"A sari, saree or shari is a women's garment from the Indian subcontinent that consists of a drape varying from 4.5 to 8 meters (5 to 9 yards) in length and 60 to 120 centimeters (2 to 4 feet) in breadth that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder, baring the midriff." says Wikipedia.
I had to wear a saree for an event very recently. Needless to say, I was thrilled. I mean, the actual experience was quite different to my expectations but that's a conversation for another day.
Just to give you some background of the forthcoming opinions, yes, it will be incredibly biased because I would wear one every single day of my life if the situation was better suited.
What do I love so much about them, you ask?
Well, you see the drape of a saree is "unnecessarily" complex. We all know its general drape barring the technicalities and details, but do we ever wonder why the drape needs to be that unusual? I'm not a Wikipedia page, so don't expect any history lessons here, but all I would say is, it's high fashion. Fascinating how a lot of people find abstract fashion/art hilarious, while sarees, totally normal.
The fabric, the silhouette, the drape, everything that makes a saree, is incredibly graceful, feminine, intricate in all the right ways, and well composed. All of these, in a strange way, remind me of the Roses exhibition by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. As quoted at the beginning of the exhibition, from the fashion visionary extraordinaire Alexander McQueen himself- 'Everything I do is connected to nature in one way or another.'
A saree has a drape like a waterfall and the grace of a vine. It moves like flowing air and renders you hot out of envy or awe. It is ethereal in appearance as well as feel. What's not to love?
But what truly amazes me (in a good way) is that even though it has all the basic boxes of high fashion checked, it is still traditionally worn as a fabric draped around the body, rather than the pleats already stitched, like a couture gown, or God forbid, ready to be tied by a drawstring or zipped at the waist like a cheap costume. But unfortunately for us time efficient ladies, unlike McQueen's roses, it's not a slip on couture piece.
This is where the tradition comes in. Having it on my body in the same form as it was worn decades ago, makes me feel classic, and iconic. It's the same feeling as wearing a classic boat neck bias cut gown, or a two-piece Chanel suit.
If you're one of those snazzy fashion people and you drape a saree in an innovative way, it makes you cooler because wearing a saree is already cool as hell. And to the incredibly profound woman who said to me last night "you need to bare more waist so you don't look older than you are", here's my reply-
I wouldn't know much about it.
Comentarios