Traditional Wedding Sarees From All Over India

Indian weddings are steeped in culture and tradition. These traditions are on full display at weddings which are often the best venue to get a real taste of the Indian culture. Different states have different wedding customs and this often includes what the bride or the groom chooses to wear on the day of the wedding. Most brides and grooms often stridently stick to traditional ethnic garments that differ from region to region with India for Bridal wear. For example a bride from Tamil Nadu is most likely to wear the Kanjeevaram saree which a bride from Orissa will stick to the Sambhalpuri silk saree. One can easily buy these traditional wedding sarees online  which means a bride from Tamil Nadu would probably still wear the Kanjeevaram saree on her wedding day even if she is based in Los Angeles. List below are prominent example of traditional wedding sarees from all over India that can be easily sourced online.

Kanjeevaram

mongst Tamil brides however its fame has travelled far and wide and this saree is sought after by women all over the country. Due to the increased demand, this saree is widely available one can easily buy Kanjeevaram silk sarees online.

Net Sarees

Net Sarees are very popular in the northern region of India and is often the favoured ensemble for bridal wear along with the lehenga choli. The net saree stands out for the beautiful embellishments that are often used to accentuate the saree. One can easily buy beautiful net sarees online.

Benarasi

According to Wikipedia… “A Banarasi saree is a saree made in Varanasi, a city which is also called Benares or Banaras. The sarees are among the finest sarees in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk and opulent embroidery. The sarees are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design and, because of these engravings, the sarees are relatively heavy.

Their special characteristics are Mughal inspired designs such as intricate intertwining floral and foliate motifs, kalga and bel, a string of upright leaves called jhallar at the outer, edge of border is a characteristic of these sarees. Other features are gold work, compact weaving, figures with small details, metallic visual effects, pallus, jal (a net like pattern), and mina work. The sarees are often part of an Indian bride’s trousseau.” What, Wikipedia doesn’t make clear here is how popular this saree is in the Bengal region. Having made this point it is also imperative to state that this saree is sought after all over India and fortunately one can easily source these silk sarees online.

Sambhalpuri Saree from Orissa

While the Bomkai and Kotki sarees from Orissa are widely popular, the Sambhalpuri silk saree wins hands down when considering the popularity of this traditional weave for bridal wear. The Bomkai saree is by far the most sought after saree amongst brides in the state of Orissa and its appeal lies in exquisite work done on the anchal. From natives of Orissa getting wedded outside the state, it is a boon that one can easily source the Sambhalpuri silk saree online.

Assam Silk

The Assam silk saree which is also known as the Muga silk saree is one of the most popular sarees amongst Assamese brides. This saree is typically the customary saree for Assamese brides and is easily distinguished by the red border on a white base.

Resham Silk

Apart from the Kanjeevaram saree, the resham saree is also widely popular all over South India. The appeal factor of this saree is the many variations available in different designs and patterns.

Zardozi Saree

According to Wikipedia… “Zardozi work is a type of embroidery in Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Central Asia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Zardozi embroidery is beautiful metal embroidery, which once used to embellish the attire of the Kings and the royals in India. It was also used to adorn walls of the royal tents, scabbards, wall hangings and the paraphernalia of regal elephants and horses. Zardozi embroidery work involves making elaborate designs, using gold and silver threads. Further adding to the magnificence of the work are the studded pearls and precious stones. Initially, the embroidery was done with pure silver wires and real gold leaves. However, today, craftsmen make use of a combination of copper wire, with a golden or silver polish, and a silk thread.” This zardosi embroidery is used to accentuate a wide range of ethnic wear and amongst these ethnic garments is the Zardozi saree which is popular all over India.

Paithani Saree

Aurangabad, Maharashtra is the point of origin of the Paithani saree which is now worn by brides all over Maharashtra. One can easily buy these beautiful gold embroidered silk sarees online.

Bandhini Saree

The Bandhini or Bandhej saree is most popular amongst Rajasthani and Gujrati brides. These sarees that are died by a special tie and die method are known for the polka dot designs all over the saree. While this saree is a customary bridal saree in Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is widely worn all over India.

Pattu Saree

The beautiful white and gold silk sarees known as Pattu sarees are the choice ensemble for Christian brides in Kerala. This saree is so popular that Keralite brides from outside the state often stick to the custom of wearing the Pattu saree. Fortunately one can easily source Pattu silk sarees online.

Brocade Silk

According to Wikipedia… “Brocade is a class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in colored silks and with or without gold and silver threads. The name, related to the same root as the word “broccoli”, comes from Italian broccato meaning “embossed cloth”, originally past participle of the verb broccare “to stud, set with nails”, from brocco, “small nail”, from Latin broccus, “projecting, pointed”. Brocade is typically woven on a draw loom. It is a supplementary weft technique; that is, the ornamental brocading is produced by a supplementary, non-structural, weft in addition to the standard weft that holds the warp threads together. The purpose of this is to give the appearance that the weave was actually embroidered on.”  Brocade fabrics are often used to make beautiful ethnic garments and the brocade silk saree is popular traditional wedding saree.

 

 

 

 

Bollywood Stars Set Trends on the Red Carpet and Other Star Studded Events

In India we look to Bollywood stars for fashion inspiration and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that as these stars are often advised and assisted by the best stylists and fashion designers in the country when it comes to their sartorial choices. With the intense media glare and the unforgiving fashion police on their backs, stars now step out on to the red carpet in ethnic and western garments that are in keeping with the latest trends and fads. This fact can serve as an advantage for the common fashion conscious people like us who may not be able to afford a stylist to keep us on track in terms of fashion trends and one way to be inspired is by observing our favorite stars on the red carpet. It may not be feasible watch every red carpet event on the telly however one can simply Google search terms like Bollywood stars at Cannes or Bollywood red carpet and watch your favorite stars in ethnic wear like  Bandhgala Blazers, Sherwanis, Sarees and or even western wear like Tuxedos and Gowns. Look through our top picks of Bollywood stars looking like royalty on the red carpet and other star studded events and gain inspiration on how to apply these looks to your own wardrobe for the next big event you are meant to attend.

Ranveer Singh in a Sherwani at a promotional Photo shoot for Bajirao Mastani

 

During the promotions of the movie Bajirao Mastani, Ranveer and Deepika posed for a photo shoot in ethnic ensembles as the movie is a period action drama come love story. In this picture Ranveer looks dapper in an outfit that makes for a good wedding sherwani. Next time you are shopping for wedding sherwanis, for a wedding you intend to attend or even if you are the one getting married, here is a great look to be inspired by.

Sonam Kapoor in an Ellie Saab Gown at Cannes

Sonam Kapoor who is the Indian face of L’Oreal looks resplendent in a black Ellie Saab gown at the Cannes film festival. While this starlet has made a name for herself as a fashionista, her critically acclaimed performance in the movie Neerja has finally got her recognition as an actor.

Sonam Kapoor at Cannes Again

While Aishwarya Rai has made countless appearances at Cannes, her red carpet choices have been mostly fails however Sonam Kapoor stuns with a new look every time at Cannes. This picture is from Cannes 2013 and Sonam Kapoor looks gorgeous in a cape saree and stunning nose ring. Let this saree be your inspiration for a stunning wedding saree.

Arjun Rampal at Cannes

Who can forget Arjun Rampal at Cannes looking like a gentleman and yet so intrinsically Indian dapper in his bandhgala blazer and Jodhpur style trousers at Cannes. Next time you need fashion inspiration for a wedding you need to attend be inspired by this unique look to this look instead of the usual sherwanis for weddings.