Credits: Sasha La’Brooy

If there was ever an outfit that pays the ultimate tribute to the female form, and never goes out of style, it is the saree. Dating back to as far as 1800 BC, sarees have been the traditional attire of the Indian woman, whatever the occasion may be. The one aspect that has changed over the decades, however, is the design of the blouse. Today’s bride has a wide gamut of options to choose from – an interesting yet daunting task. The trick is to choose a design that will flatter you.

To get you started, here are a few options.

Traditional Styles:

The round and square neck

Probably the first neckline to be used for saree blouses, the round and square neck suits just about everyone and looks good on both tall and short women alike.

Rectangular and oval neck

The rectangular and oval neckline is best suited to shorter women. However, if the saree is heavy, opt for a designer back instead.

Chinese collar

Made famous by actress Rekha, the Chinese collar is perfect for women with longer necks. It accentuates the neck and makes the saree look all the more appealing.

High neck

Again, ideal for women with long necks, the high neck emphasizes their best feature. If you are looking into wearing a high necked blouse, try adding in heavy embellishments around the neckline for that oomph factor, especially if it is a light saree.

3/4^th Sleeves

 

Nothing says class like the 3/4^th sleeve. Flattering on women of all shapes and sizes, the 3/4^th sleeve is fashionable and suits every kind of saree. You can go traditional with a simple square neck or spice it up a bit with a plunging neckline at the back!

 

Contemporary Styles:

Knots and ties

A favourite with most women, back ties add an element of interest to the back neckline especially with low necks. Another interesting design is the back knot. If you are looking to add some character to your blouse, the knot is definitely a good way to go.

Bling

Mirror work and stones are a good option, especially if the saree is on the plainer side. A heavily blinged up blouse will definitely give your outfit a richer look.

Cutwork

A style for the truly contemporary bride, cut work is the perfect combination of classy and radical and designed to emphasize your favourite feature, be it your neck, your back or your hands.

A few more thoughts on the subject!

Contemporary styles suit slim women best. You can try sleeveless or puffed blouses or even high necked and collared blouses.

The most versatile shape, the athletic/mid range woman, can pull off just about any design. Short sleeves will work best to your advantage, although the long, net sleeves are a good option. For you we say go wild and choose what you like!

If you are on the chubbier side, avoid puffed sleeves and sleeveless blouses. Opt for 3/4^th sleeves to best accentuate your figure. You can also play around with boat necks and v-necks or even a choli styled blouse.

In the end, whatever you choose, make sure you are comfortable with what you are wearing. Discomfort shows and you will have a long night ahead. So choose a design that you feel good in!