THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Davani like the sari, is a clothing that never really went out of vogue. For most young women of yore it was more like a mini version of sari or a practice dress before they went on to drape the 6 yard long piece.
It was more or less like a casual wear or their daily wear worn by women below 25 years or till they got married.
But never was this ensemble of dupatta, skirt and blouse, worn by women past their thirties.
There was even a time when the more fashion conscious maintained a safe distance from this dress as it belonged to the less stylish and more on the ‘being nadan’ list.
But things have changed a lot since then and davani as such has undergone a huge metamorphosis. Though the basic ensemble remains the same, the designs began to get more elaborate.
Now davani is no more that pre-sari dress or just a casual wear, in fact it has gone designer and has gained the status of a party wear.
“It was actually back in 2012-13 period that I first tried a half sari for a photo shoot. It was the time when half saris were making a come back. I liked the feel of it and tried them on a few occasions and got positive responses. I like simple and elegant ones than the ones with heavy works. Now they are everywhere and like me many women well past their 30s are carrying them off with style,” says Smitha Menon a PR person past her thirties.
Like Smitha many women past their thirties who have the confidence to carry the ensemble are trying them on. Age has ceased to be a bar when it comes to davani these days.
From celebrities to fashionistas everybody has a half sari in their wardrobe nowadays.
Says Kamila Kasim who runs a boutique in Kochi, “These days we have a lot of 30 plus customers who come in asking for a half sari. They mainly prefer party wear types. Sometimes we even get 40 plus NRI customers who come in asking for part wear davanis.”
“While teenagers and youngsters mostly prefer mermaid panel skirts, 30 plus women go for flare A-line panels or single umbrella flare. Older women unlike youngsters do not go for transparent or net dupattas instead they prefer thick dupattas and small blouses,” adds Kamila.
Women these days prefer half saris because of the comfort level it offers. On any given day it is much easier than an actual sari, says Sheila James who runs a boutique in the city.
“I personally opt for it as it is easier than a sari and gives the same elegance as a sari. Unlike before they make it in so many designs that it no longer looks awkward when a person like myself who is nearing her fourties try them on. I have plenty to options to choose from so I can go for something that will go on me, and no longer have to make do with the types made for a younger crowd,” says Vaiga a mother of two.
Seeing the demand for half saris among women past their thirties the market now has half and half saris. These saris have pleats in a contrasting colours compared to rest of the sari. The one half of the sari including pleats is in complete contrasting colour compared to other half of the sari which includes pallu.
So now even older woman who would like to revisit their younger days but shy away from the half sari as such can go for these kinds of saris.
Women no longer shy away from dresses conforming to culture or the general social setup. On the other hand they are becoming bold and trying new styles with verve.