Style your sari with these smart and sexy blouses

You may have been sporting western wear all through the year, but as the festival calendar flips a page, it’s time to pull out the traditional staple – the sari and the blouse combo. But getting the right blouse – the stylish sidekick of the nine yards – is a challenge. Back in the day, the styles were few and colours and prints were limited. But things have changed now – with smart necklines, sexy backs, chic sleeves, the blouse has emerged as a fashion statement. From cage and boat cuts to side zips and ill-fit collared blouses – one can’t resist the variety of styles that are must-haves in every woman’s wardrobe.
FROM TAILOR-MADE TO COUTURE

Actress Swastika Mukherjee remembers the days when she had to struggle to get the right tailor.

“Back then, online shopping was unimaginable. The most common struggle was getting the shoulders right. I used to ask my tailor to make a blouse with a plunging back and my tailor would ask me to tie a latkan to get a better grip.

I’d fight to get the fit right without the latkan. I was influenced by Neena Gupta’s blouses in Saans,” she says.

CHANGES IN STYLE, CUT AND FIT

Chandani Basu, who owns a boutique, says, “Odd contrasts, bold prints, experimental cuts are all being worked into blouses. Longlength blouses, which allow the sari draping to be unconventional, are as popular now as the statement sleeves,” Chandani says. Stylist Lipika Dudhoria adds, “From kurti-style, off-shoulders and countless more designs – they add to the entire look of the sari. Blouses were, are and will be the quintessential women’s wear whose style has evolved with time.”

According to Rumi Biswas, owner of a designer boutique, “I believe, women should wear blouses that enhance their personality. Sometimes mood and occasion also influence what cut and what type of blouse one would wear.”

BELL SLEEVES STILL IN VOGUE

If there is one sleeve pattern that is the flavour of the season, it is the bell sleeves. Actress Ekavali Khanna wears a crimson blouse in south cotton fabric – one that is sure to go well with your muted cotton saris. The look is elegant, graceful, and needless to say, perfect for summer!

THE BACK STORY

Who says you can’t mix traditional prints with modern cuts? Take a cue from this look where we have served a traditional sari with just the right seasoning of modernity. Actress Darshana Banik’s black-and-gold sari goes perfectly well with a strappyback black blouse that’s anything but simple.

CARTOON PRINTS ARE A HIT

Want to ditch the traditional blouse and add some quirk to your look? Get your hands on cartoon-printed blouses! Model Jessica Aaron flaunts an Archie-printed silk blouse paired with a red chiffon sari. If you want to keep things sexy, style the sari by keeping the pallu in the front.

SHIRT COLLARS ARE IN

Shirt-like ill-fitted blouses are in vogue. Swastika Mukherjee teams up her blouse with a simple sari and sets a trendy look. While stark contrasts are the flavour of the season, you might want to follow the colour palette of your sari and play with the cut. In fact, you can also pick a crop top instead of a blouse.

[“source=timesofindia.indiatimes”]