Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about sarees:

1) What is a saree?

A saree is a traditional feminine garment native to the Indian subcontinent. It is a trademark of Indian history and culture. It is a rectangular stench of unstitched, woven fabric typically made from raw threads using handlooms or power looms. It is usually worn during Indian festivals, weddings, and other special occasions.

 

2) Where did sarees originate from?

Sarees are said to have made their glorious debut in northwestern India. This occurred during the golden age of the Indus Valley Civilisation from 2800 and 1800 BCE.

3) Which saree is famous in Banaras?

Katan Silk sarees are the most well-renowned saree in Banaras. They are made from finely-woven silk yarn, giving them a magnificent sheen. Their body is permeated by intricate brocade and Mughal-inspired floral and foliate motifs. This extensive ornamentation makes them a widely sought-after desire for women.

4) How to check a pure and authentic Banarasi saree?

- Check for pin marks on the edge of the saree. Pins are usually used by weavers to attach the saree to the handloom.

- Check for handmade Persian designs of amru, ambi and domak. A pure Banarsi saree usually contains these Mughal-inspired motifs.

- An authentic Banarasi saree will have floating threads in between the warp and weft grids on the reverse side of the saree instead of having a smooth finish given by power looms.

5) How many types of Banarasi sarees are there?

There are 12 types of Banarasi sarees:

• Katan Banarasi sarees
• Shattir Banarsi sarees
• Georgette Banarsi sarees
• Organza Banarasi sarees
• Tanchoi Banarsi sarees
• Jangla Banarasi sarees
• Cutwork Banarasi sarees
• Butidar Banarasi sarees
• Jamdani Banarasi sarees
• Silk Shalu Banarasi sarees

6) How much is the length of the saree?

A saree usually varies from 3 metres to 8 metres in length. The length you require depends on what style of drape you are going for. 

7) What are the different types of sarees?

India houses an array of diverse cultures from various states. You can find twelve different traditional sarees across the country: Kanjeevaram sarees, Chanderi sarees, Nauvari sarees, Bandhani sarees, Tant sarees, Chikankari sarees, Bomkai sarees, Kasavu sarees, Muga sarees, Phulkari, and Pochampally sarees.

8) How do I wear a saree?

A saree is worn by gently draping it over the body. Traditionally, you first have to wear the petticoat and blouse, wrap it around your waist, make pleats on the front side of the saree, tuck them at the centre of your waist and then let the pallu rest over one of your shoulders like a stole.

9) What are the different ways to drape a saree?

You can drape a saree in a myriad of creative styles. Some popular ones that crest the fashion trends are the belt style, in which you wear a golden or embroidered belt with a plain weave saree that clinches your pallu at the waist; the dhoti style, in which you wear leggings instead of a petticoat; the neck drape style in which you drape the pallu around your neck like a shawl; and the mermaid style in which you drape the last of the pleats like a mermaid's tail.

10) What is a petticoat, and how is it worn with a saree?

It is a light and loose underskirt that is worn under a saree. It runs from the waist to the feet.

11) What is a blouse, and how is it worn with a saree?

It is a tightly-fitted upper garment. Its manner of wearing resembles that of a cropped shirt. It is usually hooked to the pallu.

12) What are the different fabrics used to make sarees?

There is a wide range of materials that may be used to create sarees, each with its own distinct look, feel, and texture. In India, sarees are often made from the following fabrics:

• Silk: It is a high-end fabric prized for its softness, suppleness, and shimmering sheen. Banarasi silk, Kanchipuram silk, and Chanderi silk are just a few examples of the many varieties of silk used to make sarees.
• Cotton: It is a soft, breathable fabric that is ideal for casual, daily clothing. Handloom cotton, Chikankari cotton, and block-printed cotton are just a few examples of the many different types of cotton sarees available.
• Chiffon: Lightweight and translucent, chiffon is prized for its luxurious drape. Embroidery, sequins, and other embellishments are commonplace on chiffon sarees.
• Georgette: It is a lightweight, semi-sheer fabric ideal for making feminine, voluminous sarees. Often, georgette sarees include elaborate decorations or embroidery.
• Net: It is a sheer cloth widely used to make sarees that have a light, airy appearance. Embroidery and lacework are popular ways to decorate net sarees.
• Linen: It is a great summer fabric since it is lightweight and airy. Linen sarees are available in a wide range of colours and patterns, and are known for their subtle, understated elegance.
• Organza: It is a translucent, crisp fabric that is ideal for making voluminous, structured sarees. Sarees made of organza typically feature elaborate embroidery or beadwork.

 

13) Do I need to take some specific care regarding handling the sarees?

Yes, sarees are exquisite garments that require a lot of care and attention:

• You must avoid washing them frequently as it can roughen or shrink the saree and strip them of their stunning embroidery.
• Steam iron the saree or put a layer of newspaper between the saree and the traditional iron. The saree must not be exposed to direct heat.
• Spot-clean all non-silk sarees immediately; otherwise, they might leave a dirty stain.
• Wait to hand them for a long as it may lead to shape deformation.

14) How do I wash my saree?

• Dry clean them or gently rinse them using the traditional hand wash technique.
• Wash the saree with water and mild detergents or baby shampoo.
• Avoid immersing the colours in water for prolonged periods as it may lead to fading these colours.
• Wash the sarees separately as the dark colours may bleed and stain the other sarees.
• Do not squeeze or twist them tightly but ensure all the water seeps out.

15) How do I store my saree? 

Store the sarees on wooden hangers or wrap them in a muslin cloth. Moreover, it would be best to refold the sarees occasionally to avoid wrinkles on the creases.

16) How do I choose the right saree for my body type?

The first step to finding the right saree is embracing and accepting your body the way it is. For those looking to accentuate their natural curves, georgette, chiffon, and net sarees is an incredible choice. They give a slim look. For those wanting to highlight the saree, silk sarees with rich embroidery should be your final destination. Whether your body is pear-shaped, apple-shaped or an hourglass, the saree that makes you feel empowered and comfortable in your skin is undoubtedly the right one.

17) What are the different occasions to wear a saree?

Sarees are fit for all occasions but look unmistakably gorgeous at special events such as weddings, family dinners, college and work parties, and festivals!

18) How do I accessorise a saree?

A saree can be accessorised using red and ivory-plated bangles that tinkle with the reminiscing music of your laughter; diamond-studded rings; heavily- sequined, neck-hugging necklaces; traditional bell-ringing 'jhumkas', shiny anklets that ring with your every step; and golden or embroidered belts. 

19) Can men wear sarees too?

Although sarees are more commonly associated with ladies than males, there is technically no law prohibiting guys from wearing them in India. These days, more and more men are donning sarees as a means of challenging traditional gender roles and expressing their individuality.

Wearing a saree, however, involves more than just donning an article of clothing; it also necessitates familiarity with the saree's historical and cultural significance. Sarees have a long and storied history in India, and several cultures and areas have developed their own distinct fashions and methods of draping them.

It's crucial for a man who wears a saree to be respectful and sensitive to the cultural traditions and practises that go along with it. Seeking the advice of a stylist or a member of the culture from which the saree was originally worn can be helpful as well.

20) How do I style a saree for a modern, contemporary look? 

A modern, contemporary look can be achieved through an elegant and well-curated drape in the mermaid style, belt style, pant style, butterfly style or mumtaz style. Add the pallu in the front, or wear a denim jacket with the saree to jazz it up. 

21) What is the significance of different saree draping styles in different parts of India?

Different draping styles exist in different parts of India due to each state's long-standing cultural and historical differences. Each draping style portrays each region's diverse values, festivals, fashion and cultural nuances.

22) What are some common mistakes to avoid when wearing a saree?

• Extreme pallu lengths: Too short of a pallu can make you look old-fashioned and older, whereas too long can make you look relatively shorter. Keep in mind that you have the perfect pallu length.
• Untidy pleats: Pleats can make or break your look, so ensure they are uniform and elegant.
• Adding too many pins: Do not put excess pins while wearing the saree. It may tear the saree and ruin the look if not appropriately concealed.
• Misfit petticoat and blouse: These defects make you look undefined and unstructured, ruining the look of the saree irrespective of how stunning it is.

23) How do I choose the right saree for a wedding or special occasion?

You can choose the perfect saree for every occasion basis these factors.

• Fabric: Choose a fabric that expresses your style, flatters your body and comforts your skin. Since you must wear it for a long time, ensure you can carry the fabric easily. Silk and cotton are the most popular fabrics to go for.
• Zari and Brocades: You can use heavily-embellished sarees or minimalist designs depending on your taste. Sarees with extravagant sheen and intricately-woven embroidery stand out more at wedding events.
• Colours: The time and decor of the wedding play a determining role in deciding which colour will exude the pinnacle of allure. Maroon, violet and pastel shades are preferred for day weddings. In contrast, darker shades such as red, black and golden accentuate your body for evening or night weddings.

24) What are some famous saree designers in India? 

India's top 5 saree designers are Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, Satya Paul and Gaurang Shah.

25) How to soften the stiffness in starched sarees?

If your saree is heavily-starched, do not worry. Add half a cup of white vinegar to a bucket of cold water and immerse the saree in it for 30 minutes uninterrupted. Further, gently rinse the saree, dry it in subdued sunlight and steam iron it.

26) How long does it take to drape a saree?

Dressing a silk or heavily-embellished saree takes an average of 15 minutes. In contrast, it takes an average of 5 minutes to drape soft fabric sarees like chiffon or cotton.

27) What are the different types of saree blouses?

There are a plethora of blouses that one can wear with a saree. These include V-necked blouses, high neck blouses, corset blouses, backless blouses, lacework blouses, strappy blouses, mirror work blouses, sweetheart necked blouses, halter neck blouses, mandarin-inspired blouses, crystallised tassel blouses and many more.

28) What are the different styles of saree draping in different parts of India?

Each state in India houses its unique draping style. We have the Nauvari drape in Maharashtra; Nivi drape in Andhra Pradesh; Seedha Pallu drape in Gujarat; Athpourey drape in Bengal; Mekhala Chadar drape in Assam; Madisaru drape in Tamil Nadu; Kapulla drape in Andhra Pradesh, Coorgi drape in Karnataka; Dhangad drape in Goa, and the Parsi drape in the Parsi communities across India.

29) How do I know if a saree is authentic?

One can conduct a few tests for different saree materials to verify whether the saree is authentic. Some popular ones include:

1. The Zari test: To gauge whether the zari on your saree is pure, scratch the zari on a concealed part of the edge, and if red threads appear, the zari is made of pure gold. 
2. The burn test for silk sarees: Bundle up a few threads from your silk saree and burn them. If you detect a sulphur-like smell or notice the formation of ashes, the saree is made of pure silk yarn, not an imitation. 
3. The weaving test: The authentic sarees will have an inaccurate weaving pattern when observed closely. A handloom weaver will always have a few well-concealed inconsistencies. Precision can only be achieved through power looms. 

30) Can I wear a saree for formal events?

Yes, you can wear a saree for formal events. 

31) What are the latest trends in saree fashion?

The latest trends in saree fashion are an amalgamation of various styles. These include floral embroidered sarees, organza silk sarees, pastel or colour block sarees, cartoon and animated print sarees, ombre sarees, ruffle sarees, sequin sarees, net sarees, matching a denim jacket with a saree, wearing pants instead of a dress, putting the pallu in front instead of the back, hooking a saree belt, and pairing the saree with balloon- sleeved or corset blouses.

32) Can I wear a saree to work?

Yes, you can wear a saree to work. It radiates not only absolute power but also a great sense of humility. 

33) How do I choose the right colour saree for my skin tone?

A simple black or golden motif saree is the safest option for any skin tone. However, beige and tan colours go well with emerald green, wine, rose pink and pastel shades for lighter skin tones. The neon and metallic colour palette does not complement them. 

Warm hues such as deep red, maroon, khadi, and electric blue accentuate wheat, olive and darker skin tones. Pale shades only somewhat flatter their complexion.

34) How can I make a simple saree look more attractive?

You can make a plain saree look more attractive by wearing a golden or embellished belt with it, extravagant jewellery, especially a statement necklace, a fashionably embroidered blouse or a denim jacket.

35) Can I wear a saree without a blouse?

Yes! Traditional saree drapes in ancient Indian history did not include a blouse. However, a cropped top would be an incredible alternative if you want to replace it. 

36) What are the different types of saree borders?

In most sarees, the self-embossed borders are the focal point, as their rich embroidery enhances the overall look of the saree. There are many different types of borders, such as Banarasi border, kutch work border, jacquard-styled border, temple border, contrast border, mirror work border, zari border, scallop border, checked border and floral border.

37) Can I wear a saree during the summer season?

Yes absolutely! Cotton sarees are a must-have during the summer season. Their fabric has microscopic pores, which protect you against heat by cooling your body with a unique ventilation system. Moreover, it also protects you against oppressive humidity by ensuring that sweat does not accumulate on your skin. It is as good as a soft, light and breezy cotton frock. 

38) Can I wear a saree without a petticoat?

Yes, you can, but it is preferred to wear it because it holds the pleats of the saree intact and gives it a perfectly rounded shape. However, wearing sarees with leggings, jeans and pants instead of a petticoat is also trending. 

 

39) How do I drape a saree for a slimming effect?

To look slim, drape the saree tightly around your waist and let the pallu fall loosely to cover any accidental bulges. Ensure that the pallu does not drag itself on the ground, as that can make you look shorter. 

40) Can I wear a saree with sneakers?

Of course. You can wear the saree with any comfortable footwear as long as it matches the style and tone of the saree. 

41) How do I choose the suitable saree fabric for different occasions?

For formal and extravagant occasions such as weddings, important work meetings and festivals, the glorious silk and georgette sarees usually uplift your look. However, the beautifully simple cotton and muslin sarees are your best companion for casual occasions such as regular office meetings with colleagues, a friend reunion, or just lounging at home. 

42) Can I mix and match different types of sarees and blouse designs? 

Yes, you can mix and match different sarees and blouse designs. Contrast blouses are actually on the fashion surge right now.