Indian daily soaps have won many hearts and the actors associated with these shows have become more popular than the film actors in some cases. Be it the Tulsi of Kyunki Saas bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi or the more recent Madhubala, people have held them close to their hearts. It is not just the characters that these actors play which is appreciated but there is lot more to it. Remember how popular Aamna Sharif was for her dressing sense in Kahin to Hoga or Sudha Chandran in Kaahin Kissi Roz. These actresses not only made a mark due to their acting prowess but also because they made many women sit glued to their TV screens just to see what they are wearing today.

Let’s check out who is influencing your style these days

Divyanka Tripathi

Divyankara Tripathi is a TV actress and currently plays the role of Dr. Ishita Raman Bhalla in the hugely popular serial Ye Hai Mohabbatein. Her outfits from the show are a big hit with the audience. The bright orange saree with golden blouse and heavy jewellery when she appeared as a bride, silk cream saree with black blouse, purple and red embroidered saree, bright red anarkali etc are very much in demand.

Hina Khan

She plays the role of Akshara in the Hindi serial ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kahlata Hai.’  She is a fine actress and a house hold name in India. The anarkali and salwar kameez modeled by her are known by the name Akshara, which is her screen name. They are very popular among the young girls. Her Karachi style suit is also very popular.

Drashti Dhami

 

She is another TV actress and celebrity who has influenced female audience with her dressing style and acting talent. She has appeared in various shows like Dill Mill Gayye, Geet, Madhubala and is currently appearing in Ek tha raja ek thi rani. Her Anarkali Suits, Gowns, Pakistani Style suits are extremely popular among girls.

Rashmi Desai

She rose to fame with her role as Tapasya Raghuvendra Pratap Rathore in the popular television serial Uttaran. She also came to limelight with her participation in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 and later Nach Baliye 7 with her husband Nandish.  She likes to look simple but classy. Rashmi Desai Floor Length Anarkali Suits are a fashion statement and feature embroidery works with pita work on hemline. Rashmi Desai sarees and kurtis are also a craze with young women and college girls.

Karishma Tanna

Karishma Tanna is an actress and model and was a contestant in the television show Big Boss 8. Some of her looks in the show Big Boss have become very popular with the audience. The white top she wore with a yellow skirt and the colorful maxi she wore were noticed by all. Her cropped top, pleated black skirt and accents of gold made her look stunning. She carries any attire with grace and elegance. Her outfits are also very much in demand these days.



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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

7 different saree draping styles

India is a culturally rich country where each state has something unique which nobody else has. It can be clothing, religion, tradition, food preference, language or craft. Even though saree is one outfit which is a common thread and worn in different parts of India, many states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat etc have their own style of wearing these sarees, thus imparting a uniqueness to this as well.

Let us have a look at 7 different saree draping styles in India

Bengali style

In this style of saree draping two box pleats are made in the front and the pallu is put on the left shoulder. Then you have to pick the right corner of the pallu and bring it to the front and flip it over the right shoulder. You can tie an ornamental key to the corner, so that it stays on your shoulder.

Maharashtrian style 

This is a different and unique style of draping the saree, which is found in Maharashtra. You need 9 yards of saree (nauvari) instead of the usual 6 yards of saree for this style. Unlike in other ways of wearing sarees, here you do not need a petticoat to drape the saree. After you wear the saree, it looks like a man’s dhoti at the bottom. The pallu covers your chest.

Gujarati style 

You can wear saree in this style for any occasion. Here the pallu, instead of falling from your left shoulder, is displayed in front, so that you can show off the intricate and artistic works on the pallu to the fullest. After pleating the pallu, take it from the back over your right shoulder and pin it, so that the pallu hangs in front. Pin the hanging pleat on the left side of your waist.

Kerala style

Mundum Neriyathum or ‘settu mundu’ is the traditional attire of Kerala. This is a saree that consists of Mundu or the lower garment and Neriyathum or the upper garment. Mundu is tucked at the waist and the neriyathum covers the torso, over the blouse.

Tamilian style

In this style also, the saree is of 9 yard length (Madisar Iyer saree) and you can wear slacks instead of petticoat. Here the pallu falls on the right shoulder and the loose end is wrapped around the waist on the right. This style makes you look traditional and charming.

Coorgi style

This style is quite different and unique compared to other styles of saree draping. This reflects the culture of Karnataka, especially the Kodava women. This helps them to move about in the hilly region and to climb trees without any difficulty. Here the pleats are tucked at the back instead of in the front as you find in other styles. Also, the saree goes horizontal covering the torso so that the distinct border is visible at the chest level.



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Saturday, December 26, 2015

Monday, December 21, 2015

Bollywood Heroines Rocking the South India Look

Bollywood is known for glamour and so are its heroines. However, it is not just the glamourous look that these heroines look stunning in. In fact, some are donning a more traditional south indian look these days both in reel and real life and completely nailing it. They are making a new fashion statement which is becoming a rage among Indian women of all age groups.

Deepika Padukone

You can never forget how fabulous Deepika looked in her film Chennai Express, wearing South Indian Half Sarees. The bright colored half sarees with golden zari border worn by her throughout the film were based on Tamil Nadu street fashion. Be it the yellow flowing skirt, paired with green dupatta with broad zari border and an ari silk blouse in the beginning of the film or the light blue half saree with a yellow piping later, she looked absolutely mesmerizing and made these half sarees very popular with the girls.

Alia Bhatt

The simple South Indian look of Alia Bhatt in the film ‘2 states’ made everybody fall in love with her. The wedding scene in this film showed her in plain Kanchipuram silk lehenga that was rich raspberry red in color. It had no embroidery works done on it and the chunni was also simple and fastened with a gold waist belt. The simple brocade blouse was orange in color. The jewellery was also simple, including a coin necklace but she looked absolutely stunning in this combination.

Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Kapoor in the film ‘Aisha’, was seen wearing a traditional Kerala kasavu saree in a song sequence. With this saree, she wore a white blouse with gold-copper embroidery instead of the traditional golden colored blouse. This hand woven saree had a plain body and golden border. The saree was simple but made her look elegant and beautiful. This kasavu saree is worn by women in Kerala for auspicious occasions.

Sridevi

Sridevi, the popular bollywood actress and a Tamilian herself, wore a Kanchipuram saree on the Padma award function. She wore a soft pink Kanchipuram saree and matched it with a necklace of ruby and pearl, kada, and jhumkis. The blouse she wore was ivory colored. She looked absolutely graceful in this outfit.

Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan loves to wear South Indian Sarees. She is often seen wearing Kanchipuram saree and other silk sarees that are bright colored. These worn with matching jewellery makes her look gorgeous. Her red and gold saree, which she wore with a full sleeve blouse, is very popular. Her black Kanchipuram saree with red border is also very popular.

 



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Saturday, December 19, 2015

5 famous personalities who brought traditional handlooms to limelight

Some things cannot be valued based on their material worth but it is the emotional value attached to them which makes them priceless. Such is the case with the traditional handlooms. Be it the graceful Chanderi Saree or the timeless Kanchipuram Saree, each is woven with a lot of dedication on the part of the talented artisans who have done this for generations and know nothing else but this. Their parents have done it, their grandparents have done it and this craft has become very much part of who they are.

We often hear that these handlooms are fast disappearing due to intense competition from power looms, high price and lack of external support. However, there are people who acknowledge that the quality, effort and the emotional aspect associated with these handlooms is incomparable and they have had some role to play in bringing them to limelight.

Let’s see five such famous personalities

MS Subbulakshmi

This gem of Carnatic music was very much in love with Kanchipuram Sarees. In fact, a shade of blue was her personal favourite and the kanjeevaram sarees in this color were specially made for her by a weaver in Kanchipuram. In fact the color MS Blue was named after her and she was the reason for the popularity of the MS blue sarees among south Indian women. Read more about her on Wikipedia.

Mamata Banerjee

 

The Chief Minister of Bengal is always spotted in a White Bengal Tant Saree bought from Dhaniakhali. It has become very much part of her identity and defines her personality.

Aishwarya Rai

Famous actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan brought the traditional Pochampally sarees to limelight. She looked graceful in a Pochampally saree in her wedding and reception.

Vidya Balan

Popular actress Vidya Balan’s love for Sarees is not hidden from anyone but her most loved possession is a red Banarasi saree gifted to her by her husband. In fact she is often spotted wearing a Banarasi or a Kanjeevaram Saree looking absolutely gorgeous.

Kareena Kapoor

The ever beautiful Ms. Kareena Kapoor Khan made Chanderi sarees popular after her visit to Chanderi during the promotion of her film 3 Idiots. In fact, she bought a Black Chanderi Saree from there and that’s how Black Kareena Chanderi Saree became famous.

Where there is a will, there is a way. If more famous personalities choose to support these traditional handlooms which are very much part of our culture and heritage, these handlooms will not just remain in our memory but will become our prized possessions.



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