Rhea always knew reds made her look dull and drained, but she never thought it would be such a big hitch when it came to her wedding dress. Even after weeks of shop hopping and dabbling around, she couldn’t find anything that remotely suited her build and tone. Exasperated and just a few weeks away from the D-day she approached a bridal boutique. She picked a couple of colours, briefed on the handwork she needed, declared her budget and voila - her bridal sari in dark champagne and pista green with pearl and zardosi was finished in a week’s time.
“I was obsessed about selecting the right colour. In most of the big shops the bridal palette is limited to red and its variants. I was not happy with the Christmas-tree designer pieces either. But finally I have the right one,” gushes the bride-to-be.
Gone are the days when signature scarlets made the one and only option for bridal trousseau. The staple six-yard in thick silk and zari is passe as new-gen brides have umpteen options ranging from translucent crepes to mix-and-match silks. Modern day brides are completely aware of what suits them and will not settle for anything less than the perfect for their big day.
“Most of them have clear-cut ideas about what they want. Even the fabric is picked according to their taste. If they are not happy with silk-and-brocade, they go for a crepe-and-velvet or a chiffon-and-tissue,” says Anu Tinu of Label M, Kochi, an exclusive bridal boutique. You definitely need to loosen your purse strings but going for a customised sari need not burn a deep hole in your pocket. “There are saris ranging from `10,000 to 50,000 depending upon the fusion and handwork you choose. But wedding is a time when most of the women will be in a mood to splurge,” she adds.
Colour Me Right
If the shade doesn’t suit the bride’s skin tone it creates a complete wash-out effect. So instead of sticking to the classic red silk, the new generation brides are experimenting with an array of colours, zeroing in on something that flatters their complexion. As a result maroons and magentas have given way to peaches, lilacs, beiges and sunflower yellows. “There are no takers for single shades with zari. There will be two or three colours and customers often ask for the brighter versions of pastel shades. Fusion saris, designed with various fabrics, textures and colours are also a big hit,” says Anu.
Bling is the Thing
A bridal sari can be anything, but simple. However advanced, you just can’t do away with the bling factor. The sari need not always have an elaborate pallu and an ornamental border, but should look elegant and resplendent. But now the traditional trims hardly have any takers. “Rhinestones, zardosi and kundan are the most sought-after handworks. Then there are customised pieces that use swarovski crystals and imported pearls for embellishment. You can always ask for particular motifs and designs,” she adds.
Pair it Up
New trends in cholis hit fashion runways season after season. The best way to complete the bridal look is pairing it with an equally exquisite blouse. “There are combinations where we use an entirely different colour and style for the blouse, but the whole look will be stunning. Then there are cholis in metallic colours. They come with loads of intricate handwork but have a nude look which accentuates the beauty of the sari,” says Nayana N, a Kochi-based designer.