A curious and anxious little birdie from Hyderabad asked me how do I dress a just-out-of-teens girl! Sounds bit cliché, but if I was the chosen one I see her attitude as nothing beats a positive attitude! Irrespective of the skin tone and all that jazz, she can always come out in flying colours by wearing her mind on her sleeve! Its such an age where you just branch out to a proper saree from the half saree! Silk sarees are the ideal choice for typical South Indian weddings for bride and the likes! These days, there is a plethora of everything! We dont have to break the bank for a beautiful saree as it all depends on the colour and the weave!
Moving on to choosing the right colour, general assumption is fair skin tones look beautiful in jewel tones. The fact, neutral and pastel shades work perfect for them. Wheatish to olive skin tones are the luckiest as jewel tones, neutrals and pastels work wonders for them. I personally prefer the above mentioned as I am dusky! Classic subtle golden yellow, South Sea pearl or wheatish gold, typical rustic mix or red and orange, double weave of pink and gold and all of these can have contrast or self-weave. Save the best for the last, jet black with multi-colour weave as long as you are not the bride.
Now that we have chosen the perfect colour, we move on to the weave or pattern or motif on the saree. I prefer the ever green polka dots or feminine florals or even better, heritage weaves like the ones you find on granny's or great-granny's saree. They are more intricate and look like straight out of archives from the Designer's Guild! Geometric or abstract patterns are not best unless its a strictly personal choice. Average-height to tall girls and petites can sport chequered look, but it always tricky when it comes to stripes. Horizontal stripes make us look plumpy whereas vertical stripes make us look unusually taller! Its just an illusion, but it matters. That is where the polkas and florals come to our rescue!
Border of the saree looks pleasing if its palm wide and they always remain trendy unlike the knee length borders. Contrast borders will never be in trend, so its wise to prefer gold border irrespective of the saree colour! Olden days, a typical pink silk saree had green border and vice versa which is not we want now! I dont talk about budget as everybody is entitled to one!
Moving on to draping! Pleats make all the difference, so if you are new to draping a saree kindly be supervised. Please dont let your funky saree pin ruin everything for you, which is why its wise to avoid one. Go for the good old safety pin safely tucked and not see the world. Pleats on the pallu should be 5. When I say 5, it is strictly 5. No more, no less! Try and tell me what happens if you change! You might like it, but end of the day 5 wins. Its just right! One safety pin on the shoulder and one just 2 or 3 inches below to make sure the pleats dont bloom all over and ruin your efforts.
Moving on to blouse pattern! I prefer decent cap sleeves, but these days elbow length is trendy! Its always comfort that matters, not the trend! Used to short sleeves on everything right from tops, dresses, kurtis and PJs, elbow length sleeve definitely matters! Elbow length or cap sleeves, let the border remain! Embroidery is beautiful, provided used in the right place at the right time. Everything has embroidery these days and its hard to find a fabric untouched! Do not touch the saree, which means you drape is as it is! No kundan or mirror or thread embroidery on the saree or the grace is all gone! If its a wedding in the family, go for one-of-a-kind embroidered blouse with rich thread work and an occasional kundan or zardosi. If its a wedding outside family, patterned blouse is a wise choice. Patterned blouse is a sensible pattern of colours chosen from the saree, only used at the right places! All these are applicable to Kanjeevaram, Banares, Uppada or any other pure form of silk!
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