Khaddi Silk Saree Styling Guide: Why Two Women In The Same Saree Never Look The Same

Two women wear the same khaddi silk saree at the same function one looks like she is going to a temple the other looks like she came out of a magazine. Same saree, Same colour, Same price.

So what is different only three things the blouse, the jewellery and the way the pallu is put.

We give one hour to picking the colour and one minute to picking the blouse then we ask why the saree did not look the way it looked in the shop.

The same saree can look like five different sarees

A khaddi silk saree lets you try new things every saree does not.

It has a little weight in the hand it does not fly up like a light georgette, it does not stand hard like a heavy silk, it falls down straight and stays there so the pleats do not open after twenty minutes the pallu keeps its shape all evening and you can pin it or belt it and it stays.

That is why one good khaddi georgette saree can go to a wedding, a sangeet, a pooja and an office party nobody will know it is the same saree.

Start with the blouse

If you change only one thing change this.

A matching blouse is safe for a pooja or a home function it is very good but it also makes the saree look the same every time.

A contrast blouse is the fastest way to make an old saree look new rani pink saree with a bottle green blouse black saree with a gold blous beige saree with a deep maroon blouse. Nothing else changes and still people ask you when you bought it.

Now the cut pick it by the function:

• Elbow sleeve with a deep round neck. Suits most women covers the arm and still looks good.
• Boat neck with a three fourth sleeve. Simple and neat only jhumkas with it.
• Sleeveless or thin strap. Party and reception the saree stays the main thing.
• Brocade or zari blouse. Full wedding look best when the saree is plain and the border is heavy.

Remember one thing one saree with three blouses gives you more than three sarees with one blouse each.

Then change the way you drape it

Most of us drape a saree the same way all our life this saree holds a drape well so learn two or three.

The seedha pallu is the old Banaras style. The pallu comes in front, right shoulder to left. Use it when the pallu work is heavy so the design comes in front of the camera. The open pallu is the normal drape but you do not make pleats in the pallu. Let it hang with one pin. It looks simple and it makes you look taller.

The butterfly pallu is folded thin so it sits like a patti on the shoulder and the blouse stays open that is the reception and sangeet drape.

The belt drape is the easiest one put a thin belt or kamarbandh on the pleats it holds the saree tight and gives shape at the waist at KCPC Bandhani we tell customers to try this one first no tailor, one minute and it works for almost every body type.

And the skirt drape is when you wear the saree on a flared petticoat so the bottom opens like a lehenga keep that for garba nights.

Let the jewellery set the mood

The saree stays the same change the neck and the full feeling changes.

Temple gold with a long haar gives the full traditional look wear it at weddings, pooja and family functions. A kundan choker with a maang tikka takes you close to a bridal look and that is best at a night wedding oxidised silver with big jhumkas makes it young and festive so keep that for garba sangeet and photos one line of pearls is soft and simple good for day time and office parties and if the saree already has heavy zari wear only earrings and keep the neck empty that is the most modern look and it is very hard to go wrong there.

The rule is easy. Heavy saree light jewellery, Simple saree heavy jewellery when both are heavy the photos look too full.

Colour and the look it gives

Colour is the first thing people see, so pick it by the time of the function.

Red, maroon and rani pink are the wedding colours and they are never wrong. Black with gold zari is the new favourite and it looks very strong under lights bottle green, royal blue and purple are rich night colours good for a reception. Mustard and orange are for haldi and mehndi bright but not loud. Mint, powder blue and peach are for day weddings and office parties and ivory or beige with silver zari comes out best in photos, which is why it is also the safest saree to gift.

One small thing saves a lot of regret. Dark colours look flat in day light and light colours get lost under yellow lights. So light shades for day deep shades for night.

How to style it for each function

Once you know the blouse the drape and the jewellery the rest is only matching.

• Wedding, as a guest. Deep colour, brocade blouse, temple gold, hair in a bun. Do not wear red if the bride is in red.
• Reception. Black, wine or bottle green. Sleeveless blouse, butterfly pallu, kundan choker, open hair.
• Sangeet or garba. Bright colour, belt or skirt drape, oxidised jewellery, flat juttis. Pin the pleats two times.
• Pooja or festival at home. Mustard, red or ivory. Elbow sleeve blouse, seedha pallu, light gold, gajra in the hair.
• Office party. Light colour, plain contrast blouse, pearls. Clean and easy.

Small things that spoil a good saree

Many times the saree is fine and one small mistake spoils the photos.

The petticoat colour is the first one. A dark petticoat under a light saree shows from outside so always match it loose pleats are the next. Tie the petticoat tighter than you feel like and pin the pleats at the waist because that is what decides how you look when you sit down.

After that do not put all heavy things together. A heavy saree with a heavy neck does not look rich it looks too much high heels are also a problem with a full drape because your foot comes on the pleats block heels or juttis are better. Perfume should go before the saree never after as perfume marks on zari never go and a big handbag finishes the look in one second so take a small potli or a clutch.

Keeping it ready for the next function

This saree runs for years if you keep it right most of the damage happens in the almirah not while wearing.

• Dry clean only never hot water at home.
• Do not hang it for months the zari cuts the cloth at the shoulder.
• Fold it flat and keep it in a cotton cloth plastic holds wetness and turns it yellow.
• Change the fold after three or four months. A saree tears at the old fold line first.
• Iron on low heat with a thin cloth on top never on the zari.

Conclusion 

Take one good khaddi silk saree in place of three normal ones keep two extra blouses for it one matching and one contrast learn the belt drape and the butterfly pallu keep one gold set and one oxidised set.

That is all. It costs less than a second saree the same piece will go to a wedding, a sangeet, a pooja and an office party and every time it will look like a new saree.

You can see the full range of khaddi silk and khaddi georgette sarees at KCPC Bandhani with colour options and blouse ideas on every product.

F&Q

Q.1 Which blouse looks best with a khaddi silk saree?
Ans. A contrast colour blouse with an elbow sleeve and a deep round neck it suits most body types and makes the saree look new every time.

Q.2 Can I wear it for a wedding?
Ans. Yes take red, maroon, rani pink or bottle green with a brocade blouse and gold jewellery.

Q.3 Is it good for dancing at a sangeet or garba?
Ans. Very good it has weight so the pleats do not open use a belt drape and pin the pleats two times.

Q.4 Can I wear it in summer?
Ans. Yes it is much lighter than pure silk take a light colour with less zari work.

Q.5 Which colour should I buy first?
Ans. Ivory or beige with silver zari it works for day and night both and goes with every jewellery set.

Q.6 How do I make an old saree look new?
Ans. Change the blouse and the jewellery with a matching blouse and gold it looks traditional with a black sleeveless blouse and oxidised silver it looks modern.

Q.7 What jewellery goes with a khaddi georgette saree?
Ans. Temple gold for traditional, kundan for weddings, oxidised silver for festive nights pearls for day time.

Q.8 Will it suit me if I am short or heavy?
Ans. Yes this saree falls straight and does not stick to the body so the shape looks longer. Keep the border medium and add a thin belt.