New

-28%

Sky Blue Regal Banarasi Silk Saree – Vintage Elegance with Intricate Detailing

Sky Blue Regal Banarasi Silk Saree – Vintage Elegance with Intricate Detailing Blended Banarasi Silk Saree, featuring a mesmerizing vintage pattern that exudes royal...

Rs.3,999.00 Rs.2,899.00

New

-25%

Royal Blue Elegant Satin Silk Saree – Evening Cocktail & Dinner Party Wear ClothsVilla

Quick View

Royal Blue Elegant Satin Silk Saree – Evening Cocktail & Dinner Party Wear

Royal Blue Elegant Satin Silk Saree – Evening Cocktail & Dinner Party Wear Satin Silk Saree, designed to be the showstopper at evening cocktails...

Rs.3,999.00 Rs.2,999.00

New

-43%

Maroon Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels ClothsVilla

Quick View

Maroon Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels

Maroon Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels Unveil your inner grace with our captivating Viscose Kalamkari Saree Collection! This exquisite saree drapes...

Rs.6,999.00 Rs.3,999.00

New

-43%

Green Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels ClothsVilla

Quick View

Green Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels

Brown Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels Unveil your inner grace with our captivating Viscose Kalamkari Saree Collection! This exquisite saree drapes...

Rs.6,999.00 Rs.3,999.00

New

-43%

Brown Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels ClothsVilla

Quick View

Brown Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels

Brown Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels Unveil your inner grace with our captivating Viscose Kalamkari Saree Collection! This exquisite saree drapes...

Rs.6,999.00 Rs.3,999.00

New

-43%

Dark Green Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels ClothsVilla

Quick View

Dark Green Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels

Dark Green Viscose Kalamkari Saree with Zari Weaving & Tassels Unveil your inner grace with our captivating Viscose Kalamkari Saree Collection! This exquisite saree...

Rs.6,999.00 Rs.3,999.00

New

-33%

Satin Crepe Silk Digital Print Saree with Unstitched Banglori Silk Blouse ClothsVilla.com

Quick View

Satin Crepe Silk Digital Print Saree with Unstitched Banglori Silk Blouse

Satin Crepe Silk Digital Print Saree with Unstitched Banglori Silk Blouse Embrace timeless elegance with this stunning Satin Crepe Silk Digital Print Saree. The...

Rs.2,999.00 Rs.1,999.00

New

-47%

Yellow Color Vibrant Gadwal Chex Saree with Arca Work & Printed Linan Blouse ClothsVilla

Quick View

Yellow Color Vibrant Gadwal Chex Saree with Arca Work & Printed Linan Blouse

Yellow Color Vibrant Gadwal Chex Saree with Arca Work & Printed Linan Blouse Own the spotlight with this captivating Gadwal Chex saree boasting intricate Arca...

Rs.2,999.00 Rs.1,599.00

New

-47%

Red Color Vibrant Gadwal Chex Saree with Arca Work & Printed Linan Blouse ClothsVilla

Quick View

Red Color Vibrant Gadwal Chex Saree with Arca Work & Printed Linan Blouse

Red Color Vibrant Gadwal Chex Saree with Arca Work & Printed Linan Blouse Own the spotlight with this captivating Gadwal Chex saree boasting intricate...

Rs.2,999.00 Rs.1,599.00

New

-36%

Quick View

Blue Color Kanjivaram Silk Saree with Exquisite Zari Weaving

Blue Color Kanjivaram Silk Saree with Exquisite Zari Weaving Drape yourself in the rich heritage and captivating beauty of this Kanjivaram silk saree. This masterpiece...

Rs.2,499.00 Rs.1,599.00

New

-50%

Black Color printed With Peral Lace Border Georgette Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Black Color printed With Peral Lace Border Georgette Saree

Black Color printed With Peral Lace Border Georgette Saree The simplicity of this desirable black color georgette fabric plain saree is embellished with stunning...

Rs.3,199.00 Rs.1,599.00

New

-56%

Pastel Green Jamawar Woven Cotton Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Pastel Green Jamawar Woven Cotton Silk Saree

Pastel Green Jamawar Woven Cotton Silk Saree Cotton silk sarees are adored for their lightweight and breathable nature and suit well for casual gatherings...

Rs.11,160.00 Rs.4,960.00

New

-56%

Parchment White Jamawar Woven Cotton Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Parchment White Jamawar Woven Cotton Silk Saree

Parchment White Jamawar Woven Cotton Silk Saree Cotton silk sarees are adored for their lightweight and breathable nature and suit well for casual gatherings...

Rs.11,160.00 Rs.4,960.00

New

-59%

Saffron Yellow Zari Woven Linen Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Saffron Yellow Zari Woven Linen Silk Saree

Saffron Yellow Zari Woven Linen Silk SareeBask in the linen charm with this super comfortable and stylish Saffron Yellow zari woven linen silk saree....

Rs.7,640.00 Rs.3,160.00

New

-59%

Fern Green Zari Woven Linen Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Fern Green Zari Woven Linen Silk Saree

Fern Green Zari Woven Linen Silk SareeBask in the linen charm with this super comfortable and stylish Fern green zari woven linen silk saree....

Rs.7,640.00 Rs.3,160.00

New

-55%

Chinoise Green Woven Linen Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Chinoise Green Woven Linen Silk Saree

Chinoise Green Woven Linen Silk Saree Cherished for their versatility and ability to provide both style and comfort, Linen silk sarees are perfect drapes...

Rs.7,600.00 Rs.3,440.00

New

-54%

Sienna Brown Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Sienna Brown Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree

Sienna Brown Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk SareeHere comes a spellbinding piece of art to match your aura! In hues of Sienna Brown, this Banarasi...

Rs.9,360.00 Rs.4,280.00

New

-54%

Cornflower Blue Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Cornflower Blue Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree

Cornflower Blue Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk SareeHere comes a spellbinding piece of art to match your aura! In hues of Cornflower Blue, this Banarasi...

Rs.9,360.00 Rs.4,280.00

New

-55%

Baby Blue Woven Linen Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Baby Blue Woven Linen Silk Saree

Baby Blue Woven Linen Silk Saree Cherished for their versatility and ability to provide both style and comfort, Linen silk sarees are perfect drapes...

Rs.7,600.00 Rs.3,440.00

New

-54%

Midnight Black Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree : Top Pick Clothsvilla

Quick View

Midnight Black Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree : Top Pick

Midnight Black Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree : Top Pick Break the monotony of your wardrobe with this spell-binding piece of heritage. Admired for...

Rs.9,360.00 Rs.4,280.00

New

-54%

Anchor Grey Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree Clothsvilla

Quick View

Anchor Grey Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk Saree

Anchor Grey Banarasi Jamawar Woven Silk SareeBreak the monotony of your wardrobe with this spell-binding piece of heritage. Admired for its motif-rich design and...

Rs.9,360.00 Rs.4,280.00

New

-47%

Smoke Grey Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overall Clothsvilla

Quick View

Smoke Grey Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overall

Smoke Grey Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overallLightweight to drape and carry, these linen woven silk sarees will stupefy you with their magnificence....

Rs.6,720.00 Rs.3,560.00

New

-47%

Sky Blue Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overall Clothsvilla

Quick View

Sky Blue Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overall

Sky Blue Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overallSuper convenient to drape and trendy to carry, these linen woven silk sarees will keep you...

Rs.6,720.00 Rs.3,560.00

New

-47%

Yellow Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overall Clothsvilla

Quick View

Yellow Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overall

Yellow Woven Linen Silk Saree with Butti overallLightweight to drape and carry, these linen woven silk sarees will stupefy you with their magnificence. This...

Rs.6,720.00 Rs.3,560.00

Rs.3,199.00 Rs.1,899.00

-34%

Quick View

Adorable Purple Soft Silk Saree With Hypnotic Blouse Piece

Adorable Purple Soft Silk Saree With Hypnotic Blouse Piece Soft Silk sarees are a quintessential embodiment of elegance and grace, known for their luxurious...

Rs.2,199.00 Rs.1,449.00

formal Saree

Sarees: Unveiling the History and Drape Techniques

A sari (sometimes also shari or misspelled as saree) is a women's garment from Indian Subcontinent that consists of an unstitched drape varying from 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet) in length and 600 to 1,200 millimeters (24 to 47 inches) in breadth that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder, partly baring the midriff. It is traditionally worn in the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. There are a range of styles of sari manufacture and draping, the most common being the Nivi style The sari is worn with a fitted blouse commonly called a choli (ravike or kuppasa in southern India, and cholo in Nepal) and a petticoat called ghagra, parkar, or ul-pavadai. In the modern Indian subcontinent, the sari is considered a cultural icon.

The Hindustani word sari (साड़ी, ساڑی), described in Sanskrit शाटी shati which means 'strip of cloth' and शाडी shadi or साडी sadi in Pali, and which evolved to sari in modern Indian languages. The word satika is mentioned as describing women's attire in ancient India in Sanskrit literature and Buddhist literature called Jatakas. This could be equivalent to the modern day sari. The term for female bodice, the choli evolved from ancient stanapaṭṭa. Rajatarangini, a tenth-century literary work by Kalhana, states that the choli from the Deccan was introduced under royal order in Kashmir.

Origins and history

The history of Sari-like drapery is traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished during 2800–1800 BCE around the northwestern part of South Asia. Cotton was first cultivated and woven in Indian subcontinent around fifth millennium BCE. Dyes used during this period are still in use, particularly indigo, lac, red madder, and turmeric. Silk was woven around 2450 BCE and 2000 BCE.

The word sari evolved from shatika (Sanskrit: शाटिका) mentioned in earliest Hindu literature as women's attire. The sari or satika evolved from a three-piece ensemble comprising the antariya, the lower garment; the uttariya; a veil worn over the shoulder or the head; and the stanapatta, a chestband. This ensemble is mentioned in Sanskrit literature and Buddhist Pali literature during the sixth century BCE. This complete three-piece dress was known as poshak, generic term for costume. Ancient antariya closely resembled the dhoti wrap in the 'fishtail' version, which was passed through legs, covered the legs loosely and then flowed into a long, decorative pleat at front of the legs. It further evolved into Bhairnivasani skirt, today known as ghagri and lehenga. Uttariya was a shawl-like veil worn over the shoulder or head, it evolved into what is known today as dupatta and ghoonghat. Likewise, the stanapatta evolved into the choli by the first century CE.

Red is most favored color for wedding saris and are traditional garment choice for brides in Indian culture. Women traditionally wore several types of regional handloom saris made of silk, cotton, ikkat, block-print, embroidery and tie-dye textiles. Most sought after brocade silk saris are Banarasi, Kanchipuram, Gadwal, Paithani, Mysore, Uppada, Bagalpuri, Balchuri, Maheshwari, Chanderi, Mekhela, Ghicha, Narayan pet and Eri etc. are traditionally worn for festive and formal occasions. Silk Ikat and cotton saris known as Patola, Pochampally, Bomkai, Khandua, Sambalpuri, Gadwal, Berhampuri, Bargarh, Jamdani, Tant, Mangalagiri, Guntur, Narayan pet, Chanderi, Maheshwari, Nuapatna, Tussar, Ilkal, Kotpad and Manipuri were worn for both festive and everyday attire. Tie-dyed and block-print saris known as Bandhani, Leheria/Leheriya, Bagru, Ajrakh, Sungudi, Kota Dabu/Dabu print, Bagh and Kalamkari were traditionally worn during monsoon season. Gota Patti is popular form of traditional embroidery used on saris for formal occasions, various other types of traditional folk embroidery such mochi, pakko, kharak, suf, kathi, phulkari and gamthi are also commonly used for both informal and formal occasion. Today, modern fabrics like polyester, georgette and charmeuse are also commonly used.

Styles of draping

Nivi style sari - Bengali and Odia style - Gujarati/Rajasthani style - Himalayan style – Nepali style - Nav-vari style - Madisar style - Pin Kosuvam Style - Brahmika sari style - Kodagu style - Gobbe Seere style Karnataka style - Kerala sari style - Tribal indigenous styles - Kunbi style - Riha-Mekhela style - Innaphi and Phanek style - Jainsem style - Banarasi - Shalu - Tanchoi - Pattu - Chanderi sari - Maheshwari - Kosa silk - Dhokra silk - Tant sari - Baluchari sari - Kaantha sari - Garode / Korial - Shantipuri cotton - Jamdani / Dhakai - Rajshahi silk / Eri - Dhakai Katan - Mooga silk - Mekhla Cotton - Sambalpuri Silk & Cotton sari - Ikkat Silk & Cotton sari - Bomkai sari - Khandua Silk & Cotton sari - Pasapali sari - Sonepuri Silk & Cotton sari -Berhampuri silk - Mattha Silk sari - Bapta Silk & Cotton sari - Kotpad Pata sari -Tanta Cotton sari - Manipuri Tant sari - Moirang Phi sari - Patt Silk sari - Kotki sari - Kotpad sari - Paithanpattu - Yeola sari - Peshwai shalu - Mahalsa sari - Narayanpeth - Khun fabric - Karvati tussar sari Bandhani Kota doria -Lugade - Patola - Bagru - Mysore silk - Kanchipuram Silk (locally called Kanjipuram pattu) - Arani silk - Ilkal sari - Molakalmuru sari - Sulebhavi sari -Venkatagiri -Mangalagiri Silk saris - Uppada Silk saris - Chirala saris - Bandar saris - Bandarulanka - Kuppadam saris - Dharmavaram silk sari - Chettinad saris – Kumbakonam - Thirubuvanam - Coimbatore cotton - Salem silk - Chinnalampattu or Sungudi - Kandangi - Rasipuram silk saris - Koorai - Arni silk sari - Chennai - Karaikudi - Madurai cotton saris - Tiruchirappalli saris - Nagercoil saris – Thoothukudi - Thanjavur saris – Tiruppur - Kerala sari silk and cotton – Balarampuram - Mundum Neriyathum - Mayilati silk - Kannur cotton - Kalpathi silk saris - Maradaka silk - Samudrikapuram silk and cotton - Kasargod -Pochampally sari or Puttapaka sari - Gadwal sari - Narayanpet