Styles & Varieties of Sari fabric

Saris have taken the international fashion world by storm in recent years. The flattering and fluid drape of the Indian sari has charmed millions across the world. Attire that’s modest yet sensuous at once, sari is a silhouette that can be carried gracefully anytime and anywhere. From formal office meetings to the red carpet, this sometimes elaborate, at times simple outfit works beautifully as elegant comfort wear as well as a glamorous style statement. They have evolved from being popular favorites, beloved by the masses, into an haute fashion item which can be worn for all kinds of occasions. One of the lesser known secrets about this trendy item is that it is available in a vast range of fabrics, with each sari fabric having its own set of unique selling points. The most common sari material is cotton. This material is highly popular due its comfort, breath ability and style. Commonly worn on an everyday basis by women of all ages, there are tremendous varieties even within this single fabric.

Every region of India offer a different style of sari fabric crafted and designed using ancient techniques perfected over many years by the rural artisans. On the other hand, these traditional techniques have also been embraced by big name designers, who have come with innovative ways to incorporate them into designer saris. These six yards of fabric doesn’t have its own shape or cut – as it’s un stitched – and thus, it takes the shape of the wearer’s body structure. This is a unique aspect, which differentiates sari from every other garment. However, this puts a lot of emphasis on how a sari is tied/ worn, and the sari’s fabric and texture – as it’s important for achieving a good drape. The choice of sari material is crucial to the over-all look and feel of the sari. It affects the way the sari drapes over the body, the fall and pleating style, the types of embroidery and embellishments and the level of comfort for the wearer. The occasion for which the sari is needed can also be a key factor in selecting the fabric as some fabrics are inherently luxurious while others look better for casual events.

Silk is another beautiful Indian sari fabric. Though appearing in India relatively recently, silk saris have become an integral part of Indian fashion. Here also there is a tremendous variety and depending on the weaving style, the way it has been treated, the type of decorations used, the type of raw materials used and many other such factors the over-all look and feel can be quite distinctive. Each of these types has become a brand name and has become associated with certain regions, festivals or seasons. For instance, Banarasi silk is known for its opulence and beauty and is a favorite bridal sari fabric. Tussar silk is another famous variety famous for its distinctive dull finish and pretty embroideries. There are many fine versions of silk saris, such as Gota, Tanjore, Patola, Jamavar, Dupion, Art and so on. There are also many beautiful mixed fabrics like silk on cotton, cotton on silk and silk on wool which combine the advantages of two fabrics in one sari.