“I could live in a sari, I was born to wear a sari. I’m so glad I wear it so often now. It never gets boring, it’s sexy and it just shows the right amount and hides the right amount. It’s the ultimate tease, I think,” said actress Vidya Balan in one of her interviews. Balan made it fashionable again to flaunt oneself in a saree and gave the fashion police a break, who earlier couldn’t stop criticising her sense of fashion. Vidya’s newfound fame has single-handedly brought hand-woven saris back in vogue. To make the allure of this enviable attire even more appealing, here are some of the saree trends of 2012 that gained prominence among the fashionistas:
Net Sarees: With the use of incredible motifs as well as interesting borders adorned with crystals and other embellishments, net sarees look resplendent and can be worn for occasions like weddings, parties and other informal outings. A number of designers experimented with floral patterns on nets that got talked about in 2012.
Pre-pleated sarees: Many women feel that draping a saree is a daunting challenge and moreover, a saree loses its charm if it is not draped in a proper manner. In order to overcome this problem, designers have come up with a perfect solution in the form of a ready-pleated or a prepleated saree.
They were designed to lessen the hassle of women trying to fold neat pleats in their saree. These sarees resemble skirts in look with pleats stitched at strategic places that ease the manual struggle. Just tuck it at one place, accessorise well and you are ready to sizzle. One can choose from different embroideries like zardozi, phulkari, chikankari and lace work.
‘Dhoti’ saree: At a recent Summer/Spring ‘13 Fashion Week, a popular designer brought to the ramp a lungi/ dhoti-style saree with wide slits that infused modernity into the traditional attire. The idea was to experience a psychedelic world which is not bound by symmetry or notion of uniformity or correctness. The 3D embroidery and digital prints were visible on the sarees, which was worn over jeans, credited technical finesse to the modest saree.
Gown inspired: A well known Goan-designer showcased westernised yet indigenous jersey saree gown at a recent fashion show.
With a built-in choli and a split pallu, the attire rendered a glamorous couture look with one half of the pallu done up in a kimonostyle sleeve and the other clustered in the shape of a halter.