Any festive season is good enough to unearth your mother’s silks and chiffons. Re-vamp them with feisty blouses!
We rationalize hoarding saris saying they last forever. But what about the blouse? Quickly altering your mum’s blouse is not the way to make an impression, nor is wearing the boring “round in the front, round at the back, cap-sleeve” pattern. Choli designer duo Mayur and Jyoti show you various ways to funk up your southern silks and French chiffons.
Fitting tips
– Always ask for built-in cups in your blouse for a good fit and peace of mind — no more peeking brastraps. According to your needs, you can ask for thin or thick cups.
– A thin piping along the edges makes for a clean finish. If you want to connect the blouse and the sari, have one or more rows in the color of the sari.
– Always contrast the color of the blouse with that of the sari. Matching is for six-year-olds.
– If you are conscious of your arms, make the sleeve an inch or half-an-inch longer than the thickest area to slim it down.
– If midriff is your sore point, wear a longer, corset-type blouse or ask for a shape like a point so that the choli doesn’t fold up when you sit down.
– The few staples that you must have in your wardrobe are – maroon, dull gold, silver and black.
– Zips risk opening up when you sit down. For sure-fire security, ask for the trusted hook-and-eye buttons.
– In case of a low-cut back, insist on a string so the sleeves don’t droop.
Southern silks
If the sari is heavily embroidered, go for a simple, understated blouse. Pick one strong color that will contrast your Kanjeevaram and pattern it in clean lines. A net detail adds a bashful layer to spaghetti straps.
Singularly solid
If you are small busted, ask your tailor for details. Go for a plainer sari, with self-pattern, weave or embroidery, and go all out on the blouse. Mix patterns, add borders, show-off a three-fourth sleeve and add a big funky zip instead of buttons.
Business in black
A black shimmering sari is our answer to the LBD. Pick your staple in lace or chiffon with bead-work and sequins or weave, just keep updating the blouse every four years. For a formal sit-down dinner or work related do, subtle glamour works best. A straight-laced high neck keeps the party at the back. It’s best to keep intrigue subtle with net details.
Cocktail chiffons
If you’re wearing diaphanous georgette of chiffon sari with butti, border and pleat detail, go all out with an equally ornate blouse and keep jewelry simple. Churidaar sleeves and a low neck need only a large pair of earrings to complete the look. At most, wear a large statement ring.
Sangeet special
For pre-wedding functions, you’ve chosen a light sari to dance in. If you are small busted or not too adept at keeping the pallu in place, go for a drape silhouette in the blouse itself. Throw the pallu around your neck like a duppatta or gather it into a tight knot at the shoulder, or just wind it around your waist and pin it there.
