Sarees are special garments Indian women have worn for centuries. They represent the country's rich culture, tradition, and timeless elegance. However, choosing the perfect saree may overwhelm you due to the many options now available in the market. Worry no more, as this article will guide you in preparing for personal events, festivities, or just an everyday look.

1. Understanding the Occasion

You should first determine the nature of the occasion before choosing a saree. It is also important for you to consider the event's program if it will take place during the day or night. These attributes will narrow down your saree choices.

• Weddings & Celebrations: You should consider wearing sarees made of heavy silks if you're planning to attend grand celebrations like weddings. Kanjeevaram, Banarasi, or Patola sarees' rich fabrics and complex embroidery can boost your level of elegance and confidence. Bandhani is also one of the most attractive saree types with its remarkable tie and dye process, making it perfect for such events.
• Festivals: Sarees made of Tussar silk is your best friend during Indian festivals like Diwali, Durga Puja, or Eid as they demand vibrant colors and luxurious textures. Women love them due to their distinctive texture and earthy tones. They are usually paired with heavy silk blouses with zari work to further enhance the luxurious appearance. You can also consider lightweight and flowy Chanderi or heavy and texture-rich Paithani sarees, which incorporate traditional Indian patterns with a festive vibe.
• Formal Events: Sarees made of cotton silk or Georgette sarees in muted tones are the best choices for formal events like office parties or gatherings as they are elegant and more comfortable to wear. They also promote versatile styling, for example, the use of heavy or light blouses, depending on your preferences or the weather. You can also consider Chiffon sarees for formal events due to their sheerness and softness, which make them easy to style.
• Casual Wear: Sarees made of cotton and linen fabrics are your best choice for casual events or even just daily outfits. Both varieties can offer you comfort and durability and allow you to move freely the entire day. It will also be easy for you to elevate your overall look by just adding any accessory.

2. Choosing the Right Fabric

You must learn to distinguish the right fabric so you can still be comfortable yet stylish while wearing your saree. Here's how to match the fabric to the occasion:

• Silk: Sarees made of silk are highly recommendable for grand occasions like weddings and formal events due to their richness, which offers a luxurious feel.
• Georgette & Chiffon: These fabrics are known for their lightweight characteristic, which enables them to drape beautifully. These options are perfect for summer or day events as they offer comfort and breathability. They feature a sleek, modern look with traditional touches.
• Cotton: Cotton sarees are most suitable for daily wear or casual occasions. They are very breathable and lightweight, which can allow you to move effortlessly. They are also available in a wide range of prints and patterns.
• Linen: Linen sarees integrate tradition and modernity. It will offer you a relaxed yet stylish appearance so it is a perfect option for day wear.
• Satin: Satin sarees offer a mix of elegance and comfort due to their glossy texture. They can boost your luxurious and glamorous appearance.
• Handloom: Handloom sarees are renowned for their identical prints on both sides and immaculate finish. You might find yourself adoring this fabric due to its comfort, durability, and stunning drapes.

3. Choosing the Right Color

If you want to achieve a visually appealing saree look, you must learn how to play with the right colors. Don't worry; we'll guide you through it! Here are some of the factors you need to consider in terms of events:

• Day Events: Light, pastel shades like peach, pink, mint green, or powder blue are recommended if you are planning to go to daytime functions because they make you look fresh and elegant.
• Evening Events: For night functions, go for deeper, bolder colors like maroon, royal blue, emerald green, or classic black. If you want to serve a dramatic, glamorous look, then try out these options.
• Festive Occasions: Vibrant colors like red, orange, mustard, yellow, and purple signify joy and celebration, so these are perfect for festivals.

On the other hand, here's how you can choose the perfect color based on your skin tone:

• Dark Skin: Bold purple and pale beige are two of the best color choices for dark-skinned women. If you are one of them, you can pair your saree with gold jewelry to enhance your luxurious appearance.
• Light Skin: Some of the best color options for women with light skin are olive, light pink, and royal blue. Their varying rich hue yields enticing contrasts when paired with lighter skin tones.

4. Picking the Perfect Design

Apart from adhering to the event motif, your saree must complement your body type and your style.

• Heavily Embellished Sarees: Perfect for grand celebrations like weddings for both bridal wear and attendees. Its intricate embroidery, zari work, or stone embellishments will undoubtedly showcase your elegance.
• Minimalist Designs: Sarees with minimalist designs like light borders or prints are the best choices if you are going to office parties or casual outings. You can also consider floral prints, stripes, or geometric patterns to achieve a modern look.
• Traditional Motifs: Sarees with traditional designs like paisleys, peacocks, or temple borders can give your look a cultural and elegant touch, so you better wear them at religious events or festivals.

5. Accessorizing Your Saree

Choosing the right accessories will make or break your saree look. Once you've chosen the saree that suits your preference, proceed to accessorize it:

• Jewelry: Minimal jewelry like statement earrings or a delicate necklace are perfect with heavily embellished sarees. For simpler-looking sarees, you can layer necklaces or use a bold statement piece.
• Footwear: Always choose comfortable footwear, especially if you'll be wearing the saree for many hours. Heels or embellished flats perfectly complement most sarees.
• Bags: Use a stylish clutch or potli bag to elevate your overall look. They are your best options if you're attending grand occasions like weddings or festive events.

6. Draping Styles

You must know that draping is as important as the saree itself, as it can elevate your overall appearance. If you have no idea about the different draping styles, here are a few popular options you can start with:

• Nivi Drape: The classic style where the pallu is pleated and draped over the left shoulder.
• Bengali Drape: Perfect for festivals like Durga Puja, this style involves draping the pallu over the right shoulder.
• Gujarati Drape: This style involves draping the pallu from back to front over the right shoulder. It serves an elegant and fresh look, so it is a popular option for festive occasions or bridal wear.
• Maharashtrian Style: Characterized by its distinctive approach of tucking the pleats at the back and bringing the pallu over the left shoulder. It is often worn without a petticoat.
• Mermaid Style: It is a contemporary style inspired by the shape of a mermaid's tail. It involves tightly draping the saree around the legs and flares out at the bottom.

7. Weather Considerations

Considering the weather during various seasons can help you choose the perfect saree and prioritize your comfort. Here's a quick guide:

• Summer: Light saree fabrics are highly recommended during the summer season as they are breathable and comfortable. As for the design, choosing bright and pastel colors can make you look more stylish.
• Monsoon: chiffon, crepe, and georgette fabrics are perfect during the Monsoon season. These lightweight fabrics are easy to dry and they are also insusceptible to stains. You can also consider dark colors with bold prints to showcase vibrancy amid the gloomy weather.

8. Hacks in Wearing a Saree

• Put on your footwear before draping a saree: Wear your chosen footwear before draping your saree so you'll know if it is of the ideal length. The saree's length will depend on the height of your selected heels.
• Use a shapewear: Wearing a shapewear can enhance and emphasize your curves in a saree. You can simply drape your saree over it and showcase your elegance.
• Use colored pins: Pick colored pins to enhance your saree look, as they can disguise any pinning.

9. Final Tips

• Body Type: If you have a petite body type, go for lighter fabrics like chiffon or georgette to avoid overwhelming your frame. Meanwhile, taller women look better with heavier fabrics like silk.
• Comfort First: Your comfort must come first before aesthetics. No matter how stunning a saree looks, it will not matter if you look awkward while wearing it. You must pick breathable fabrics and a draping style you can manage to pull off throughout the event.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect saree requires a proper understanding of the occasion. It also involves determining the ideal fabric types and color options and then styling them to achieve a glamorous and elegant look. Whether it is for a grand celebration or a casual day out, wearing the right saree can make you shine wherever you go. So, check out Aakritee's Collection to find a range of beautiful sarees in all these fabrics, perfect for every season and occasion.