SareeSutra: Durga Puja Look: Wearing Kanjeevaram Silk and Amrapali Jewels

Designer sarees may come and go but there is something to be said about rich traditional silks. We’ll never get tired of them. In this post, I’m going to share how I cut quite the festive picture on in this fuchsia Kanjeevaram silk saree. This saree surely is a sight for sore eyes!

Kanjeevaram silk sarees are a must-have for every woman who wears saree. The enviable texture, luster and durability and finish looks rich, royal and traditional to its core. I styled this va va voom look for Navami Day because officially, it’s the last day and your one last opportunity to sport the best attire in the most festive mood because Bijaya Dashami brings out the ‘sombre’ for some when it’s time to bid adieu to the Godddess until next year.  So, on Navami, I enjoyed the festive fervor wearing this Kanjeevaram silk saree in fuchsia with two-side border woven in real golden zari and silk entailing abstract motif throughout. The zigzag pattern on the top side of the border further enhances its look. The flower motifs on bottom of the border represented elements of nature- a pattern seen quintessentially in Kanjeevaram sarees! A fuchsia silk with the same top border in unstitched form accompanied the saree which I designed to stitch traditioanlly but with a touch of creativity of my own. In addition to the border of the saree, I added soft Muslin golden lace border which I picked up from a DIY dress/ lace store to create a bit more drama in designing the sleeves and back of the blouse.

While the objective of this post is to inspire others to re-create another look to be sported on Durga Puja, in this process, I thought to share a piece of information about the beauty and creative thought goes behind making Kanjeevaram silk sarees. In a genuine Kanjeevaram silk saree, the border, body and the pallu are woven separately and then interlocked together. This joint is woven so strongly that even if the saree tears, the pallu or border will not detach. If you already knew it, share in the comment what else you know about traditional Kanjeevaram silk sarees.

A traditional saree like a Kanjeevaram is probably the easiest to style, having said that, I often see women going OTT and ending up looking way older than their age. This look is not only all-age appropriate but also easy to incorporate with everything that already exist in your wardrobe. All desi women have a gold potli bag in their closet, right? I’m in awe with this gold embroidered potli featuring a gold silk base with rich peeta-embroidery and bead flowers along with a set of matching beaded handles and drawstring. The possibilities are endless when it comes to style this piece of accessory with items from your existing wardrobe.

If you are following this blog on Facebook and Instagram (which you should!), you probably have read my announcement of adorning jewelry by Amrapali Jewels exclusively for Durga Puja. This cutwork hoops with drops of baby pearls is one of my all time favourite pieces from the brand. It’s traditionally unique! The traditional trend of wearing stacked gold bangles by Bengali women during festivals and wedding functions are not something I would embrace and recommend because a) every outfit is different and it should be styled suiting its character, and b) Unless you a brand ambassador of a particular jewelry brand, don’t wear all the gold jewelry you own together and everywhere. A traditional Kanjeevaram silk saree  gives you that elbow room to sport a stacked gold bangles look without fearing being judged by the fashion police.

Finally, this traditional saree look is enhanced with slicked-back hair that was pulled into a low bun and wrapped around with fresh ‘mogra’ (flower garland). Thanks to Valli’s in Wembley for stocking them, is there anything desi that you don’t get in this super city called London? Everything, I need!

With this look styled for Navami day, I’m channeling my inner Rekha in this luminous Kanjeevaram Silk saree in a far more toned down manner.

Hope you all celebrating Durga Puja had a great time this year. If you had been busy hopping pandals, catching up with friends, indulging in food and feasting, it’s about time to catch your breath and have a  dekko at the Shaptami and Ashtami Day look I shared here previously.

(Note: It started rainning in the middle of this shoot, so you can imagine how the light was! Apologies for the worse photos ever!)

What Was I Wearing?

Saree from Benarasi Palli, Dhaka (Blouse designed by me)
Earring by AmraPali Jewels from Pernia’s Pop-up Shop
Bangles by TribebyAmrapali from Amrapali Jewels
Potli by Images from Pernia’s Pop-up Shop