handloom – Rad All Day

Saree shopping sprees with mom are what I’m reminded of whenever I think of handloom sarees; especially sarees from Unnati Silks. I’ve paid endless trips to this one-stop store which has now become a family enterprise. They are a saga of ‘Handloom for Women’ with varied handwoven and handcrafted products made by talented ethnic artisans from across 21 states in India.

Bengal Cotton

Bengal, India, is known for its Bengali Jamdhani handloom cotton sarees with fine texture weaves, handwoven zari bootas and classic motifs. The hand-woven technique of Jamdhani is also a prominent feature across various other handloom varieties like Banarasi, Venkatagiri, Uppada, Kanchi and Darmavaram sarees.

The saree featured in this post is a Pure Handloom Bengal Cotton Tant Saree. The plain body saree with zari detailing on the borders and pallu, is a widely popular version. It is indeed an elegant affair, and it fits perfectly for a variety of occasions from casual get-togethers to formal functions. It is also a preferred choice for corporate executives. Tant sarees cover a wide range of dark, subdued and light breezy hues. They also come in beautiful double colored stripes on pastels, minimal floral versions that are quite impressive.

Styling

I have never been a saree person; I cannot for the life of me, manage to survive a day in one. That said, I cannot deny its elegance and sheer glam.

When I received this beautiful saree from Unnati Silks, I knew exactly how I was going to style it. I have been a great fan of the way Tia wears her traditional sarees with a twist. Her can-can skirts, with sarees draped differently each time, are a treat to watch. This is my attempt at one of her styles – The Saree as a half-saree with side pleats.